I don't think your lights draw 3 amps...
It should be more like 1.4 amps a piece so 8 amps total.
For $500 you could pick up a 2000w champion Inverter genny.

 

I'll check when I get home. I couldn't remember exactly. There magnetic ballasts without caps. Inverter generator requires battery correct?

 

Nope, inverter gennie without getting to technical internally makes DC voltage then thru its own inverter changes it to AC voltage for a cleaner true sine wave power and is also quieter but doesn't need a battery to operate.

 

Thanks for the explanation garpwacker. The inverter part had me confused. I looked up the 2000watt champion and I found that it has a single 120v circuit with a 14 amp breaker. I'm afraid my lights with out caps will overload it. I'm gonna double check the amp draw on my lights when I get off work.

 

Add capacitors to the lights and you can run on a 2000w inverter generator, it'll make a world of difference in your fishing. If there is a place to spend money on a boat, it's on a quiet generator!

 

I have a Predator inverter from Harbor Freight, 2500 peak and 2200 running watts, 20 amp outlet. $500 and you can find coupons or sales every few weeks for $100 off
http://www.harborfreight.com/2500-p.../2500-peak2200-running-watts-47-hp-125cc-portable-inverter-generator-61169.html

 

I have 2 Smartertools yamaha inveters, in hindsight I wish I would have gotten the Ryobi 2200. It's a 20amp unit as opposed to the 13.2amp claimed by the Honda, yamaha and champion.

The RV crowd seems to love them.

 

I have 1 Ryobi 2200 and 1 Champion 2000, Personally I prefer my Ryobi over my Champion... Starts first pull and is quieter than my champion as well.

 

no matter which generator you get go ahead and add a 55uf capacitor to each of the ballasts on the lights and it will be alot quiter. They are less than $10 each. I have 2 champion 2000s on my boat and I love them.

 

100%, doubled my capacity, the start up amperage is crazy without caps. Would trip the overload.

 

I checked 3 of my lights and the amps varied between 2 and 3.4. So no matter what I'm gonna need caps. Does it matter what 55uf cap or are they all the same? According to the specs the champion is about 10db quieter then the ryobi. I do like the 20 amp breaker though. Thansk for the input guys. It gets overwhelming reading some of this stuff!

 

Ok so I'm gonna add caps to run a smaller generator. I think these are what everyone is using correct? http://capacitorking.com/55uf-240v-400w-hps-aerovox-capacitor-p.html How do I know if these will work with my ballasts?

 

I've had the 2200 ryobi that Garybriggs is talking about. I've had it about 3 years and love it. Just bought another one to add some more power for $450.

 

There is no standard for generator sound ratings. Some are read at 1' full load and some 10' idle. Real world comparisons are the only way to see what is really the quietest. We have Hondas at work and they are barely quieter than my ryobi. Defiantly not worth 4 times the price.

 

Just a update I went with ryobi and added four caps. So far I'm loving the ryobi. I debated between that and the Honda but couldn't justify dropping the cash. The ryobi is much quieter then the old predator I had.