Overview of an enclosure designed and fabricated to provide weather protection for a Generac 4000XL generator. The enclosure allows easy transportation of the generator around a site, or to another site.
Well Donald I'll start off by saying that there's not much that impresses me at this point in my life but this project of yours not only impressed me but went far beyond that. The thought process and workmanship that's been done here is nothing short of exceptional and I tip my lid to you sir on a fine outstanding job. Heck I even enjoyed how well you explained everything in the video and the quality of the video itself. Thank you so much for sharing.
Thanks for the kind words - especially meaningful from a master craftsman like yourself - we have something in common more important than metal fab - we each had the good judgement to marry Kathy's with a K.
iflyhelis I did reply to that but for some reason it doesn't show up. I bought the generator in November of 1998 at the time of the Y2K scare. The enclosure I built in 2013. thanks for the compliment.
+Paul Short +Donald Charles i concur this is a very nice build and you did a very good job of explanation of what you did and why you did it, i love the few extra details of the oil drain and fuel drain lines, the temperature sensors and safety first love the fire extinguisher! KUDOS young fella!
Donald Charles I have had the same problem with Google+ when I reply & it not showing up. Also I have had replies to me for my replies that were 6 months old. Weird this Google+
The second I saw it, I knew two things. 1 Aviation background and 2 looked just like AGPU. Aviation Ground Power Unit. Beyond that I'd say extremely functional.! Hat is off to you! Thanks for the tour.
I'm glad you did this. I've been looking for ideas, I see so many generator sheds but none made for the cold environment like we have here in North Dakota and I think something like yours would definitely fit the bill. Awesome set up you've got there.
This appears to be the handy work of a retired engineer. I know this because my neighbor is one. He's always building extremely detailed and overbuilt things. He also color codes his yard tools. Anything sharp ( takes and shovels) get red paint and everything else gets black paint.
You must be an Engineer, and I say that with the highest respect. Your design, concept and actual build quality are absolutely professional. I work in this business and you have a higher quality installation and design than some of my suppliers!
Well thought out and a great design....Makes me itching go to the steel yard, break out the mig welder, and get busy constructing one of my own...Thank you !!!
This enclosure is incredible! Much respect to you sir for your craftsmanship and engineering. Like others have also said and I agree, this is the best purpose built enclosure of it's kind I have ever seen. Thank you for sharing.
⚠️Here are the safety rules of using portable generators. This is a very important announcement. It is important to follow all generator safety rules whenever we use portable generators: Everyone must see this. This is just a reminder for everyone’s safety. 1) KEEPING OTHERS SAFE: Please do not allow an unqualified person or your children to operate and service the portable generator. Just because some manuals don’t say that doesn’t mean it’s safe. That is important against the generator safety rules. We also need to be keeping an eye on our children too. You need to make sure that your children are not playing near the portable generator especially when it’s running so they won’t get electrocuted. Generators pose electrical risks and they can be hot during an operation. Please keep your children away from the portable generator at all times. It is important to keep our children safe especially our little ones. Be aware of all the hazards. 2) WHERE TO RUN YOUR GENERATOR: Some people use their portable generators indoors which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s important to have a carbon monoxide if you have a gas generator. Never ever use your generator indoors even if your doors and windows are open and even in the garage is not safe to use a portable generator. Not even at your porch and your deck. It is never safe to use your generator indoors and in enclosed areas of your home. Your generator needs to be 15-20 feet away from your house. 3)🔥FIRE HAZARDS: Never refuel your generator while it’s running. You need to let your generator cool off before refueling it and before storing your generator. Never overload your generator too. Never ever back feed your generator. You should never plug your generator into a wall outlet. Also never store propane tanks indoors. Please keep flammable things away from the generator as well and please don’t smoke cigarettes near the generator. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important against the generator safety rules. 4) GENERATOR OPERATION: make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator. Never use your generator in wet conditions. Don’t let your generator get wet. You need a generator tent if you need to use your generator during wet weather. Please don’t wear loose clothes when operating the generator. Turn on your generator before plugging in appliances. Use the right cord for your generator. Please do not use worn out cords. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-I1jT3ANENvI.html and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators Hope this helps. Please make sure you follow all the generator safety tips. Thank you
My family just got a generator & I've been wanting to make one that's portable to transfer between our home & cabin & I just gotta say I wish I could make something like this.. Cant imagine the money it took. this is by far the best & coolest generator enclosure out there. The detail & custom features you put into it are amazing. I hope your still with us. We need more content from innovative creators like you.
