Boon-docking portable generator shelter

[ggilbert]

I wanted to see what people use for generator shelters when boon-docking.
This is my generator
Pulsar Products GD400BN, 4000W... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BHXLT5D9?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

I thought about using a card table with a tarp over it. I also thought a storage tub with some holes cut out.

 

[Kim Gass]

Generators need good ventilation
We dont use a shelter boondocking. ; the machine is weatherproof
The whole house permanently mounted genny at home has a supported roof to keep snow off and thats it
Neighbors tried to make theirs invisible by boxing it
It quit

 

[ggilbert]

My unit says to keep it out of the weather. I also thought about one of those pop up shower tents.

Or a corrugated plastic election sign, bent over the top of it, and use some bungees to anchor down or wrap the bungee under the generator to keep the plastic from blowing off.

I use one of those storage tubs and cut some ventilation holes in it possibly if I got the same size, could put it under one of the other storage tubs already in my truck and it really wouldn’t take up much room

 

[Kim Gass]

If you are ok with the exhaust melting the tub and the coroplast
Nowhere do I see that it needs to be protected from weather on the Amazon link

 

[Happy wife / happy life]

Just a thought. I would be concerned about exhaust heat and air circulation ( for cooling ). I run mine in the back of the truck bed. When I turn it off I let it cool down and then cover it with this cover. I also cover it when we’re on the road.

 

[ggilbert]

If you are ok with the exhaust melting the tub and the coroplast
Nowhere do I see that it needs to be protected from weather on the Amazon link

Via
It was in that manual


I was thinking of cutting holes in the storage tub like a laundry basket. Around the bottom and exhaust side.

 

[Kim Gass]

Your genny looks like a Honda knockoff
Our Honda has been rained on many times: Five years anyway
Your aviso looks more like a lawyer inserted it cause playing with electric things standing in a puddle is never a good idea
And the aviso about running it in high humidity: is thst to prevent you from ekectric shock or the Generator?

 

[SmokerBill]

I always positioned mine underneath the side my trailer, at the rear with the exhaust blowing toward the bumper. I know generators are supposed to be placed a certain distance away from a trailer because of CO and fire hazard, but I guess I was OK living "dangerously". Over 5000 hours run time like that and I never had a problem.

When it was rainy with wind I leaned a piece of plywood against the trailer to protect my Honda from blowing raindrops.

 

[Kim Gass]

Guess you have never been on a Fire Rescue
Russian Roulette is fun. not my kind of fun though
Thinking of the two or three that die from running their gennys in the doirway of an open garage exhaust pointed out
CO rises. up.
Most all Maine households have a generator and when the power goes. out there are a few people selected by Darwin.
Yea 2 or 3 out of the usual 200,000 in the dark isn't bad but Id prefer not to be them
We have a horrid outage problrm. Another perk of being the most heaviky forested State in the US

 

[RogerR]

Saw a simple shelter idea at a street fair. 3 pieces of plywood, hinged makes the shelter top. Box fan on one end adds some cooling. Not sure if it cut noise or was needed. Most I see just sit in the grass a few yards behind the display tents.

 

[ggilbert]

Saw a simple shelter idea at a street fair. 3 pieces of plywood, hinged makes the shelter top. Box fan on one end adds some cooling. Not sure if it cut noise or was needed. Most I see just sit in the grass a few yards behind the display tents.

I like that you could probably fold that flat too put it under a mattress or something to while traveling

 

[Oregontrx4]

I made and used this for a few years about 10 years ago. Never got wet. Trailer was stored and used in the woods for a period of time.

 

[ggilbert]

I made and used this for a few years about 10 years ago. Never got wet. Trailer was stored and used in the woods for a period of time.

Now that’s fancy. Never thought about propping up the windows.

 

[Jagiven]

I just go old school. I string a tarp down low between two trees and the genny sits under the tarp.

I also rake the area away from the genny if there is any dry leaves or tinder, that could catch fire.

 

[1911Garand]

Boondocker here, a large Rubbermaid tub used up-side-down with holes cut for air flow works awesome. It cuts noise way down and keeps the generator dry. Simple cheap, and doubles as a storage container for hoses and extension cords when not in use.


It has 3, 2.5" holes drilled in the front side for air intake, and a larger 6" X 8" rectangle cut on the exhaust side for proper air flow. Been using it for 6 years, a perfect solution for my application.


+1 for the Pulsar generators. 0 issues with over 1500 hours, I have 3 in the family that really work good.

 

[garywilson]

An official 'generator tent' runs $130-215.

I made a 1/2" PVC pipe frame and cover with a piece of nylon fly or tent material if it is running and raining. Cheap and doesn't take up much room, seldom needed.

 

[ggilbert]

Thank you all for the suggestions and pictures

 

[skids-JAY]

Don't forget to consider the drainage. Don't set it up in a low spot.

 

[CAG-JAY]

I just think about the two young fellows who were here for a rodeo, sleeping in their cabover with the generator on the rear bumper/ledge. They fired up the generator, went to bed and were found dead in the morning from carbon monoxide poisoning.


You just need to be very careful about how you set these up.

 

[SmokerBill]

Guess I was pretty darned lucky running mine under the rear corner of my trailer. I even used my Tough Buddy catalytic heater inside my trailer several winters, so I guess I'm doubly lucky.