How do you store your outside generator?

[bdhsfz6]

I've had my generator for several years but haven't yet worked out running it during a storm. Are there any reasons why I couldn't run it under a table covered with tarp, securing everything together with bunjees? Another option is to run it inside my shed (8x12) that has (4) 18"x24" windows and a 8"x16" gable vent. The shed also houses my snow blower, lawn mower, and a few gas cans. If I can I'd like to avoid building another enclosure just for the generator. I already checked out the GenTent and the IGAN generator tents online but neither of them look appealing to me. Anyone have MacGyver-like solutions for running your generators during a storm?

Unless local ordinances prohibit it, there is no reason you can't put your generator inside an unoccupied enclosure. Just be sure you have adequate air flow and a good thru wall exhaust vent.

I made space for mine in the back of one of the barns near the house.

I added a carbon monoxide detector as an added safety measure. I also added a security camera so I can keep an eye on CO2 and fuel levels from the house.

 

[steve tym]

Mine came in a nice aluminum enclosure.

 

[Oaktree]

I bought mine primarily to power the refrigerator & freezer during an extended power outage. Run it a couple times a day for an hour or so just to keep 'em cold. Maybe hot water heater too (it's a power vent propane, so it doesn't use a lot of power).
We've got LED lanterns, or use a headlamp to read. Woodstove for heat, gravity feed well.
Not so much of a tv addict I need to power it. Besides we have no OTA reception here, all streaming and if the power's out the internet is likely to be out too.

Of course ever since I bought it we haven't had an outage that lasted more than a few hours.

 

[ultrarunner]

Purchased with outdoor rated sound attenuated enclosure in 1995 and so far so good.

Only glitch is weekly checking for rodents… the block heater warmth is just too temping for rodents to set up home.

 

[ponytug]

Purchased with outdoor rated sound attenuated enclosure in 1995 and so far so good.

Only glitch is weekly checking for rodents… the block heater warmth is just too temping for rodents to set up home.

I installed 1/8" stainless steel screening over all of the intake and exhaust holes on my generator enclosure for mouse (and wasp) exclusion.

@geteh I think that a four sided pop up tarp is one thing, but a normal tarp seems like a big fire risk to me.

All the best,

Peter

 

[ultrarunner]

I’ve added screening and bait traps which keeps the guys very much in check.

That said I did see one incident that surprised me at work.

Generator has a second underground conduit for signal wires that leads about 200’ away to the transfer switch inside with another conduit about 200’ that leaves the transfer switch that served an x-ray machine that is no longer there.

Tenant reported chewed up carpet in the former x-ray suite and I’m thinking how?

Following clues I determined the mouse entered signal wire conduit and followed it for hundreds of feet through large junction boxes to daylight in what is now office space…

Determined little buggers!

Sister in Laws new Subaru suffered thousands in rodent wire damage during the week the family went to Hawaii…

 

[dodge man]

When I read the title of this thread all I could think of was “outside” I guess. I get the point of the thread though.

 

[Like Tractors]

I store mine inside, when needed I connect to the generator that remains in the building. I kinda like this set up.

 

[MossRoad]

I've had my generator for several years but haven't yet worked out running it during a storm. Are there any reasons why I couldn't run it under a table covered with tarp, securing everything together with bunjees? Another option is to run it inside my shed (8x12) that has (4) 18"x24" windows and a 8"x16" gable vent. The shed also houses my snow blower, lawn mower, and a few gas cans. If I can I'd like to avoid building another enclosure just for the generator. I already checked out the GenTent and the IGAN generator tents online but neither of them look appealing to me. Anyone have MacGyver-like solutions for running your generators during a storm?

We store our portable generator in a shed. When I run it, I place it near the shed door, prop the door open, and run it inside the shed if it's still raining with the exhaust pointed towards the open door. The shed is 25' from the house, so no chance of carbon monoxide getting in the house. If a little rain gets into the shed I don't care. It has a gravel/dirt floor and drains well.

 

[5030]

Mine came in a nice aluminum enclosure.

Both my 32 KW diesel as well as my 21KW propane fired genny's are in the own enclosures. The 32 has it's own integral diesel tank I never use as it's plumbed into my farm diesel tank and the propane fired one runs off my 3 500 gallon propane bottles that are all running in series. Both have on board starting battery maintainers, dedicated transfer switches and the diesel unit has a built in thermostatically controlled block heater. I change the oil and filters yearly and the spark plugs in the propane unit as well.

Had them both for around 15 years now and never had issue one with either except changing the starting batteries every couple years.

The big one powers the shop and barns. it's 220 -3 and 408 -3 and the smaller one powers the house and it's 220 -1 and 110 -1.

Really, about as turnkey as you can get.