Generator Bad Weather

gatorcq wrote:
Ouch I got electrocuted - because I run my Yamaha in the rain. Never been hurt yet.
I have let the generator run even when it is raining. If it is a hard rain, I slide it under 1 of my slides

I'd suggest not putting it under a slide, or for that matter anywere close to the trailer (at least 10 ft clearance, 20 preferably) to much danger from possible CO poisoning. I've had generators from other campers near our trailer with exhaust pointed at the trailer trigger our CO monitor in the trailer. And no, they weren't cheap open frames, they were hondas/yamahas. Carburerated engines w/o catalyst often have pretty high CO levels.

5mm plastic and a truckers' tarp holds good at 140? Never would have guessed that.

Not even sure I would trust the RV at that speed. Better to roll out, that is why it has wheels.

Ouch I got electrocuted - because I run my Yamaha in the rain. Never been hurt yet.
I have let the generator run even when it is raining. If it is a hard rain, I slide it under 1 of my slides

Nice stuff until a Category IV hurricane comes along. Seen everything from Hondas to Onans with connecting rods bent sticking through the crankcase because the engine chug-a-lugged enough water to raise the compression ratio to infinity.

Common (or is it Uncommon?) sense should be used. Electrical does not like water.

Send that home builder down here with his Honda 2000 and if it stays running 10-seconds after sticking it out in the eyewall I'll kiss his *** Bring the dog. Ever see a dog pass by a window doing a hundred and forty? Vertical 5 mph rain is one thing horizontal 140 mph rain quite another.

The Kubota gets a 5mm plastic sheet first layer then a trucker's cargo grade tarp over top. Then a 4" wide ratchet cinch trucker's cargo strap gets sucked around the oval generator concrete base. Same for the Trace 4024. if the storm can carry the Rolls 2-volt cells away it can have them. Hurricanes are murder. Stuff that stays bone dry during torrential tropical storm downpours, become sopping wet swamps in a +2 or stronger hurricane. Windows get inch and an eighth subfloor plywood. Doors are 1/8" steel with four hinges and four latches floor to ceiling. This is on the casa. The gen shed is concrete with a K-monel door. Quicksilver is bullet-proof.

All that is needed is common sense. I knew people who bought a new car and NEVER serviced it then traded it in every 5-years. They were always glad to sit someone down and bend their elbow convincing them of how much money they saved. One of the loudest had a carburetor fire in his '55 Buick, which burned the car to the ground and started a 100-acre range fire. He has saved uncounted dollars carrying only liability insurance which refused to pay a seventeen thousand dollar BLM fine for putting out the fire. Pretty fartsmeller.

We always carry a folding table. In inclement weather we put the generator under the table.

ken burke wrote:
All. . . . . Can portable generators be used during rain/snow storms? Do they have to be protected from the elements?
thanks . . . ken

Thanks all for your input. I will have to build a lean-to or something to protect the generator during bad weather. We are stuck in MD for the winter for medical reasons. I want to set up the generator in case of electrical outages.
I hope you all have a warm time in TX or FL.
ken

Great question. I have used my Honda Eu 1000 in heavy rain and snow with no problems. I did put it close to the trailer though not covered..

smkettner wrote:
This is my favorite quote:

soren wrote:


I use a Honda 2000, on a daily basis as a homebuilder. It runs eight hours a day, sitting in the mud, snow or on a gravel pile. It has spent days in the pouring rain, seen a few snow storms, and got peed on by a dog. After three years, the case is banged up a bit, it needs a tune-up and an oil change. As for a rain cover......seriously? Don't forget to knit a little sweater for it too....it's chilly out.

my sentiments exactly. We run our as, do many other we camp with unprotected, often in heavy rain etc.

One thing I will say do NOT, repeat NOT think that putting it under the trailer to protect it from weather when running is a good idea. Good way to get CO poisoning!!!

Now, an open frame generator in the rain, probably not a good idea. But the double insulated honda/yamaha, doesn't bother me one bit.

Hi,

I cover mine for long term storage. I do have a remote start so I don't have to worry about electrocution issues. Mine lives on a rack on the back of my class C.

My 2K Honda sits secured on the tail gate side of the truck bed. When it is raining weather I usually just push it back in under the fold-a-cover...

Most of the time howver I usually have all that area fille up supplies haha...



If my bed is pretty much empty I can actually close the rear tail gate and use a small board to prop up the front panel on the fold-a-cover to vent the generator fumes...

Roy Ken