Portable generators in rain?

[Chance]

What do you guys who run portable generators do when it's raining? How do you cover or protect it from getting wet? Has anyone experienced damage from rain?



Concern is regarding small 2,200-Watt inverter type, but expect the issue is similar with any of them. I could store it away, but would prefer to run it overnight if raining.

[16ACE27]

They're made to run outdoors..................................in the rain.

[Bob Denman]

Short of throwing them into a pool: those engines are reasonably water-tight.
What I would be concerned about; is the electrical connections!

[The Gritz Carlton]

Bingo...it's not the engine, it's the water running down the sides and into the outlets. When set up for a few days use, I bought a 8'X8' folding canopy from Northern Tool and keep all three under there with gas jugs, portable pump, firewood, etc. I only put the legs half way up so rain doesn't blow in. The manuals state not to run them in the rain.

[Chance]

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

Bingo...it's not the engine, it's the water running down the sides and into the outlets. When set up for a few days use, I bought a 8'X8' folding canopy from Northern Tool and keep all three under there with gas jugs, portable pump, firewood, etc. I only put the legs half way up so rain doesn't blow in. The manuals state not to run them in the rain.

Exactly. I’m not worried about engine at all, and not too much about plug either. It’s the electronics inside that worry me the most.

I have a 10 X10 canopy but will be using generator for first time tailgating on a paved parking lot. While I have weights for canopy legs, I don’t trust they could hold it down if wind picks up. Weather forecast isn’t great, and could get windy.

I also have a 9’ patio umbrella that I may be able to rig somehow. While wind can damage it, I’m not as concerned about it blowing away and damaging a nearby RV.

Thanks all for suggestions.

[Bob Denman]

How big is this generator?
You could probably fabricate a small enough cover for it, so that it wouldn't present a large surface area to the breezes. Give it a decent frame, and it should hold up to any weather that pops up.
Just be sure to anchor it to the ground!

[The Gritz Carlton]

Most of the guts are protected by the cowling over the generator. The heat inside will help keep it dehumidified as well. If the canopy is between coaches the wind shouldn't be too bad.

[djc290]

image attached

[Bob Denman]

http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1535657467

[Chance]

Until I can build or buy a permanent hitch-supported generator box, I will first try leaving it on a hitch tray about 18” off the ground, and cover it as needed with something attached to hitch tray so it can’t blow away. Something temporary that’s soft and light shouldn’t cause any damage to surrounding RVs even if it gets blown away. A small tarp may be enough. Besides, even if generator gets a little wet, it may be OK.

Thanks again for all feedback.

[The Gritz Carlton]

OK, Mr. djc290...how much have you just cost me now?????


Chance, I do that. At the drags this Spring, I left it on the hitch carrier and ran power cord around to it. There was very little rain but I was able to lay a section of tarp (cut for that purpose) over it, side to side, so the exhaust could still go out but covered up the body and plug panel. worked great. At AMS for 10 days I use the canopy set up. What genset do you have?

[djc290]

about $70 bucks

[SuperD]

Don’t have a picture but I use a beach umbrella with a holder that is made to screw in the sand, screws in the ground just fine too. Inexpensive!!!

[Chance]

Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton

.....cut.... What genset do you have?

Should be here tomorrow. Wanted a Honda but fuel tank at .95 gallon is too small. Went with Westinghouse rated at same 2200/1800 watts., but fuel tank is 1.3 gallons (37% larger).

I’m sure it’s not as high quality as a Honda, but with smaller engine displacement and larger fuel tank it should run longer at low power levels; which is very important to me. It’s about the same size and weight as a Honda, and if it lasts a year or more trouble free I’ll be happy.

[The Gritz Carlton]

It will.do you proud! Clean oil is the key.to everything! Congrats! I know this sounds weird but, even with the 6000 diesel on board, I still get a kick out of using the portables.

[Chance]

It’ll be close. At 25% power (450 watts) it should run 13 hours on its 1.3-gallon full tank. At 50% power (900 watts), it’s rated at 7.5 hours per gallon, or just under 10 hours on a tank.

My goal is to run A/C all night without having to refuel. And since A/C compressor cycles about 50% of time at night, it should be close but I estimate OK.

[Calman]

I hope where you plan to run the generator means you won't have any close neighbors. One of the most disconcerning things about generators is that all make noise and give out odors. That's one of the reason campgrounds have rules about running generators after a certain hours - normally 9 or 10 PM

[Chance]

I agree noise and exhaust are a valid concern, which is why we haven’t had a generator in years. Our previous Coachman had an Onan, but we rarely used it.

However, this is not for camping. We’ve always stayed at campgrounds with full hookups when available so no need for a generator. At National Parks or when occasionally boondocking without power we’ve camped/slept without electricity just fine (old fashion camping like in a tent), but that was mostly in mild temperatures not requiring A/C.

The last two years we’ve tailgated at football games and can say we were probably about the only ones without a generator. RVs of all types run their generators all night to power their A/Cs. Motorhomes mostly have Onan generators, and many of the trailers use home emergency generators (for hurricanes) which are even louder and with higher emissions. Based on specs these generators run at over 70 dB and consume much more fuel, so more likely to emit fumes.

By comparison, small inverter generators normally run with noise levels in the 50s. Fuel consumption for this one is only 0.1 gallon per hour at 25% power, which is much lower than Onans, and is clean enough to be EPA, CSA, CARB Compliant.


I’m just saying that when overnighting after a game in a parking lot full of RVs in high temperatures and humidity, noise should be expected. I don’t like it, but it’s a necessary evil.

[The Gritz Carlton]

It's the norm and anyone showing up at these events that don't like generators running should stay home. We do races, Atlanta Motor Speedway for 10 days, drags for weekends and other events where power is not available. If it's not a campground, expect generators. 90% plus of all MH's and trailers at these events use generators...including the huge, true DP's and the neighborhood is close proximity. People generally are considerate in how they place them and most events have rules about placement. My only complaint is they should ban the use of any generator that's not an inverter style. For overnight I use two Hondas in parallel with the extended fuel run system or a single Champion 3100 for short-term use during the day.


I looked up the Westinghouse last night...pretty nice unit. I like that fact that ALL controls are on the face and the pull cord is forward and actually pulls at a forward angle. The Hondas have fuel, choke and pull on the side so I have to spread them apart to crank then push them back parallel to run. We've discussed the use of a dual 15A-120v to single RV 30A plug on this forum before. If your generator has separate breakers on 15A plugs, you could do this.


Tidbit: When using the A/C on a single unit, I switch it to non-eco mode as the delay in "ramp-up" from eco mode when the A/C compressor kicks in can sometimes dim the lights or throw the breaker...then you're out in the middle of the night. The luxury of A/C in the middle of the night while on "total disconnect" makes getting up once for fuel a not-so-bad task. Set your clock, enjoy the stars, fuel her up, go back to bed. Your unit has parallel capability...I see a second unit in your not so distant future. That makes for a sweet set-up!! Good luck this weekend...sleep cool!!!!

[Bob Denman]

If you have trouble with the noise that a generator makes: a crowded football stadium (forget about a race track!); would seem like a nightmare to you.

Good luck; let us know how this generator performs!