Portable Generator Shelter

Do you ever have to use a portable generator in bad or wet weather?

If so, you probably don’t want to get your generator ruined due to weather damage.

In this article we’ll discuss generator shelters, generator enclosures and review options on how to protect your generator from the elements.

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Gentent Generator Running Cover (Aka A Generator Shelter)

GenTent Generator Running Cover is a bit different.

 

It is a portable generator cover. Looking a bit more fashionable and unlike any other storage cover. It is tent-shaped, hence the name.

There are fiberglass rods that provide shape for the tent. The tents are made from vinyl laminated polyester.

Gentent can fit most of the portable generators. There are a few options also which you will get on their website, like choosing the one which suits your generator the best.

Gentent withstands winds up to 70MPH, 18 inches of snow, and 12 inches of rain per day.

There is a flap that gives you easy access to the fuel tank and the electronic system.

The generator tent has a flap on top, which lets the air flow freely, thus preventing any heated environment inside.

Pricing

The pricing of Gentent starts from about $150 dollars and upwards typically, but it is worth the money.

You can see the worth from the quality of the product, and when you see the product working, 150 dollars will not look so costly.

Safety

Manufacturers do not recommend using the generator in lousy weather. Neither can you use the generator inside your house when it is raining outside.

This is because you run the risk of Carbon monoxide poisoning, electrocution, and generator damage.

Also, it would be best if you placed the generator at least 10 feet away from your house for the same reason. This has become a mandate.

Generators also use powerful voltage. If you run your generator when it is raining. In that case, you run the risk of short-circuiting and electrocution, along with damage to the generator.

Manufacturers have time and again mentioned not to use the generator inside the house or in bad weather.

How do we use portable generators during inclement weather conditions?

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Generator Shelters and Tents

Importance of portable generator shelter

The portable generator shelter helps shield your generator from the changing weather conditions, which can easily corrode the machine.

The shelter is made of weatherproof material, especially waterproof material, and protects the generator from snow, rain, heat, and wind.

It also protects the generator from pests such as rats, which may eat into the electrical wiring of the generator and may also damage the motor.

Choosing a portable generator shelter

Just like your portable generator, the shelters also need to be portable and easy to move and pack.

Many covers have thick and light material, which you can easily carry along with the generator.

Different types of shelters are used to protect the device only.

There are a few that help protect the generator and quiet the noise. One should carefully choose what kind of shelter they need, but we recommend a comprehensive cover.

One should also look for a reliable generator shelter with cooling properties because the generator tends to heat up after prolonged use and stay in that state for quite some time. you could also get a generator cover that can adjust an exhaust fan in it in order to exhaust heat.

 

Types of portable generator shelter

There are different types of portable generator shelters, but the ones which are light and mobile are the ones that are preferred the most.

This is because they complement the portability of the generator.

Some are made of polyester material, while others are made of plastic. The polyester ones are preferred when the generator is on.

Some of the most common types of generator shelters are as follows:

Inverter shelters: These shelters include an inverter that boosts the voltage produced by the portable generator. Inverter shelters are cheap and sometimes more efficient and reliable.

 

Heavy-duty steel shelters: These portable shelters are very sturdy and have much space to accommodate a large portable generator.

They’re resistant to corrosion and fire and provide superior protection against adverse weather conditions and wild animals.

 

Soundproof Baffle Box: The Soundproof baffle box is an electrical enclosure commonly used with portable generators.

The purpose of the Soundproof baffle box is to provide a controlled sound reduction to reduce emissions of sound that may be disturbing to people and the environment.

 

Vinyl/Polyester shelters: These portable generator shelters don’t rust, which is a great advantage. They are very affordable and have much space to accommodate a generator.

 

Concrete block shelters: Concrete block shelters are more popular for their durability and strength.

They are commonly the best choice to protect your generator from theft or vandalism.

 

Tips on buying a good generator shelter

Most users want to buy a custom-built generator tent, depending on their generator’s purpose, utility, shape, and size.

However, shelters made for larger generators may not be suitable for portable ones. Therefore, those who wish to carry their portable generator often should buy the shelters that can easily dismantle, light, and wheeled along with the generator.

During transportation, generators tend to get a bit damaged.

Therefore, a generator tent offers a good option along with protecting them from weather conditions. Most of the generator tents which are available online are for the brands of Yamaha and Honda.

 

Also Read: Best Inverter Generators [2022]

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generator shelter Buyer’s Guide: What You Need To Know

Measurement: The first thing you need to see is whether the size is correct and fits your generator. There is no point buying something too big or small.

