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Enclosure for portable generator
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Posted by guyv (My Page) on Mon, Oct 15, 07 at 12:07
| I have acquired a 6 kW diesel generator. These units are not meant to be used outdoors without protection against the elements. I would like to install it outdoors and connect to some of my home circuits through a transfer switch. For those who have done this what kind of protection are you providing the generator?
Has anyone an idea of how to extend the exhaust through the enclosure? |
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RE: Enclosure for portable generator
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| the one i have we simply put a sheet metal roof over it, about 18 inches above the genny. then on 2 sides put more sheet metal. the back is against the building, and the front is open. then the exhaust was simply some pieces of 1/2" iron pipe. unscrewed the muffler, screwed inteh pipe, extended it up thru the roof, and screwed the muffler back on. WARNING. if you put this next to your house you should get the muffler up higher than the roof of the house. i did not at first and when i test ran it you could smell exhaust in the house. i ended up just putting mine by my well house so i did not have ot extend the muffler too high. |
RE: Enclosure for portable generator
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| Thanks. This sounds like a simple solution. And yes the first time I started the genny we also had the stench inside the house. I guess putting the pipe through the sheet metal you did not have to insulate the pipe. Although I will check the temperature of the sheet metal where it will abut to the stucco of the garage, just in case. |
RE: Enclosure for portable generator
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| Be very careful screwing around with the exhaust! Call the engine manufacturer. Exhaust piping, mufflers, etc aren't like a plumbing job. They are an integral part of the performance of the engine. You can easily de-tune the engine, or worse, cause damage such as burned or warped valves. Check first!! |
RE: Enclosure for portable generator
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| cobraguy brings up a good point, our genny is OLD and this did not matter as much. newer models the exhaust is pretty much tuned. check it out before you redo it. no, i did not have to insulate the exhaust on mine. the hole was actually about an inch bigger on all sides, because it used to rattle a little! even so, never had a problem with heat damage. |
RE: Enclosure for portable generator
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| Hi Guy, If you can, you really want to get an enclosure for this that will withstand the weather, probably something rated IP65 or IP66. |
Here is a link that might be useful: Electrical Enclosures
RE: Enclosure for portable generator
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Here is a prebuilt enclosure for up to 7500 watts:
http://gen-tran.com/eshop/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=GS7500 |
RE: Enclosure for portable generator
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| that Gentran enclosure that sells for $750 or so is just a $150 SunCast storage shed with a ventilation fan that you plug into the generator and intake louvers added, along with an exhaust hose that attaches to the muffler. If you search for some fourms on generator power, you'll find some directions on making one yourself. You can put them in a fairly small shed as long as you provide a fan as an air intake and exhaust louvers to keep the heat build up exhausted. Ditto on warning about keeping the exhuast away from the eaves. If you have vented sofits. The CO will make it into your attic and eventually your living space. I run a CO detector in the house while using the generator. You don't want to be a news story |
RE: Enclosure for portable generator
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| I have a poly doghouse, with the bottom cut out, and holes for access to controls. I just drop it over the generator and the exhaust blows out the door. Total cost $45, and it cuts noise and keeps the genset dry. Heat has not been a problem, and neither has theft, since it looks like a doghouse, and theives generally try not to get too close to a doghouse. A friend had his genset stolen while it was running during a storm. The clever crook replaced it with a running lawnmower so he wouldn't wake up when it stopped running. He bought a new generator, and a doghouse......
His generator was too big for a poly doghouse like mine, so he bought a bigger wooden one and lined it with foil backed insulation panels, and added an exhaust fan. |
RE: Enclosure for portable generator
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| I found this site a few days ago: http://www.nooutage.com/powershelterkitii.htm This is an expensive kit ($399) to add to a SunCast GS2000 plastic "deck box type" storage shed. Looking at the pictures of a generator in it, seems like all it really is is an exhaust fan and a louver, with a cutoff switch. I think they sell you a template to cut out the holes on the deck box for the fan and the louver. Seems like one could be built for much cheaper than $399. Once I buy a generator in a few days, my next project will be to start looking for a suitable enclosure. |
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