Portable Generator?

[MIDNIGHT777]

I am looking to purchase a portable generator. The only reason I need it is to charge my boat trolling motor battery when going to Rainy Lake this summer. I run a 24 Volt trolling battery system with an onboard charger. I am not looking to spend a ton of money.

My question.....How big or small can I go and still get it to charge the batteries. For example, coud I go with the Honda 1000 or do I need to go bigger? My real concern is weight and I dont want to spend a ton of money. Actually I was looking at one from Northern Tool for $149.00 that puts out about the same amount of juice as the Honda 1000.

Thanks for the help, Matt

[Surface Tension]

Somewhere in the manual for the charger it should state the input required. I think you might be OK with 1000 watts.

Make sure whatever you buy has a low oil shutoff because its going to run a long time to charge your batteries.

I'd imagine the cheaper model your referring to is a 2 stroke using mixed gas so of coarse no low oil shutoff.

Personally I'd go with an extra set of batteries and not bring a generator.

[Ufatz]

When it comes to portable generators there are Honda's....and then everything else. The CheapO requires mixed fuel and likely is very flighty in its output....varying voltages etc.

A spare set of batteries MIGHT be an option. The little Honda 1000 is a jewel. I wouldn't leave home without it.

[sparcebag]

The generator from nothern works fine! yes its mixed gas,little louder than the honda.mine only gets used 4-5 times a year,battery charge, TV, sat dish for TV.I could'nt see getting the honda at $900.00 for the little use I'd give it.I have a large generator with Honda engine!1000 watts divided by 120 volts= 8.33 amps out put,more than enough to run a generator.Only runs 5-6 hrs on tank of gas with only gen hooked to it!! Thats the only setback.

[MIDNIGHT777]

Thanks for all the help guys. Well I did a little more checking around and found my onboard charger (MinnKota 220) puts out 20 amps--10 amp to each battery, thus making it need 2400 WATTS and to big for a 1000 WATT generator. My next question is: Can I just use my 10 amp portable MinnKota charger to charge the 24 Volt system. The real question...........can I hook it up to 1 of the 2 batteries to charge both since they are connected together????? I am sure it will probably take a long time to fully charge. Hope this is not confusing.

Due to money and weight restrictions (to much to pack into my boat for the trip) I am not going to be able to purchase any generator bigger than a small 1000 WATT.

I thought about the extra battery option, but there is no way it will work with the amount I tend to use my trolling motors.

Thanks, Matt

[hoggs222]

Will you have a truck by you? What about a power inverter that runs off of the truck battery? I have a Husky one from Home Depot that has a low battery alarm. I think it was $50. You could do that + extension cord for cheap enough.

[MIDNIGHT777]

Unfornately no. I wish I could do this. The extension cord would have to be 20 miles long hehe. Thanks for the idea.

Matt

[sparcebag]

Mid Those 20A are converted to 12V! with the 1000Watt charger your talkin 120Volt Divided by 1000 watts= 8.33 amps Your charger is 120V input with 12 V output. Amps x Volts = Watts so 20A x 12V =240 watts.It can get confusing but your 1000Watt generator is more than enough power for a charger.I run a charger,sat Tv box,and TV at the same time

[fishin58]

Good stuff sparce, I also saw that ad from Northern Tool, it seems like a fool proof plan. Question 2 would it run a sump pump? I would think it could, but that is why I am typing this and not working for NASA.

[sparcebag]

Check the pump it states how many amps to run it.look at it this way,in your house a 15Amp breaker runs what?maybe your garage how many tools lights radio door opener can run at once?on your 15A breaker 8.33Amps is 6.66 fewer just better than half.I have tools it wont run but there professional grade.My refer/freezer in kitchen at full start power uses 6.5Amps probable runs a constant 4A thats @120V.4amps x 120 volts=480 Watts So I can run it and have 520 watts reserve 520 Watts divided by 120 volts=4.33 Amps left over

[MIDNIGHT777]

Sparcebag,

Thanks a lot for all the help. I called MinnKota customer service today and they told me I would need at least 2400 WATTS Sounds to me you know what you are talking about better than them!!!!!!

Thanks again, Matt

[sparcebag]

Midnight I'm curious when you charge your batts at home do you need a special 20 Amp outlet? Because 2400W ~ 120V = 20A. Or is the out put of the charger 2400W.Something is wrong,

[Tman2]

My buddie's dad bought a Honda generator this spring for similar duty at his cabin in LOTW. I applauded the purchase knowing that there are Honda generators and then the rest. He's been having some problems with it already though. It seems like if it doesn't sit just right (level) it won't start. As it runs and jiggles off level, it's still okay, but it doesn't sem to start if it's not just perfect. It was a little frustrating for him to figure out. I didn't think they (Honda generators) were that fussy.

I also would agree that a different brand generator is going to be louder and cheaper, so you have to balance that against the cost and number of times you need to use it. I sure enjoy being at his cabin without electricity, but it sure is nice to charge those batteries.

Overall,the cost will be directly proportional to youir enjoyment int the future (IMHO).

Tman

[Pat K]

I just got back from a weekend at Rainy. I have a 2 bank 20 amp. total Minkota charger in my boat, there was a 2 bank 20 total amp. Dual Pro charger in another boat and a 1 bank 6 amp. Guest charger in a 3rd boat. We could charge all 3 at the same time with a 1000 watt Mikota generator.

There was a 4th boat with a 2 bank 16 total amp Cabelas charger. We couldn't plug it in at the same time as the other two 2 bank chargers. We rotated charging diferent combinations of boats to keep them all running.

Pat K

[MIDNIGHT777]

Thanks again for the help!!!

Sparcebag, at home I just plug it into an outlet in the garage (same one I use for everything-raido,tools, ect.)

Pat, we are doing the same thing you just did at Rainy. There will be 4 of us in 2 boats.

Thanks again,

Matt

[beeonkey]

I have a Honda 2000 watt and the same 20 amp charger you do and unless my batteries are dead I can run it on the eco mode which is the low rpm. We last week end even had another 10 amp charger on at the same time no problem. The Honda is awesome quiet and only takes about two hours to charge the batteries used all day. I would spend the extra money. I still don't know how long my 2000 will go on eco mode, I know it has run over 10 hours on less than a gallon of gas.

I bought my generator for the same thing to charge while camping. I also bougth lights and those energy saving bulbs and i don't bring lanterns any more. The generator is charging while we are sitting around the fire, and usually done by the time we go to bed.

[Ufatz]

Tman: Something is goofy with the Honda genset. If they have not already taken it in they should do so ASAP. I've been using the little Honda gensets since they started making them and they are pretty much bullet-proof. I suspect there is more here than meets the eye regarding the "level" of the set. Have it checked out and then get back to us with a full report.