Backup Generator cover

[Jack345]

Generac has a nice looking fiberglass cover for their backup generators but am concerned that I would not be able to find it in winter. What have you guy's in north country for a free standing year around weather protection for a backup generator ?
Also Which engine induction system is more reliable duel fuel (gasoline or propane) or fuel injection gasoline? Thanks.

 

[JGayman]

I have a Honda EU6500 and initially purchased one of Honda's over priced generator covers. The fit was good but it didn't last very long before the elastic was shot and it started to tear in the corners. So I replaced it with a generic "Sportsman GENCOVER-XL Universal Weatherproof Generator Cover, X-Large" that I got on Amazon for $20. It is made from very heavy duty 600D polyester and after 3 years it still looks like new.

 

[Fawteen]

Strictly in terms of reliability, I expect they're about the same.

Assuming we're talking about a fixed installation, propane is the only way to go. Doesn't go bad, don't have to lug it around, you can just get a big ol' 500# tank set and have the dealer fill it as needed.

If you have natural gas in the neighborhood, even better.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

My concern is gasoline will sooner or later go bad and gum up things.

Not sure how difficult it is to start with propane in winter.

I knew a man with duel fuel F250. He said he had to start with gas in winter then change over to propane after it warmed up.

My dad did the same with our duel fuel irrigation pump.

My protable generators are gas. I use them all the time so gas doesn't go bad.

Advantage of propane is it can run for a very long time. It would take a lot of gas to run a hole house generator for an extended period of time. Propane doesn't go bad over time.

 

[KL in Wi]

I have a 14K Generac. That one comes in a (house) which works nice. As far as Fuel is concerned, I would Not set it up for gas. That could set you up for fuel problems unless you change out or run out the gas fairly often. My house is heated with LP so, I just extended the line. No fuel problems. Natural gas would also be be a good option.

 

[Dean]

I have a Kohler 20 KW whole house back up generator that is propane fueled.

The key to quick, reliable cold weather starting is a regulator (evaporator) heater. I bought mine from Kohler. It is thermostat controlled and used about 40 W when on.

The first year that I owned mine, I had a carburetor heater and battery wrap but not the regulator heater. Once when the ambient was below 0, the power went out and the generator started but only after 20+ seconds of cranking. With the regulator heater it will start in 5 seconds or so.

Dean

 

[Tony in SD]

There is a lot of talk about natural gas being a good source and it usually is but this is an EMERGENCY generator. Friend of mine thought he had it covered when the flood washed out the electric lines but it also washed out the NG lines as well. So IMHO to be completely self sufficient (not relying on any utility) in an emergency an on site fuel source of sufficient quantity is my choice.

 

[Bob - MI]

I am gathering that you are asking about a cover for a portable generator that will be stored outside in the winter?

Don't know where you live that you will bury the generator in the winter but with 120" of snow common here in Western Michigan if we were only worried about finding it in a drift most folks would put a small fiberglass driveway marker next to it. These are about 4ft long and can be easily pushed in the ground to give you a marker that is still visible in 3ft of snow. $2.00~$3.00 at most home centers.

Local municipalities do a similar thing with fire hydrants but they mount them on the hydrant flange. Warm weather folks who visit in the summer think that our hydrants have Wi-Fi access.

 

[Billy Shafer]

The fuel you use depends on your location.Where I am at in Texas.
Diesel and NG or best. With Propane used in the country.

In earthquake country out west. Diesel,Propane is the better choice. No lines to break for the most part.

In remote locations. Diesel is best.

With the new modern gasoline blends. Gasoline is a very poor choice. The experts will tell you that is not true. But after being in this business. For nearly fifty years. I have seen the results of modern gasoline

 

[Hobo,NC]

I built my own out of scrap AC units... I have NG : ) so last week during the hurricane I did not have to load up on GAS... Don't forget to make a provision to lift it off the pad ... I still need to do a little work to keep from setting the yard on fire ( cut a hole for the exhaust vent)

 

[Billy Shafer]

That is a very nice housing. Better than some of the real housuings I have seen. Plenty of air flow through it.Clear of the house.
Just make sure the exhaust is pointing away from the house. I think you could show the experts a few things.

 

[David G]

I have a propane 20kW Generac enclosed unit, never a problem finding it.

That is much easier than fabricating an enclosure.

I would buy a Kohler next time, original engine was bad, fought with Generac for 2 years to get replaced, new one has worked for 5 years no issues, their warranty just sucks.

 

[David G]

B&D mentioned cold weather starting kits, I have thought about this every winter, but unit always started, it will run you about $400 to put all the heaters on it, maybe when I get new unit.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

So cold weather starting for propane is a problem. I think in the long run propane is the best way to go. Many hours on a 500 gallon tank that never goes bad.

Our irrigation pump ran many years. Dad decided not remove valve covers and discovered there was no sludge. Propane burned very clean.

 

[Geo-TH,In]

Let me know what you find.

 

[Bob - MI]

Nice job. Looks very professional.

 

[Bob - MI]

I looked extensively before I bought the Briggs unit. The #1 suggestion by the folks from Electric Generators Direct was Kohler with Briggs being 2nd. They said the only reason it gets the #1 is that Kohler uses hydraulic lifters. Briggs uses solid ones and you have to periodically adjust the valve lash. Briggs service was more available in our area so we went with that.

Nobody I have talked to has anything good to say about Generac and their warranty.

 

[Bob - MI]

I bit the bullet and got the cold weather kit. Found a guy who had a brand new one in the box for $145.00 ($200.00 retail) and I pulled the trigger on it.

Frankly I think some of these cold weather kits are a gimmick. I put 10w30 synthetic oil in my JD X570 for snow blowing and it never fails to start. I don't have a battery heater on it but it does have a float charger (just like the generator)and it turns over just fine.

 

[motorv8N]

I want to switch from a fabric cover to something like Hobo's - even for my relatively small, Champion Weekend Warrior Wannabe unit (Super nice job btw Hobo).

I find with fabric covers there's a lot of moisture trapping going on. Something rigid with vents would be ideal.

As for "startability" I'm surprised how long mine needs to crank on LP to fire now that the temps are dropping. It's dual fuel but had not plans to run gasoline for above reasons.

I do note with interest though that power output drops almost 800w running on LP versus dino juice, according to the owners manual.

 

[Hobo,NC]

Ask a HVAC man if you can salvage a few old units for the tin.

I loaded up everything I would need my load was 20 amps frequency 59.2... That includes powering up my shop I will have to do with out AC , compressed air but have heat and lights etc... In real use I never would pull 20 amps but I could....

I did get to the exhaust I have the option of adding another cheap muffler if need be... BTW thanks...

 

[Carverr]

(quoted from post at 05:37:18 09/07/19) I have a Kohler 20 KW whole house back up generator that is propane fueled.

The key to quick, reliable cold weather starting is a regulator (evaporator) heater. I bought mine from Kohler. It is thermostat controlled and used about 40 W when on.

The first year that I owned mine, I had a carburetor heater and battery wrap but not the regulator heater. Once when the ambient was below 0, the power went out and the generator started but only after 20+ seconds of cranking. With the regulator heater it will start in 5 seconds or so.

Dean

Is your Kohler air or water cooled? I assume water is more efficient for extreme temps