Storing A Generator Outside?

[crokett]

My generator takes up room in my shed. I was thinking about pouring a pad and moving it to where the transfer switch hookup is, then keeping a cover over it. Any issues with this? I would still run it every few months or so just to make sure it runs. It would be behind the house on the lee side of the weather and I could easily cast an eyebolt into the concrete and chain it in place.

[cabinetman]

Ambient moisture can't be that good for it. Eyebolt and boltcutters=bye bye.
.

[LCHIEN]

you might consider a small wooden structure over it, the size of a doghouse maybe.
That and the chain might prove an adequate security if your neighborhood is not intrisically bad.

Put a set of permanent wiring to your transfer switch and an exhaust port, some rain protected ventilation and shielding it from rain and sun will make it last a while. You need to consider fueling and changing oil. Also a rubber vibration mount might keep noise down. or not.

[KLF]

I looked really hard at this last Fall when I was doing my generator setup. I really don't want the thing in the garage taking up space, plus have to hump it outside in the dark and rain when I need it. I have a Generac unit now, I want it in an enclosure outside on a pad, hardwired to the transfer switch.

I looked at this kit:

http://www.nooutage.com/powershelterkitii.htm

I figured I could get one of those plastic shed thingys and modify it to work. But I'm not keen on how hot it might get inside, and the longevity of it.

I haven't finished my setup yet, but what I've decided to do is to buy one of the steel enclosures that these folks sell in their package:

http://www.generatorconnection.com/PDF/The%20New%20Englander%20Edition%20Tri-Fuel%20Brochure%204-13-09.pdf

They are located right up the road from me, very convenient. They will sell me the encolsure and a 3" thick precast concrete pad for $500. I went and looked at them, they are very sturdy and well made, they give a 5 year guarantee against rusting. I just have to figure out how to plumb the exhaust out, which I think I have figured out.

I'm gonna put it in a spot about 25' away from the house, at the opposite end from the bedroom. I already have the feed wire run inside the house to where the conduit will enter in the garage, now I just have to find someone to help me dig a 25' long trench.

[Uncle Cracker]

Make sure in any case that there is ventilation for your enclosure, both in breeze and calm air. Gasoline fumes in a compact area are a potential major problem.

[Mr__Bill]

I would also seal the pad or put down a membrane to keep the moisture from coming up through the pad and rusting the underside.

You might also consider converting it to propane. Then there is no gas to evaporate and gum up the carburetor and make it imposable to start when you need it.

Bill
over here in the rain

[crokett]

I was thinking of a removable cover - like a grill cover. Of course if I have to run it in inclement weather that is not ideal. If I did a permanent cover, it would be nothing more than a roof over it. Maybe both - the removeable cover plus a roof to protect it from the worst. I would still need access to pull start it.

I was thinking about the propane kits a while ago and still may do that at some point down the road.

[LCHIEN]

the good thing about propane is that it won't go bad over time like gasoline and won't gum up your motor. You can also store propane separately e.g remove the tank.
if you use propane for BBQ ing then that's also a help.

[RAV2]

This enclosure is available at Sears and Walmart.

Bike lock thru one of the wheel bolts limits mobility.

Unit uses natural gas from the bbq valve or the standard gasoline.

[capncarl]

I have been trying to maintain my generator in an outside enclosure for 11 years now. It has probably has low hours on it, most are from the weekly exercise schedule it runs. The machine is completely shot from humidity damage. Nothing can be counted on to work properly and is not reliable. Everything has a light coat of rust. It has been moved into the shop for repairs and will probably be replaced. I will not re-install it outside again. I will install it in an enclosure in the shop or garage and exhaust and power vent it outside. This has made me have second thoughts about installing my compressor and dust collector outside also.
Side note** this is in south Georgia, and we have us some humidity here.
Generator type, Onan, 6.5kw water cooled marine, that is built for wet locations.
capncarl

[phi1l]

I have been trying to maintain my generator in an outside enclosure for 11 years now. It has probably has low hours on it, most are from the weekly exercise schedule it runs. The machine is completely shot from humidity damage. Nothing can be counted on to work properly and is not reliable. Everything has a light coat of rust. It has been moved into the shop for repairs and will probably be replaced. I will not re-install it outside again. I will install it in an enclosure in the shop or garage and exhaust and power vent it outside. This has made me have second thoughts about installing my compressor and dust collector outside also.
Side note** this is in south Georgia, and we have us some humidity here.
Generator type, Onan, 6.5kw water cooled marine, that is built for wet locations.
capncarl

I suspect the corrosion is actually due to build up of carbon dioxide from the soil. the problem can be minimized by using a crushed limestone "floor" for the enclosure.

Organinc mater in the soil decomposed generating the CO2. The CO2 reacts with water to create acid. covering the soil with limestone will result in the CO2 Acid disolving the calcium carbonate instead of the generator.

[crokett]

Rav, that is an excellent suggestion and it gets around an objection I know my wife will have, namely that it does not look 'pretty'. As for the environmental factors, the generator is currently stored in an uninsulated shed so it will be in the same environment in an enclosure that it is in now.

One day I will convert mine to propane, not sure if the budget will allow it this year.

[RAV2]

Rav, that is an excellent suggestion and it gets around an objection I know my wife will have, namely that it does not look 'pretty'. As for the environmental factors, the generator is currently stored in an uninsulated shed so it will be in the same environment in an enclosure that it is in now.

One day I will convert mine to propane, not sure if the budget will allow it this year.

Mine is actually natural gas.

Be careful, large generators demand a lot of propane. This one is a Generac 7000EXL (7000 watts constant, 12,500 peak). Propane users usually tap into 'big' tanks and are usually concerned about use.

This set-up, installed after I passed the 2 year warranty, gives me quite a bit of flexibility. I keep gas on hand, have the added security of using natural gas, and can pick up the unit and move it where I need it as it is portable.

I used to keep the unit in my garage but needed to shovel a path to be able to move the generator into place.

Now, in less than 5 minutes, I can put the house on the generator.

[conwaygolfer]

I looked really hard at this last Fall when I was doing my generator setup. I really don't want the thing in the garage taking up space, plus have to hump it outside in the dark and rain when I need it. I have a Generac unit now, I want it in an enclosure outside on a pad, hardwired to the transfer switch.

I looked at this kit:

http://www.nooutage.com/powershelterkitii.htm

I figured I could get one of those plastic shed thingys and modify it to work. But I'm not keen on how hot it might get inside, and the longevity of it.

I haven't finished my setup yet, but what I've decided to do is to buy one of the steel enclosures that these folks sell in their package:

http://www.generatorconnection.com/PDF/The%20New%20Englander%20Edition%20Tri-Fuel%20Brochure%204-13-09.pdf

They are located right up the road from me, very convenient. They will sell me the encolsure and a 3" thick precast concrete pad for $500. I went and looked at them, they are very sturdy and well made, they give a 5 year guarantee against rusting. I just have to figure out how to plumb the exhaust out, which I think I have figured out.

I'm gonna put it in a spot about 25' away from the house, at the opposite end from the bedroom. I already have the feed wire run inside the house to where the conduit will enter in the garage, now I just have to find someone to help me dig a 25' long trench.

I usually rent a small ditch digger for $45.00 per day. Sure saves the back. Makes a nice neat trench any depth you want.

Conwaygolfer

[L. D. Jeffries]

+1 on Mr Bill's second paragraph. I converted my generator to propane a couple of years ago as well a permanent location its piped into the house system. All the gasoline fuel created problems are ancient history now. Since we cook/heat water and have a propane furnace my 80 gal. will power the thing for a good while if needed.