Protecting generator from rain/snow during use

[Mainiac Mat]

Hey gang,

I finally got sick of fiddling with and babysitting my fickle 29 y.o. Coleman 5KW (peak) generator every time we lose power and upgraded to a new Champion 9KW (peak), open frame, Tri-Fuel, electric start, invertor generator.



For now, I'll keep connecting to the house via. a 30 amp, 220v, 6 circuit GenTran box with a twist lock plug, but I ordered a 40 gal. LPG tank and plan on mounting it to an old Harbor Freight mover's dolly, and hope to avoid ever putting any gas in the new genny.

The idea is to be able to run >12 hours continuously without fiddling with the generator. But in doing so, I'd prefer to not have the generator sitting in the pouring rain or snow.

So my question to the forum is, how do you keep the rain and snow off your genny while it's running?

Ideas so far are to:

• make a bracket to mount an oversized golfer's umbrella to the generator frame.
• make an vented/open sided "doghouse" with a pallet base and move it around with my tractor forks.
• zip tie a plastic panel over the top of the generator fuel tank

 

[Youngandfree]

Make a ventilated and insulated isolation box.

 

[Wolley]

Saw horses and a piece of plywood over the top. I don't worry about the sides

 

[Zeke]

Might not fit but mine does in a boat deck box. I prop the lid open with a 2 x 4 and run a box fan down inside for circulation.

 

[Renegade1LI]

It’s a pallet base and add 4 posts high enough for good air flow and a metal roof. Easy to pick up and move and cheap to construct.

 

[redmondjp]

I'm working on the non-inverter model of that Champion generator now, with about 15 hours of use on it (is probably 2-3 years old now). Whatever you do, keep the sides open for cooling. Despite a clean carburetor, on fresh gasoline it lopes with only 3KW of load on it, which smooths out when you partially close the choke (main jet is way too lean). It doesn't run on LP at all any longer, which is why I am working on it. From what I can tell, the Chinesium demand regulator no longer functions. I am probably going to install a Garretson KN style regulator on it with an adjustable load block and hopefully that will work. Oh, also, get rid of the crappy OEM Chinese spark plug ASAP - it will look fine but just throw it away and put a better one in (I usually use NGK). Personally, I think the power levels printed on the side are much the same as lawn mower, vacuum cleaner, and air compressor HP figures were in the 1990s and 2000s - very optimistic! Good luck with yours.

 

[Mike65]

We bought a Westinghouse WGEN9500TFC generator & we also got a WGen tent run cover for it.

 

[Jgaz]

I used to keep my Honda under (and chained to) a cast metal patio table on the patio at the rear of my house. Plenty of air flow and protected from the weather.

 

[gizardlizard]

Lots of gen manufacturers make tents/shelters for their gens that are model specific.

 

[mike93lx]

I always kept mine close enough to the house that the overhang kept it mostly dry. Otherwise, maybe an inexpensive patio umbrella could worlz (of not too windy) or even just a piece of PT ply on top

 

[housewolf]

Sounds kind of simple minded but I just backed one of my pickups up against it and lowered the tailgate to cover it

 

[Mikeske]

I just roll my over from my shop and it stop when I am in the carport. Protected and dry the entire time I need it. I put it in the same area as my barbecue

 

[Dig Doug]

Build an open sided or 3 sided ( for sound reduction) dog house where you want to use it, face the exhaust out away from the house.

 

[kaymccampbell]

Vented deck box. I've got a Rubbermaid that'll hold a 10kw unit easily.

 

[Youngandfree]

Vented deck box. I've got a Rubbermaid that'll hold a 10kw unit easily.

Doesn't need to be more complicated than that. Whole house gennies are in a plastic box with vents.

 

[couch67]

I sit an old piece of plywood on top, and clamp it to the handles that are attached to the generator frame

 

[GrayFlattop]

I’d go with a small pop-up canopy tent. You can probably find an 8 x 8 for around $50. They come in handy for lots of things. I used to bring one to driving events for shelter from the hot sun or pouring rain.

 

[alfadan]

Lean a piece of plywood over it.

As mentioned above, find a way to chain it to something.

 

[sofasurfer]

Good topic. I have never worried about it so far (snow never accumulates on it)but now you have me looking around for ideas.

Heres a couple from Amazon (search "portable generator protector")

 

[58Yeoman]

I use a RubberMaid plastic shed, the 9k fits easily inside. I leave the front doors open and let the lid down.

 

[sofasurfer]

For use when operating I think I'll make a simple pvc frame with a tarp that clamps to the generator frame.

 

[rayra]

Preppers typically call it a 'doghouse'. Whether it is weather or noise you are trying to control, keep in mind the generator needs to breath and heat needs to escape.

 

[nadogail]

I use a RubberMaid plastic shed, the 9k fits easily inside. I leave the front doors open and let the lid down.

I also use a Rubbermaid Plastic Shed, my generator set rolls out the doors when I am running the engine.

 

[Stuart in MN]

deleted.

 

[larry4406]

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

 

[Notgrownup]

I thought they were designed to run outside in open air or weather??”

 

[jack stand]

As long as it doesn't live outside 365 d/y, rain and snow during use isn't a big deal and complicates the "set up".

 

[firebirdparts]

I tho they were designed to run outside in open air or weather??”

pretty much. I always let mine get wet. It's done okay.

 

[PatY]

I keep my Coleman in the garage when not in use but whenever I've needed it, usually storm related I just put it out in the driveway next to the house unsheltered. Never had an issue in snow or rain.

 

[Crazyjake8493]

I've never sheltered mine, but if I needed to I'd just put my old metal card table over it.

 

[jskicet]

Gen tent for me also.

 

[jonesg]

meant to be run outside, no protection from weather needed,
but theres always someone willing to sell you something you don't need.

 

[jmarkwolf]

For use when operating I think I'll make a simple pvc frame with a tarp that clamps to the generator frame.

Been thinking of doing the same thing, with one of those free HF tarps.

 

[charbar]

My old man cut the side out of a 275 gallon IBC tote for his generator. They are designed to be lifted with pallet forks. If you are around a farming area they are everywhere and you can usually get one for free or 10-20 bucks at the most.

 

[Rc_Guy]

I thought they were designed to run outside in open air or weather??”

they are. our honda EU6500 has about 4600 hours, 12 years old and has never been covered and is mounted on the tongue of our food trailer

 

[TurnipTruck]

A friend of mine thought his Depot special generator failed and had to buy or borrow a replacement in the middle of a multi-day outage in a panic during a blizzard$$$. He later discovered the air filter had completely packed off with snow.
He now has a Cummins brand nat gas standby generator in an attached enclosure with an airtight upwind wall.
The enclosure also has plenty of room around the genny for maintenance, lifting eyes above the heavy stuff, chain link fencing over the air vents, and multiple lights inside. Complete and total overkill, but his wife will never get cold again.

 

[Jswain]

I thought they were designed to run outside in open air or weather??”

Sure, but like literally everything in life, when you take care of it, it typically lasts longer.

 

[firebirdparts]

Mine is 26 years old. Looks new to me. I’m sure if I used every day it would be different.

 

[Just_Steve]

Just leave it out in the weather when running, been doing it for years with no issues. Otherwise it resides in garage or shed.

 

[RegeSullivan]

I see gennys mounted to bumpers of food trucks around here (Pittsburgh PA) all the time. Would running the in the rain cause a problem with the generator or is the concern electrical safety? Or, is it really a non-issue?