Inside Generator

[jmd]

I have a Powermate 5000 generator, and I would like to operate it inside the garage. Looking for reasons why this is doable or just a bad idea. What I am thinking is running the exhaust and intake thru the wall to the outside, properly insulating anything going thru the wall from the heat. Reason, we get a lot of ice storms and snow over the winter, and I dont feel it safe nor maybe not even excessable to be put out side.
Thanks for your input.

 

[mrb]

that is a bad, bad idea. Make a shed for it outside or something. You just dont run a ICE engine inside the house. period.

 

[jmd]

that is a bad, bad idea. Make a shed for it outside or something. You just dont run a ICE engine inside the house. period.

Can you explain some of the dangers. I thought by piping the exhaust and intake outside it would be safe??

 

[Az Scooter]

There are a lot of gases that it will still put off even if it is plumbed outside. For my money, and family, it is not worth the risk.

 

[mrb]

Can you explain some of the dangers. I thought by piping the exhaust and intake outside it would be safe??

might be safe, but it would take testing by a lab to be deemed safe. You dont see kits to install a generator in a garage for a reason.

the hazards are fire and CO poisoning.

 

[jmd]

do they have any prefab sheds, I am sure there is risk of fire there also. Ex fan, open sides, any ideas, pics...I know for sure this thing will be running on rainy and snowy days

 

[mrb]

do they have any prefab sheds, I am sure there is risk of fire there also. Ex fan, open sides, any ideas, pics...I know for sure this thing will be running on rainy and snowy days

if a generator shed catches on fire it isnt going to kill your family in the middle of the night..... also you need to make sure the exhaust is far enough away from windows and other openings.

google generator shed, there are a bunch of them available

 

[Sureshot]

I have run mine inside the garage. I put silicone heater hose on the exhaust and put it under the garage door but I usually put it outside and run the extension cords under the door.

If you are worried put a Carbon Monoxide Alarm in the house by the door.

 

[hmbemis]

#1 - Potential for CO poisoning, even if your hose doesn't leak there's no guarantee the exhaust gaskets, etc, won't

#2 - Potential for fire, it's 3-6G of gasoline sitting in a plastic tank over a running engine...

A few years ago we had an ice storm here, I was amazed at how many people died or were hospitalized from running the genny in their garage, even w/ the door open.

I'd go for building a small shed, it's what I have planned for mine because I agree w/ you--it's not safe to run outside, either due to the wet weather or people who want to grab it.

 

[nehog]

Can you explain some of the dangers. I thought by piping the exhaust and intake outside it would be safe??

1. Exhaust system failure can lead to CO poisoning.
2. Improper exhaust system installation can lead to CO poisoning.
3. Fire hazard from hot engine and/or exhaust system.
4. Fire hazard from engine malfunction.
5. Fire hazard from fueling operations.

(and the list goes on and on...)

An 'indoors' generator should be in a separate building, with an external to the building fuel source (with a shutoff that can be activated in the event of a fire), with an automatic shutoff as it enters the generator building in the event of fire, a fire-suppression system (automatic), and the list goes on!

In short, sure store it indoors, but run it outside, as far from the building as humanly possible (25 ft or more...) I cringe when I see gasoline generators running right next to windows and doors!

BTW, the rules regarding CO are much different for a diesel generator (diesel engines don't create much, if any, CO) but the ventilation and distance rules are basically the same but for different reasons--diesel exhaust stinks big time, so you want it as far from the house as possible.

My diesel generator runs near to the house, but since the exhaust outlet is 10 ft off the ground, with forced air blowing exhaust straight up, I can get away with it. However this is a relatively unique configuration--were it a standard diesel generator set, I'd move it well further away.

 

[Stuart in MN]

I don't know offhand how many are killed each year, but I just typed 'generator co poisoning' into Google news and found at least three people died and a number were sickened from running generators indoors just in the last 24 hours.

Standby generators can be installed inside structures and operated safely (I've designed a number of installations myself) but it's not something you can just rig up.

