Re: Running the Genny at night?
Posted: July 2nd, 2020, 6:49 am
Very interesting subject. I’ve only done it once on my previous boat and never slept all night because I was too worried.
In addition, occasionally I can smell the diesel exhaust in the cabin while the genset is running (yes, you can’t smell CO, but I would think if you CAN smell diesel then there has to be CO present, even if low level).
Last year I was a transient at a marina (more of a resort than a properly run marina) and another boat diagonal across from me was running his genset with the wind slightly blowing in my direction. I was upset but didn’t do anything about it for a few hours (it was obvious by now he was going to run it all day/night) while sitting on the back of my boat. Then when my wife was taking a shower, the salon CO detector started going off. When speaking with the owner of that boat, he was kind of upset at ME and was trying to counter my concern when I indicated I could smell his exhaust (saying you can’t smell CO). But I just pointed at my detector and said well, ITS GOING OFF! So he moved his boat in maybe 10-15 slips away from me and continue to run it (even though there were a few boats with people near him). But I noticed he at least shut it off at night. I guess his boat was tripping the power for the entire marina which was why he was running it.
But your comment of “you don’t know what you don’t know” is applicable. It may take just the perfect situation for it to be an issue, and people die. Thank god my CO detector had gone off because who knows if I would have said anything. I will for sure NOW.
In addition, occasionally I can smell the diesel exhaust in the cabin while the genset is running (yes, you can’t smell CO, but I would think if you CAN smell diesel then there has to be CO present, even if low level).
Last year I was a transient at a marina (more of a resort than a properly run marina) and another boat diagonal across from me was running his genset with the wind slightly blowing in my direction. I was upset but didn’t do anything about it for a few hours (it was obvious by now he was going to run it all day/night) while sitting on the back of my boat. Then when my wife was taking a shower, the salon CO detector started going off. When speaking with the owner of that boat, he was kind of upset at ME and was trying to counter my concern when I indicated I could smell his exhaust (saying you can’t smell CO). But I just pointed at my detector and said well, ITS GOING OFF! So he moved his boat in maybe 10-15 slips away from me and continue to run it (even though there were a few boats with people near him). But I noticed he at least shut it off at night. I guess his boat was tripping the power for the entire marina which was why he was running it.
But your comment of “you don’t know what you don’t know” is applicable. It may take just the perfect situation for it to be an issue, and people die. Thank god my CO detector had gone off because who knows if I would have said anything. I will for sure NOW.