First post, looking forward to getting schooled, so many questions.
Been doing up my old chesney pacemaker van, it's been a great way to pass coronavirus.
The whole generator thing does not seem to be fully thought out. In my case, and surely most peoples, I justified the cost of the generator as it can also provide backup power to the house. They sell you a portable generator, which by definition might be used to power a house or a caravan or a worksite and then they say you can't run it inside (obvious) and you can't run it outside if there is any weather. I am very likely going to need it when there is weather, like a storm related blackout. So now I have to either run it under my entertainment area roof ( I doubt that is even recommended) or build some diy shelter to drag along with it, a build a diy shelter for every location it might be used or build a box to go around the box they already built for it or you have to go buy a tent for it. I bought a van so I didn't have to put tents up anymore, I'm not building a tent for the generator every time it rains or might rain or it's a bit misty or the neighbour is watering the hedge. Tried calling yamaha and asking for advice, they just say that it is designed to run in the open and they will not give advice on any of the above. It's a bit silly.
Anyway, I could not quite get a generator box to work on the draw bar of the van so I'm looking for a soft cover. As mentioned above, I was surprised to find out that there are no soft cover options that allow you to run the generator with the cover on. I get it for an old school generator in a steel frame which is otherwise exposed and relies on air movement all around to keep it cool but the yamaha is already in a full plastic casing. The cooling seems to come from the airflow vents to the left and the right where the exhaust is.
Soooooo...if I have a custom canvas cover made with flaps that lift up or roll up etc either side to expose the vents, I don't see that the cooling of the generator would be effected. A third flap on the front to cover the electrical area could remain rolled down while operating during weather, protecting the outlets etc.
The vents either side have downward facing louvres which, I imagine, are reasonably waterproof. I would imagine that even if a little water did get through in driving rain and drip down the inside face, these areas would not be particularly sensitive electrically like the front panel, I could be wrong. That said, perhaps the flaps should have little arms to create an awning of sorts (starting to sound like a tent) rather than roll up. This would virtually eliminate driving rain as an issue but does create a complication with the exhaust, as it is up fairly high and would probably require a hole.
Any thoughts, anyone have any experience with this?
-- Edited by hofmann05kite on Tuesday 26th of May 2020 08:33:35 AM
I have a Honda EU20i which usually (unless travelling) lives in the bush on the end of a 25m extension cord. All I do for weatherproofing is to place a 6' x 4' cheap blue tarp over it such that the gen is under its centre then peg down the four corners of the tarp with tent pegs. One stick at the front and one at the back of the tarp act like tent poles and ensure good airflow both to cool the gen and allow exhaust gas removal. This setup has been used through some very serious rain events and has never failed. To start the gen or fill with petrol simply remove one corner peg and roll the tarp back a little. Cheap, efficient and two minutes to erect or remove.
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fair enough, I might go with that at home but I'm mostly just doing weekends with the van so not that keen on lifting the gen out of it's spot, it's a heavy little bugger and a bit awkward to get out. Also, when at home, the van is parked such that I would not even have to remove it to fire up the house so still not keen to lift it out.
fair enough, I might go with that at home but I'm mostly just doing weekends with the van so not that keen on lifting the gen out of it's spot, it's a heavy little bugger and a bit awkward to get out. Also, when at home, the van is parked such that I would not even have to remove it to fire up the house so still not keen to lift it out.
Hi
Perhaps you could tell us where it is going to be mounted so we have a better idea. But generally it should be covered to stop rain getting directly on it, and then may get into it. EG a roof or tarp and then also allow circulation of cooling air and free escape of the exhaust. I might say just use common sense ?? People use them in the back of a ute under a canopy etc.
Have a look at the bigger hire units which are designed for all weather operation. But generally the motor end can work out in the weather as evidenced by lots of utes with a pump or similar mounted on the back tray. But the 240V electrical side needs to be dry in all conditions.
Jaahn
-- Edited by Jaahn on Tuesday 26th of May 2020 12:26:56 PM
I don't have an indoor toilet or shower, so use a darche toilet tent, and that is where we put the genny if it is going to rain, I open up what vents I can. The only thing I don't like is later when you use the tent again, is a bit of the exhaust smell, but that does keep out the crawlies.
People use them in the back of a ute under a canopy etc. 
