Generator Enclosure

[Hogan646]

I have been researching options for storing and also protecting my generator during operation. I have a Triple-Fuel Honda Powered 8,750 Watt from Central Maine Diesel. I found what I think is a good solution but I would like to see if anyone else has tried the Power Shelter Kit II from url]www.nooutage.com[/url]. Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.

http://www.nooutage.com/powershelterkitii.htm

 

[JerryC]

As I read it the actual shed is not included? You would be paying $459 for the fan and louver setup? Plus another ~$250 for the shed itself at HD or Lowes?
Ouch!

I spent a lot of time looking at this type of shelter, there are several good youtube videos of homebuilt enclosures.

I have two old sheds much like the Suncast sheds featured at your link. I put my gen in one of them and closed it up and I was surprised that it did not reduce the noise level as much as I had thought that would. I figured that by the time I cut holes for air inlet and exhaust it would be nearly as loud as it was with it sitting in the open.

Noise isnt the only concern though, keeping it dry and secure are as important as noise reduction (for me, the neighbors might think otherwise). I looked at buying the parts for the plastic shed and I could have easily spent over $100 on parts. My thought was to have an exhaust pipe run out of the shed which would reduce the heat load the exhaust fan would have to cover. Use the fan on the exhaust side so you dont **** rain water into the enclosure and to put angles/bends into the intake and exhaust air ducting to reduce noise.

After all of that, I ended up putting the gen in my 12x10 wooden shed with an exhaust pipe. The shed has enough ventilation so that I dont need a fan.

 

[Stuart in MN]

The kit includes intake and exhaust louvers with motorized dampers, the fan itself, a thermostatic control, a high temp shutoff for the generator and a CO detector and alarm. A person could buy those pieces separately for less money, but these guys sourced all the pieces, put them in a kit, and want to make a profit. I think it's not a bad deal if you want one stop shopping and convenience.

 

[Howard Sterndrive]

for storage and protection, a small steel shed works fine. Just put fixed louvered air grates in it. There's no need to have closing louvers.

A rain cap on any exhaust ducting advisable.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Is this too "look good" or actually muffle the noise, because it won't do that well !

First, you want it as far from the house as practical. Behind a detached garage would be great, but the neighbors might not like it !

Second, I would build a wood shed and line it with 2-4" of foam board. You need about a 24" gap between the generator on the foam. You will need to mount about 1/8" steel plate about 2-4" off of the foam board (air gap) directly across where the exhaust exits the generator. You need to leave a gap of about 4-6" on the bottom to let air in. (The generator should sit on gravel or patio stones. This gap will discourage critter from trying to nest underneath because the don't like free air or light.) You also want to build this at least 8-10' high so that the noise is now very directional, straight up.

The best solution is to have hot air and noise exit out the top. An open top is perfect, but that does not keep the rain.snow out. If you are going to put louvered vents on the roof, you will need as many as you can get.

 

[Hogan646]

Is this too "look good" or actually muffle the noise, because it won't do that well !

First, you want it as far from the house as practical. Behind a detached garage would be great, but the neighbors might not like it !

Second, I would build a wood shed and line it with 2-4" of foam board. You need about a 24" gap between the generator on the foam. You will need to mount about 1/8" steel plate about 2-4" off of the foam board (air gap) directly across where the exhaust exits the generator. You need to leave a gap of about 4-6" on the bottom to let air in. (The generator should sit on gravel or patio stones. This gap will discourage critter from trying to nest underneath because the don't like free air or light.) You also want to build this at least 8-10' high so that the noise is now very directional, straight up.

The best solution is to have hot air and noise exit out the top. An open top is perfect, but that does not keep the rain.snow out. If you are going to put louvered vents on the roof, you will need as many as you can get.

I would like something that looks good and protects the generator while it is running. Noise suppression would be an added benefit, I was thinking of maybe putting some of the adhesive sound material they use in cars to help with the noise.