joeyd
Platinum Member
I keep my generator in the garage and wheel it out and connect to the house when it's needed. I purchased this cover to use in rain or snow if the power is out.
How do you store your outside generator?
- Thread starter Rebeldad1
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Diggin It
Super Star Member
I kept mine in the garage. I had built an enclosure for it that doubled as a workbench. Had ports cut though the back wall of the garage for ventilation and would leave doors open while it was running.
One day I went out in the garage and smelled gas. Looked around, but couldn't find anything. Couple of days later, I smelled it again, stronger. Then I noticed a wet spot near the cabinet doors covering the generator. Opened those doors and found quite a bit on the floor. Carefully reached in, closed the gas valve at the bottom of the tank, opened all the doors and let it air out. A spark could have made it a whole lot less fun.
It sits outside now.
MossRoad
Super Moderator
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Inside.
We have two detached garages. The small garage is really just a large shed. I keep it in there. When we need to run it, I open the doors, move it to the center of the area, flip all the right switches, connect the cord, and fire it up.
A friend of mine has a shed in his back yard. He had an electrician wire in a transfer switch in the house that feeds the shed. He keeps the generator in the shed. When needed, he wheels the generator out of the shed, plugs it in, flips the transfer switch in the house, flips another switch in the shed, fires up the generator and off he goes.
Keeping a generator under a roof will greatly increase it's life and readiness.
5030
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Mine is in it's own enclosure that came with it. Generac 25 KW diesel genset. Has a diesel tank as the base but I have it plumbed to my bulk diesel tank instead.
setxjeff
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- 1951 IH cub, International 254 and 1538 Mahindra Towable Backhoe
On a covered porch. Originally I bought a cloth cover for it but that just made it a mouse hotel. Took cover off and this Allows the dogs access to be mouse catchers. I roll it to a covered area plug in cords and propane and throw transfer switch.
RalphVa
Super Member
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- Charlottesville, VA, USA
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When I had a 4.4 kw portable, it sat out in the open. The fuel tank pretty much covers everything.
Now have a 12.5 kw diesel generator for nearly 10 years. It has its own enclosure with 3 doors.
Now have a 12.5 kw diesel generator for nearly 10 years. It has its own enclosure with 3 doors.
newbury
Super Star Member
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- From Vt, in Va, retiring to MS
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- Kubota's - B7610, M4700
Since the underground wiring is in it's a little late now for many of the methods.
I have a shed about 20' from the house with a walkout basement. I put up a "3 sided with roof" shelter off the side of the shed. Basically 2 sheets of plywood, one cut in half for the sides, the other the roof at an appropriate angle for runoff. Then covered it with shingles. This is for a portable 6K gas gennie.
Have only had to run the generator once since I bought the generator in 2003.
Run occasionally to make sure it runs.
bigtiller
Super Member
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- central Iowa
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- John Deere 2720 John Deere 3039R John Deere Z545R
That looks like a good one. How does it do with a strong wind? I went with GenTent a few years ago. One big caveat, it is a 2 person job to check the oil on my honda with it's enclosed case.
Generator Covers - NFPA Rated | GenTent Safety Canopies
GenTent Safety Canopies keep generators outside for emergency backup power needs, commercial use, or recreation. Restore power safely in any weather.
www.gentent.com
newbury
Super Star Member
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- Jan 8, 2009
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- 13,986
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- From Vt, in Va, retiring to MS
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- Kubota's - B7610, M4700
Wow, that's nice. Cost about as much as my generator.That looks like a good one. How does it do with a strong wind? I went with GenTent a few years ago. One big caveat, it is a 2 person job to check the oil on my honda with it's enclosed case.
Generator Covers - NFPA Rated | GenTent Safety Canopies
GenTent Safety Canopies keep generators outside for emergency backup power needs, commercial use, or recreation. Restore power safely in any weather.
Do you leave it on 24/7 outside in the wind?
PILOON
Super Star Member
In my case I have a wood shed just outside of my electric panel and it is isolated from the house by the concrete foundation.
I've wired via a transfer switch, cut a hole in the shed for the exhaust and also installed a large muffin fan to rid any fumes.
A battery keeper/tender (intelligent type) is permanently wired so always a fully charged battery.
Due to the concrete foundation isolating it we can't even hear it running.
LOL, we have so many outages that I never bother to 'exercise' mine anymore.
I do run it dry when I shut it down.
I've wired via a transfer switch, cut a hole in the shed for the exhaust and also installed a large muffin fan to rid any fumes.
A battery keeper/tender (intelligent type) is permanently wired so always a fully charged battery.
Due to the concrete foundation isolating it we can't even hear it running.
LOL, we have so many outages that I never bother to 'exercise' mine anymore.
I do run it dry when I shut it down.