Is My Generator Box Dangerous? Mods & Safety Protocols 

Modify the PVC intake to face to the side or down so that rain stays out!!!

I discovered your channel several days ago. I rarely comment but on the outside chance you could use this, folks with “keyboard courage” should never be given the time or energy that takes away from your purpose. Your problem solving and perseverance is refreshing and admirable. Just be focused on your journey! Great work!!!

I watch your channel because you do things your way. You’re smart! Don’t respond to comments from “negative nancys”. Remember, no response, is a response. 👍😊 Just be yourself. No need for perfection! We also live in Washington. Nice to have like minded people here! Keep it up!

Howdy Diego!! Just a small piece of advise, the black pipe inlet might want an elbow so it doesn't draw rain into it. I think you've made a very special place for yourself! You will always have the nay sayers & the super critics. Jealousies & prejudice will always be present in the world. Damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead!! Big hugs from Kenny in Ohio!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Came for the sound proof box stayed for your skill and perseverence. 👍👍

At the risk of giving unwanted advice. I would probably switch that fan back around so that way it keeps negative pressure inside the box so that way if you got any CO2 that leaks out it'll draw it out instead of allowing it to get pushed into your shop. Just a thought. I'm sure there's many theories.

I think that you did one hell of a job on the generator box and I’m a perfectionist.

Nice to see you are the ‘listen and learn’ type of guy, not the ‘my way is right’.

Diego, I discovered your channel recently, and I just wanted to say I value your attitude and desire to figure things out. It would be sad if negative people crushed that spirit you have. My favorite thing about your "box" video was that you weren't satisfied with the current iteration of your idea, and you wanted to keep improving it. You knew it could get better, and you tried different stuff to get there. That mentality will carry you far in life. I wish you the best!

Diego just be safe we care about you, I love that you do everything yourself young men like you are hard to find now.

Keep up the amazing work, Diego. I am so proud of you. You can do anything; never quit trying. I look forward to the videos of you building your own house. Have the greatest day ever, love and peace. And so it is.

Diego, I watched your previous video and I saw absolutely nothing wrong with your installation with the exception of a couple of improvements, which you did. I have built two houses and remodeled one. Your technique and the depth of thought that goes into your projects is very impressive. Most people become overly concerned if they do not understand something. You took precautions and also measured any potential threat. We must always remember, certain things are put in place to protect property, the public, and ourselves. It can get to the point where over-regulation becomes burdensome and cost prohibitive. You were taking correct steps to ensure your safety, you are fine. BTW.. This video is known by the state of California to cause cancer. 😊

. Diego, well said. Keep doing what you're doing. We live off grid for years now. A LOT of people have a setup close to yours and it's been working. Good luck on your future plans. 👍🏼

Improvements look great to me, Your chat near the end is very very true, I am sure you would not jeopardize your safety or anyone else's, You have a good head on your shoulders you think it out , I feel if you have to change what you do you will. epic video.

Watching this video was very satisfying! The build was neat and super fun to watch come together. Cant wait to see you build a house on your land someday for your epic family.

Actually you want to have a negative air pressure where your engine is, so that if the exhaust leaks it doesn't intoxicate you in your garage. Your fan was oriented correctly at the beginning, just needed a bigger inlet.

Just subscribed, I wish I could do 1% of what you do… amazing that you didn’t give up and kept making it bulletproof. Just awesome sir. Keep up the great work ✊🏻

This is a great idea, Having the generator in stealth mode gives you peace of mind. Keep it up man!

Great videos - I am bit older than you, but have used the same method as you my whole life. We have all benefited from the many iterations you have made! I think what you have is excellent. I will agree with some of the others, I think the using the fan as an exhaust is better because of the benefit of negative pressure in the box. I think the improvement you got in the temperature was primarily from moving the intake away from the exhaust - that was a great move for sure! Thanks for sharing your experience!

The mod turning the fan around is a very good change! The fresh air will benefit the generator in both improving combustion efficiency and improve engine cooling. The only thing that could benefit your generator box would be a chimney for the exhaust to get the fumes up and away from where you walk as well as quiet the generator noise a bit more. The carbon monoxide detector is a good move. Get a infared temperature reader and check generator exhaust pipe. Also the exhaust pipe should be a pipe inside a pipe so the hot pipe isn’t in contact with insulation and wood sheathing.

