Belt-driven generators

I'm considering a belt driven generator for Seaweed. Is there any wisdom
from the field regarding same? The new-to-me diesel does not have an
alternator and I'm intrigued by the belt-driven units available. The price
is less than half a Honda or Yamaha 2k which appeals to my purse.

Belt Driven 2900 watt generator head
http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=janice142-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0000AXDN2 ($400)

or
Belt-driven 5500 watt
http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=janice142-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0000AXDMY
($500)

or for you big guys
10kw belt-driven generator
http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=janice142-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0000AXDNX
($900)

Side note: Seaweed carries 275 watts of solar at present (with room for two
more 100 watt panels) and I've an Air-Breeze wind gen (latest motherboard)
so for the most part I've got power. Not enough to run the reefer full time
but with the canning I'll do during the engine swap, really a refrigerator
is almost a luxury. Not that I don't like my luxuries!

What's the word from the field regarding the generators shown above? Is
this too good to be true?
Charging to a Xantrex TrueCharge20 (it works/knock on teak) but basically I
don't have anything AC except the Haier refrigerator and until the battery
bank increases (at 450 amp hours currently) I'm not comfortable running the
reefer.

Advice sought!

janice142 said:

I'm considering a belt driven generator for Seaweed. Is there any wisdom
from the field regarding same? The new-to-me diesel does not have an
alternator and I'm intrigued by the belt-driven units available. The price
is less than half a Honda or Yamaha 2k which appeals to my purse.

Belt Driven 2900 watt generator head
http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=janice142-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0000AXDN2 ($400)

or
Belt-driven 5500 watt
http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=janice142-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0000AXDMY
($500)

or for you big guys
10kw belt-driven generator
http://ir-na.amazon-adsystem.com/e/ir?t=janice142-20&l=as2&o=1&a=B0000AXDNX
($900)

Side note: Seaweed carries 275 watts of solar at present (with room for two
more 100 watt panels) and I've an Air-Breeze wind gen (latest motherboard)
so for the most part I've got power. Not enough to run the reefer full time
but with the canning I'll do during the engine swap, really a refrigerator
is almost a luxury. Not that I don't like my luxuries!

What's the word from the field regarding the generators shown above? Is
this too good to be true?
Charging to a Xantrex TrueCharge20 (it works/knock on teak) but basically I
don't have anything AC except the Haier refrigerator and until the battery
bank increases (at 450 amp hours currently) I'm not comfortable running the
reefer.

Advice sought!

Click to expand...

Except for hot water and airconditioning...I would run a 12 volt boat in the perfect world.

If I need hot water or air conditioning...do you really want to run your main engine for them? Hot water maybe..but air for the time you want it?

Running your diesel with a big alternator to charge batteries and heat water at the same time isn't a bad idea..but to run an Air Conditioner for hours seems a waste.

Thst's what you really have to decide...what hotel services you want, when, for how long and what type electricity is best suited to run them.

To correct the links:

2900 watt ($400)
Amazon.com: NorthStar Belt-Driven Generator Head - 2900 Watt: Patio, Lawn & Garden


5500 watt ($500)
Amazon.com: NorthStar Belt Driven Generator Head - 5500 Watt: Patio, Lawn & Garden


10kw watt generator ($900)
Amazon.com: NorthStar Belt Driven Generator Head - 10,000 Watt: Patio, Lawn & Garden

And yes psneedl... essentially Seaweed is 12-volts. I have a little cube refrigerator (Haier, $70 circa Walmart) and a crock pot. Plus two small lights that are AC. And at Christmas my tree of course.

The goal is to charge the batteries while underway. Generally I run for a few hours two or three days then sit back and wait for weather. Or if I like the spot I might stay for a month and just enjoy life.

The only reason I've been here in Carrabelle so long was the initial blown head gasket (repaired) and the opportunity for a small diesel was too good to pass up. I'd been offered a 10kw which is rather ridiculous (and too big for my engine) but the little one? Well, it's something to consider.

I'd dearly love to have a working refrigerator -- mine is only turned on when the wind blows hard or if the days are sunny. I don't feel like I have enough battery bank to run the reefer regularly. Then again I don't like taking my batteries below 12.3 though I have taken them down to 12.2 on occasion.

