Adrian said: > 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.
Up to a point Sir Humphrey, although gennies are very compact these days it is still difficult to find room in a narrowboat for one unless it is designed into the craft right from the start. I have seen just such an installation at the boat builders that did my nb but it required sophisticated and clever engineering to create a movable cradle, on which to mount the genny, to allow access for genny servicing. For the beam of craft that you espouse (note careful non-use of adjective to save further tedious explanation ;-))) then your point is very valid. A small, constant speed, generator engine has to be the best way to do the job for efficiency, economy and quietness. However, for the vast majority of narrowboats, it won't become the norm for reasons of space and cost. Pity in a way because it would prevent one my major betes-noir, the petrol genny left running on the boat-in-front's rear deck (so that the owner isn't bothered by the noise of his own genny)...........and right in front of 'my' saloon doors!! Grrr!! Roger