Nice setup! Good job

Hey Diego, You are a trier for sure . Good for you for doing things , discovering and adapting to get the best result. Great videos Thanks for sharing !

Looks great. First episode was great and i totally understand having to kinda deal with your viewers. I'd totally do a box to keep my generator quiet and safe from theft!

Been following for a bit. I like your ideas. My brother-in-law is a building inspector. And from the stories from him….most of your “pros” or contractors are complete and absolute HACKS! They have no idea what a level or a tape measure is. They will try to hide everything they did wrong just to save 10 cents. These codes are in place BECAUSE of them! They would put a generator in a bath tub with bare connections, vent the exhaust to the bedroom, and charge the old lady 20k for the work.

You’re a good man Diego. Wise above your years. 😊

YOU KEEP GOING YOUNG MAN. I'm 72, grew up without a lot of the safety concerns, son of a doctor, have my BA. Became an electrician after grad school. Even in residential electricals there are so many extreme precautions - good ideas for niche situations - but to have them as everyday requirements are rediculous and expensive. And the local governments are not interested in your safety. They are interested in preventing lawsuits and keeping control. Keep your level head, think it through and ignore the naysayers. Even if you have to move out to unregulated land, by the time you are my age, it will be well populated because you made it possible.! You are the true American spirit.

You're right Diego...you're very analytical and creative ...this is a great trait ...those that had ideas for betterment worked on and refined them or fine tuned them always succeed in the long run. So keep your creativity alive and above all sometimes criticism if it is meant well can be a good thing 👍👍 I personally would have loved to doing things like you but circumstance don't always allow it...keep at it

You need a 90 sweep ell on the black abs pipe to prevent water from intruding. Look at what they do for direct vent and air supply furnaces.

I've watched both videos & read all the comments for both. Your improvements are spot-on: sealed exhaust extension, larger air intake away from exhaust, and the new box latches. The original PVC air pipe is probably unnecessary with a fan-powered 4" outside air intake, but if you're feeling more air flow through the 2" pvc pipe then the 4" duct, then there's something inhibiting air flow in the 4" Also that booster fan in the 4" is probably rated at 100cfm, so you should feel air coming out of the 2" pvc even when the generator is running. That Honda EU2000i has 6cu inch displacement, so it uses just over 8.5cfm at its max operating speed of 5000rpm. And yes, I used to figure this stuff out for a living. 😊

That's a nice idea I might use that idea for my off grid cabin

Man i just discovered your channel , love the videos. keep up the good work.

Good job! Way to take the good advice and sort out the noise. Enjoy yourself.

That's a great design on your generator box ✊🏾 I was thinking about doing something like that for an air compressor system I will be putting inside of my shed. I do not want to be an annoying neighbor since their bedroom window is about 15' away. I look forward to see your results during the summer.

Ya I had thought all looked good but the changes make sense! You last part rant sounds so familiar!

You are awesome. I laughed when you sit and think a lot. That definitely comes out in your videos. You are very methodical. That is a awesome trait to have. Just don't over think. I do that. You need to do what you need to do. Rules are made to be broken. They are guidelines. I never understand why people have to be nasty. My comments are here to help, not to degrade you. Great talk.

RUSH is the best, and nice work young maN. Just started watching your channel. Looking forward to watching you deal with all the challenges living in the country. All the best I figuring it all out.

Love your channel Diego. I found these videos on your generator enclosure very interesting. I think I might do something similar, but I might add a few automation features (easy to do) 1. have a high temp warning on the thermostat, so you hear an audible "beep" if it goes above a predetermined point i.e. 90 degrees. 2. Have a relay to turn on the generator to charge the batteries if they go below 12.3 volts. Just to name a couple :-) Again, love the videos !

Kick Ass, Diego!! Keep Breaking all Da-Rules! Thanks for the training video!! Cheers from Reno, Nevada!!

Keep up the good work and to stay teachable. You’re on it.

Sometimes safety has to take back seat to necessity!! (Though I did blow my house up) maybe I’m not the best person to ask.. great job mate and I love your life style maybe one day we could all be capable of being this smart and live free. Respect to you mate for helping out at that (I’ve forgot the man’s name sorry but the old fella who has that amazing house too) you are a gentleman

Thanks for keeping it real!

Keep improving, you are doing great!!!

