Generator Question
Feb 2, 2015 21:08:29 #
boberic wrote:
Yes, but I have it covered with a tarp, when not in use. But I have used it in the snow when we lost power in a snow storm.
Living in Connecticut when it is cold as hell and dark with no power you need to come up with some Hillbilly/Yankee ingenuity. You would be suprised at the amount of things you could use when the chips are down.
The best thing to do is to prepare now ... not wait until later as we in Ct. did a couple of years ago in the Halloween storm.
Feb 3, 2015 04:43:38 #
jerryc41 wrote:
If you live in an area where power occasionally go... (show quote)
see all generator adds popping up. we have a 3500w Honda on our toon that we have run in the rain.
Feb 3, 2015 05:23:15 #
jerryc41 wrote:
If you live in an area where power occasionally go... (show quote)
The key here is common sense!!
The generator should be grounded, few ever are.
Set off the ground nothing fancy, cords plugged in before starting, unplugged after shutting down.
and kept as dry as possible.
Mine sits on the deck under roof i still follow the precautions to stay alive, as far from the house as possible, cords plugged in before starting and house door kept closed the do produce CO carbon monoxide!!!!
Feb 3, 2015 05:59:55 #
I made a wooden cover out of scrap plywood, open at both ends. Keeps the rain and snow off and vents. Small Honda E2000 generator. Runs the blower on my furnace and fridge and a few lights.
Feb 3, 2015 06:28:56 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I looked online for ideas for a shed that would cut down the noise. I guess it helps some, but I can't use the door because it would get too hot inside.
Jerry,
The large 20,000 watt diesel generator I installed in the Florida house has a roof, slatted side walls for ventilation and it's on a concrete slab. It's connected to the house emergency cut-over switch with an unpluggable outside cable and plug that's weather shielded with a hood cover. The only consideration was to extend the exhaust pipe so the fumes would be well above the structure and away from flammables. Once the generator gets going the heat from the exhaust pipe will make an upward rise in the oversized extension pipe and cause proper drafting.
I originally had only a 12.000 watt gas generator and it was set up the same way. Lasted for years and never had a problem. When those hurricanes start coming, the power sometimes went out from the rural electric coop for over a week, so I added a 50 gallon fuel tank outside the shed and about 30 feet away. This was replaced with a 200 gallon diesel tank I had put in the ground later.
Feb 3, 2015 06:45:54 #
I built a shed and lined the inside with foil faced foam used in marine applications; nice and quiet but I am still waiting for snow... the temperature hasn't dropped below 60F here.
Feb 3, 2015 06:50:06 #
I'm in the process of converting my 10HP generator
from gasoline to propane. The last time we needed the generator you couldn't get gasoline because the gas stations
couldn't pump gas because they didn't have electric to run the pumps.
My generator is grounded and I have a wooden stick to push the off switch. (Just in case)
I also cover the generator with plywood to keep it dry.
from gasoline to propane. The last time we needed the generator you couldn't get gasoline because the gas stations
couldn't pump gas because they didn't have electric to run the pumps.
My generator is grounded and I have a wooden stick to push the off switch. (Just in case)
I also cover the generator with plywood to keep it dry.
Feb 3, 2015 08:00:45 #
TimJD
Loc: Ohio
Make sure the cover is high enough to stand under and prevent rain from blowing underneath. If you have to fill the gas tank when it is raining, you could end up with water in the tank. Safer also.
I bought 2 air conditioner extension cords. They are about 6' long that I put on the fridge and freezer and had that connection placed where I could easily get to it to unplug one source and plug in the other. Better than having to drag the fridge and freezer away from the wall.
I also kept the generator in the utility room when it was not used. Trying to get a manual start generator going that has been outside in cold weather can be a problem.
I bought 2 air conditioner extension cords. They are about 6' long that I put on the fridge and freezer and had that connection placed where I could easily get to it to unplug one source and plug in the other. Better than having to drag the fridge and freezer away from the wall.
I also kept the generator in the utility room when it was not used. Trying to get a manual start generator going that has been outside in cold weather can be a problem.
Feb 3, 2015 08:00:49 #
jerryc41 wrote:
If you live in an area where power occasionally go... (show quote)
My garage has an overhang which I keep it under.
Feb 3, 2015 08:04:05 #
Pure water is not a conductor. Rain may have some dust in it,but that's all. Dust does not conduct electricity. The main problem is corrosion after a period of time if it is left out and not running, while running it creates heat and keeps it pretty dry.
I have no problem running mine in inclement weather. Covering it is a good idea, but not necessary.
There are other considerations, but most are to technical for the person not schooled in the electrical field.
I have no problem running mine in inclement weather. Covering it is a good idea, but not necessary.
There are other considerations, but most are to technical for the person not schooled in the electrical field.
Feb 3, 2015 08:43:59 #
Yes,they emit CO2,but that isn't the worry. The carbon monoxide is what you have to worry about & why it shouldn't be used in an enclosed space.
Feb 3, 2015 09:05:01 #
We keep ours in the garage where there is a very HD wire that runs to a GenSet in the basement. The Generator is on wheels, so when we need it we roll it over to the open garage door and let it vent that way, but it is kept dry at all times. The plug-in for it is near the door.
Feb 3, 2015 09:26:51 #
jerryc41 wrote:
I looked online for ideas for a shed that would cut down the noise. I guess it helps some, but I can't use the door because it would get too hot inside.
Jetty, Try placing the gen. and the shed in a position that the door is facing away from the house, and maybe lining the inside of the shed with some closed cell foam.
So long as the generator is not sitting in a puddle of water and the business end you plug into, isn't wet, it should be safe from "stray"electricity". Aren't the receptacle(s) protected by a ground fault? That's supposed to protect the user from "shocking" results. I use my Honda 2000 on the boat and haven't had any problems.
Feb 3, 2015 09:29:13 #
You might consider a "whole house" generator - they are a few bucks more, but they can run on propane or natural gas and have the option of an automatic transfer switch that starts up 8 seconds after the power goes out and shuts down 15 minutes after it's restored.
One problem we had here in SuperStorm Sandy was that the gas stations either had no gas or had no electricity to pump gas.
Our generator (Kohler) runs great in rain, snow, or whatever you throw at it. Great for peace of mind!
One problem we had here in SuperStorm Sandy was that the gas stations either had no gas or had no electricity to pump gas.
Our generator (Kohler) runs great in rain, snow, or whatever you throw at it. Great for peace of mind!
Feb 3, 2015 09:37:01 #
If I had a dollar for every time I needed a generator in the last 40 years I would have maybe five or six dollars. But that wouldn't come close to making up for the hundreds if not thousands of dollars a generator would cost. Not to mention the fuel and maintenance costs. That's one of the benefits of living in an area with a dependable power source and fairly decent weather most of the time.
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