I would say a 3500 would be good for running 4 500's. Good to stay under 80% of the generators running watts to keep it from working too hard.

Jeff

 

Thanks alot that helps alot. I have a few more questions because Im new to the bowfishing from a boat scene. Is there specific brands that are better than others? and also how much will a 3500 watt gen run me? im kind of
on a tight budget.

 

The Champion generators seem to be decently priced. I know Tractor Supply carries them. I have came across a few good deals on generators on Craigslist. Just bring some stuff to test them before you buy one!

 

What kind of stuff should i bring? and weight may also possibly be an issue because my boat is only a 14 footer.

 

A couple halogen lights, drill etc. Something to put a load on the genny.

I started out with a 14 footer and had a 6500 watt generator in it. Was a little sketchy but got the job done lol. I had 6 500 halogens running off of it

 

I bought a champion 3500/4000 for 300 tracter supply,im kinda still new to this to, got my whole boat rigged out and most answers I got was from putting a question in the search box,and BAM all the answer you will need good luck. :hb:

 

Is that generator very loud? I have a 16 foot and was also thinking about the halogen shop light idea.

 

Thanks man.Good luck to you too. I will look there first. I was looking at gens on craigs but i think i would rather have a new one with a warranty and such just to be safe incase something goes wrong.

 

 

For the price, the champion gennys are a great choice! They seem to hold up fine and are much quieter than other comparable generators. I've been seein a lot of them at tournaments and haven't heard a cross word yet. We had one on our last boat and performed just fine.

 

Is there a specific way I should hook up the lights? Maybe 3 on each outlet or something?

 

all six on the rv outlet is the best way ive found, run mine like that for a long time, then went to 10 300w hooked up the same way

 

Really? And running that much wattage for 6 500 watt lights on a 3500/4000 watt gen at 80% will be safe?

 

been doing it for a long time, first it was 6 500w and then 10 300w, im still not buying the whole 80% thing, yea it may cut the lifetime a little but at 300 bucks, i got my money out of it and it still starts first pull and runs great.

 

Should I just use an extension cord and a power strip for the lights then?

 

i just run a heavy cord, either 10 or 12 gauge from the genny to some switches then from there to each light

 

So did you get a generator? If so, what kind and how did it work out for ya?

 

I'm seriously thinking about doing this. What do you mean by running the extension cord to some switches? Could you maybe post some pics?

 

<a href="http://s87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/richardhenson2/?action=view&current=762bff39-0061-417e-b67c-28c1398ce6b7_300.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k153/richardhenson2/762bff39-0061-417e-b67c-28c1398ce6b7_300.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
i run the cord to two of these and then run out to every light, just run the hot split to both switches then one hot out for each light, conect all your grounds and nuetrals then a ground from each switch to the ground wire. i put mine in a weather proof housing. you could also find different switches that are rated higher amps and put two or three lights per switch, these are only rated 15amps apiece so i got two, plus i like having a switch for each light