Rock on, Diego ! You're awesome ❤

It might worth a look at how we got these "codes." National Electric Code exists for real world reasons. Most of those reasons are rooted in real safety concerns, especially with regard to living close enough to another house that your neighbor's poor building decisions could lead to negative consequence for your home and family. Makers and inventors tend to exist on the outer edge of the building and manufacturer safety boundaries, as they try to make something unique to solve a problem. This is also where "codes" are sometimes developed or modified. Someone finds a new way to do something, and the rules are modified to include the new method. Sometimes someone burns their shop down a few times, and the rules are modified to limit people creating the same hazard in a commercial building with innocent lives at risk. Personally, I think your inside generator idea has some real potential. Certainly worth continued development over the years.

I am so impressed with how meticulous you are. I also agree with your viewpoint. 10 out of 10. Thank you. Please come to Canada and build me a home. lol

Diego, u r doing great stuff and really like ur channel!

good for you AND ALL US TOO! SO GLAD YOU DID THIS EXPERIMENT and broke rules to show that NANNY STATE CONTROL is not necessary!

I thank you are doing a great job!!And I don't know anything about off grid living!! So just trust in God 🙏🙏🙏 And do your best!! There will always be Naysayer!! Let no one discourage you!!

Keep doing what you are doing. Forget the hater trolls and you do you. Your channel is fantastic and a lot of people of living vicariously through you. F the low esteem trolls.😎

I only saw the first video today and after writing a book, I found this one. I’m glad you are receptive to advice. I say that because 80% or better of the commenters would try this with no research. That would expose about 20% to being victims of their not understanding. I wish you success as this project will likely evolve. I believe in the spirit of innovation, but I also lean to the Darwin principles too! I felt compelled to offer some observations, because I have seen many unsanitary applications of gasoline fired equipment that resulted in a dangerous condition. I’ve seen it with fuel gas equipment too, but there are so many accessories easily available that accidents are generally avoided.

Nice job. We differ in why some of the regs. I believe that many generator regs were prompted by the manufacturers. These regs pretty much cut off your relatives ability to successfully sue if you die from CO, a fire, cross fed sources, or pretty much anything else. We built our place ourselves. Plumbing, wiring, and permits met the then current requirements. Funny how NEC changed in the middle of our build!

Interesting setup i did something similar for my noisy gas generator in the garage using old chiller since its already insulated and gutted the compressor, just cut the holes similar to what you did and reduced noise drastically and can run 24 hours straight till next refuel. The only thing i didn't see in your setup is to install a Manual Transfer Switch instead of having to plug and move wires around which will wear out the sockets over time and the ease of just flipping the switch from one power source the other, then this project would be complete. and black pvc into a upside down J setup to prevent any rain or moisture. I'm a DIY guy all the way from the Philippines watching your videos.

BOOM! 🎯 My sentiments exactly! You do you!

Another great video 🤙🏻

Interesting Perspective on building your own home on your own land. I agree that the process is way too long and way too costly. I live in the country and building anything is a pain in the butt like you mentioned. Why do they make it so difficult? Is it for our safety? Is it to control us? Why is the process so costly? Just the paperwork alone can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars. For what? To fix our housing crisis these processes need to be leaned out and improved. With so many online resources, building anything has been so much easier. I think what you are doing for the community is great. It gives people like me the confidence to go out and build stuff on my homestead as well. Keep up the good work and making the great content. Amazing.

I watched your previous video and subbed. I was going to ask if that pipe was too close to the exhaust, but what do I know. Glad of the changes. You kind of think like I do on some things. Also glad to see another awakened individual. It seems the powers that (should not) be are trying to speed things up.

Cool project. You could add an auto transfer switch so you don't have to keep swapping the plugs and hard wire it, or even a manual transfer switch.

As a fellow Washingtonian, I look forward to seeing your videos. I am with you regarding fees and permits to force you to conform to what they want rather than the freedom to live life your way. I am now getting to the point that it's my land, and I am going to do what I want. Love seeing your projects, and they give me ideas as we tackle building our cabin on the coast. Romans 12:2 ‭‭ Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

I love how you do this, something i would want, but I think I would have put it outside on raised concrete pad, and enclosed and water proofed. #DTriesHard

A little RUSH never hurt anyone👍

use DC off gen to charge batteries , cover fresh air intake for rain, extended run fuel tank added . really nice job quiet and safe !

Don’t let the trolls get you down. I hope you can see and not hear the ones talking and not doing.

