Generator 'Cover/Shed/?'

[Kyle241]

Just curious about where people store their portable generators other than an enclosed garage/shop. I did a search in the forums and did not see anything referenced. I am looking to build a 'shed' for my generator or some form of cover as it currently sits on the side of my house under some tarps. I would like to have something more weather-proof and not have to clear snow off it every time I want to use it. The shed idea (cannot think of a better description) would allow for fresh air and allow for exhaust to the outside. Also I am looking to be able to open the front doors and top if it's a small shed, e.g. 4ft tall. Does anyone have something similar? Or is everyone keeping them in their garage/barn and just open the doors when in use? Mine is primarily for failover when power goes out but I do use it occasionally for other things. It is a diesel generator by the way.

Thanks for any feedback or ideas.

 

[Craig Clayton]

Type your inquiry in Google because I have found Canadian agriculture sites with some simple designs. Think in terms of a fire hazard in an enclosed building.
Craig Clayton

 

[MossRoad]

I keep mine in my shed with a dirt floor. When I want to use it, I open the shed door, move the genny to the front, ground it and fire it up. If the weather is nasty, I just prop the door open enough to allow ventilation.

I would like to have a small doghouse on the side of the garage just for the generator, but then it would have to be secured to discourage theft.

The big UPS generator that I am familiar with is in a garage with louvered sides. They open up when the huge diesel sucks air! :laughing:

 

[jeffah]

I built one for my little 8 HP generator on top of a pallet.
Looks like a dog house - just left one side wide open.
Park it behind the shed and can use the tractor forks to move it around when needed. Can put it by the house for power outage, move it anywhere in the yard for projects.

If theft is a concern the portability may not be an advantage.

 

[Mousefield]

I keep two of mine inside my shop and the other one in my garage. When I need to use them they go outside. If yours is a heavier diesel and hard to move around then some kind of enclosure would be a good idea. Perhaps something with a steel roof and sides and a large front door that opens when needed, don't forget to chain or bolt it down, you want it there when you need it. You also have to think of refueling it, all three of my generators fill from the top.

 

[techman]

I keep mine in my shed. Exhaust ported to the outside. Window in the rear, or front door can be opened for long runs if needed.

Paul

 

[ray66v]

I keep mine in my shed. Exhaust ported to the outside. Window in the rear, or front door can be opened for long runs if needed.

Paul

Now that's a Binford generator. :thumbsup:

I can't justify that, but if I could....

I run my generator inside my detached garage mahal, with the O/H door open about 4 inches. Unless it is nice weather, then of course, I run it outside.

 

[Travelover]

Neighbor built a little 5 sided shed with a nearly flat roof out of 1/2" plywood. Sides have hinged flaps that can be opened when you want to run it. Front has a hinged plywood door to access the controls. Simple, but it is easy to roll it out to service it and it is protected from the weather.

 

[reb]

I built a small shed on a concrete foundation to keep mine in. I used gable vents on three sides for ventilation. The top is hinged to allow access to the generator and to keep the door (on one end) closed. There is a hasp and padlock to lock the top down. It is located next to an my garage, where I have a weatherproof box for connecting the power cord. When I need to use it all I have to do is to run the power cord through a normally covered hole in the side to the box, fire up the generator and throw the transfer switch at the electric panel. Since the generator has an electric starter, even the wife can handle it if I'm not around when the power goes out.

 

[Ken]

Be careful what you build.
When I retrired 15 yrs. ago had time to build a 8'X12' metal covered and insulated building for the S/B gen about 10' from the house. Just perfect for the wife to hang a "few" front porch plants to keep from freezing in the winter weather. Then a few shelves to hold garden chemicals and plant food . then tools needed to garden . then wheel barrow and sacks of mulch and a table to hold her plants to redo the pots.
I moved out and now S/B gen in on a trailer in the tractor shed.
Just a warning.
ken

 

[Financegal]

Mine stays in the garage and if a large snowstorm is expected, I'll still have plenty of time to roll it down to the transfer switch if need be. I got an extra long gencord that will mean the generator when it is running can be pulled under the 15' high deck off the back of the house. That should provide enough shelter while running and also its so open down there, no fear of carbon monoxide.

BUT when I was first considering getting a generator and thought about that I saw someone online had a picture of his generator that he stored in one of the Rubbermaid Horizontal Sheds. It had large doors on the front that would swing outward to roll it in and out and is supposed to be waterproof. He had it padlocked shut and the shed itself bolted down to something heavy in his carport to guard against theft. I am rural enough that theft probably isn't an issue because someone is almost always home with my elderly father and around here most just keep their generators out and under their decks and pretty much everyone has their one already anyway.

 

[Willl]

How portable are you calling "portable" ?

I keep my 2 portable gens in the garage where I know they'll be when I go looking for them.

(2000 Honda suitcase and a 4600 coleman)

 

[Kyle241]

How portable are you calling "portable" ?

I keep my 2 portable gens in the garage where I know they'll be when I go looking for them.

(2000 Honda suitcase and a 4600 coleman)

Well it's 'portable' in that it has handles and wheels however it took four guys to move it/drag it last summer when building the house and I move it with my Kubota. Right now, it's positioned where my plug comes out of my house and the cord is only 6 feet so it cannot stray too far from there.

Thanks everyone for your ideas. I looked at the Rubbermaid closet idea and thought it had potential when my local retailer went out of stock. Since then I have had second thoughts on it being in a plastic like shed and possibilities of melting due to heat build-up. I'm thinking of building something and was just looking for ideas or images for inspiration. I saw some ideas when I Google'ed however I need to keep looking.

Tks.

 

[bdeboer]

I would build something on a pallet. Simple 2x4 frame with a corrugated metal roof. Make the sides removable with T111 or a tarp if looks aren't a concern. The pallet makes it portable for projects in the back 40.