Rainbowbridge
Keeper of San Juan Secrets
Think you nailed it, Jimmy.....I only use good no ethanol fuel
Should we do a ww poll: Who here voted for ethanol?
Generator recommendations for 3 or 4 day fishing trip.
- Thread starter Troutster
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Should we do a ww poll: Who here voted for ethanol?
TR.
Escalante-Class Member
I posted those will prowse videos when I was thinking about going over to lifepo4s and I am super happy with them. 2 100ah for my 24v last 3-4 days of hard use without recharging. @Bart there is a way to charge lifepo4 off the motor but you do need some special electronics. You have to have a way of absorbing the backflow if the battery BMS determines your lifepo4 is full and shuts off the incoming energy flow. This is why engine manufacturers mostly say do not use lifepo4 as a starting battery. As to the generator question, I prefer a 2000 because size and weight are close to a 1000 and it can do so much more as folks have said. I’m all about weight now so I usually don’t bring a generator but I have a powerful inverter that I can throw on the lifepo4s and power most things I need. BTW, Will Prowse did a great video on Chins batteries so that’s what I bought. They are incredibly cheap on Amazon.
TR
Marina Bum
Escalante-Class Member
There are a lot of choices in small suitcase generators these days. If you only want it to last awhile and not be worth repairing buy a cheap Chinese knock off but if you want it to last and become a valued ally buy a Honda. Everything I've ever bought that said Honda on it cost more and was well worth it over time. I bought a nice cover for my 2200 that's yellow and emblazoned with the name of a knock off brand so no one will bother stealing it, that's my advice.
Also with the Honda you can buy an extended run cap on Amazon that lets you use an outboard tank; That works because the Hondas have a fuel pump. I have a small 2.5 gallon tank that lets me run it all day when needed without refueling. Also, take care to keep your generator out of the sand, I usually put it in a kayak on the beach, sand will destroy it.
Also with the Honda you can buy an extended run cap on Amazon that lets you use an outboard tank; That works because the Hondas have a fuel pump. I have a small 2.5 gallon tank that lets me run it all day when needed without refueling. Also, take care to keep your generator out of the sand, I usually put it in a kayak on the beach, sand will destroy it.
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POk3s
Escalante-Class Member
The advice you’ve received on generators have all been solid. I will just add that you may not need it.
USUALLY, I will troll with my gas motor AND my electric trolling motor….except at Powell. I will always turn on my electric motor enough to steer with it, when I’m at lakes im not camping at.
At lake Powell, the electric motor only gets deployed for spot lock and catching stripers on anchovies or for perusing around and trying to catch smallmouth every once in a while. I have yet to even come close to running out of battery using it that way. If you don’t want to be limited, bring the generator. If you don’t mind not using that electric troller much then save the weight and the hassle.
USUALLY, I will troll with my gas motor AND my electric trolling motor….except at Powell. I will always turn on my electric motor enough to steer with it, when I’m at lakes im not camping at.
At lake Powell, the electric motor only gets deployed for spot lock and catching stripers on anchovies or for perusing around and trying to catch smallmouth every once in a while. I have yet to even come close to running out of battery using it that way. If you don’t want to be limited, bring the generator. If you don’t mind not using that electric troller much then save the weight and the hassle.
Troutster
Active Member
Thanks for all of the advice. I’ve landed on getting the Honda 2200. My Honda snowblower sure runs like a champ. I have some atta-boy points from work that are worth $400 at Sportsman’s or Home Depot. I would consider the 1000 but non of the big box stores where I can get gift cards sell the 1000 or the Yamaha for that matter. I think getting a nock off brand cover so less likely to get stolen is brilliant and hilarious. I am totally doing that. Thanks again for the help!
Dorado
Keeper of San Juan Secrets
I recently put lithium iron batteries on my boat for the trolling motor, and went down this rabbit hole. You can use an alternator charger, but it needs to run through the lead acid battery (and an additional regulator) to buffer any rapid increases in voltage. It ended up being too much of a PITA, so I did not pursue it further. I am like Bart, I don’t use the trolling motor on high speeds, and mostly use the spot lock. I’ve never had issues on 3-4 day trips.
