Generator In The Rain?

I'm no electrical expert, but I believe EVERY inverter generator ships with the written warning that it cannot be used in the rain. Reason: inverter generators develop 300 volts internally and that has a way of cutting a direct path to ground through soft, wet humans.

That said, I have NEVER heard of anyone electrocuted by a portable generator, ever. However, each year I read of several people asphyxiated by CO poisoning because they tried to shelter their generator. DO NOT shelter your generator under your awning, RV, or even tow vehicle (this includes tailgates). CO mixes well in open air but if it doesn't have the opportunity to mix it can travel surprisingly long distances and kill you in your sleep.

FWIW, I bought a golf umbrella just for my gennie, and I strap it to the gennie when running it in the rain (at the end of 100 ft of cord).

For testing, bring 'em on down here. They would not run 2 minutes in one of our tropical storms/hurricanes. My battery house with sealed gen room alongside uses baffle wall construction to vent radiator exhaust and the exhaust has a rain cap. Imagine a block house (which it is) with a roofed outside wall, the outside wall has a valance. Does not stop the sour foot area between walls from getting soaked. But the main room has convection registers 18" off the floor, and ceiling mounted vents. Elaborate. After a Category I hurricane the INSIDE floor is wet. But the gen is dry. No water thank you in a irreplaceable 12.5 KW 18 turn KATO generator. Category II and greater I shut down the genset and swelter in the heat. The refrigerator, RO system, freezers, and lights get first dibs on the Rolls bank.

The point is this - rain does not hurt generators until it does. Even a simple shade/umbrella is better than nothing.

You're driving an F250 truck, put the tailgate down and the generator under it.

Bill

BillyW wrote:
Agreed it's nice if you don't have to worry too much about the generator itself, but I still get a little nervous about the exposed plugs and cords. Maybe I'm over reacting, but I usually put table over mine.

If you are in a campground, do you cut the breakers at the outlet because of exposed plugs and cords?

I've only put a tarp out when it was expected to be an all day down pour and it was hot and sticky. Light sprinkles, I don't worry too much.

I put my Honda 2000's under the overhand from the 5th wheel or under a table. I found out the hard way they do not like pouring down rain and will shut down when it is the least convenient time. Once they dry out they start right up.

Hi,

Good use for a picnic table in the rain.

Agreed it's nice if you don't have to worry too much about the generator itself, but I still get a little nervous about the exposed plugs and cords. Maybe I'm over reacting, but I usually put table over mine.

FrankShore wrote:
If you've got a generator and it's raining, where do you put it?

If it runs in the rain, you keep it, if it doesn't, sell it or put it in the trash.

If I had a generator that wouldn't run in the rain, I'd get one that would.

Here's how I keep the direct rain off:



(Never mind... too difficult to post an image here.)