Generator Utility Platform

Schuster":2fw40q96 said:
Thanks John and Bob. I believe if I tap into the the fuel line near the racor filter that I may be able to keep the rise near 12". If I find a 90 degree hose barb to cap adapter it would help to minimize the rise also. I'm considering a quick disconnect rather than a valve to reduce fittings and hardware.

SSBOL I haven't looked at the racor filter yet for outlet ports yet but i may have to experiment a bit to see if I will have troubles drawing enough fuel. It could be that the 2000i draws a little better vacuum than the 1000 model.
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The rise on a C-Dory is measured from the bottom of the tank (worst case scenario) to the fuel inlet on the generator, which if you use a ported cap is basically the top of the generator. You may get some help if you fill up the generator tank and the fuel feed line with fuel so that there are no air voids.
 
Maybe this is a dumb comment but could you plumb the generator with a fuel line with inline primer bulb and use it to fill the internal tank on generator? You would need a vent still on that cap fitting but you could just pump the gas in. That would eliminate the need to carry and pour gas into the generator. You would have to pump it in but those generators don’t use that much fuel.
 
Clay, I have considered just putting a squeeze bulb in line, but the tank holds near a gallon of fuel so that's a lot of pumping from the bulb. I figured if it doesn't work I'll just carry a gallon with me to refill with.

The vented cap brings up another question. If the replacement cap with the hose barb isn't vented would that cause a vapor lock and the generator to not run properly?
 
A low pressure fuel pump might be the missing link when used in line with the modified generator fuel cap. As the generator tank empties the pump will keep positive pressure on the line. The pump will stop running when it reaches 6 psi.. No need for a switch because this is a diaphragm pump.

Does anyone have a link to the generator fuel cap for the Honda EU2200? I might try this on my boat. (I have the fuel pump)

https://www.amazon.com/Clatoon-Univ...642926&sprefix=12+v+fuel,aps,243&sr=8-13&th=1
 
Schuster":cf38it9v said:
Clay, I have considered just putting a squeeze bulb in line, but the tank holds near a gallon of fuel so that's a lot of pumping from the bulb. I figured if it doesn't work I'll just carry a gallon with me to refill with.

The vented cap brings up another question. If the replacement cap with the hose barb isn't vented would that cause a vapor lock and the generator to not run properly?
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If you use a vented cap on the generator, it won’t draw from the external tank if the vent is open. The external tank needs its own vent.

The cap with the hose barb is vented through the barb if there is not a separate vent or a hose attached.

There is a video online on modifying a regular cap for use with an external tank. It is lots cheaper to do that than buy the Honda cap with the barb.
 
The problem with the fuel pump, unless you have a second container, you will pessurise the generator fuel tank. It is not rated for 6 PSI. You could use the pump to fill the generator's tank manually. I have such a setup, self (contained unit) that has a Racor filter, the pump and a battery. I use this to transfer fuel and to polish fuel. The unit is kept off the boat, I don't want a pressurized fuel system in the cockpit of a C Dory--I consider that a potential fire hazard or explosive hazard.

I do carry a 1 or 2 gallon fuel tank to refill the generator tank. That is kept in the splash well, secured behind a SS tubing which holds the generator platform.
 
Yes, I was thinking more along the lines of using the bulb for filling the internal tank. I would rather pump the primer bulb for a minute or two compared to carrying extra gas cans and trying to fill the generator. Less chance of spilling fuel.
 
I have never had a problem refilling the generator tank. However for safety, I stop the generator, and use a funnel to pour the gasoline into the generator tank.

My best friend had about 20% whole body 3rd degree burns after a butane/propane cartridge did not seal and the entire content leaked rapidly into the room and ignited/exploded. He tossed the burning cartridge out the door and in the process of the sustained the burns, but saved his house. He was in a burn center for 3 months. His wife and I were at his side every day; There was fear of mental damage-fortunately did not occur and he did require hemodialysis for his kidney failure. He had multiple skin grafts.

When I was 10 years old Howard Keel's "Sea Hawk" a classic wooden boat exploded and burned only a hundred or so feet from my dad's boat. It was the night before the first Transpacific race after WW II. There was a propane leak and the wife lit a cigarette: Boom!! Etched on my mind for all of this time is the sight of his wife fleeing the boat with some of her clothes afire. Someone nearby grabbed a blanket and rolled her up, so she minimal injures. The boat burned to the waterline that night. Fortunately some quick thinkers pushed the boat off the dock and the shore boat got a line with a grappling hook aboard Sea Hawk and pulled out further, so no other boats were ignited., It took the fireboats over half an hour to arrive. I have seen half a dozen boats explode and burn in my boating life time. The one accident many of us are not really prepared for.
 
thataway":1aa3lb00 said:
. . . The one accident many of us are not really prepared for.
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Amen!

We returned from one of our Inside Passage cruises to find our covered slip in the marina nothing but charred ruins. The boat in the slip right next to ours was a gasoline powered inboard. The owner of the boat (an auto mechanic who has had his own shop for decades) was working on the boat's carburetor when . . . kaboom! He suffered burns on his hands and face, but got off very lucky. Three boats were total losses and half a dozen or so others damaged to various degrees. Several more boats were saved by quick action of marina personnel. At least a dozen slips had to be rebuilt. If we had returned from Alaska one day earlier, or boat would surely have been a total loss.

Pay close attention to fittings, hoses, storage containers and best practices when dealing with gasoline or propane in particular.

Stay safe!
 
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