batsona
Maryland
join:2004-04-17
Ellicott City, MD
 ·Vonage
 ·Verizon FIOS
|  Generator in basement...
I fear that alot of people are going to yell at me for this, but here-goes... I have a 5500watt generator that I hook up outside my basement window & run a 12/3 cable in the window to attach to my generator distro pannel.
I'd really like to run the generator in a dry place so I can use it during rain, or after a snow/ice storm. We keep coming closer and closer to losing power in the winter, so I need to re-visit this issue. My previous assumption was that we would only ever lose power in the summertime..
Question: Who manufacturers exaust systems that I can use to vent my generator to the outside while running it in my basement. My plan: Have an adequate supply of fire extinguishers available, and I can even point a wireless webcam at the generator so I know it's safely operating. |
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Ken
Premium,MVM
join:2003-06-16
Brownsburg, IN
| said by batsona  :I fear that alot of people are going to yell at me for this.. Well there is a good reason why, it's very unsafe. It's not just a risk of fire you should be worried about, but carbon monoxide poisoning. If you want to build a free standing shelter outside, that would still probably be illegal, but would be much less dangerous than putting it in your basement. |
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garys_2k
join:2004-05-07
Farmington, MI
·Future Nine Corpor..
·Vonage
| reply to batsona
Nobody will manufacture an exhaust system for a portable generator to work the way you describe. Such an installation would be so risky that the liability would make such a system financially suicidal.
Run your generator outside. I've done so in pouring rain with a tarp thrown over the electrical parts of it and it did just fine. Just let the engine get plenty of fresh air for combustion and cooling and make the generator itself, and the box with the wiring parts (circuit breakers, outlets) rain resistant. Then run it the way it was meant to operate, with a lot of fresh air OUTSIDE. |
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TheMG
join:2007-09-04
Edmonton, AB
 ·TELUS
1 edit | reply to batsona
Afaik for a generator to be used indoors, it must be rated for indoor installation, properly installed, and pass inspection.
A portable generator is most definitely NOT rated for indoor use or for permanent installation. Nor is it safe.
In addition, there are concerns other than exhaust. Ventilation and cooling is another issue. Engines produce a lot of heat, and whatever room the generator goes in will get pretty hot fairly quickly.
The fuel system is also different for indoor rated generators, to ensure fumes do not leak into the room, and that in the event of an engine overheat or other failure, that the fuel tank will not catch fire.
Be aware that installation/use of a non indoor rated generator, if anything goes wrong, will most likely NOT be covered by your insurance company. In other words if this thing catches fire and your house burns down, you're fucked. |
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PoloDude
Premium,VIP
join:2006-03-29
Northport, NY | reply to batsona
Why don't you just build a small open covered shed for it. You could even make something that is portable. |
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davidg
Good Bye My Friend
Premium,MVM
join:2002-06-15
none
clubs:
1 edit | reply to batsona
any decent genny is fine to run outside even in rain. heck our honda gennies at work are identical to the ones Entergy has mounted to some of their service trucks. they run theirs rain/snow/or shine fully exposed on the winch bumper.
why not just get one of those plastic dog houses and stick the genny in it? just make sure the exhaust cannot touch/blow on the sides.
--
Lack of Preparation on YOUR Part does NOT Constitute an Emergency on Mine! |
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ArgMeMatey
join:2001-08-09
Milwaukee, WI
·AT&T Midwest
| reply to batsona
said by batsona :My plan: Have an adequate supply of fire extinguishers available, and I can even point a wireless webcam at the generator so I know it's safely operating. I've seen plenty of indoor generators, but I don't think I've ever seen one in an unsprinklered area.
By the time you notice the fire on the webcam, your plan should be to get everyone out of the house.
Fire extinguishers are great, but nobody would advise you to head into a basement to locate and use one.
And don't forget that during a power failure, the fire department may be delayed due to false alarms, getting people out of elevators, and so on.
Put the generator under a metal folding table if you must, but leave it outside.
--
USNG:
16TDN2870
Find your Lat-Long:
Geocoder |
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nunya
SEE ROCK CITY 475 MILES
Premium,MVM
join:2000-12-23
O Fallon, MO
clubs:
 ·Charter Pipeline
·CenturyLink
·voip.ms
·AT&T CallVantage
| reply to batsona
Two deadly questions in one! First and foremost, a generator, itself, has to be designed and rated for indoor use. The room (vault) it is contained within has to meet fire codes. I can say with pretty much certainty that a conventionally constructed home will not meet these requirements.
Here's what I used to do in a pinch. I had a piece of plywood about 2' by 3'. I'd set it on top of the generator. I'd set 2 medium sized bricks on that. Viola.
Get a transfer switch! There is a major propensity for you to kill someone or yourself by improperly "rigging" a backfeed into the service panel. 12/3 isn't even the proper size wire for that set. I really don't want to know how you are connecting it.
Transfer switches are not that expensive, especially considering you could burn your house down or kill someone. I install manual transfer switches with an outdoor inlet for less than $500, T & M both included.
Both of your proposals are extremely dangerous. Either one has the potential to kill or severely injure someone.
