 SwedishRiderRider on the StormPremium
join:2006-01-11
Connecticut
kudos:1 | GenTent portable generator cover I posted this in another thread, but it's buried pretty deep and I thought this deserved it's own thread.
Thankfully, I never lost power during Hurricane Sandy, but this storm raised an interesting problem: how to run my portable generator during rain or snow that lingers on after the bulk of a storm has passed (or during the storm itself).
Stanley makes an all-weather generator, and standby units by definition are sealed for all-weather use, but portables by and large aren't supposed to be used in inclement weather.
GenTent makes a product that is like a canopy for generators, allowing for all-weather use: »www.gentent.com/GenTent_2nd_Gen_···b-tb.htm
They claim it can be used in sideways rain, and demo that concept here:
»www.youtube.com/watch?v=XvTOqNStbrY
Not sure what to make of this product. If it can be used in all-weather situations, it seems to fit the bill of keeping the generator portable while solving the rain/snow issues. Any thoughts? |
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 shdesignsPowered By Infinite Improbabilty DrivePremium
join:2000-12-01
Stone Mountain, GA | I'd build a lean-to on the side of the house. Use latticework on the sides with black ground felt or screen for ventilation. Then some simple barn doors.
Probably cost you about the same.
On my portable, I just laid a sheet of plywood on top of it that hung out about 12" on each side. 
--
Scott Henion
Embedded Systems Consultant,
SHDesigns home - DIY Welder |
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bemis
join:2008-07-18
Reading, MA Reviews:
 ·Comcast
 ·Verizon FiOS
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I have a 3' long by 2' wide piece of 3/4" pressure treated plywood that I lean against the generator to form a lean-to roof, I put a couple of cinder blocks on the ground side, and on the raised side I did drill a couple of holes so that I could bungie-cord it to the generator, but the particular location I use it is shielded from wind, so it has not been an issue.
That setup keeps 90% of the rain off of it, though if it were just solid downpouring I bet none of these solutions would really do much for the a portable.
I use dielectric grease on all my electrical connectors outside, my cord plugs still look new, and I know from years past experience that they use to get ugly and corroded pretty quick after use outside... so I assume the grease is working, and it effectively plugs up the outlet holes to prevent water from getting in. |
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 nunyaWho is John Galt?Premium,MVM
join:2000-12-23
O Fallon, MO
kudos:8 | reply to SwedishRider
I have an old piece of plywood and some concrete blocks. |
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 cdruGo ColtsPremium,MVM
join:2003-05-14
Fort Wayne, IN
kudos:7 | reply to SwedishRider
For 1/10 the price, you can get some rip stop nylon, some wire coat hangers, and some Velcro. Add in a hour or two of sewing and you'd have the same thing. Plus $171 extra. |
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SwedishRiderRider on the StormPremium
join:2006-01-11
Connecticut
kudos:1 | reply to nunya
said by nunya:I have an old piece of plywood and some concrete blocks.
What's your expert opinion on their claim of acceptable use in sideways rain? I would have to think plywood with cinder blocks on it has the same problem. Is it okay to run it that way if the rain is coming in at an angle but NOT getting into the outlets. |
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SwedishRiderRider on the StormPremium
join:2006-01-11
Connecticut
kudos:1 | reply to SwedishRider
Even the Stanley all-weather portable is open on its sides quite a bit... so it would seem that sideways rain is not enough to prohibit use. |
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 alkizmo
join:2007-06-25
Pierrefonds, QC
kudos:1 | reply to SwedishRider
said by SwedishRider:I would have to think plywood with cinder blocks on it has the same problem. Is it okay to run it that way if the rain is coming in at an angle but NOT getting into the outlets.
A sheet of plywood is like an umbrella.
That little generator hood is like a hat.
One is good for the rain, the other is just to keep your hair dry. |
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 Jack_in_VAPremium
join:2007-11-26
Mathews, VA
kudos:1 | reply to SwedishRider
Inside the detached garage works just fine for me. No chance of it getting wet. |
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SwedishRiderRider on the StormPremium
join:2006-01-11
Connecticut
kudos:1 | reply to alkizmo
said by alkizmo:A sheet of plywood is like an umbrella.
That little generator hood is like a hat.
One is good for the rain, the other is just to keep your hair dry.
With due respect, then explain the design of Stanley's all-weather generator vs the "little hat". |
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alkizmo
join:2007-06-25
Pierrefonds, QC
kudos:1
2 edits | said by SwedishRider:With due respect, then explain the design of Stanley's all-weather generator vs the "little hat".
