[C38] Diesel Generator

Joseph Launie jlaunie at cox.net
Sun Apr 19 23:36:06 EDT 2009


Tom,
    How much does that thing weigh? Does it take the Jolly Green Giant 
to move it? This would make a great article for the mainsheet. Joe 
Launie/Macavity

Tom T. wrote:
> Hi Bill,
>  
> Sorry for the delay.  I am way behind in reading my email and just 
> today saw your's.
>  
> If you have an inverter controlled Honda EU2000, you already have a 
> very quiet genset.  Mine has a Honda engine but it is not inverter 
> controlled and runs 3,600 rpm all the time so it's noisy load or no load.
>  
> The box is constructed from 1/2" plywood and lined with lead lined 
> foam acoustic insulation.  Then the inside is lined with light gage 
> aluminum.  I welded a 3/4" female nipple to the muffler so I can screw 
> in a typical lawnmower muffler to further quiet the engine.
>  
> Since these pictures were taken, I've fabricated a baffled intake to 
> the engine cooling vent hole which really helped quiet it down.  All 
> three air intakes are separate and directly fed from the outside.  
> These include the carb, engine cooling and generator cooling.  There 
> are two hot outlets, the muffler exit and a large vent on the bottom 
> for venting the engine and generator section heated air.  The hot air 
> from the bottom is directed to the rear where it hits the back of the 
> cockpit backrest and is angled up.  This reduces noise also.
>  
> By putting the genset on the helm seat, it keeps the genset as far as 
> possible from the cabin, downwind at anchor, and a great seat for the 
> helmsman.  I remove the outboard tank from the genset and replace it 
> with a throwable cushion for a really great helms seat.  I have a rope 
> that attaches to the genset that connects to the toe rails to keep it 
> in place.
>  
> The two pictures of the lid are from both sides.  I wanted to show the 
> aluminum liner protecting the lead/foam insulation.  The slot in the 
> top is to allow the lid to be easily removed and replaced and still 
> having quick access to the starter cord.  I rigged a remote lever 
> mounted on the front to operate the choke.  Also, on one side is an 
> electric button to kill the ignition.  There is also a screw out 
> marine type port on the side for easy oil changing.
>  
> Good luck,
> TomTroncalli
>  
>  
>  
>
>     ----- Original Message -----
>     *From:* William Knowles <mailto:whk1965 at gmail.com>
>     *To: *Catalina 38 Listserve <mailto:listserve at catalina38.org>
>     *Sent:* 3/30/2009 9:50:57 PM
>     *Subject:* Re: [C38] Diesel Generator
>
>     Hi Tom,
>     I bought a honda gen at the boat show, would like to see photos of
>     your install. Sounds like the perfect fix for the honda.
>
>     Thanks Bill Knowles
>     flying goose
>
>     whk1965 at gmail.com <mailto:whk1965 at gmail.com>
>
>     2009/3/30 Max Soto <maxsoto at gmail.com <mailto:maxsoto at gmail.com>>
>
>
>         Hi Tom,
>
>         I definitely want to go with a permanent installed Marine
>         generator in order to run my air conditioning at anchor. You
>         did a hell of a job with your sound shield and thanks a lot
>         for you input!! This way will be a lot cheaper tan the price
>         of a marine gen, but if I want it to be permanent, I think
>         this will be the right option......
>
>         Anybody on the list have installed a diesel gen on their boats?? 
>
>         Any toughts will be appreciated.
>
>         Regards,
>         Max Soto
>         C38 #198 ESTANCIA
>         Puntarenas, Costa Rica
>
>         2009/3/30 Tom T. <tdtron at earthlink.net
>         <mailto:tdtron at earthlink.net>>
>
>             Hi Max,
>              
>             You may not want to duplicate what I did.  Instead of
>             buying  diesel genset, I used a 3kw air cooled generator. 
>             I through away the frame and gas tank and put the
>             motor/generator in a sound enclosure.  It was a very big
>             job but I use the genset enclosure as a helm seat also. 
>             The genset over the helm seat is very quiet in the cabin,
>             being as far as you can get from us and still be on the
>             boat.  The stern area is also downwind from us.
>              
>             The sound enclosure and additional muffler make the genset
>             almost totally quiet.  You can't hear it from the cabin
>             when it is running.  We lost no storage space and gained
>             an elevated helm seat but it was an enormous job making
>             the sound enclosure.  It is made from 1/2" plywood, lined
>             with lead backed foam sound deadening material and finally
>             covered by aluminum sheeting on the interior.  The
>             enclosure is vented on the bottom for hot air exiting of
>             the engine and generator portions of the genset.  The
>             intakes for the carb, engine cooling and generator cooling
>             are all separate from the ends of the enclosure.
>              
>             I have tested the internal temps on a hot day with the
>             genset running at full load and it never gets
>             over about 15f above ambient temperatures inside.  The
>             muffler is wrapped in heat wrap cloth to insulate it from
>             adding heat inside the enclosure.
>              
>             The genset runs on a 6 gal gasoline tank when in use but I
>             have a cushion to cover the genset instead of the gas tank
>             when used as a helm seat.  The rope starter is led through
