Outdoor Generator Storage?

[HamAndEggs]

I just got a portable generator, this guy - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083V8VNGL/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have a 27kw Generac on order, but who knows when it will actually be installed

I'm thinking of building a little outdoor shelter for it. Has anyone done this same?

Has anyone had issues keeping a generator outside 24/7?

 

[mike93lx]

Especially if it is temporary, why not just a cover? I know champion sells them for many of their generators

 

[HamAndEggs]

Covers for outside things always seem to trap in all the humidity, and end up rusting out

I'll be keeping this thing permanently

 

[mike93lx]

So what kind of enclosure do you have in mind?

 

[Neggy]

treat the gasoline
drain the carb

pull the plug, squirt in some light oil, put the plug in, pull the cord slowly until you get resistance.... you should be at TDC with the valves closed at that point

keep it out of the weather if you can

 

[HaiKarate]

I build a little lean-to on my shed to store mine. Keeps it out of the weather but is generally dry/ventilated.

Biggest lesson - don't leave - or hell even use if you can help it - fuel with ethanol in it. ESPECIALLY if it may sit unused for long periods of time. Worth it to me to drive an extra 10 minutes for ethanol-free (like it should be) gasoline. The Indians sell it cheaper but a longer drive.

 

[AP514]

Are you talking a cover to use during the Storm ? or for Long term storage ?

 

[nadogail]

I use the RubberMaid shed for trash cans.

Rubbermaid - FG374801OLVSS Small Horizontal Resin Weather Resistant Outdoor Garden Storage Shed, Olive and Sandstone Olive/Sandstone​

 

[theoldwizard1]

I use the RubberMaid shed for trash cans.

Rubbermaid - FG374801OLVSS Small Horizontal Resin Weather Resistant Outdoor Garden Storage Shed, Olive and Sandstone Olive/Sandstone​

Good, but you can NOT run it inside that storage unit.

 

[walta]

I keep my generator in the back corner of the garage. I pull it out every other year fuel it up and run it for 30 minute test run. Every 3 years or so the power is off over 4 hours or so and I begin to think I may want to run the freezer or refer. Without fail no more than an hour after I get it running the power comes back on. I keep the generator for once every 20 year ice storm that will keep the power down for up to a week.

Where it lives does not matter much as long as it is dry and the mice do not make it their home.

Walta

 

[mike93lx]

I keep my generator in the back corner of the garage. I pull it out every other year fuel it up and run it for 30 minute test run. Every 3 years or so the power is off over 4 hours or so and I begin to think I may want to run the freezer or refer. Without fail no more than an hour after I get it running the power comes back on. I keep the generator for once every 20 year ice storm that will keep the power down for up to a week.

Where it lives does not matter much as long as it is dry and the mice do not make it their home.

Walta

Make sure you put a load on it for that running test. Without a periodic load, you may find it not making any power

 

[tyyost]

I’ve thought about it a few times. The Rubbermaid or similar sheds are a good start. I have a predator 9000 that is a similar size as yours. Mine could nest under my deck, in an enclosure but because it seems I will only use it if it is easy I prefer it in the garage in an easy to get at but inconvenient spot. My concerns in a small enclosure would be mice and other pests, as well as the possibility of condensation in the extreme swings in weather in PA.

 

[larry4406]

I still need to get my generator out of my garage and into a generator shed. Link to a thread I started couple years back.

Let's See Your Generator Sheds!

All of the various recent threads about using portable backup generators safely has gotten me to think about putting mine in an external purpose built shed away from the house. Let's see what the GJ folks have come up with! Remember we like pictures. Lets try to keep this focused on the shed...

www.garagejournal.com

 

[tyme2par4]

Good, but you can NOT run it inside that storage unit.

My dad runs his in a similar shelter. He cut a hole in one side and put a box fan in it, then just props the door open in front of the exhaust. Been like that for 15 years with no issue.

 

[bluwolf]

Actually my first post. I built mine right after Irma here in SW Florida. My wife finally decided we needed a generator after I had been saying we should get one for years. In that time we've used it a few times and it's been great. There's no room in my garage to store it. And I wanted it to be ready to go quickly anyway. I started with a Suncast shed and modified from there. I have a L14-30 cord that goes into an inlet box, then into my breaker box with interlock. We lose power and it can be up and running in 5 or 10 minutes. All the vents have screen behind them to keep out the small critters. I've only ever run it on propane. It keeps the carb clean. But I do have gas cans if I ever had to switch to that. The cans are only in there for storage. They come out when the generator is running. The back wall is covered in cement board for the heat protection. Where the exhaust runs out the back I cut out a large square of the plastic. Then the exhaust vent is mounted to another large square of cement board so the heat never gets close to the plastic shed. All the openings are also caulked to seal them up.