Only the engine part is exposed. Like snow blowers, lawn mowers, etc, that part is already sealed by its own casing.
however, notice how the electrical side is covered in plastic, and the outlet panel has a rain guard, while the extension outlets are gfci.
edit: may i add that on the stanley, some other parts are also weather proofed like the muffler. |
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SwedishRiderRider on the StormPremium
join:2006-01-11
Connecticut
kudos:1 | said by alkizmo:however, notice how the electrical side is covered in plastic, and the outlet panel has a rain guard, while the extension outlets are gfci.
I guess what I'm looking at is that the outlets are covered in both instances (plastic for stanley, canvas cover for GenTent) but the rest of both the Stanley and GenTent setups are open to the elements. I agree that Stanley MAY have some things that are more rugged (I've never personally seen one, so they may not), but it appears that at their essence, they have similar designs with what they do and do not cover.
As far as GFCI, my generator does not have a N/G bond and so has no GFCI protection. But it's only really used when plugged into the house GenTran inlet box, which provides the singular N/G bond in the house panel.
Hmmm... time to ponder... |
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alkizmo
join:2007-06-25
Pierrefonds, QC
kudos:1 | I didnt have time to write any further because I was holding my 3 month old daughter.
Notice how on the stanley, there are no bolts on the frame. The whole thing is molded and soldered together, no bolts, no holes, everything is made so water doesn't enter a crack/hole and get stuck inside to rust the metal.
Your generator has bolts on the frame. Water can get inside the holes in the pipe frame, and linger forever, rusting your generator.
Also, think of maintenance simplicity. Even the weather proof generator isn't made to be left outside FOREVER. It's just a functional way to use a generator in the rain, whereever you go.
You still need to clean it and dry it after you used it in a rain storm.
If you use a proper shelter that keeps the whole generator dry, you won't have to worry about cleaning it or rust. |
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 FrinkProfessorPremium
join:2000-07-13
Scotch Plains, NJ | reply to SwedishRider
I built a little gene 'dog house' and it has come in handy here in NJ... |
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SwedishRiderRider on the StormPremium
join:2006-01-11
Connecticut
kudos:1 | reply to alkizmo
said by alkizmo:Notice how on the stanley, there are no bolts on the frame. The whole thing is molded and soldered together, no bolts, no holes, everything is made so water doesn't enter a crack/hole and get stuck inside to rust the metal.
Your generator has bolts on the frame. Water can get inside the holes in the pipe frame, and linger forever, rusting your generator
I just checked my generator, and I posted some pics of it that I've posted here before. I don't see any holes in the generator tube frame on my generator. There are bolts that are exposed, but I don't think any penetrate into the tube frame.
I realize the GenTent isn't for keeping the generator out all the time. It's for generator use in inclement weather, and then putting the generator away when done with it. I store it in my garage, so it's out of the weather unless in use. The problem is use during rain or snow. If it works, it's a pretty ideal solution for me... I'd rather that than build a separate shed or covering. |
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alkizmo
join:2007-06-25
Pierrefonds, QC
kudos:1 | ok but my other point was that if rain on the sides is okay, then why even spend 200$ on a hat?
make a cover just for the outlets out of a square of tarp |
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SwedishRiderRider on the StormPremium
join:2006-01-11
Connecticut
kudos:1 | said by alkizmo:ok but my other point was that if rain on the sides is okay, then why even spend 200$ on a hat?
make a cover just for the outlets out of a square of tarp
I guess that's true... having a "hat" would seem to still keep out quite a bit of water, though with open sides you'd have to question how much vs no hat at all.
I'm going to ponder for a while on this... I'm not really sure how I'm going to proceed yet. |
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alkizmo
join:2007-06-25
Pierrefonds, QC
kudos:1 | said by SwedishRider:I guess that's true... having a "hat" would seem to still keep out quite a bit of water, though with open sides you'd have to question how much vs no hat at all.
I'm going to ponder for a while on this... I'm not really sure how I'm going to proceed yet.
If that hat was 50$, I'd say go for it, why not, better than nothing.
But it's 200$.
A piece of plywood and a block of concrete does a better job (protects the sides too!)
If you want something nice and professional, look into building a real shelter for it, it's worth the time (And still probably would come at less than 200$). |
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| reply to shdesigns
I built a concrete blockhouse/bunker for my genset. I always base my construction on the assumption that anything fueled by flammable liquids WILL catch on fire at some point in the future. Hence, the concrete structure. Also effective for sound abatement. Good for when you have power and the FSA do not. |
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 AVDRespice, Adspice, ProspicePremium
join:2003-02-06
Onion, NJ
kudos:1 | reply to SwedishRider
We used to have a genset mounted on the back of a pickup. It would transported all over NYC and would run with no problems. (It got stolen one day, but that's another thread. |
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