Home built enclosure for portable generator

I build this generator shed from a 32 cu ft horizontal Rubbermaid garden shed, a ETQ4000 generator , two inline 4" fans and self adhering aluminum foam duct insulation , 3 x 5' 4x4 logs for a base some duct hardware all for less than $850.-
Looks good and the noise level is acceptable at 5 yards, actually we cannot hear it from the inside of the house.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Home
• Generator
• Enclosure
• ETQ4000
• Homebuild
• Lownoise
• energy
• global
• power
• warming
• change
• climate
• gas
• electric

[rrbasch]

Harrison 2253. I agree with you that this shed is not intended for generators bigger than 4000w as stated in my original post. And as explained after many hours of operation I had the temperature reach to 95 degrees updated the fans to an attic fan and port to increase the flow of air and now it does not pass 75 degrees.

[rrbasch]

Thewad1959. Thank you for your comments, just FYI the shed from Rubbermaid is made from ABS plastic and you can buy it from SAMs club online with free shipping. Just take into account that I have upgraded and added more fans to increase the flow of air and added more input ports.

[rrbasch]

Belljr10 thanks for the praise, have run it now for the last 3 days here in central Connecticut and I will change the fans for squirrel cage blowers which have 5 times more air flow. All parts where bought at the Home Depot. The blowers I will buy at Amazon.

Material on the interior is self adhesive duct insulation from Frost King .

[rrbasch]

Uksid1 Please see my other video "Home built generator enclosure (The Details)", it has close ups of the construction details. If you need more please advise what do you want to know.

[rrbasch]

Thank you AmHarn2!

It has been a blast doing this project...

And amazing the interest it gets from the viewers

[rrbasch]

Forgot to add $300 for the 6 circuit Reliance transfer switch and 50 ft of 10/3 Romex cable

[Harrison2253]

@rrbasch I didn't see the original post. God forbid the fan(s) quit for what ever reason the temperature will rise quickly. If your going to continue to use it which I still don't recomend, you should at least install a high limit safety switch to shut the generator off in the event of fan failure. You would interrupt the ignition circuit.

[Harrison2253]

CAUTION TO ALL WHO WANT TO DO THIS: If a 5000 to 7500 watt generator were put in there the way its vented and all closed up, the heat would quickly build up and over heat the engine probably resulting in an explosion or fire at the very least. A portable generator needs plenty of air and should be kept away from the house. This enclosure with a running generator inside right next to the house is a recipe for disaster.

[James1toknow]

The only thing is I hear people are stealing generators so I'll be securing my as well.

[James1toknow]

Really nice job you think like me,, do it right the first time and make it look like you bought it from the store. Now you just need to get the exhaust modified a little quieter and you'll really have to check to see if it's running! really good job.

[TheWad1959]

Nice work. I'm going to be doing the same when these cab/sheds come off back order. One suggestion though. The resin cab are subject to deterioration from sun moisture so, I would invest in some Rustoleum paint to seal the out side. Makes them last much longer.

I'm in CT also....just got my generator..can't wait to set it up.

[belljr10]

This is the best one i have seen! Great Job!!! I can't seem to make out the fans in the top right of the enclosure though. Are they drawing in or blowing out? What is that material on the side walls and can i get it at home depot or lowe's?

Again, awesome design, simple but yet very functional.