What are the Risks of Portable Generators on Board?

Question:

Are there any concerns with the floating neutral of the AC outlets when using portable, air cooled generators on a boat for charging batteries?

Answer:

There is no doubt it is a dangerous situation to forgo a ground return path. And, unless you tinker with the wiring inside the generator, there is no fix. As a rule of thumb, you  should avoid using a portable generator because the AC ground and AC neutral are unconnected.