Here’s a safety reminder: please remember to also keep your children safe when you’re using portable generator so they don’t get poisoned by CO gas or electrocuted ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-I1jT3ANENvI.html just reminding everyone to stay safe and remember not to also run your generator indoors. Thank you. Hope you stay safe.
Here’s another advice about generator safety that everyone should know about: it’s also very important to keep your children safe when you’re using portable gas generators so they don’t get electrocuted or poisoned by CO gasoline. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-I1jT3ANENvI.html just reminding everyone to stay safe and be careful. Thank you
Just when I thought that Paul short had a nice enclosure, I stumbled on this video. Another example of fine design, engineering, fabrication, and explanation. Well done sir. I wish I had taken more shop classes in high school, then again...
It was because of Paul Short's video that I decided to do one of my enclosure. If I do have to say so myself, these are two of the best enclosures on You Tube. The interesting thing is they are totally different in concept. As I said in my video, form follows function. Our needs were different and that's what determines the configuration. I appreciate your comments.
I agree...this enclosure, as well as the one done by Paul are two of the better ones I've seen here on YT in some time! Wish Paul would have done more to insulate his enclosure..but will say that for my family needs, THIS ONE is the one I'll try to emulate the best I can!
Poper Kider1: you really should find a better way of advertising your Amazon Affiliate Link than to spam videos w/it! Was this something you were taught over at WarriorForum.com maybe? If you need help in actually 'TARGETING' the RIGHT MARKET...let me know and I'll be more than happy to send you the needed information!
Generator safety is very important for everyone who use generators ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-I1jT3ANENvI.html just reminding everyone to stay safe
Here is a reminder about portable generator safety: This advice is just to make sure that everyone is aware of all the warnings and it’s just to remind people to be careful using portable generators. Everyone has to see this safety reminder for safety. Every year, hundreds of people die or get injured when using portable generators due to carbon monoxide poisoning and electrocution. Make sure you are using your generator carefully and keeping others safe as well. There is something very serious that everyone should always be aware of when using generators. Some people do run their generator indoors which is not safe and that increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning which can cause death of family and you. Some people run their generator in wet conditions which can electrocute them. Please remember that you should never run your generator indoors. Remember that carbon monoxide is an odorless and colorless gas that you cannot see or smell. Carbon monoxide is a silent killer. Keep that in mind. Make sure your generator is 15-20 feet away from your house and away from doors, windows, and vents. Never use your generator in your porch too. Having a carbon monoxide detector is very important against generator safety. Some people also allow children to go near the portable generator which could pose risks. We need to keep an eye on our children making sure that they are not near the portable generator so they won’t get electrocuted or burned by the generator which is dangerous. A locking enclosure also keeps kids safe. A generator shed might look like a tempting place to explore, or take cover during a game of hide and seek, but a generator is a dangerous piece of equipment that can cause injury. It says on the manual that we should also keep children away at all times from the portable generator to avoid injuries. Please do not allow a child or unqualified people to operate the portable generator. Just because some manuals missed what should be listed doesn’t mean it’s safe to do. Always follow the generator safety rules when using portable generators. Generators pose electrical risks. If you need to use your generator during wet weather, you need a generator tent to protect your generator from getting wet. Don’t let your generator get wet. Keep your generator dry and before using your generator, please make sure your hands and your generator is dry. Do not wear loose clothing when operating the generator. Everything that is said on the generator’s operating manual should not be ignored. Never smoke cigarettes near the generator. Please keep flammable things away from the generator. Never overload your generator too. Your generator can catch fire. Never ever try to plug a generator cord into a wall outlet to avoid back feeding. Back feeding your generator is dangerous. Always turn on your generator first before plugging in appliances and shut off the appliances before turning your generator off. Use a heavy duty cord for your generator and the cord should not be worn out. All the instructions should be followed carefully. Never refuel your generator while it’s running. It can cause fire if fuel spills while your generator is hot. You should turn off your generator and let it cool off before refueling it. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important. This is only a reminder for everyone’s safety of using generators. Make sure your generator is properly grounded. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-I1jT3ANENvI.html and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators and also about our family’s safety. Hope this helps. Thank you.
I'm very impressed with the thoroughness of your design, craftsmanship and final build quality. After seeing this video, your personal vehicles must be absolutely well maintained and still running like the first day you drove them off the dealership parking lot. My guess is that you take serious pride in focusing on longevity, safety and proper maintenance and it is your personal trademark with all of your aquired pocessions. Adding a decal of an American flag and the American Bald Eagle on this generator's enclosure would be so proper and fitting, along with your family's name. Superb project and thanks for sharing!