>             a slot in the lid so it can be cranked without lifting the
>             lid.  The choke is accessed from a lever on the front.  I
>             also installed an engine kill switch on the outside of the
>             enclosure so you can crank and stop the genset without
>             lifting the gas tank or lid.
>              
>             Since these pictures were taken, I have put a deflector
>             and grill over the engine intake which made it even quieter.
>              
>             I looked at several diesel gensets before I took this
>             route.  We have an inverter on board so even in winter
>             when we don't carry the genset we still have 120v
>             service.  I use the genset on my other lake boat as well
>             since the genset is portable.  The sound enclosure is
>             heavy but you would be amazed at how quiet we tamed this
>             beast.  My remedy isn't exactly a match for a good diesel
>             genset but it was cheaper, portable, lighter, doesn't rob
>             any storage space, and it gives us a high helm seat making
>             it much more enjoyable from the helm seat with the
>             fantastic view using it.  I have a small block and tackle
>             on the backstay to lift the genset to access the rear
>             locker. I can lift the genset one handed with this
>             arrangement.
>              
>             Sorry I couldn't help you on a diesel genset but I did
>             want to answer your question.
>              
>             If you are an idiot like me and decide to go this route, I
>             will be glad to give your more information and photos.
>              
>             Good luck.
>             Tom Troncalli
>              
>              
>              
>
>                 ----- Original Message -----
>                 *From:* Max Soto <mailto:maxsoto at gmail.com>
>                 *To: *tdtron at earthlink.net
>                 <mailto:tdtron at earthlink.net>;Catalina 38 Listserve
>                 <mailto:listserve at catalina38.org>
>                 *Sent:* 3/30/2009 4:58:13 PM
>                 *Subject:* Re: [C38] Measurement request
>
>                 Hi Tom,
>
>                 What kind of gen set are you using?? I'm planning to
>                 install a diesel gen but haven't decide wich one yet..
>                 -- 
>                 Max Soto
>                 C38 #198 ESTANCIA
>                 Puntarenas, Costa Rica
>
>                 2009/3/30 Tom T. <tdtron at earthlink.net
>                 <mailto:tdtron at earthlink.net>>
>
>                     Here is a picture of our microwave and air
>                     conditioner. I hope it comes through.  They are in
>                     the navigation station foot well.  This area was
>                     essentially useless so we used it for the
>                     microwave and air conditioner.  The water pump for
>                     the air conditioner is under the quarter berth
>                     where it is easy to service and quiet.
>                      
>                     The microwave works from a transfer switch which
>                     allows us to use it with shore power, genset, or
>                     inverter.
>                      
>                     The location of the microwave under the navigation
>                     station is also very convenient to the galley.
>                      
>                     Tom Troncalli
>                     Renata hull #95
>                      
>                      
>                      
>
>                         ----- Original Message -----
>                         *From:* Joseph Launie <mailto:jlaunie at cox.net>
>                         *To: *Catalina 38 Listserve
>                         <mailto:listserve at catalina38.org>
>                         *Sent:* 3/30/2009 3:29:03 PM
>                         *Subject:* Re: [C38] Measurement request
>
>                         Charles,
>                             On Macavity we installed a small microwave
>                         in the galley by inserting it in the bulkhead
>                         with the oven extending into the locker. We
>                         installed it in the aft cabin side, above the
>                         fridge. I am going to the boat this wekend and
>                         will send a picture. Joe Launie/Macavity
>
>                         Charles wrote:
>>                         I am thinking of installing a microwave oven
>>                         on the port-side shelf just forward of the
>>                         galley.  I am about 700 miles from my boat,
>>                         so I was wondering if someone a bit closer
>>                         could send me the shelf measurement (height
>>                         and depth)?
>>                         Why a microwave?  We drink a lot of tea, 
>>                         noodles, an soup and I have the inverter
>>                         capacity to run a 700 watt microwave.
>>                         Microwave dimensions are:  18" wide,  11 5/8
>>                         high, 13 1/2 deep.
>>
>>                         Thanks,
>>                         Charles Finn
>>                         Mighty Quinn,  #114
>>                         Great Lakes
>>
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>>                           
>
>
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