Generator compartment - how hot does it get?

[ependydad]

Ok- I just picked up my Spartan 1245 on Friday and I am hating the amount of basement I lost due to having a generator. It’s turrible.

I known the batteries are installed there. Will I also be able to install the inverter in that compartment?

Can I add a shelf for anything else?

Does that area get very hot when the generator is running?

[joebedford]

momentum rv wrote:

nayther wrote:

... Entire underside of the battery compartment is wide open. Battery fumes are VERY heavy. I think this is a bit paranoid.

Actually, Battery off-gassing is Hydrogen. Lighter than air and can be explosive. Needs to vent up and out.

Yeah, I was going to say "Tell the Hindenburg that hydrogen is heavier than air and not flammable".

[momentum_rv]

nayther wrote:

... Entire underside of the battery compartment is wide open. Battery fumes are VERY heavy. I think this is a bit paranoid.

Actually, Battery off-gassing is Hydrogen. Lighter than air and can be explosive. Needs to vent up and out.

[RVbikers]

I keep my extra sewer hoses in a container above the genny. havent had any issues except for needing to get to them after the truck is hooked up...hahaha

[ependydad]

Lantley wrote:
I assume you are talking about an onboard Onan? Yes it will get warm when running. I assume your genset is somewhat isolated. From the rest of the storage area? Mine is sort of boxed in on all for sides. But there are allowances for ventilation.

Yes, front compartment and installed Onan. It has a small space around the generator with a separate box for that. There's room above it (not much) but a fair amount of space- maybe 18-20" wide by whatever the compartment is tall. That side area is where the original batteries were.

Here's a dealer picture of it:


My batteries are lithium 12v drop-ins, so no chance for offgassing.

[Lantley]

nayther wrote:

2btowed wrote:
Gen gets pretty warm,but is made to work in enclosure.Draws in air from one side underneath and blows out other side after going over cooling fins.Unless you have sealed batteries,DO NOT,mount inverter in battery compartment!!Gases can explode,and more probably they will eat away at the inverters electronics.If the bat compartment is sealed from the rest of the front storage,and it should be,you can mount inverter behind the batts up high on the wall.Short electric run and close to everything you need.When you get inverter if possibe get inverter/charger.Its what the BIG rigs have and makes charging faster,and easy.You can also wire inverter into 110v system and that makes all receptacles hot.One of the best things I have done..pricey but your batts will love you.

I have a small inverter mounted next to my batteries, about 6" above and to the side, had it there for years, works great, no corrosion issues battery was originally in a marine battery box, no special venting, etc. just a handy means of attaching the battery, ditched that long ago. Entire underside of the battery compartment is wide open. Battery fumes are VERY heavy. I think this is a bit paranoid.

I don't think it's being paranoid. Battery do vent caustic explosive fumes. Inverters can create sparks, I'm not suggesting disaster is going to happen if they are in the same compartment. However I would make sure there is adequate ventilation and avoid putting them in same compartment if possible.
I'm not sure what the risk factor is? But pretending an inverter spark will never ignite battery gases is not prudent.

[nayther]

2btowed wrote:
Gen gets pretty warm,but is made to work in enclosure.Draws in air from one side underneath and blows out other side after going over cooling fins.Unless you have sealed batteries,DO NOT,mount inverter in battery compartment!!Gases can explode,and more probably they will eat away at the inverters electronics.If the bat compartment is sealed from the rest of the front storage,and it should be,you can mount inverter behind the batts up high on the wall.Short electric run and close to everything you need.When you get inverter if possibe get inverter/charger.Its what the BIG rigs have and makes charging faster,and easy.You can also wire inverter into 110v system and that makes all receptacles hot.One of the best things I have done..pricey but your batts will love you.

I have a small inverter mounted next to my batteries, about 6" above and to the side, had it there for years, works great, no corrosion issues battery was originally in a marine battery box, no special venting, etc. just a handy means of attaching the battery, ditched that long ago. Entire underside of the battery compartment is wide open. Battery fumes are VERY heavy. I think this is a bit paranoid.

[2btowed]

Gen gets pretty warm,but is made to work in enclosure.Draws in air from one side underneath and blows out other side after going over cooling fins.Unless you have sealed batteries,DO NOT,mount inverter in battery compartment!!Gases can explode,and more probably they will eat away at the inverters electronics.If the bat compartment is sealed from the rest of the front storage,and it should be,you can mount inverter behind the batts up high on the wall.Short electric run and close to everything you need.When you get inverter if possibe get inverter/charger.Its what the BIG rigs have and makes charging faster,and easy.You can also wire inverter into 110v system and that makes all receptacles hot.One of the best things I have done..pricey but your batts will love you.

[azdryheat]

You're generator was designed to run all day. If it's like mine, some of the floor under it was removed to allow for fresh air entry. And it has a built in fan.

[Lantley]

I assume you are talking about an onboard Onan? Yes it will get warm when running. I assume your genset is somewhat isolated. From the rest of the storage area? Mine is sort of boxed in on all for sides. But there are allowances for ventilation.

[midnightsadie]

think I,d find a way to install a exhaust fan .wired to run if gen set was running. no engine likes it real hot.remember you need a fresh air inlet also.

[Son_of_Norway]

Yes, a generator compartment can get very hot. On one very hot day with a power outage I was running the generator with an extension cord to keep the refrigerators in my S&B running. After several hours I smelled fire and smoke was coming out of the generator compartment. The backing on the insulation had caught fire. I would not put any electrical components in a generator compartment.

[nayther]

it gets pretty warm, but there's wood and plastic in there so can't be too bad. I'd let that be your guide on what you can store near the genny. I keep a quart of oil in there but that's it, no room for anything else