I hate to say it, but I think these things are pretty inappropriate for boats. Or at least a lot of careful attention needs to be paid to installation, etc. Here are a few things to keep in mind, reading the manuals and reading about methanol.
- The biggest danger is that methanol fumes sink in air, like propane fumes. As such they will collect in bilges and not dissipate. As a result I think all the same precautions should be taken as are taken for propane, namely fuel storage outside in a closed container with bottom venting overboard, and no unattended appliances. All that says the only safe installation location is inside something like a properly installed propane locker, and that fuel storage should only be in a propane locker. I have no idea whether propane sniffers and alarms will work with methanol fumes, but such a device would be a good idea too.
- It's a small package, that's for sure, but it also generates very little power. the largest model, the 210, produces 105W output. It does so 24x7 which is good, but it's still only 1200wh per day.
- Since the only way to get any practical amount of power out of it is to run 24x7, you need to assume that operation.
- As an alternate/comparison, 250W of solar will product the same power, but only on sunny days
- A 5kw generator will product that in 15min.
- A 70A alternator will produce that in about 1:40 hrs.
- A 10 liter jug of fuel will last for about 4.5 days, so calculate fuel carry accordingly.
- Diesel boat owners complain about having to keep gasoline on board for a tender, citing the hassle, hazard, and space consumption. The Efoy introduces a third fuel that is more dangerous than gasoline, and about the same danger as propane.
- The Efoy consumes .25 gal of methanol per kwh of power produced. A diesel generator consumes about 0.1 gal of diesel per kwh produced. This should be considered when looking at overall space consumption, especially on a smaller boat.
- Any battery bank has a minimum charge rate to get it back to full charge. Lifeline (as an example) calls for .2C (20A for every 100ah of capacity). And if you can't do that, they describe an alternate charge protocol that will work with only .02C (2A for every 100ah of capacity). At the recommended charge rate, the largest Efoy can't charge event he smallest battery, let along a battery bank. And with the alternate charge protocol, it is limited to a 400Ah battery bank.
- The device can't be stored in temps below freezing. They can be operated down to -20C, but not stored. So if your boat will be subject to freezing weather while not in use, you will need to remove the Efoy and take it home with you. Or you can leave it in a Freeze Protect mode where it will cycle on and off itself to keep it above freezing.