Im not having any pro
I have two Optima Blue tops for my trolling motor and an Optima yellow top for my starter, live wells and graphs. I have a three bank on board charger that I plug in. I can go two days running the trolling motor as soon as I shut down the outboard. All works well for me, I was just toying with the charging off my outboard. It would make it more simple for me.
Dorado
Keeper of San Juan Secrets
The Minn Kota alternator charger will work just fine with your batteries. They are pretty cheap and work great, but not for Lithium Iron. You do need a decent output from your alternator, but I had one on my old boat with a 90 horse, and it worked great.Im not having any pro
I have two Optima Blue tops for my trolling motor and an Optima yellow top for my starter, live wells and graphs. I have a three bank on board chargerthat I plug in. I can go two days running the trolling motor as soon as I shut down the outboard. All works well for me, I was just toying with the charging off my outboard. It would make it more simple for me.
I use our Predator 1400 Invertor (Harbor Freight) generator on the houseboat to run my CPAP, Starlink and other electronics on the houseboat. for $449.00 it was a good deal. I know it won't outlast a Honda, but it was half the price. My only issue with it is that I have to tap on the carb (I assume to loosen the float) before starting. Once started it will run for over 9 hours on a tank. It also has 12V output.
Keep sea foam in the tank and run it in to the carb before you shut it off. I keep sea foam in my 9500 predator. It sits there for months in the heat. Starts right up and doesn't miss a beat. Predator highly promotes a full preservative in the owners manual.
David A Dexter
Well-Known Member
I have a 100Ah LiFePO4 battery for starting my Mercury four stroke and running my Garmin electronics including Livescope. I use a 50Ah LiFePO4 battery to run my Garmin Force. They are connected to a Power Pole Charge which is monitors the battery levels off Blue Tooth and everything is recharged by the 60 amp alternator on the Mercury. I have fished 7 consecutive days with this setup and never plugged in. And yes, I do use the Garmin Force on high speed when I want to. It's never been an issue. The Power Pole Charge is expensive at about $1800 but I can assure you that it's worth every penny.
Lake Bum
Escalante-Class Member
One thing I've witnessed with the cheaper Predator generator's is they reccomend changing the oil every 20 hours! That's really really different than the Honda or Yamaha inverter gens. I've had my Yamaha 2000 inverter gen for about 10 flawless years, and all I do is change the oil once a season with good synthetic oil, and make sure I run it empty at the end of the season.
I have a 7500 watt diesel generator on my Motorhome, but I still use the Yamaha for most things, except running the A/C. I get about 8 hours of running time on 1 gallon on the Yamaha, and no clue on usage on my big generator, as it shares the same tank as the engine.
I have a 7500 watt diesel generator on my Motorhome, but I still use the Yamaha for most things, except running the A/C. I get about 8 hours of running time on 1 gallon on the Yamaha, and no clue on usage on my big generator, as it shares the same tank as the engine.
Meatwagon
Keeper of San Juan Secrets
Saw this add I like the idea of duel fuel option. I've got 2 champions that have been running for over 10yrs now. Both are to big and heavy for in the boat transport though. At 40 to 50lbs I think the 2000 watt models are the ticket and duel fuel is great as well.
The ability to connect 2 units together is also a huge plus if the need arises, like powering a camper with additional load demands.
The ability to connect 2 units together is also a huge plus if the need arises, like powering a camper with additional load demands.
I usually fill the last tank on a trip with gas plus Sta-Bil. I will try the sea foam as well. Thanks.
How loud are these?
On my 1400 Predator the intreval is 100 hours.
Maverick5207
Escalante-Class Member
I have the Predator 2000 watt generator. I've had it for years. I use it quite a bit on the houseboat and at home.
It's under 60 db when powered up. You can easily have a conversation standing next to it.
TR.
Escalante-Class Member
David what do you have protecting the alternator from a back charge, does the power pole charger do that? I know they make something for that but I haven’t seen one installed.
Edited: here is the mercury service bulletin:
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Yeah, they aren't too loud. I just run an extension cord up on the beach to keep it away. Can just barely hear it at extension cord distance especially if behind a rock or the fuel jug.
Stabil works well too. i just add to every tankful to keep it in there. I think it helps keep every thing clean, IMO.
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