Airflow: Airflow is essential when a generator is operating. Proper airflow will help the generator give maximum output and ensure safe operation when the weather is terrible.

Sound protection: Some generator enclosures also have suitable protection mechanisms, which is helpful if your generator is old and making noise.

You don’t want your neighbors to come knocking at your door because they are unable to sleep.

The same applies to an RV park, where many people come to relax over the weekend.

Also Read: Best Inverter Generators [2022]

Ease of installation: It needs to be easy to install. You don’t want to need to go back to the dealer or the manufacturer’s showroom to fix the shelter or learn how to install it.

It needs to be easy and fast so that it doesn’t take time uselessly.

The generator enclosure should allow enough ventilation process.

The exhaust fan should not be giving trouble during snow or rain and should be working smoothly.

The fan guard should also be wired so that no rodent enters the tent and destroys your device.

Your generator tent may also come with an electrical plug connection, which helps in reducing shock hazards in bad weather.

Apart from all the features, generator enclosures should have longevity, affordability, and durability. Most of all, airflow, stopping rainwater, and noise reduction should be the basic parameters.

Now, if you are low on budget and want to make a tent of your own, here are the things that will help you plan:

Designing the enclosure: If you opt for a DIY enclosure, always have in mind what you want in your generator enclosure and how it should look. People often look for features like anti-theft.

You need to pinpoint what kind of exact features you want in your own enclosure.

Besides keeping the rain out, there should be sufficient airflow to prevent overheating.

Mark out the points in your design where you want to install a fan.

Temperature monitoring system and other things which you want to add. Also, be a bit generous in space because once the tent is small, you cannot make it big Material: 

What kind of material do you want? Some people opt for a wooden enclosure rather than steel enclosures, but it is not very portable.

So instead, you can use a polyester sheet or plastic sheet to make the generator enclosures.

They are light, foldable, and easy to carry along with your generator.

Tools: There will be specific tools that you require to build your own enclosure and they vary depending on the type of enclosure you choose to build.

They must include measuring tapes, scale, pencil, cutting equipment, glue, electrical wires, Aluminum sheets, Galvanized screws, Bungee cords, Measuring tape.

If you need a quick way to protect your generator while traveling, many kits are available online.

They come complete with everything you need to set them upright at home. You will find all sorts of different designs ranging from simple tents to full-blown metal structures.

While building generator enclosures, remember that you are trying to protect and run your generator in wet and bad weather conditions.

Choosing the building material wisely will help you in the long run. The tent should be made in such a manner that it can withstand low temperatures as well as high temperatures.

It should also stand sturdy in times of heavy wind flow. The main aspect is to protect the generator and keep it running in such conditions.

 

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Additional Things you should remember when building your portable generator shelter

Size Matters

Your generator will likely require a certain amount of room to operate properly. The bigger the machine, the larger its footprint, so make sure you plan your shelter accordingly.

Larger enclosures will also provide better protection against wind damage and allow room for additional features. For example, a 20×20 foot enclosure could include a loft area for storing tools and supplies.

Cost

How much will it cost to purchase a prebuilt unit versus building one yourself? The price tag depends on what type of material you choose and whether you opt for a prefabricated model or design something custom.

Material

Wooden sheds tend to last longer than metal ones, which means less maintenance down the road.

However, metal sheds require regular painting and repainting, while wooden ones usually need periodic cleaning.

Other things you should consider for your DIY Enclosure

• Ensure your enclosure set up is well ventilated
• Use galvanized nails instead of wood screws to avoid corrosion issues later on.
• Keep the generator at least 2 feet above ground level to prevent damages in any case of flooding.
• You will probably want to add an extra layer of insulation between the generator and the ground.
• Make sure you build the generator shelter where you can easily access it, especially when there is a power outage during a storm or heavy rain.

https://youtu.be/NzgXJ5ivm84

If you feel that you are better off buying a generator shelter that will help you run the portable generator in wet weather conditions, then the  GenTent is something you can consider.

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Portable Generator Shelters

There are many ways to protect a generator. Still, there are few ways to make your generator work during an emergency, like rain, snow, and high wind.

So whether you purchase a ready-made shelter or make one yourself, always remember to take proper precautions and remember that there are no reasons you cannot use your generator in adverse weather conditions.

A  tent  or a generator shelter is very important, and one must invest in it. Generators are used during emergencies like storms, rain, and snow.

If you cannot use your generator during hard times, what is the point of having a generator?

Based on the information above, you can decide whether you want to buy one or build one.

 

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Last update on 2023-02-08 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API