Don’t forget about generator safety as well and it’s also important to keep your children safe when you’re using portable generators so they don’t get electrocuted or something ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-I1jT3ANENvI.html just reminding everyone to stay safe and be careful. Thank you
Well I have a new best generator enclosure. You have done a fantastic job building it and coming up with your own ideas. As soon as I saw the tongue I knew you were some way affiliated with aviation. I myself worked as an aviation mechanic for a short time. Great job.
Don’t forget about generator safety as well if you use a portable gas generator ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-I1jT3ANENvI.html just reminding everyone to be careful and especially please keep your children safe when you’re using portable gas generators so they don’t get electrocuted or poisoned by CO gas. Just hoping everyone stays safe and I hope you get my safety advice also. Thank you
Very nice set up. The thought you put into the problems that may occur was fantastic. The fire extinguisher was also a nice touch. I wish I had the know how to duplicate this project.
Very well thought out project. My hat's off to you sir. I am glad you spoke about the type of gasoline that should be used, not many speak on this. I have a 10Kw system, but it is not at your project level and that is why I am seeing the lessons learned on this forum. Thank you!
Amazing Built! Dude you are an Awesome Fabricator! Not many of us have the ability to accomplish such a Cool project! Kudos to you Sir! Thank you for taking the time to post your beautiful creation!
Thanks for the video Donald. Although this is far beyond my plans, you've given me some great ideas. Please consider doing other vids. You have a nice, quiet teaching style that may be appealing to many.
I'm impressed by your name. You would have to be a person of character. I hope you found something you can use. If you'd like to build an enclosure that's simpler than mine but still portable, I have some ideas. Check Canadian Paul Short's custom generator enclosure- beautifully done. Also some of the plastic sheds are worth considering depending on your needs and skill set. There seems to be some interest in more videos. the problem is my camera man/editor is 500 miles away in Kentucky. Will try to do some on his next visit. He did a good job cutting out most of my flubs. Thanks for the comments.
Sir, I commend you on your mobile enclosure! The design is extremely well thought out, and honestly, I hope you have a patent on it. I can see competitors (e.g. Zombie Box) coming up with something like this. Kudos to you, sir !!!!
It’s also important to keep children safe when using generators so they don’t get electrocuted ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-I1jT3ANENvI.html just sharing a safety reminder about generator safety. Thank you. Hope you stay safe as well
Don’t forget about generator safety as well and it’s also important to keep your children safe when you’re using portable generators so they don’t get electrocuted ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-I1jT3ANENvI.html just reminding everyone to stay safe and please be aware with the safety of using generators. Just reminding everyone to be careful and stay safe. Thank you
⚠️Here are the safety rules of using portable generators. This is a very important announcement. It is important to follow all generator safety rules whenever we use portable generators: Everyone must see this. This is just a reminder for everyone’s safety. 1) KEEPING OTHERS SAFE: Please do not allow an unqualified person or your children to operate and service the portable generator. Just because some manuals don’t say that doesn’t mean it’s safe. That is important against the generator safety rules. We also need to be keeping an eye on our children too. You need to make sure that your children are not playing near the portable generator especially when it’s running so they won’t get electrocuted. Generators pose electrical risks and they can be hot during an operation. Please keep your children away from the portable generator at all times. It is important to keep our children safe especially our little ones. Be aware of all the hazards. 2) WHERE TO RUN YOUR GENERATOR: Some people use their portable generators indoors which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s important to have a carbon monoxide if you have a gas generator. Never ever use your generator indoors even if your doors and windows are open and even in the garage is not safe to use a portable generator. Not even at your porch and your deck. It is never safe to use your generator indoors and in enclosed areas of your home. Your generator needs to be 15-20 feet away from your house. 3)🔥FIRE HAZARDS: Never refuel your generator while it’s running. You need to let your generator cool off before refueling it and before storing your generator. Never overload your generator too. Never ever back feed your generator. You should never plug your generator into a wall outlet. Also never store propane tanks indoors. Please keep flammable things away from the generator as well and please don’t smoke cigarettes near the generator. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important against the generator safety rules. 4) GENERATOR OPERATION: make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator. Never use your generator in wet conditions. Don’t let your generator get wet. You need a generator tent if you need to use your generator during wet weather. Please don’t wear loose clothes when operating the generator. Turn on your generator before plugging in appliances. Use the right cord for your generator. Please do not use worn out cords. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-I1jT3ANENvI.html and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators Hope this helps. Please make sure you follow all the generator safety tips. Thank you
Hey, that's great! I've been looking at emergency generator setups for a couple of years and seeing this for the first time today. You had a lot of good ideas while building your rig. It would be perfect if it was LPG so you wouldn't have to deal with the issues from ethanol and gas storage. Thanks for posting.
