Do you cover your Generator when it's running ???

[jk]

I was reading jetcrew's thread on where to keep his genie and Jeepers commented that he sometimes covers his genie with a green towel when camped.

This is a situation that I have thought about in the past............I wanted to be able to run our EU20 in all sorts of weather, but didn't want to cause any heating/air flow issues when the genie was running for extended periods and didn't want to have any water damage to the Honda ( water and 240v don't usually mix well    ).

So a couple of months age I came up with this little solution    , it folds flat for easy transport, allows plenty of air flow and keeps the genie dry in the rain. 
It's two sheets of ply, a couple of hinges, some flat/strip rubber from Clark Rubber and 4 x batten screws in the bottom to help with air flow by keeping the whole cover off the ground !

So I'm curious...........does anyone else cover their genie when out in the field ( and if so, how ) or do I have too much time on my hands 

Cheers
John K

[McGirr]

Your a thinking man, John 

Great idea.

Mark

[jk]

Corona's will do that to a man    lol

[ronmac]

I've always set up a hutchie over mine to keep the rain and the direct sun off it. As long as there is enough air flow around genny I think it's a great idea. cheers ron.

[gronk]

I think most people who have a cover design it to also block the stinking noise that comes out of the things !! 

[KingBilly]

JK, you have some serious OCD  . Even the staples in the rubber are exactly lined up 

Serious question, does the cover touching the generator create any noise?  Or maybe amplify the noise?

KB

[Jeepers Creepers]

I like that JK, gunna make myself something along that line.

[jk]

Hi Kingbilly....................no the genie doesn't touch the cover. If it does ( if I put it on crooked then it will touch and it does cause a small amount of noise ) but we're usually in the bush or at the beach and the genie is at the end of a 30m+ extension lead so you can't hear it anyway !
If anything the cover causes the noise from the exhaust to be more directional and focus to out the end of the cover ( away from people ) !!!

Cheers

[jk]

I think most people who have a cover design it to also block the stinking noise that comes out of the things !! 

The genie is back up for the 280w of solar we use, but if it's raining and overcast ( like it is now  ) then it gets a run

First rule of camping club..................................the beer must not get over 2c    

[austastar]

Hi,
   If caught short with an unexpected shower and we need the gene to top up the battery, it goes under the ute.
If we suspect rain and have time, a 6x4ft cheapie tarp, a rope and 4 pegs makes a bivvy for the genie for the night.

Cheers

[BaseCamp]

Hey JK ... love the concept...

What were your thoughts behind the camo design?

Is that theft concern related, (when gen is off); or environmental blend-in;  ... or OCD?       

If I got a gen - I would want it on a 30mtr lead...  that's a great idea..

I have a 30mte 15amp lead...   Does anyone know if you get 'voltage drop'? from a gen at that distance..?

Also - the only thing I would add to what you are doing - is to get one of those generators I have seen; (don't recall the brand); that has wireless remote start and shutdown...   coupled with a big chain around the gen and a tree...

How cool would that be!           
 

 
BaseCamp

Footnote:  The guy that sold me my (custom) 30mtr lead told me the following story...  (Have no idea if this is true or not)..       So it goes that a mate of his had the exact same set up I mentioned above; (long lead and gen chained to a tree); when suddenly its black out - and some #$%& mongrel has cut the chain and off with the gen...         crazy  bad..            

[jk]

The camo is because I'm a hemp wearing, possum shagging, tree hugging environmentalist..........................well,...... not really    . I had the paint and some spare time, the rest is history      LOL !!

There have been times when I've had to follow the extension lead to find the genie in the dark, it's so far away ( thanks to Symon for the cable  ) it's hard to find at after a couple of cold drinks   

As for voltage drop, I'm a butcher by trade so this is a guess, but I'd say no. 240v over a short distance like that wouldn't be an issue !

[Jeepers Creepers]

I always set my genie up on a small hill or mound, so its above the height of the appliances.

Electricity is very much like water and will always power stuff better if the current runs downhill.

Uphill and the beer is never as cold.

[gronk]

I always set my genie up on a small hill or mound, so its above the height of the appliances.

Electricity is very much like water and will always power stuff better if the current runs downhill.

Uphill and the beer is never as cold.

  ...that's it...someone who understands lectricity !! 

[Symon]

I have a 30mte 15amp lead...   Does anyone know if you get 'voltage drop'? from a gen at that distance..?

For the kinds of loads that we are talking about here, no.

[Supersi]

Personally I don't recommend covering them, you need as much air around as possible and you don't want to create a situation where the gunny is breathing in the exhaust. If it's bucketind rain I might hang plastic to cover the outlets.

Speaking of breathing/air in take, be aware that on the Eu Honda's the air intake is underneath so sitting the  genny in soft sandy soil is best avoided.

[BaseCamp]

For the kinds of loads that we are talking about here, no.

Thanks Symon!       

Shake&Bake BB

[Snapman007]

I always set my genie up on a small hill or mound, so its above the height of the appliances.

Electricity is very much like water and will always power stuff better if the current runs downhill.

Uphill and the beer is never as cold.

So that's why my batteries recharge faster when I'm driving south.🙊