Anytime we go on social media, etc.NEGATIVE comments are expected, more people like what did n I'm 1 of them, AWSOME VIDEO,stay safe be bless🤙☝️👊👍👍👍🇵🇭

Rules are made for a reasons. And one rule is that you can engineer out the risk…which is what you’re doing. Problem solved. Great job! Keep chasing those dreams.

I think your doing a great job with what you have. Only suggestion since your running propane why not a dual fuel generator. Forget the haters you do you!

Nice opinion about the rule makers! keep doing your things, break rules is too much responsibility to take, some people are not prepared for it! Great video!

Well thought out, I would just add one "Normal Close" bimetal switch and when the temperature is over 60f it turns off the contact and you connect it to the switch that turns off the generator (everything is mechanical).

Hey Diego I’ve just seen your channel and watched both box videos, i absolutely love your work champ, it’s something I’ve wanted to do if I got a generator. I think turning the fan around was a great idea, how ever won’t it be drawing in hot air in the summer. Perhaps in summer you might have to turn it around again? P.s don’t worry about the nerds and stiflers for rules there’s no need to follow rules you do you bro.

New subscriber here. Great commentary during the last 7 minutes of this video. I agree with you about the bureaucratic BS. It can definitely suck the wind out of your sails. Regardless, keep on keeping on and make your dreams a reality. Peace!

Nice work. With the fan blowing into the box the "air intake" is not gonna function as such anymore. The box has enough fresh air from the fan and the intake will function more like a blow out pipe as part of the circulation of the fan. It's a good setup now. Make sure to give the black pipe outside a rain cover.

Can people just like the great job this guy made, maybe you should learn from it instead of hate or negativity come on guys if he did something wrong tell him he did if not at least give him credit I think he did an amazing job on this box and you know what I'm watching all of his videos I learned a lot just watching this thank you sir you did an amazing job

I agree that many rules and regulations are about control. I think building codes and regulations started with good intentions, but it's well beyond that now, in my opinion. Independent, self-sufficient citizens can't be controlled by the government, and they don't like that. We see in some places that they want people to register their backyard gardens, and it's illegal to collect rainwater. They recently said backyard gardens are bad for the environment. It's all about control. Just my opinion.

Hello always watching from Philippines..regards 2 Al

Get a Dual Power Transfer Switch, gen as the main and the battery as the backup. Eliminate plunging and switching of cables. Awesome job , and people put generators in buildings all the time, you just need proper ventilation which you considered and made. Those rules were made for people who didn't consider proper ventilation.

Keep up the good work on your simple generator box. I didn't think you were supposed to play other people's music on your Channel? 😮

Smart man, thank you

Love your videos man! Question, wouldn't the black pipe now be pushing air out now that the fan is switched or does the generator exhaust have a greater output than the fan?

Everybody loves Rush 😁

Good job,,, 👍 It’s not in your house. Don’t get upset with the negative comments

Hi, I just want to say I like your videos, the way you approach life, and I am 100% with you, constructive comments are the way to go. Keep up your spirit and continue to be true, it shows.

Great job… It’s your cabin.

Good Video

You do you bro, screw the bureaucrats. It’s all about power for them. I to was a bit skeptical of the box. But I think you did it right. Pretty much how I would have done it. Nice work.

Great video. Ignore the trolls. Keep doing great work.

Hey Diego. You look and sound in good health. I notice each time you are at neighbour Al's and happen to pan across them, Al's "enough" wood piles. Is it two piles under cover plus one under tarpaulin? I'd be happy to watch a series of you chatting to us while you're gathering and storing firewood. Winter or summer. It's all good. Cheers.

I really like what you’ve done here! Do you think this same concept would work on the tongue of a camp trailer for my generator?

Great video. I would like to suggest you don’t waste your breath on the negative folks. Remember the comment section is where civility goes to die.

Liked your video. You have a good head on your shoulders.

I read the same comments about air flow. What is your plan to keep the bugs from crawling inside the inlet cooing pipe?? Yes the fan will kill them but over time you will have a large pile of bugs to deal with. Since you are pushing fresh air from outside with a fan, you no longer need the small black pipe to feed the engine with air.

Enjoy watching I have started watching more and more Dang it

You made that just right. The National Electric Code says many things geared at SAFETY and FIRE prevention. Not sure it covers home projects that are a emergency state use.

