Will Chapman <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: >The local 'expert' on our mooring told me I would 'ruin' the >engine within six months if I didn't run it in gear when >charging; I decided to take Beta's advice and ignore him.
Another flaw in the expert's advice is that it very substantially (triple?) increases the cost of producing the electricity. The engine is running harder in gear, so it is using more fuel, and almost certainly more to churn up the water and damage the bank than to turn the alternator. However, the real answer is not to use the main engine as a stationery generator at all. It is over-powered for the task, and so apart from the wear question it will be inefficient at it too. A separate generator is needed, and nowadays they are small enough so almost everyone can find room for one on board. Also, they will still be able to run on red diesel. Adrian Adrian Stott 07956-299966