Hey... and Pau Hana: I see you reading the thread. Where be you? How's you lovely lady? Etc. PM or come visit my website. I'd wondered about 'cha.

pretty sure those pulley driven generators have to be driven at a set RPM...I think you are better off with a decent one or two alternators for charging batts and a cheapo inverter for 110v for your limited 110V needs.

The problem of the requirement for a single constant speed at the gen head forces the boat to operate with the gen CPS as tach , not the speeds the operator desires.

I would install a truck 135A (under $150) and 3 or 4 stage V regulator , and a SOC meter and see what developes.

For rational folks thats all that is needed.

Janice, the suggestion of an auto or truck alternator with proper regulator and perhaps a inverter seems to be the best idea. Your power needs are not that great.
On the few times I ran my AC on the hook , I used my Honda 2000 genny. Its quiet and very thrifty to run.

When I bought my boat the PO had changed out the Kohler for a Power Ginny 3KW belt driven generator. It was made in Costa Mesa, CA and had a metric cog belt driving the alternator. The engine was a two cylinder 9 or 10 HO Kubota diesel engine. It ran at 3600 RPM constantly to maintain 60 cps and 120 VAC. It was actually the right size for the boat and the 7KW was way over sized.

WHen they placed the two on the frame they made, they didn't have them exactly parallel so it made the belt work towards one side of the pulleys which chewed it up over time.

I had 179 hours on the hour meter when the Kubota blew up. I contacted them and that engine was now obsolete and parts hard to find.

What I learned is, find an engine that is reliable and can power it at 1800 RPM and belt it accordingly. You will be much more happy when it's running.

Good Luck and the last tip, get an attachment for that gen so it makes a true sine wave, not a modified square sine wave.

If you go to NorthStar Belt-Driven Generator Head — 2900 Watt | Generator Heads| Northern Tool + Equipment In the Q&A section it says "This generator head requires at least 5HP and 3540-3720 RPM". Making this work off your main engine seams problematic at best.

I would definately go with a large alternator but make sure you get one that your engine can handle. Some small engines can not handle large alternators hung on the front end. The alternator will produce DC power that you can dump directly into your battery bank, only limited by the charge acceptance of the battery. This will provide the minimum run time to recharge your battery bank. An AC generator will force you to run the engine at a constant speed and it will produce more power than your battery charger can handle. Recharge rate will be limited by the battery charger so engine run time is increased.

BTW the worst thing for a battery bank is to discharge it and leave it discharged for a period of time, such as waiting for wind or solar.

I'm going to just come out and say it, being in the generator business...

1. Any $900, 10KW generator end is junk, pure and simple.

2. Almost any 3600 RPM generator end is junk (I only put almost in this one because someone might pop up with a good 3600 rpm unit).

The concept of a generator end, and not having a prime mover to turn it at its exact rated rpm does not work.

to the OP...

In your situation, if you need AC power, and are on a tight budget buy a honda or like generator, or an inverter. Attempting to utilize a generator end like you linked to will only result in frustration, and heartache on your part.

ksanders said:

In your situation, if you need AC power, and are on a tight budget buy a Honda or like generator, or an inverter. Attempting to utilize a generator end like you linked to will only result in frustration, and heartache on your part.

Click to expand...

Could not agree more! I have seen sooo many cruisers (sail boaters) in the Sea of Cortez that have Honda 2000EUs. These people are the ultimate "miserly" cruisers. They can squeeze a nickle until the buffalo poops and they have Hondas purring (yes, purring!) away, atop their cabins. Brand new, the Honda is about $1,000 & I've seen them on the Internet for $800. In your situation, that is what I would do.

https://www.google.com/search?q=Hon...rg.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-beta

We have a 5KW cruise gen powered by the main 671. I had to re sheave/pulley on the 671 bigger to be able to maintain the required gen rpm at the cruise RPM of the main 671. One we are out in open water and will be cruising for hours at a constant 1500 rpm I switch to the cruise gen. In the marina and at slower speed use the main gen set which power the bow thruster and the get home. So the gen set is back up for the main 671 and the main 671 is back up for the gen set.

Cruise gen sets are some what popular on for sail boats and even small trawlers as an option. Our is a Auto-gen – 120/240 AC 60 Hz 5500 wt – requires minimum of 1750 RPM. Mfg by Mercantle Manufacturing company, Minden Louisiana.

