TOP 10 & Best Portable Generator for Boat AC – MY EXPERIENCE

No better way to enjoy maximum comfort of your boat than having a portable generator for boat AC.

Investing in a good portable genitor to power up your boats sensitive electronics, make coffee, heat food, or even run your air conditioner should never be under-rated.

You can use an adapter known as a “PigTail” to connect your shore power inlet port to one of the 15/20a output if your generator does not have a receptable to accept your shorepower cable.

If you are looking for a portable generator for the boat, we will review the seven best boat generators. Go through the features of each to select one that meets your needs.

Best Portable Generator for Boat AC

• Honda EU2200i Portable Inverter Generator – Best Pick Honda Marine Generator

It is what it is, my friend. This generator is an expensive little bad a$$ generator. You literarily get what you pay for and more with this unit.

Yes, it’s going to work hard, be quiet and generate electricity for you. Also, it is user-friendly and operates effortlessly.

I love the new features and improvements such as

• Fuel shut off
• Fuel drain
• Bluetooth (which includes hour meter)

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I bought the companion as well with the Berg extended run fuel system. Improvements do come at a minimum price hike from last year.

The CO monitor has never given me a problem since last year. Honda units are built to last a lifetime.

The best portable generator that you can buy to use on a boat is the Honda EU2200i. If we talk about its power output, the generator produces 2200 peak (starting) watts and 1800 rated (running) watts. It generates more than 200 watts of power than its previous model, EU2000i.

Weighing only 46.5 pounds, this has a 3-year residential and commercial warranty.

There is a fuel shutoff valve that allows the engine to run without fuel. It prevents stale gas related issues. Its increased ventilation system keeps the running components cool. Also, low-oil shutoff and overload protection are there. The engine turns off automatically when the oil level goes down.

Cons

There is no fuel gauge available.

ALSO SEE: Does A Generator Generate Ac Or Dc?

• Generac GP3000i Inverter Generator – Portable Generator in Boat Engine Compartment Under $1000

The Generac P3000I super quiet is yet another wonderful inverter boat generator that is very small, yet compact weighing only 59.5 pounds being almost the same size with a bulky suitcase.

I have measured it and this unit is able to produce 3000 watts of starting power, and 2300 watts of running power, this generator is able to sufficiently power a moderate amount of appliances.

The one things that made me go nuts for this unit is its efficiency provided by unique PowerRUSH technology, that delivers more than 50% more starting capacity for the same level of fuel than most of its competitors.

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With this feature, many customers have reported being able to run the boat generator for up to 72 hours using less than 5 gallons of fuel.

If getting the most value out of your gas is your goal then this engine is for you.

Lastly, the generator boasts of Truepower, an electronic setup that lets the generator produce a near consistent amount of power.

This is really important for sensitive appliances and electronics, as it reduces the risks of overloading the devices because of an electronic surge.

The generator also makes use of an inverter, letting it to remain much quieter as it runs than competing units out there.

It is pleasant to run with no issues at all. This, combine with its many plugs and USD ports, as well as its weight and compact size, makes the installation and movement of this generator simple and hassle-free.

This generator is greatly suited for low-power setups, ones that doesn’t require high-power appliances. If you use your boat frequently, or enjoy going on long trips, then this generator is for you.

Its small size and quiet engine makes it really simple to relocate as needed, and its high fuel efficieny will save you plenty of gas money.

Cons: Its runtime is short.

ALSO SEE: Best Liquid Cooled Generator for Home

• Firman W03081 3300/3000 Watt – CARB Compliant Inverter Generator

This generator is well built and simple to operate. The Firman, after adding oil and gas was effortless to start.

This unit was bought to power my dad’s boat and it does so well. However, I did notice it gets louder than it was advertised, but its still quiet though.

The machine comes with a 3-year warranty for residential use and 90 days for commercial use. It is certified by EPA and CARB for all 50 states and has CETL certification for Canada.

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My Opinion:

Pros: It is a highly portable machine. High power wattage with a very low running sound makes it one of the best machines for boats.

Cons: changing oil can be quite hard the first time. It is difficult to assemble.

• WEN 56200i Portable Inverter Generator – 2kw Marine Generator Under $500

The WEN 56200i Super Quiet 2000-Watt Portable Inverter Generator is a compact, portable generator.

Boasting of an EPA III and CARB Compliant 79. 7 cc 4-stroke OHV engine, this generator is capable of producing 2000 watts of maximum power and 1600 watts of rated power.

It’s run time for continuous production is 6 hours. It is perfect for smaller boats that hardly leave the shore for longer than 12 days.

If your power needs are very larger, then you can use a parallel connection cable to run two of these units at the same time to double your power output.

Using an inverter, this generator operates quietly and steadily, generating less noise than an average conversation and creating a power output with under .3% harmonic distortion, keeping your electronics nice and safe against any power surges.

Cons: You have to change the oil every 25 hours.

• Honda Power Equipment EB3000C Portable Generator – Heavyweight Generator for Boat

This generator is user friendly, quiet, fuel efficient, durable, easily maintained and with access to maintenance, repair and replacement parts.

If clean, stable power for your boat, computer and other electronics is what you want then this is the unit you need!

We already own 10 of these so far. The very best generator in its class. We use them in the boating and movie industry.

They deliver hours and hours of electricity without complaint. We find 100% synthetic oil to be the most effective.

Using such oil will give the generator up to 1000’s of hours of run time.

Note: It is common for these unit to be transported upside down or sideways when delivered by a freight company like FedEx.

This can cause the tiny amount of oil in the crank case to leak back through the butterfly and saturate the paper air filter. If this happens your unit will run rough and smoke. It will eventually foul the plug too. Read the manual, watch the YouTube service video and inspect the machine before running it. You will need to add oil and

My Opinion:

Pros: Built-in GFCI protection doubles its safety levels. Also, it is a fuel-efficient and powerful generator to operate.

Cons: It is not parallel capable. It also has a tall design that may be imperfect for small boats.

• Briggs and Stratton P2200 PowerSmart Series Portable Inverter Generator – Compact Generator

This little machine is a power box – its been running solid since May! It runs 14 hours a day from 8am to 3pm and 8pm to 3am.

I spend less than 6 dollars a day. My oil Mobile 1 Synthetic 10w 30 every 4 days. Its January and still going strong love this thing ….

My Opinion:

Pros: Its H-handle support makes it easy to transport. The generator is fuel-efficient, powerful, and has flexible outlets.

Cons: It cannot be shipped to California. Also, it is the heaviest of all.

• Pulsar G450RN Portable Dual Fuel Inverter Generator – Dual Fuel Houseboat Generators

The Pulsar G450RN generator is a small, gas-powered generator suitable for use in house boats. Capable of providing an average of 3,700 W, and a maximum of 4,500 W. Small, portable, and weighing only 48 pounds, this boat generator can be easily moved around, making its installation and removal quick and easy.

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The Pulsar G450RN is on the smaller side but is able to get a lot of time out of a little gas. With a full load of 1.18 gallons of fuel, the Pulsar G2319N can run continuously for up to 15 hours. This type of output is good if you plan to take your boat out all day.

It has a quiet operation (63 db) that makes it possible to have conversation 10 feet away. The convenient wireless remove start lets you operate the unit from up to 80 ft away.