Bigalthebear
Advanced Member
Thinking Outside the Box.
I installed a soft start on my AC compressor so I could utilize a smaller and less noisy generator. The problem is where to carry it in a secure fashion and yes, there's gasoline inside this thing. Some individuals carry a second and smaller generator run off of Propane for their perceived issues of hauling gas in a separate container.
1. Where to put this generator.
I did not want to place this generator inside the basement area. Potential fumes, the vibration coupled with the noise while running isn't something I wanted to deal with. Oh sure, you can place it outside on the ground and run an extension cord from it to the RV, but now it's loose on the ground and thieves LOVE loose items when your not paying attention ready to pull the trigger.
So I mounted it outside on a platform bolted to the RV. Using 2 x 2 angle iron purchased from Home D...t. The platform was created using plywood heavy painted to ward of moisture. The steel iron was also painted to do likewise. One angle is bolted both to the bottom of rear bumper and the actual frame member. The second angle is only mounted to the bottom of the bumper.
So is this secure enough just being bolted to the bumper? Nope. In my collection of tools I also own a Riv Nut tool. A Riv Nut is similar to a drywall type fastener. Drill hole to a specific size. Install nut onto the tool. Insert into hole. Squeeze the handles together. The nut cinches tightly together as it compresses. Remove tool. I now have a threaded hole where I bolted a bracket to each side of the generator's base. Solid? Most definitely ! No bounce what-so-ever. The brown thing by the bracket is a leaf. The bracket is cheaply made and I re-welded it (mig) to re-enforce the angled piece.
Just to strap down or bolt down this piece of equipment to the RV wasn't good enough. :nonono: Stopping in a fuel station, leaving the RV unattended the wonderful mouth breathers with thievery on their mind just might find target this $$$ to soon be theirs. You'd could be long gone down the road before realizing this.
Now how to hide this generator in plane sight. The simple approach would be to build a box, paint it and be done with it. Not so simple city slicker. What is that box hanging off the back of the RV doing? Let's go investigate, who knows maybe it's sometime worth taking home with me.
Well, I did build a box for it. I even put a label on, a fill port and a valve.
The openings are covered by a hinged door on the left side for exhaust. This door is held up and tight with a strong magnet. A sliding door on the front for the pull cord. Also held close with a magnet. The entire sliding top allows access to the actual REAL fill cap.
Is it 100% thief proof. NO.
But why should most low life's take an interest in a storage of NON POTABLE water. Unless they either can't read or they need water.
So what is the difference between Potable and Non Potable water. Drink it and you might find out the hard or soft and squishy toilet way.
The inclusion of the spout on the front of the box is only screwed to the plywood. It is pure a cosmetic appendage. Kinda looks useful in away, doesn't it. You move the door by grabbing hold of the spout and pushing it left. This allows access to the pull cord.
The fill cap on top was cut from a laundry detergent bottle and was already a blue, which matches nicely. This is bolted to the box from within.
Since my RV has blue stripes I painted this box to match. The added advantage is that water and the color blue are associated with each other. It kinda fits together being color coordinated. IMO.
So there ya go.
2. I don't wanna carry gas separately, what to do?
Since I'm driving a box on wheels with a huge gas tank I'll just steal some.
Using a hand pump siphon with hose, dip down into your RV tank and pump it into a ????? Empty soda bottle, water bottle or something bottle and use that to refill up the generator. The time it takes is short enough. Also when you fill the RV gas tank you can always fill the generator at that time as well.
Now I don't have to worry about carrying around that precious tank of propane. Did you remember to fill that tank up when you got gas for the RV? I bet you forgot, didn't you.
The metal hardware cloth was placed inside against the walls/openings to keep out critters from visiting the best I could.
The door with the bolt is for exhaust and the bolt acts as the opening/closing knob.
The box stays mounted to the platform and the generator is lowered in from the top. Being a 2500 watt unit it's still manageable to this 70 yr old.
So what about the noise? It still makes some, but not like that 4,000 watt Onan. And yes, the AC does run off this setup. Yippee :coolsmiley:
So tell me what you think?
Hidden in plane sight and easily passed by without a second glance?
I think it's pretty sneaky.
Photos not in any order.
You'll maybe notice I also have a spare tire carrier off to the right. A license plate to the left of this box is non movable. I made it fit, but a lot of dick'n around to do so. The license plate was re-drilled to move it to the left about two inches.
I may have more tools than many to do such under takings. This is just an idea of Thinking Outside the Box.