 

[nadogail]

Wizard said "Good, but you can NOT run it inside that storage unit."

My generator is on rubber tires and rolls into my van for work away from the house.

 

[JRC3]

I've considered venting something like a jobsite tool box. Metal seems the safest if it's gonna be close to the house.

Something else I've thought about is an old A/C condensing unit, removing the compressor and guts and then lining it with metal roofing panel behind the wire cage. Or just finding a stamped louvered unit to use. I think the tool box would work best but an old condenser unit might look the most natural. The jobsite box is proboble the most secure if it were anchored to pavers or a slab.

 

[slow]

funny you mention the old condensing unit. I was thinking the same thing yesterday, even keep the fan on top for airflow. I want to find a short traffic light controller box, made of aluminum and heavy duty to build a generator enclosure out of. but it would need to be surplus, as they are stupid expensive new.

 

[mike93lx]

I've considered venting something like a jobsite tool box. Metal seems the safest if it's gonna be close to the house.

Something else I've thought about is an old A/C condensing unit, removing the compressor and guts and then lining it with metal roofing panel behind the wire cage. Or just finding a stamped louvered unit to use. I think the tool box would work best but an old condenser unit might look the most natural. The jobsite box is proboble the most secure if it were anchored to pavers or a slab.

The condensor enclosure is a neat idea, but I don't see the jobsite box as practical unless you have a forklift or tractor to lift the generator in and out

 

[JRC3]

...but I don't see the jobsite box as practical unless you have a forklift or tractor to lift the generator in and out

I'm saying leave and run it in there. Vent it and run the exhaust out. Could do a fan just like bluwolf above.

 

[mike93lx]

I'm saying leave and run it in there. Vent it and run the exhaust out. Could do a fan just like bluwolf above.

Still have to pull it for oil changes, at least

 

[slow]

I had a generac 15kw portable gasoline generator, it had a drain hose for draining the oil, the same could be done for one in a job box, it would just need a hole under it to allow gravity drain.

 

[theoldwizard1]

The back wall is covered in cement board for the heat protection. Where the exhaust runs out the back I cut out a large square of the plastic. Then the exhaust vent is mounted to another large square of cement board so the heat never gets close to the plastic shed. All the openings are also caulked to seal them up.

Cement board will heat up and pass it on to the plastic. You want to space it off the wall a couple of inches and make sure air flows around both sides.

 

[Stuart in MN]

The original poster hasn't said anything about running the generator inside the enclosure, it sounds like he's just talking about storage. I'd wait until he comes back to this discussion before further speculation.

 

[JRC3]

Then you have this guy...A bit overkill for a DIY. Ha

Click and launch in past 2:00 since it won't auto play.

 

[Farmall450]

Actually my first post. I built mine right after Irma here in SW Florida. My wife finally decided we needed a generator after I had been saying we should get one for years. In that time we've used it a few times and it's been great. There's no room in my garage to store it. And I wanted it to be ready to go quickly anyway. I started with a Suncast shed and modified from there. I have a L14-30 cord that goes into an inlet box, then into my breaker box with interlock. We lose power and it can be up and running in 5 or 10 minutes. All the vents have screen behind them to keep out the small critters. I've only ever run it on propane. It keeps the carb clean. But I do have gas cans if I ever had to switch to that. The cans are only in there for storage. They come out when the generator is running. The back wall is covered in cement board for the heat protection. Where the exhaust runs out the back I cut out a large square of the plastic. Then the exhaust vent is mounted to another large square of cement board so the heat never gets close to the plastic shed. All the openings are also caulked to seal them up.

Good use of a toter

 

[bluwolf]

I do run the generator in the shed. It's never been a problem. Most of it's use has been in the summer, SW Florida summer. When it's running I have a remote temperature sensor in there. Smarter people than me have done the math of how many times the air gets changed inside. It doesn't touch the back wall.

