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Butch50's avatar
Butch50
Explorer
Jan 08, 2018

Questions about running generator in back of truck

I plan on carrying my Yamaha 3000iSEB in the bed of my truck. It will be in the front of the bed behind the cab. Is anyone using their generator where they could get wet while running or just driving down the road? If so are you having any problems with them because of it?

I planing on having some Diamond plate bent to fit under and behind the generator and then come across the top with some bent down bit on the front and sides a little to give it some protection. It would be mostly open on the front and sides for air circulation and heat.

In the past I mostly have had built in generators but with my 5th it is not designed for an on board generator so I have to do it some other way.

I know get solar and leave the generator home. I already own the generator so my only expense would be the Diamond plate.

Thanks


  • Using BBQ cover as tarp. Expose only the gen exhaust if it is raining.

    Note- higher rails on newer trucks than this long box 2003 Chev. No issues with exhaust heat here. Tool box had to go down off the rails or 5er front corners would hit it. Gen is higher so must go forward of hitch to not get snagged under the 5er. (So no tool box with a short bed truck )
  • I don't think about running it in rain but when I had a Honda a bought a factory cover for it.
  • I installed a transfer switch in my basement and ran the 10 gauge cord under the overhang and past the pin box. The cable is long enough to put the hood of the truck toward the pin box. On eco we sometimes forget to shut it off.
  • Yamaha ESD 5500 genset. Pickup with CLOSED and locked rear slider window.

    Put battery powered CO detector inside rear cab window.

    Started generator

    Drove

    CO detector alarmed

    Stopped

    Shut off generator
  • I have Honda 6500, I built a secure and weathertight box that works great for us. the air intake side is a weatherproof louver and the exaust and hot air are ducted seperatly out the other side. the genset has over 1000 hrs running in the desert and the snow with no issues.
  • I've run my Yamaha 3000 iSE in the back of my truck, uncovered, from 2011 to 2016. My Champion 4000 watt now sits there in its place after the camshaft seized (I loaned the generator to someone... big mistake.)

    Nothing wrong with it being in your truck, although the bed does cause echos of the noise.

    Just make sure to secure it with at least two chains or a box as pictured above.
  • i would say no problem, the ul deal is cause of a safety not in useing it.

    while driving.
    how often do you drive with the windows open?
    long enougth to charge up the house batts from the pu alt?
    to power something that requires 110 ac?
    most reffers even poor ones will hold cold temps for hrs.
    can you bend some sheat metal? just make a cover over the top and comes down about a 1/4 wat. with suport struts. aka: miny shead thing.
    as to the exhaust??? send it down through a hole in the bed and outlet at the side of the truck?? up say about half a foot above the cab??.

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