--
Looks like Reverend Wright got his wish - God Damn America.
Nancy Pelosi - House Minority Leader 2010
Harry Reid - Senate Minority Leader 2010 |
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jjoshua
Premium
join:2001-06-01
Scotch Plains, NJ | reply to batsona
This will work well for you. Just open the front when you need to run the genny.
»www.suncast.com/outdoorstorage/s···eds.aspx |
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Stumbles
join:2002-12-17
Port Saint Lucie, FL | reply to PoloDude
Stick it in a dog house. |
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BigVe
join:2005-07-15
Gulliver, MI | reply to batsona
»www.indoorgenerator.com/ |
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JJV
Premium
join:2001-04-25
Seattle, WA
clubs: | reply to batsona
Like the other guys said. Build a small shed for the genny outside. Store some extra fuel in there. |
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TheMG
join:2007-09-04
Edmonton, AB
·TELUS
1 edit | reply to BigVe
Why the heck do they call those "generators"? They're just UPS with big batteries.
Still, not a cost effective solution for prolonged outages. Batteries need to be replaced every few years. Plus unlike a generator, you can't just pour more gas in it, when the batteries run out that's it, you'll need utility power to charge em back up. |
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drjim
Premium,MVM
join:2000-06-13
Long Beach, CA
clubs: | reply to batsona
Wasn't there a thread here about building an outdoor generator shelter a few months back?
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One man's Magic is another man's Engineering. |
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gar187er
Premium Alcoholic
join:2006-06-24
Dover, DE
| said by drjim :Wasn't there a thread here about building an outdoor generator shelter a few months back? we need a thread for some pressure treated wood, and some screws??? |
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ff1324
Everybody Goes Home
Premium
join:2002-08-24
On Four Day
| reply to nunya
said by nunya :Get a transfer switch! There is a major propensity for you to kill someone or yourself by improperly "rigging" a backfeed into the service panel. ... Both of your proposals are extremely dangerous. Either one has the potential to kill or severely injure someone. AMEN on the transfer switch. Do you realize the number of people you put at risk by connecting that generator in the way you do? Yourself, anyone in your home, your neighbors, utility workers, firefighters, etc. I'm sure your local utility, fire department, and building inspectors would have plenty to say about your generator rigging.
The generators on our fire apparatus are mounted on the top above the pump compartment. They are exposed to the elements and have no problem operating in any weather.
--
Remember the 2008 firefighters and police LODD's in St. Louis:
PO Ballman, Sgt. Biggs, FF Hummert, Sgt. King, FF Riggins... all murdered...RIP brothers. |
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Doctor Olds
I Need A Remedy For What's Ailing Me.
Premium,VIP
join:2001-04-19
1970 442 W30
clubs:
| reply to batsona
Build or buy a big Doghouse and modify the kit/plans to have the roof open on a pair of door hinges. Hide the generator in there away from the house in the back yard or side yard. Waterproofed!  Now add a louver fan at the rear panel opposite the main door and have the fan with a thermostat or timer open the door for cross flow ventilation.
Here is an economy setup.
»www.youtube.com/watch?v=o2xMWWRzEaM
Or get one of these.
»www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Hpvc7h77zc
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What’s the point of owning a supercar if you can’t scare yourself stupid from time to time? |
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matt5
join:2001-10-06
Lagrangeville, NY
| reply to batsona
said by batsona :I fear that alot of people are going to yell at me for this, Well of course, for some power (you know we lived with out power before) you want to risk suffocating everyone, burning the house down and killing everyone... 2 pretty big things + back feeding and maybe killing the linemen + others...
Ummm ya your gona get yelled at lol.
As for the question, you do, you get pipe, weld it up, and boom you made the exhaust as it's been said no one is going to make that because, well, it's just (sorry) a really dumb as hell idea.
Buy a carport... thing should work in the rain snow, etc fine though. I'll guess you have no garage so that's why you don't run it in that (ya still not the best but a lot better than the basement) |
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elios
join:2005-11-15
Springfield, MO
·Mediacom
3 edits | reply to TheMG
H2/O2 fuel cell? BONUS free clean water!
»www.horizonfuelcell.com/stationary_power.htm
»www.horizonfuelcell.com/store/po···000w.htm
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# 220-230V AC @50Hz (optional 110V AC)
# 12/24 DC output for battery chargers
# USB 2.0 output for electronics
# Safety sensors for H2, temperature, and H2 pressure
# control levels
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# Can use hydride canisters or pressurized cylinders
# Compatible with our catalyzed combustion system
# Can be integrated with various renewable energies
# Can use industrial bottled gas
# Compact and easily transportable
# Easy to install and operate |
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batsona
Maryland
join:2004-04-17
Ellicott City, MD
·Vonage
·Verizon FIOS
| reply to batsona
I see: bad idea. ---I do have my generator pannel seperated from the main pannel where the feed comes in by a breaker; I know I shouldn't backfeed the grid, because my generator would blow up when the commercial power came back on.
I have the breaker connecting the backfeed to the generator pannel on a 20A breaker (way undersized for a 5500W generator, I know), also I realized that 12AWG wire would be OK for 20A... |
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