I installed a soft start on my AC compressor so I could utilize a smaller and less noisy generator. The problem is where to carry it in a secure fashion and yes, there's gasoline inside this thing. Some individuals carry a second and smaller generator run off of Propane for their perceived issues of hauling gas in a separate container.
1. Where to put this generator.
I did not want to place this generator inside the basement area. Potential fumes, the vibration coupled with the noise while running isn't something I wanted to deal with. Oh sure, you can place it outside on the ground and run an extension cord from it to the RV, but now it's loose on the ground and thieves LOVE loose items when your not paying attention ready to pull the trigger.
So I mounted it outside on a platform bolted to the RV. Using 2 x 2 angle iron purchased from Home D...t. The platform was created using plywood heavy painted to ward of moisture. The steel iron was also painted to do likewise. One angle is bolted both to the bottom of rear bumper and the actual frame member. The second angle is only mounted to the bottom of the bumper.
So is this secure enough just being bolted to the bumper? Nope. In my collection of tools I also own a Riv Nut tool. A Riv Nut is similar to a drywall type fastener. Drill hole to a specific size. Install nut onto the tool. Insert into hole. Squeeze the handles together. The nut cinches tightly together as it compresses. Remove tool. I now have a threaded hole where I bolted a bracket to each side of the generator's base. Solid? Most definitely ! No bounce what-so-ever. The brown thing by the bracket is a leaf. The bracket is cheaply made and I re-welded it (mig) to re-enforce the angled piece.
Just to strap down or bolt down this piece of equipment to the RV wasn't good enough. :nonono: Stopping in a fuel station, leaving the RV unattended the wonderful mouth breathers with thievery on their mind just might find target this $$$ to soon be theirs. You'd could be long gone down the road before realizing this.
Now how to hide this generator in plane sight. The simple approach would be to build a box, paint it and be done with it. Not so simple city slicker. What is that box hanging off the back of the RV doing? Let's go investigate, who knows maybe it's sometime worth taking home with me.
Well, I did build a box for it. I even put a label on, a fill port and a valve.
The openings are covered by a hinged door on the left side for exhaust. This door is held up and tight with a strong magnet. A sliding door on the front for the pull cord. Also held close with a magnet. The entire sliding top allows access to the actual REAL fill cap.
Is it 100% thief proof. NO.
But why should most low life's take an interest in a storage of NON POTABLE water. Unless they either can't read or they need water.
So what is the difference between Potable and Non Potable water. Drink it and you might find out the hard or soft and squishy toilet way.
The inclusion of the spout on the front of the box is only screwed to the plywood. It is pure a cosmetic appendage. Kinda looks useful in away, doesn't it. You move the door by grabbing hold of the spout and pushing it left. This allows access to the pull cord.
The fill cap on top was cut from a laundry detergent bottle and was already a blue, which matches nicely. This is bolted to the box from within.
Since my RV has blue stripes I painted this box to match. The added advantage is that water and the color blue are associated with each other. It kinda fits together being color coordinated. IMO.
So there ya go.
2. I don't wanna carry gas separately, what to do?
Since I'm driving a box on wheels with a huge gas tank I'll just steal some.
Using a hand pump siphon with hose, dip down into your RV tank and pump it into a ????? Empty soda bottle, water bottle or something bottle and use that to refill up the generator. The time it takes is short enough. Also when you fill the RV gas tank you can always fill the generator at that time as well.
Now I don't have to worry about carrying around that precious tank of propane. Did you remember to fill that tank up when you got gas for the RV? I bet you forgot, didn't you.
The metal hardware cloth was placed inside against the walls/openings to keep out critters from visiting the best I could.
The door with the bolt is for exhaust and the bolt acts as the opening/closing knob.
The box stays mounted to the platform and the generator is lowered in from the top. Being a 2500 watt unit it's still manageable to this 70 yr old.
So what about the noise? It still makes some, but not like that 4,000 watt Onan. And yes, the AC does run off this setup. Yippee :coolsmiley:
So tell me what you think?
Hidden in plane sight and easily passed by without a second glance?
I think it's pretty sneaky.
Photos not in any order.
You'll maybe notice I also have a spare tire carrier off to the right. A license plate to the left of this box is non movable. I made it fit, but a lot of dick'n around to do so. The license plate was re-drilled to move it to the left about two inches.
I may have more tools than many to do such under takings. This is just an idea of Thinking Outside the Box.
