Proper engine start up

I drive a lot of different boats but my routine is usually always the same. After ER check I start the generator first, then the mains, starboard then port. After that I switch the AC power from shore to generator, turn on electronics, unplug, untie and go. By then everything has had a chance to warm up.

I leave battery chargers on all the time. Alternators take over when underway. I almost always run the generator but if it's a short trip and I don't need it I don't run it. Don't run a generator without a load on it. I usually keep inverters off, I don't like them. Depends on the boat and the way it's set up. I don't run stuff that doesn't need to be on.

Poor installation methods such as draining the house batteries (or all batteries) rather than an isolated bank for inverter use only. This is a common problem that I run across, but it can be easily corrected.

I don't like automatic stuff. I don't want an inverter kicking in automatically if I lose my generator underway. When a system fails I don't want it automatically hidden from me - I want to be aware of it. I've had it happen. So I shut them off.

Another PITA about inverters is boat owners who have little understanding of the technology and think they can run everything on the boat, at anchor, without the generator, forever, because they've got an inverter.

That about covers it.

Alot of the marinas in N/E FL and S/E GA are in shallow / silty water. When I know silt is going to get kicked up (sand & silt) during dockside manunevers, I prefer not to have the Gen-set or Air systems running.

One of our customers has his Gen-set pickup near centerline between his wheels. Clogs up the Onan H/E near every time he comes in.

Our ship has an inverter. I am a big fan of inverters and have discussed them a few times on YF. Except for the Air systems, compressors and water makers, everything else is on and it's own battery bank is charged by a second alternator mounted on our port main. Our inverter batteries can last all night at anchor (on a cool night) we have just enough juice for the morning coffee. Big TV, house sized fridge, & a few computers with screens.

However, A few boats I have been on, The A/C equipment does run thru / off the inverters. Nice auto system; when on dockside power, 240vac goes thru the inverters. Turn the dockside power off, inverters kick in. Between 1.5 to 2 hours later (A/Cs running) the gen-set gets a signal to auto start / stop and maintains the batteries. Perfect operation for the 4 years + that I've known one boat in particular.

Better inverters have come a long way in a few years. Some people do have their reservations and that's cool also.