The biggest problem is not the heat inside. It's from the sun. Unfortunately it's on the south side of the house. So it gets the sun All. Day. Long. It's tough when it's 90+ degrees in there before you even start the generator. And then I had an idea. I got one of those easy up canopies. It made all the difference in the world. As soon as I put that up the temperature went down. The tarp over the shed is keeping the sun off the shed when not in use. I know it works because I've gone through a few tarps from dry, sun rot. But the shed still looks brand new a few years later. This picture was taken early morning. It's not long before the sun is up higher and the shed is completely in the shade. Once the sun goes to the other side that big oak in the background shades the other side of the shed.



I got the idea from the instructions that came with the window A/C that I bought to run when the generator is in use. It said don't let the sun beat down on the back of the unit that's outside the window. It made perfect sense. Think about how hard a fridge would have to work if it was sitting outside in the sun all day. I'm guessing it wouldn't work very well.

 

[bluwolf]

I've considered venting something like a jobsite tool box. Metal seems the safest if it's gonna be close to the house.

Something else I've thought about is an old A/C condensing unit, removing the compressor and guts and then lining it with metal roofing panel behind the wire cage. Or just finding a stamped louvered unit to use. I think the tool box would work best but an old condenser unit might look the most natural. The jobsite box is proboble the most secure if it were anchored to pavers or a slab.

Still have to pull it for oil changes, at least

I like both of these ideas. The A/C condenser unit seems like it would be the easiest to make modifications to. The only catch is my generator is 26" tall. I guess it depends on your generator.

The jobsite box would be good but probably a little harder to modify for ventilation, etc. But with a lock on it, I don't think anybody is walking off with it, bolted down or not The black jobsite box reminds of a zombie box. But those thing are stupid expensive. https://www.zombiebox.com/

I agree with mike931x though, either way you would want to have more access to it.

Mike

 

[JRC3]

That pic was just a quick example, there are plenty of taller A/C condensers. I just replaced a switch on and cleaned my brother's and that's what got me thinking about it because it's about 3' tall and long and 3' wide.

Accessibility would be simple with a few mods during the conversion from condenser use. A square unit with stamped louvers like in my pic above and you could hinge one side or just make it removable.. If had a wire type cage you could cut one side loose. I think the first would be best and take way less effort though.

And if oil changing is a concern...I'm a small engine oil change freak, I'd rather spend a couple bucks and change it for insurance. Another reason is my method takes about 5 minutes start to finish because I don't touch a drain plug. I siphon out old oil through the fill plug.

Menards fluid pump, 16" of 3/8 poly tube, 6 gallon jug placed in an old shop vac to catch drips and make it totable.

 

[mike93lx]

That pic was just a quick example, there are plenty of taller A/C condensers. I just replaced a switch on and cleaned my brother's and that's what got me thinking about it because it's damn near 4' tall and long and 3' wide.

Accessibility would be simple with a few mods during the conversion from condenser use. A square unit with stamped louvers like in my pic above and you could hinge one side or just make it removable.. If had a wire type cage you could cut one side loose. I think the first would be best and take way less effort though.

And if oil changing is a concern...I'm a small engine oil change freak, I'd rather spend a couple bucks and change it for insurance. Another reason is my method takes about 5 minutes start to finish because I don't touch a drain plug. I siphon out old oil through the fill plug.

Menards fluid pump, 16" of 3/8 poly tube, 6 gallon jug placed in an old shop vac to catch drips and make it totable.

A topside change is a great point

 

[JRC3]

Another idea is something like a package unit. I happen to have one on my house for HVAC just like in this pic and it is a beast at 48" long and 34" tall. There are larger units too. I have the front panel and removable side panel for maintenance. Get in touch with some local HVAC guys and they will have one sitting for scrap at some point.

 

[bluwolf]

Another idea is something like a package unit. I happen to have one on my house for HVAC just like in this pic and it is a beast at 48" long and 34" tall. There are larger units too. I have the front panel and removable side panel for maintenance. Get in touch with some local HVAC guys and they will have one sitting for scrap at some point.

I like that one. And the removal panels makes it even better. That was one of the modifications I would make to the first unit you showed. I would think it would be a little easier to modify the A/C box as opposed to the jobsite box. But again, the jobsite box would be harder to break into. Decisions, decisions...

 

[JRC3]

I just realized the one I have has louvered panels over the condenser coil instead of the wire like in the picture. I like that more because there's no need to cover it up on the inside. That will let it breath better and keep out water exactly as it was designed to do.

Here's a pic of the unit taken before I actually bought the house.

