Generator in the bed

[Locomotive8]

Hey guys,
I have been curious about putting a generator (on skids) with a "quick mount" in the bed of an RTV or similar UTV. This would be to power lights, tools (blowers, small air conditioner, weedeater, hedgehog etc.) As long as the cords and connections are quality would there be any safety concerns regarding the electricity? I would like to get a generator for standby at the house and it may be a way for me to power a few extra tools at the farm. Thanks for your help.

 

[JDGREEN4ME]

I don't know if it is safe or not but I use my generator in the bed of my HPX. Guess that would be good to know!

 

[bigtiller]

If the generator has a "GFI" switch I don't think there would be a problem, but if it doesn't have one then I would place it on the ground when I got to the work site just in case the generator developed an internal short.

 

[caylor]

Big,

I think a lot of it depends on what you mean by "skids". Are these skids metal, or wood? If the skids are metal and are placed on the metal bed of the RTV, you more than likely have enough metal to metal contact for it to be adequately grounded. I built a steel skid set up for my Miller Bobcat for me to carry with the forks on my tractor as well as to be able to lift it into the bed of my RTV and Truck. I have run it for many hours in the bed of these vehicles without any problems.

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

if you have metal skids or even wood and don't feel good about it just go to a office supply store and get one of them rubber or plastice floor protectors that they put on the floor behind a desk for the wheel on a chair and just cut it to fit. it also makes a really good bed protector even if you don't have the generator in there .

 

[Locomotive8]

Thanks for the info, guys.
I was thinking about putting a separate motor with hydraulic pump ( kind of a "piggyback" setup) in the bed to power front or rear attachments and I just thought that a generator with electric attachments might work in the same fashion. Electric pruners and such are just easily acquired and hydraulic tools are just so expensive is why I ask.

 

[Egon]

A grounding cable And GFI's and away you go.

 

[TOMMYHPX4X4]

Thanks for the info, guys.
I was thinking about putting a separate motor with hydraulic pump ( kind of a "piggyback" setup) in the bed to power front or rear attachments and I just thought that a generator with electric attachments might work in the same fashion. Electric pruners and such are just easily acquired and hydraulic tools are just so expensive is why I ask.

i run a power inverter on my hpx and i use a sawsall. but i did install a alternator and a second battery it's still cheaper and lighter than loading a generator. right now my total output in watts is about 1200 i'm guessing i think it's higher if you combine the battery and alternator output together. the alternator with the stock chargeing system is putting out about 111 amps. now if you hook a 2500 watt inverter to it you can run alot of stuff right now i have a 1400 watt inverter well 700 watts continuose. but it does the job.so for the alternator has held up to going under water and has held up to pressure washing and getting caked with mud from mud riding so it's doing fine and i get them cheap from the salvage yard for 35.00 but this one is still goin strong so it's worth thinkin about