Phil Fill said:

We have a 5KW cruise gen powered by the main 671. I had to re sheave/pulley on the 671 bigger to be able to maintain the required gen rpm at the cruise RPM of the main 671. One we are out in open water and will be cruising for hours at a constant 1500 rpm I switch to the cruise gen. In the marina and at slower speed use the main gen set which power the bow thruster and the get home. So the gen set is back up for the main 671 and the main 671 is back up for the gen set.

Cruise gen sets are some what popular on for sail boats and even small trawlers as an option. Our is a Auto-gen – 120/240 AC 60 Hz 5500 wt – requires minimum of 1750 RPM. Mfg by Mercantle Manufacturing company, Minden Louisiana.

Click to expand...

Cruise generators used to be more popular before inverter technology evolved and became commonplace.

They work, if and only if you keep the exact steady state RPM on your main engine. The way voltage regulators work, and especially the older ones is that as the frequency dropped off, so would voltage. Increase frequency and the voltage increases.

With the inverter technology available at modest prices today, in a new installation I would not even consider a cruise generator. A good high output dc generator/alternator is a much better option since they are not dependant on engine rpm for anything other than output current capacity.

You wont get 5KW out of a DC alternator, but thats why we have marine generators onboard.

I have no experience with them, but there are portable propane operated refrigerators available as well if that would address some or all of your needs.

Porta Gaz 61211 Silver 3-Way Portable Gas Refrigerator : Amazon.com : Automotive

Thank you for all the explanations and details -- I needed an education and you've provided same. Thank you. Of course I was in the "might as well's" territory (always dangerous to the purse) so it's good to know that this can be tabled. The theory was nice on the surface but it's the devil in the details.

Truly I'm looking for a nudge in recharging and the idea of running the engine to charge the batteries isn't something I do. When Seaweed's motor is running we're going to raise the anchor and go some place -- even if only for an hour or two. There's something that just goes against my grain about sitting in one place and idling.

Yes, I've looked at the Honda2ks... and the 1ks by Kipor as well. Size wise, with the limited boost I'd like, smaller is better. Of course if this generator thing was a better mouse-trap... but it's not. Such is life.

For the time being I'll concentrate on the new engine and let my mind rest easy. You have no idea how thrilled I am to finally have a diesel going into my girl. The ONLY thing I swore when boat shopping was that I'd not have a gasoline engine (was real close to a boat that blew that I ended up with a couple broken ribs from being slammed down on the dinghy dock) ... so of course I bought Seaweed with a huge gas beast. And I'm glad.

This new/old diesel swap is the culmination of desires for her transformation from boat to full-blown cruiser. The fuel consumption will be lots better too.

Anyway, I'm rambling. Thank you gents. It's been an education and I'm always glad to learn.

SeaHorse II said:

Could not agree more! I have seen sooo many cruisers (sail boaters) in the Sea of Cortez that have Honda 2000EUs. These people are the ultimate "miserly" cruisers.

Click to expand...

Hmm. . . I wonder what the fuel consumption per hour is on the 2000EU? Their owners manual doesn't list it. These puppies are spun up pretty tight too, 4500 - 5000 rpm's underload. I wouldn't mind having one for home use, if they had a decent service life.

if you are mostly a 12volt boat...you can always just use the Honda (or equivalent) 1000 to just power a battery charger....it's plenty unless you have a mega charger and doesn't use much fuel.

When at docks or anchor and I don't need 110volts except for my morning coffee and a battery top off...I run the Honda instead of the installed diesel 8kw genset....it's a lot smaller and lighter than the 2kw Honda so it's an inexpensive and fairly quiet way to charge batteries if you aren't a floating solar farm.

Edelweiss said:

Hmm. . . I wonder what the fuel consumption per hour is on the 2000EU? Their owners manual doesn't list it. These puppies are spun up pretty tight too, 4500 - 5000 rpm's underload. I wouldn't mind having one for home use, if they had a decent service life.

Click to expand...

I think that in reality a honda generator aboard a boat, probably gets more use than the average home backup unit. You'll robably get many many years out of one of them.

Home backup power runs the gambit of budgets. Its easy to sink 25K or more into a whole house backup power solution.

I have Two backup generators at our house. If the power goes out, within 3.5 seconds the main generator is running and the house is connected. If that generator fails for any reason it takes about 20 seconds for the second unit to start up and connect.

