Running a generator in the rain?

[RobOfYork]

If you run your generator in the rain or during a storm, how do you protect it?

I was looking at generator rain tents but they seem to charge a lot more than they seem to be worth.

Any DIY methods being used?

[musigenesis]

The one use I found for the sheet steel back of one of my seats is to lay it over my generator when it's raining, weighted down with chunk of concrete.

For the generator at my house, I built a small sort of shed to house it, but I think the PT lumber I used for it would cost a grand these days.

[Danjo]

Originally Posted by musigenesis

The one use I found for the sheet steel back of one of my seats is to lay it over my generator when it's raining, weighted down with chunk of concrete.

For the generator at my house, I built a small sort of shed to house it, but I think the PT lumber I used for it would cost a grand these days.

I think back on my carpentry days. A miscut back then, the cowboy would have called me a “wood butcher” all afternoon. Nowadays he’d probably be tying a noose with extension cord

[RobOfYork]

What I am thinking of doing is to make my own out of PVC and a tarp. Have the weight of the generator hold down the PVC frame. Then attach the tarp on the PVC to cover the electrical outlet side and also cover the other three sides partially so the air intake and exhaust are not blocked. Make it look something like this.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0088EVIR4...v_ov_lig_dp_it

[cadillackid]

my little generator is small I just put it under the bus.. but would never sleep with it that way

[ol trunt]

A few years ago I was considering using a water mist system to help keep my enclosed generator cool. It seems to work for cooling the radiators on the Big Boy's buses so why not my genny. Apparently the motors are OK with wet but the generator heads meet with premature failure even when exposed to high humidity as researched in the following article: https://www.researchgate.net/publica...eas_of_Nigeria.

I chose not to spritz--and I'd be sure to avoid mounting a genny anywhere it was apt to get wet.
Jack

[Booyah45828]

When we were using a portable generator, I bent a 4x4 sheet of aluminum into a tent like shape that sat over the top of it. It worked well for normal rain, but it would have done little in a hurricane.

I don't have pictures of it anywhere and I repurposed the aluminum for something else when I mounted the current generator under the bus.

A quick google search revealed this https://www.amazon.com/Mr-You-Univer...a-832585401056

For 20 bucks, it might be worth trying.

Anything with an air cooled engine, do your best to not obstruct the air flow of the machine.

And if you're using an open frame generator in a monsoon, good luck.

[o1marc]

I would take 4 pieces of rigid insulation and make a 3 sided, topped box to put over it with the opening away from the bus to direct sound away. tape it together for use, untape for storage.