Extended Use Tank For A Honda Generator In 4 Easy Steps

One of the pieces of equipment on our to do list is a generator. We much prefer to anchor out when cruising and at times we can get weathered in for days. During those extended stays we still like coffee in the morning, still have the need to recharge the batteries and like to watch TV. All of this uses power and we have been using our handy Honda 2000 portable generator until we can have a more permanent installation. The Honda will handle most of our power needs, with the exception of the air conditioning system. But that suits us just fine for now. One of the things I don't like to do is to fill the built in tank every day when the generator is in constant use and for long term when charging that batteries it might mean shutting the generator down, filling the fuel tank, and starting it again. It is also hard to fill the tank without spilling gas on the deck, especially if the boats gets waked. So, the need for a remote extended fuel tank. To build one of these only takes a few inexpensive fittings, a fuel tank and about an hour of your time, at the most.

The first thing that I did was to buy a spare cap for the built fuel tank in case I messed up doing this, or if I wanted to run without the extended tank. I found it locally for $15.00 from a Honda dealer in the area. Next was to get all of the miscellaneous parts. We decide on a 3 gallon tank instead of the larger 6 gallon since we don't run the generator that much. We already have a 3 gallon tank for the dinghy outboard so this could also be used as a spare. We also decided we wanted to be able to use the same fuel line as the dinghy outboard so we would not have to carry different fuel lines and again it could do double duty. To accomplish this we would need the attachment fitting that would be the same as on the one on the dinghy tank and on our Johnson Outboard. The two fittings totaled about another $15.00 and then another $4.00 for a brass hose barb. The plastic fuel tank was another $25.00 (please read this review before purchasing Moeller fuel tanks). The assembly was pretty easy.

Step 1.
Remove the inner workings of the fuel cap and drill out the center to fit the connector. Be careful to not drill the hole too large. It should be slightly under sized to allow the fitting to be screwed into the plastic cap.

Step 2.
Fill a thin amount of epoxy around the threaded base of the fuel line fitting inside the cap and screw on the female brass hose barb. Allow the epoxy to dry and them replace the rubber gasket inside the cap. The hose barb may or may not be needed but it makes the connection fitting stay in tight and I beleive it will help to draw the fuel into the generators built in tank.

Step 3.
Install the second connector fitting into the fuel tank.

Step 4.
Fill the fuel tank with gas, fill the generator built in fuel tank with gas, connect the fuel lines and start the generator. Be sure the vent on the fuel tank is open. That's it.

It is very important that the cap be completely sealed. If any air can leak at the cap, the generator will not pull fuel from the extended tank. As the vacuum builds up in the internal fuel tank for the Honda, it will pull fuel from the extended tank. Mark the generator tank so that oil will not get added to it by mistake like the outboard tank. The Honda does not require a fuel/oil mix. The Honda will now run for a much longer time and annoy your neighbors for hours.

There are many variations for doing this, using a 6 gallon tank, installing only hose barbs, putting an inline filter in the fuel line. But the basics are the same. This should work just fine for us until the permanent genset is installed.

Changes In Attitude

Susan and I have both given our two weeks notice to Waterway Guide. Our time working there was always to be limited since we knew we wanted to get back on the water and do some cruising again. And that is just what we intend to do. We have always said our plans are written in the sand at low tide. Beach House is not completely ready, but what boat ever is? We have finished a number of projects and feel we can comfortably get back on the water and finish what needs to be done while enjoying the cruising life once again. And what is cruising if not repairing your boat in exotic places? We have a few posts planned for the next couple of weeks. We just finished a presentation at the Marine Trawlers Owners Association Southern Rendezvous in Stuart, Florida. The presentation was on cruising the Bahamas and maybe that is what gave us the itch again. I plan to do a complete post on the presentation; I am working on it now. And, we are making a remote extended fuel tank for our Honda Generator to hold us over until the permanent genset is installed. I will post the how-to on that as soon as it is finished.

Then, look for our cruising posts once again. I can't put into words how excited we are to be back out there and underway instead of tied to a dock and a desk. We look forward to some new cruising experiences and revisiting some of our favorite areas. We are going to start posting some different information other than what we have in the past, although that will be included. We will be adding some new stuff and maybe more in the way of videos. I think it is really going to be interesting, so do come back and check in from time to time. And Susan and I are working on a very special project that we feel will be a real plus for our fellow boaters. So lots of good things are happening, and if you see our yellow bimini out on the waters near you, give us a big wave or even better yet, a shout on the VHF. We look forward to seeing you all out there soon.

Splash Time But Not Spring Time

Soooooo much is going on right now that we sometimes wonder when we will ever get anything done. But the biggest project right now is over, and that is getting the boat splashed and settling back aboard. The new bottom paint and boot stripe look great and we have received some positive comments around the yard on the changes and how great the paint turned out. Getting splashed is just the beginning for us this next week or so.

The prop and rudder look pretty snazzy painted with the Pettit Zinc Paint. The zincs are all in such great shape that we did not have to replace any before the boat was launched. And in the marina we are in, this is a good testament to the electrical work we have done inside the boat. I don't expect a lot from this paint, although there have been many at the yard that swear it works very well. We will have to wait until next fall to see, but after the total failure of the HawkSpeed we applied last season (we are still waiting to hear from the manufacturer), we figure it can't be a whole lot worse. The Chesapeake will also be a good testing ground for the ablative paint.

No matter how many times we have the boat hauled, the time in the Travelift is always a bit anxious. It is one of those situations you have no control over and have to depend on someone else. The boat was lifted early to allow time to paint the bottom of the keel and under the spots where the support pads were. We have had the marina relocate them for us in the past and painted the spots well in advance, but the additional charges don't justify the extra time and we don't see any difference if the paint goes on a hour or so before launch than if it is done the day before.

All went well and the boat did not get dropped. Once it was in the water, but still in the slings, a complete check for any leaks is important. Especially the new thru-hull in the aft head. All of the underwater valves are opened and checked for leaks in the valves and the hoses. The dripless shaft seal is burped to let any air out and make sure there is water in the bellows. Ordinarily this would also be the time to start the engine. But this time, because we were forecast for temps in the 20s for the rest of the week, we decided to walk the boat into the slip and leave the engine winterized. The slip was only a half a dozen down from the Travelift pit. With everything looking good, the straps for the lift were lowered and I could here the sigh of relief from Beach House as she settled into her natural environment.

The marina staff helped me manhandle her into her spot. It took a few minutes to get the dock lines situated and the fenders in place. We still had not raised the mast, it was a bit heavy for just Susan and I, so we waited until we had a few friends available to help. I still need to devise some way for us to easily lower and raise it if we plan to do the Great Loop. That is on my list. In the meantime, the next few days will be pretty hectic moving out of the house we take care of over the winter months and getting settled back on the boat. Then the projects can start all over again. It seems to be a never ending cycle, but we know that the day is coming when this site will be full of cruising tales and not so much work. The light is out there.