 

[dcg9381]

I just got a portable generator, this guy - https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B083V8VNGL/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I have a 27kw Generac on order, but who knows when it will actually be installed

I'm thinking of building a little outdoor shelter for it. Has anyone done this same?

Has anyone had issues keeping a generator outside 24/7?

I've got a 20KW Generac and in Texas. I'm shocked at how little power my home takes... I don't think I've ever seen it over 7-8KW. We're using 3000sqft of the house, but we do have gas tankless WHs. That "little" generator would easily handle the power needs of my home with just a little power management...

Are you planning on keeping the option to do either genset? I like that option over getting hammered by running a 27KW generator all the time, but you'll have to plan for it.


Can you keep it outside? Sure. I wouldn't though - I'd at least get some sort of cover on it. Main concern would be stuff (bugs) getting inside of it. Houston has a good bit of rain... And the main reason why I switched to dual-fuel portables is that propane / NG doesn't go bad.

 

[65ranchero]

propane / NG doesn't go bad.

That's why I got a 10k standby GE gen. propane powered with a 100 gal. tank Very quiet will run 4 days non stop and still had propane left over.

 

[mike93lx]

I've got a 20KW Generac and in Texas. I'm shocked at how little power my home takes... I don't think I've ever seen it over 7-8KW. We're using 3000sqft of the house, but we do have gas tankless WHs. That "little" generator would easily handle the power needs of my home with just a little power management...

Are you planning on keeping the option to do either genset? I like that option over getting hammered by running a 27KW generator all the time, but you'll have to plan for it.


Can you keep it outside? Sure. I wouldn't though - I'd at least get some sort of cover on it. Main concern would be stuff (bugs) getting inside of it. Houston has a good bit of rain... And the main reason why I switched to dual-fuel portables is that propane / NG doesn't go bad.

running may not use a ton, but when the A/C units kick on, they pull a lot of power.

 

[Noltz]

Also for your consideration, Zombie box is a purpose built enclosure that checks all your boxes. And it kills a LOT of the noise. My genny is in my shed. Still need a 100' cord for it.

Generator Box | Generator Enclosure | ZombieBox

Discover comprehensive solutions for generator noise reduction with ZombieBox. Our line includes generator box options, noise barriers, enclosures, sheds, and exhaust systems to minimize sound.

www.zombiebox.com

 

[bluwolf]

Also for your consideration, Zombie box is a purpose built enclosure that checks all your boxes. And it kills a LOT of the noise. My genny is in my shed. Still need a 100' cord for it.

Generator Box | Generator Enclosure | ZombieBox

Discover comprehensive solutions for generator noise reduction with ZombieBox. Our line includes generator box options, noise barriers, enclosures, sheds, and exhaust systems to minimize sound.

www.zombiebox.com

Those Zombie boxes are really nice. But they're crazy expensive. But hey, if I could afford it, I'd buy one.

There's these kits you can buy from a company called noouttage. They deal in generators and electrical stuff, etc. You can buy the whole thing from them, or just the stuff to modify a shed. Funny, I found them after I built mine. And they did a lot of similar stuff, so I can't be too far off the right track.

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

 

[Walkers]

Uhhm, why on earth do you need 27 Kw for a house?

 

[JRC3]

Also for your consideration, Zombie box is a purpose built enclosure that checks all your boxes. And it kills a LOT of the noise. My genny is in my shed. Still need a 100' cord for it.

Generator Box | Generator Enclosure | ZombieBox

Discover comprehensive solutions for generator noise reduction with ZombieBox. Our line includes generator box options, noise barriers, enclosures, sheds, and exhaust systems to minimize sound.

www.zombiebox.com

For a typical house the Zombie make no sense. For the same or less money you could have a dedicated whole house standby generator. And it would have it's own controller and be automatic. $2000

https://www.lowes.com/pd/Generac-PowerPact-7500-Watt-LP-6000-Watt-NG-Standby-Generator-with-Automatic-Transfer-Switch/1000815538?cm_mmc=shp-_-c-_-prd-_-sol-_-google-_-pla-_-240-_-sosgenerators-_-1000815538-_-0&placeholder=null&ds_rl=1286981&gclid=CjwKCAjwlrqHBhByEiwAnLmYUIBldsdGEB7cOwYCrG5DKopPvQrz4yvRdS54D-PWwoAVbLKfWOiHZBoCobsQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds