Generator shelter ?

[Dave Nelson]

I have a 8x8 garden shed, and was thinking of using part of it for my 5500 Generac. We were without electric for 4 days (some people are still without powwer). I ran my generator in my back yard w/cords,but I am installing a transfer switch , and a plug outside. I need some ideas for ventilation (maybe small shutter fan, also methods to route exhaust outside of shed.
Thanks

 

[aandpdan]

If I recall, my parents Generac 5500XL came with instruction on making a "shelter."

Basically it was a box about 4' x 3' with sides that could be opened. I built a similar shelter and they have had no problems with it. To improve air circulation I have it up about 12" off the ground with a screened in base. It also cuts the noise down considerably.

I'd be cautious about putting it into a shed. Any exhaust leaks and you're talking CO poisoning. The generator really isn't designed to extend the exhaust, think increased backpressure, so less power due to poor scavenging of exhaust gases.

 

[p_mori7]

It's an air cooled engine...don't enclose it in a shed unless you can open it up so the engine can dissipate heat into the air.

 

[Teken]

It's an air cooled engine...don't enclose it in a shed unless you can open it up so the engine can dissipate heat into the air.

^ This . . .

Teken . . .

 

[ddawg16]

If I recall, my parents Generac 5500XL came with instruction on making a "shelter."

Basically it was a box about 4' x 3' with sides that could be opened. I built a similar shelter and they have had no problems with it. To improve air circulation I have it up about 12" off the ground with a screened in base. It also cuts the noise down considerably.

I'd be cautious about putting it into a shed. Any exhaust leaks and you're talking CO poisoning. The generator really isn't designed to extend the exhaust, think increased backpressure, so less power due to poor scavenging of exhaust gases.

It's an air cooled engine...don't enclose it in a shed unless you can open it up so the engine can dissipate heat into the air.

This and That....

A few cool setups I have seen has the generator on a pull out slide...when needed, you pull it out of the 'storage cuby'...crank it up and run it...

You can leave it inside something as long as you make sure it gets plenty of air flow....and you always want the exhaust to aim away from everything.

SO cord makes a good way to run power from it to a disconnect.

 

[eljefino]

Do you want security for the generator so you can leave it out there all the time? Is it damp or snowy where you live so you'll have to accommodate for that? Do you have any other outdoor power equipment that needs storage? (Might as well keep all your gas powered stuff in the same spot b/c of fumes)

 

[Gregishome]

I put my 5500w Gen in my 8' x 12 ' garden tool shed and put in a metal louvered vent in the wall with the muffler aimed towards it. The only thing the exhaust fumes will kill is the skeeters and other bugs in the shed. Fresh air will be cracked open double entry doors.

 

[The Frisco Kid]

Just be careful that the temps are staying as low as possible and vent the house well. Change oil regularly & treat your fuel.

 

[HoosierBuddy]

I'm going to have to take the "safety police" road here.

If the generator comes with a big tag that says "do not operate indoors", which it probably does...then I'd say "don't operate it indoors". That would include a shed, but not a small shelter that you can't fit in.

If you watch the news after these hurricane hits, a lot of times there's a follow up story about somoene that died of carbon monoxide poisoning in the aftermath due to a generator being operated inside.

If you leave it outside, someone steals it. If you take it inside, it can kill you.

If you can swing it, I think one of the enclosed backup gen-sets they sell at the box stores with an automatic transfer switch would be the best solution. We've got one at work that will carry our whole building. It even comes on every friday automatically and runs a self test. When the power goes out, it comes on automatically and transfers the load in about a minute. When the power comes back up, it waits about a minute and then transfers the load back and shuts down. It runs on natural gas, so it never needs refueled. It makes CLEAN power which our computers and such will operate just fine on. Before we had it, we blew up more than one computer power supply trying to daisy chain a bunch of extension cords and providing power from a small portable generator.

I just took a $500 problem and came up with a $2500 solution. I'm pretty good at that. It's a really good solution though.

Phil

 

[SalA]

I found this company that basically retro-fits a Suncast enclosure. What they do is add some exhaust features that may be something to consider. A bit pricey...but looks like it can work for a portable gen up to 7,500.

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

 

[theaton]

I just took a $500 problem and came up with a $2500 solution. I'm pretty good at that. It's a really good solution though.

Phil

Do you work for the government?

 

[IMStuner]

I'm going to build a box with just a roof on top and use metal fence around it. I will also pour a concrete slab with a anchor point so I can chain my generator to it.

 

[jerseywild]

Do you work for the government?[/QUOTE

 

[bullnerd]

I am looking to get my first generator also.(used Onan)

I was thinking of getting an old air conditioner condenser housing that matches the AC unit to my house and gutting it and puting it alongside the AC unit.

Not sure if it will work,but I'm going to look into it.

Also,Northern has a fully automatic Generac for about $1800,not bad.

 

[Burtonrider10022]

I'm going to build a box with just a roof on top and use metal fence around it. I will also pour a concrete slab with a anchor point so I can chain my generator to it.

Decent plan. If it were mine I would incorporate wooden sides into the plans though... Make them removable individually.

Hot summer day, take off all 4. In a hurricane with sideways rain, leave 1 or 2 sides on and remove the others. In a blizzard and your carb is icing up, remove the exhaust side and leave the other 3 to protect it from the harsh wind.

And of course, leave some room for clearance on all sides, and don't forget to make it easy to access and repair.

 

[theoldwizard1]

I put my 5500w Gen in my 8' x 12 ' garden tool shed and put in a metal louvered vent in the wall with the muffler aimed towards it. The only thing the exhaust fumes will kill is the skeeters and other bugs in the shed. Fresh air will be cracked open double entry doors.

I would put a matching louvered vent on the opposite side for inlet air. You probably should have one that is at least 1 sq ft.