Very nice job well thought out. Love the ground clamp and silicone Muffin pan ideas. I would probably mount the Fire Extinguisher on the outside. Great use of temp sensor to turn the extra fan on.
I'm glad you mentioned the silicone rubber gasket. The exhaust heat was too much for the rubber material long term. I've got to find another way to make a flex joint. The fire extinguisher is stored on this bracket. I don't run the generator with it inside the enclosure. I appreciate your interest in this project.
I have to say, after stumbling onto videos with portable generators inside homemade enclosures, your's is by far the best I've seen yet. I don't always hit the like icon, so it's kind of a rare thing when I do, but your video deserved it completely. As for the three people that didn't like it, well they obviously have no class...
Hello Donald, I am also very impressed on your well planned Portable Generator Enclosure. It moves easily and the internal protection circuits are planned extremely well. I have a Electrical / Mechanical background. You did not leave a thing out. James Hunt
Don’t forget about generator safety as well and please remember to keep your children safe when you’re using portable generators so they don’t get electrocuted ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-I1jT3ANENvI.html just reminding everyone to be careful. Thank you
Here’s another advice about generator safety: it’s also important to keep your children safe when using generators so they don’t get burned or electrocuted ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-I1jT3ANENvI.html just reminding everyone to stay safe and be careful. Thank you
Wow! I am thoroughly impressed, I would love to see a video showing the steps of design development on this project. There isn't a doubt in my mind that you could design and fabricate a better generator as well if the need arose. Well done Sir!
Right before I was headed to home depot to buy wood to build a "box", I then saw the small suncast storage shed conversion, and then, my god!! this....Sir, I would draw the plans and sell them to the masses however that works? But this is the pinnacle of a perfected enclosure. Bravo
thanks for your comments. Check my reply to Charley Wyrick and Tom H. I believe with limited fabrication skills you could build an enclosure that would function as well as mine. Please post a video with your results.
Donald, Thank you very much for posting your beautiful enclosure. Your attention to detail is commendable. I stumbled on your video while researching my own enclosure and noticed you were seeking temperature data. While we have different generators, I thought the operational envelope outlined in my manual may help validate your 130°F air temperature shutoff. "Your Champion Power Equipment product is designed and rated for continuous operation at ambient temperatures up to 40°C (104°F). When your product is needed your product may be operated at temperatures ranging from -15°C (5°F) to 50°C (122°F) for short periods."
Dave, thanks for your comments and data from your owners manual about operating temperatures. It seems consistent with what we have learned so far. I talked to a test engineer from one of the largest farm machinery manufacturers. Not exactly comparing apples and apples, but interesting never the less. He asked me about the oil temperature on my generator. I told him on an 85 degree F day it would be about 190 degrees. For comparison he said the liquid cooled diesels he works with on a hot summer day would have an oil temperature of 275 degrees, and 200 degree air passing through their radiators and over the engines. This they would consider normal. Turbo charged diesels with charge air coolers operate at very high temperatures continuously. These numbers don't directly apply to our air cooled engines, but I'll never be concerned with my oil temperatures again. I think the numbers we are using will work fine. This engineer does not think the temperatures we are seeing would be a problem. He added that we need to be sure of good airflow through the enclosure.
Please remember to keep your children safe when you’re using portable generators so they don’t get electrocuted or poisoned by carbon monoxide ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-I1jT3ANENvI.html just reminding you to be careful and hope you stay safe as well. Please be aware with the safety. Thank you.
Here’s an advice about generator safety that everyone should know about ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-I1jT3ANENvI.html it’s also important to keep children safe when you’re using portable gas generators. Just hoping everyone stays safe and be aware with the safety of using generators. Thank you. Hope you stay safe.
Hi Donald, Nice job, expert workmanship. My comment is I've been around the block with this and related situations. The biggest problem with even starting to enclosing an engine is heat which you addressed as others struggle with. That dam heat wants to go round and round though the engine cooling system before it finds it's way out of the enclosure raising the temp of everthing in the enclosure. A better way to do this is to make a duct from outside of the case to the engine cool air intake in front of the engine. This could be a separate compartment or round sheet metal duct that accomates the pull start. This way you are always sure you are getting the coolest air possible and never recirculating hot air in the enclosure which can get much too hot under heavy load in spite of fans ect. This also promotes forcing hot air out of the case using the engines fan. I would also consider an outside duct for the generator head as that has a fan also and needs to cool also. Last I would consider a cool air intake for the carb. Done well no additional fans needed and the case can be closed up to keep the sound in with just an exhaust vent.