1:35 Changing the direction alone will not significantly improve the airflow. I'd rather have the fan blowing out to get negative pressure inside of the box to prevent leaking of exhaust gases out of the box. A downside of negative pressure is that it can potentially suck exhaust gases out of the generator if they are able to exit through a pathway other than the exhaust. (leaks in the exhaust ducting) But because of the negative pressure, these gases cannot exit the box except through the generator itself or the ductfan. To get more fresh and cool air in the box you could install a slightly bigger air inlet. (A little bit more has a big effect). A bigger air inlet (while having the fan sucking the air out of the box), will lead to less negative pressure but there will be more airflow. If you keep all connections within the zone of negative pressure, it will not be a problem if the connections leak. The leaked gases would be kept "inside" the box as long as the fan is running. It is another story if the fan fails. 3:50 If you have negative pressure in the box, it is not that important to have a huge separation between exhaust and inlet. Even if there are some exhaust gases sucked into the inlet they won't be a problem. I think the engine can handle it if it is not too excessive. You can prevent mixing if you have the exhaust outlet above the air inlet because the hot exhaust gases want to raise.

Interesting ideas at the end. What I've seen in other cases (mining comes to mind) is that regulations get put into place to stop large organizations(maybe construction firms and subcontractors in your case) from hurting people who don't know better. This helps the average person who doesn't want to think about what it means for a house to be "safe." Then, unfortunately, there's sometimes not enough people who want to "do it themselves" to effectively lobby for exceptions to be made for individuals and small firms. If left alone for long enough, the large firms can start adding new regulations and standards under the guise of "self policing" that are actually designed to stop innovation and also keep out new firms that are too small to afford all the paperwork and rubber stamps. I kinda hope for society I'm wrong in this case...

yo Diego greetings from Poland love to watch u since Ive fuond u here so its gonna be like three days ago 😅 and allready know im staying for a longer like ur cabin ur pick up as ive got the same one just here its called navara d40 and im into similar life as urs just starting now with an building my truck camper capsule then afterwards Illbe serching for a bit of land up in the Polish wildest part of the muontains to go there with my home on wheels and probably ending up building some small cabin out there off grid one offcourse what else I was going to say oh yeah do whatever u feel its gonna be working for u dont listen to anyone at least its an constructive criticism😉like about that air inlet of ur generator cause its gonna be collecting some wtaer from the rain either from the condensation straight into the box so its a good tip though

Diego, new subscriber here. You can't please everybody, even in politics. Do what you think is right, take the comments with a open mind. Keep up the great videos.

I live in a mobile home and have thought about doing this many times only for emergency purposes. I do think it might be worthwhile to look into the natural gas conversion. My thought on that topic is simply cost efficiency natural gas versus actual gas. Of course if natural gas is even an option for you.

You don't need the 2" intake. Your 4" fan will bring PLENTY of air into your box where the generator gets it's combustion air from. But if you choose to leave it (mostly harmless having an extra inlet), at least add a u-pipe to it the rain stays out. You were concerned with mold on your duct tape under the walls and with rainwater getting in you WILL grow mold in your dark, warm box.

A generator under higher load produces more heat, don’t know under what load its working in your video’s To increase fuel efficiency, have you considered to use the gen to charge your battery’s under nominal power of the gen. At (almost) full charge you can then stop the gen (most silent operating mode). Also you don’t have to switch the plug from gen to bat . If you don’t like the refueling the gen has a fuel pump that can also suck out of an external tank. Hope to have given you thoughts for further projects.

What I would do different is, I would make the hot air exhaust vent higher and the cold air inlet lower. Hot air rises so it’s still low for the cooler air intake.

I would not reverse the fan. Any exhaust leak is more likely to be pushed into the garage when then fan is creating positive pressure in the box. You want negative pressure in the box for carbon safety. Its probably worse for cooling but safer when something goes wrong. But you could automate it and have sensor turn off the generator when carbon is detected or too much heat. With the fan reversed I would think that the small pipe would actually blow air out because of the positive pressure created by the fan. Also you should add a switch to flip garage between the batteries and the generator. You could easily automate it with relays or smart switches. You could also make things easier for you by having the door for the box on top of the box that way you wouldnt have to slide the generator in and out all the time. Even just a half way opening. But a great build. Im just a keyboard warrior so you’ll have to decide if you think it makes sense what i am saying and make your own decisions. Regards from Iceland.