I guess I'm a generator geek.

Mines 10 years old...looks and acts new...on it's second boat and many house storms plus field use for powering hand tools.

But neglected as Honda's seem to tolerate well...unused for 6 months then pressed into hard use....

Edelweiss said:

Hmm. . . I wonder what the fuel consumption per hour is on the 2000EU?

Click to expand...

Here's some info on the fuel usage...

Thanks for the Info...

ksanders said:

You wont get 5KW out of a DC alternator, but thats why we have marine generators onboard.

Click to expand...

Sure you can ... just need to go 24V and talk to these guys:

High Output Alternators manufactured in the USA by ZENA, Incorporated

RickB said:

Sure you can ... just need to go 24V and talk to these guys:

High Output Alternators manufactured in the USA by ZENA, Incorporated

Click to expand...

Yes, I suppose your're right.

Those are some really nice high capacity alternators!

Da way we do it! - -> Old School Stuff!!

1977 7.5 Kohler Gasoline Generator

Fuel Consumption (as per orig factory book):

1. 25% Load .70 gal/hr (2.6 lts/hr)
2. 50% Load .80 gal/hr (3.0 lts/hr)
3. 75% Load .1.1 gal/hr (4.2 lts/hr)
4. 100% Load .1.4 gal/hr (5.3 lts/hr)

We generally use our Kohler gen set .50 to .75 hr in morning and sometimes (but not always) for approx same duration in eve. Generator is well muffled, runs smoothly, and creates no vibration as well as very little noise either aboard of nearby off board. I keep the load between 25% and 75% (often lower than higher; as I don't activate all breakers at same time). I can therefore safely calc my gasoline use at 1 gal/hr. Figuring 1.5 hr daily run time (that’s a bit higher figure than actual use): 4 day weekend = 6 gallons gen set fuel per weekend. Not too bad for coffee, hot water, ac fridge chilled, house bank charged, some limited cooking (I do a lot of BBQen) and computers charged while playing aboard and swimming off our fun Tollycraft tri cabin!

Happy Boating Daze! - Art

Any bus repair shop will have used 300A 24V alternators sitting on the shelf.

$500-$1000 each flat belt drive

With a 4KW sine wave inverter you can operate 2 air cond , and other stuff at the same time.

RickB said:

Sure you can ... just need to go 24V and talk to these guys:

High Output Alternators manufactured in the USA by ZENA, Incorporated

Click to expand...

Thanks Rick! That baby is a Bad Beaitch! LOL I plan to have a skilled marine electrician I know go over our Tolly in next year or so. I have your link and some page info in a folder... will discuss with him.

Well!! This is about a cruising generator not a stand alone belt drive generator.

I had one on the Heads Up when I bought it and I was running it on a channel crossing when a boat turned in front of me and I had to make speed corrections. I quickly found out that particular generator didn't like slower speeds while operating and in fact blew up. I didn't like the restriction of engine RPM and the fact all my controls were inside and not on the bridge. I could never find parts for it so I tossed it.

I do have a nice mount and double pulley set up on my port engine though.

I do have a nice mount and double pulley set up on my port engine though.

You should be able to spin a 150 -175A 12v alt with great belt life.

Only about 2000W but cheap and fine for a single air cond or a huge supply of house toys, with a 2500W inverter.

Not sure if it matters or helps. But you can try Fabcopower.com. All types of neat setups available.

Sent from my Galaxy SIII using speech to text.so some words may not be perfect.but it's easier.

Capthead said:

Good Luck and the last tip, get an attachment for that gen so it makes a true sine wave, not a modified square sine wave.

Click to expand...

Since an AC generator (an alternator) can't make anything but a sine wave and a DC generator produces a unidirectional current flow with a half-wave ripple form, neither one will give you a square wave or a modified sine wave at the output.

Only an inverter or other switching type power supply can do that.

What kind of "gadget" do you mean?

so it makes a true sine wave, not a modified square sine wave.

Interesting what you are attempting to power.
We have no monster motors Air Cond or water maker , just house goodies.

The modified square sine wave. (what I call chop chop power) has operated every appliance aboard .

The blender , microwave , toaster , cusinart or bread maker are happy with an under $200, 1500W inverter.