Don’t forget about generator safety as well ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-I1jT3ANENvI.html it’s also important to keep children safe when using generators so they don’t get electrocuted. Just reminding everyone to stay safe and be careful. Thank you
Beautiful build. Thinking about how to adapt it to my situation. Then you said you have less than 100 hours on the generator. I live in a hurricane zone with lots of heat. I will soon cross 300 hours on mine this month.
Don’t forget about generator safety as well and it’s also important to keep your children safe when using generators so they don’t get electrocuted or poisoned by carbon monoxide ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-I1jT3ANENvI.html just reminding everyone to be careful and stay safe. Thank you.
Don’t forget about generator safety as well and it’s also important to keep children safe when using you’re generators so they don’t get electrocuted ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-I1jT3ANENvI.html just sharing a safety reminder. And hope you stay safe as well. Thank you
Very nice and informative video. It was a pleasure watching your description and reasoning behind the various processes. Has given me great ideas to use in my design. Thank you. "There is reason in your madness" lol DL
Very nice enclosure. I really like your muffin pan gaskets, it looks like it'll solve similar issue I'm having on interfacing my genny's existing muffler to the enclosure that I'm making.
What an incredible piece of work here. This generator enclosure is so damned good that not even any company with its professional designers could ever produce such a practical, sophisticated and high-quality enclosure such as this that could be considered affordable. At first I thought that this was a commercially-manufactured enclosure. It restores at least some of my faith in America insofar as individual people able to use their intelligence, skill and ingenuity to solve a problem rather than the typical brain-dead, lazy, selfish American. Of course, the quality of this enclosure is for the most part beyond the capability of ordinary homeowners who need a practical enclosure for their generators, who don't possess all of the skill and equipment necessary to build this enclosure e.g. welding and metalworking tools. We're typically left to our own devices and would opt for a plastic or wooden shed which is combustible and potentially unsafe. But this enclosure deserves an award much greater than a thumbs-up.
⚠️Here are the safety rules of using portable generators. This is a very important announcement. It is important to follow all generator safety rules whenever we use portable generators: Everyone must see this. This is just a reminder for everyone’s safety. 1) KEEPING OTHERS SAFE: Please do not allow an unqualified person or your children to operate and service the portable generator. Just because some manuals don’t say that doesn’t mean it’s safe. That is important against the generator safety rules. We also need to be keeping an eye on our children too. You need to make sure that your children are not playing near the portable generator especially when it’s running so they won’t get electrocuted. Generators pose electrical risks and they can be hot during an operation. Please keep your children away from the portable generator at all times. It is important to keep our children safe especially our little ones. Be aware of all the hazards. 2) WHERE TO RUN YOUR GENERATOR: Some people use their portable generators indoors which increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning. It’s important to have a carbon monoxide if you have a gas generator. Never ever use your generator indoors even if your doors and windows are open and even in the garage is not safe to use a portable generator. Not even at your porch and your deck. It is never safe to use your generator indoors and in enclosed areas of your home. Your generator needs to be 15-20 feet away from your house. 3)🔥FIRE HAZARDS: Never refuel your generator while it’s running. You need to let your generator cool off before refueling it and before storing your generator. Never overload your generator too. Never ever back feed your generator. You should never plug your generator into a wall outlet. Also never store propane tanks indoors. Please keep flammable things away from the generator as well and please don’t smoke cigarettes near the generator. Having a fire extinguisher next to the generator is also important against the generator safety rules. 4) GENERATOR OPERATION: make sure your hands are dry before touching the generator. Never use your generator in wet conditions. Don’t let your generator get wet. You need a generator tent if you need to use your generator during wet weather. Please don’t wear loose clothes when operating the generator. Turn on your generator before plugging in appliances. Use the right cord for your generator. Please do not use worn out cords. ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-I1jT3ANENvI.html and here is a video more about keeping others safe when using generators Hope this helps. Please make sure you follow all the generator safety tips. Thank you
Don’t forget about generator safety as well if you use generators ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-I1jT3ANENvI.html please keep your children safe when you’re using portable generators so they don’t get electrocuted. Make sure you read the manual carefully and be aware with the hazards. Just reminding everyone to be careful and stay safe. Thank you