 

[Trey T]

As long as your exhaust gas pipe is plumbed correctly w/o leak and exits the building, you'll be fine. Might want to use flex pipe or some sort to eleviate the vibration.

Youll have to do maintenance on it to ensure that there's no leak.

You can do anything you want, just have a plan on how you install it, operate it, and maintain it.

 

[trainer]

Can you explain some of the dangers. I thought by piping the exhaust and intake outside it would be safe??

The crankcase ventilation system also gives off fumes. some are vented back into the intake, but not all.

 

[ymerej]

A man 1/2 of a mile up the street from me just died this week from CO poisoning due to running a generator in his garage. His wife and kid barely lived and were sent to the hospital.


Build a small enclosure with plenty of ventilation behind your garage and away from any windows if you want to protect the generator, but please do not run it inside your garage. Even with the intake and exhaust plumbed to outside, leaks will happen, and the fumes will get inside your house.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Sure ... if it is detached garage like mine !

 

[mrb]

also remember when running the generator in a generator shed -it needs air! 5kw of generator is going to put off another 10kw or more in heat.

 

[mrb]

A man 1/2 of a mile up the street from me just died this week from CO poisoning due to running a generator in his garage. His wife and kid barely lived and were sent to the hospital.

a quick google on the subject show dozens if not hundreds of these cases. I question anyone who would install a generator in an attached garage. If you arent smart enough to recognize how dangerous it is and should not be done, then you are surely not smart enough to design, construct, and install such a system in a safe and legal manner.

To those who are running a generator in an attached garage, i hope you have informed everyone living in the house of the peril you are placing them in and have their blessing on what you are doing.

 

[Interex]

As everyone said, it's just not worth it to try plumbing exhaust and supply air for an ICE generator.

Here are some ideas on a generator shed:

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

Another:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joearnold/3122975824/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/joearnold/3122975606/

 

[ranger_dood]

I wonder how the place where I work gets away with having two Onan NG emergency lighting generators right smack in the middle of the warehouse. Exhaust runs up a stack to the roof. Intake (and air-cooling) draws right from the warehouse itself.

 

[mrb]

I wonder how the place where I work gets away with having two Onan NG emergency lighting generators right smack in the middle of the warehouse. Exhaust runs up a stack to the roof. Intake (and air-cooling) draws right from the warehouse itself.

in commercial installations it is common to have generators inside the building. I have been in highrise office buildings that have generators on upper floors even. A gasoline generator inside a residential building is a whole different story.

 

[89GLH]

Unless you got a Generac unit that is made to be installed on a slab like the condenser of your AC, I would leave it outside.

 

[billgunther]

I understand what you want to do in regards to the weather, but gasoline is very dangerous. The exhaust issues can be worked out but the biggest concern I would have is the venting of the fuel tank. Gasoline generators are put in enclosures all the time, but attention is paid to fuel tank vents.
This is my 20Kw, 3 cylinder air cooled diesel inside my attached garage. Exhasut is vented thru the wall. I love it being inside.

 

[pentavolvo]

so basically you are concerned about it being outside in an ice storm or rain storm etc. i work for the rail road and have a fleet of generators for power outages for signals, communications, crossings, etc. Some 15+ years old. Guess when the power goes out and we are putting these out during ice storms, snow storms, etc. They sit outside sometimes for days on end running and no issues with weather at all.

 

[nehog]

...
This is my 20Kw, 3 cylinder air cooled diesel inside my attached garage. Exhasut is vented thru the wall. I love it being inside.

If you have a fire, that extinguisher may be hard to reach back there...

That is a good looking generator setup.

 

[billgunther]

If you have a fire, that extinguisher may be hard to reach back there...

That is a good looking generator setup.

As soon as I hit submit replay I thought "Somebody's going to notice that fire extingusher and cheap old air compressor in the background". Both of which are dead. 2 more extinguishers by each door. Thanks for noticing LOL!!

 

[ericburns4]

I still doubt that it would be a good idea to put it inside garage. The thing is that generator releases a lot of gas other than just smokes. You may not realize it initially but later on you would find its effect specially when all the doors of the garage will be closed.