Ideas on How to store portable Generator and protect from weather (1 Viewer)

[DanielFord]

I'm looking for a generator now as I have been put on to a cpap machine and humidifier for my sleep apnea. I will carry it in our small camping trailer.

John.

As long as you don't run it through the night! As a generator user, I implore people to use them considerately ;-)

 

[Neckender]

As long as you don't run it through the night! As a generator user, I implore people to use them considerately ;-)

I won't know until Thursday what power the equipment will need 12 volt or 240 and night time is when you sleep.

John.

 

[PhilG]

We have a Honda 2000i.. in the old Truck it was converted to run on LPG with a dry break , so it never had fuel in it ever, and we just clicked it in, primed it and started it.

Now its back on petrol, I just carry it the garage, smell isnt an issue, but i have in the past had to store it inside under a seat , and ran it dry, and then removed the cap , sealed it with clingfilm, and put the cap back on .

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[zac]

Never thought of the petrol can, this will be a little easier to store but are they any specific types that are better than others as i have some normal plastic ones?

 

[scotjimland]

just brought a generator (cheap one from Aldi)

how cheap and what type.. ?

if it's not inverter technology which irrespective of load, supplies a regulated 240v AC sine wave, you run the risk of damaging sensitive electronics in the van..

if it's a two stroke you run the risk of becoming very unwelcome camper

if you have an older van with old technology then the risk is low...

 

[Geo]

You don't say what you have bought but unless its a suitcase type then you bought what is known as a frame style
these are not usually recommended for M/Home use as
1. they are extremely noisy by comparison
2. there not normally sealed so stink in a vehicle and 3. are a fire risk
I have always had a generator on board 24/7 both Honda and Kipor suitcase style and
they have a sealed vent for storage
I have no smells or leaks at all and have a purpose built rain cover should i need it from a company called Bags for Everything
A standard generator storage bag can be bought here or at most M/Home shows even a very nice one at around £45 that doubles as storage and rain shelter but again only suitable for suitcase types
If you really need an Air tight bag, may I suggest you might be doing something wrong
I sometimes just shelter the gennie under the van if its raining, making sure of course the exhaust is filling someone else's van
When neibors complain to me, I just tell em its for the wifes Heart/Lung machine but feel free to turn it off yourself
G

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[DanielFord]

I won't know until Thursday what power the equipment will need 12 volt or 240 and night time is when you sleep.

John.

OK fingers crossed for you
If you do need 240 at night, then an inverter is the answer, and use the generator during daylight hours to recharge the batteries.

 

[Geo]

Never thought of the petrol can, this will be a little easier to store but are they any specific types that are better than others as i have some normal plastic ones?

Again safety is paramount 10 ltr petrol Metal Jerry can with pouring spout
NEVERr filled to the brim (Expansion) on any type
NEVER NEVER re fuel a generator that has just run out. ITS HOT.
Basic stuff but if you are not familier with the do's and dont's it they are simple mistakes to make

G

 

[zac]

how cheap and what type.. ?

if it's not inverter technology which irrespective of load, supplies a regulated 240v AC sine wave, you run the risk of damaging sensitive electronics in the van..

if it's a two stroke you run the risk of becoming very unwelcome camper

if you have an older van with old technology then the risk is low...

It is a 4 stroke 2000w, there is a link on here somewhere for it but it was priced at £279 i think, suitcase type. It will be run to top up the batteries only as i have a pure sinewave invertor with a solar panel to run pretty much what we need. It is only for backup purposes as sometimes we have gotten a bit low but as yet never run out.

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[zac]

Again safety is paramount 10 ltr petrol Metal Jerry can with pouring spout
NEVERr filled to the brim (Expansion) on any type
NEVER NEVER re fuel a generator that has just run out. ITS HOT.
Basic stuff but if you are not familier with the do's and dont's it they are simple mistakes to make

G

Thanks good info as i didnt know that, i will source a metal gerry can now as well.

 

[Humsafer]

Do start it up every month for 15 mins and don't leave petrol in over winter , empty it and drain carburetter otherwise it likely wont start when you do need it.

 

[jumar]

Hi Zac, we have had a gennie for more than 20 years...I think I have used it 10 times, its a 90db 2T Honda, it cost an arm and a leg....its need running frequently, I do not carry it often, but when I do I do not have the tank filled.
In my opinion the less fuel you carry the better, you can buy a litre at the same time you top up the motorhome, a specialised fuel container called a Sigg bottle with pourer is what I carry, no smells no spills, if its for an emergency as you say, then you only need an emergency supply of fuel. Available at good outdoor suppliers. Buy the fuel type not the water type. MSR also make a similar bottle.
Regarding a cover...look at beach shelters...cheap to buy easy to put up...but beware of the exaust coming into contact with these thin nylon types. We used a fishermans tent of the simple type for the rainy one occasion we used the gennie. During our 6 week trip to Portugal last winter we carried the gennie because we expected the panel to be less efficient, as it turned out we didnt use it, even in the frozen north the panel was sufficient.
For general advice...use a gennie a full 25 metre cable length away, but well away from your buddy next door, we have never needed to refuse gennie use here, we have electric and loads of sun as you well know.

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[Puddleduck]

I won't know until Thursday what power the equipment will need 12 volt or 240 and night time is when you sleep.

John.

Message me with the make and model number of your equipment and I will find out what I can for you - but get advice from the technician at the hospital. Most run on 12 up to 240 volt. The newer types take far less power than the older If it is a RESMed machine it will almost certainly be multi voltage and you can order "extras" direct from their website. It might be a little more expensive but this is your health and you need to make sure you have fully tested and compatible accessories (was going to say "bits" or "equipment" but let's no go there!). Also RESMed have all the forms about the VAT and will get you sorted really quickly. I found their technical people to be top rate. The type with a humidifier will take more power than one without of course. You might want to check the amphours of your battery bank. We changed batteries to a higher capacity. I think the 12v power supply was about £30 or £40 with next day delivery. I found out later that the hospital could have supplied the lead on request (at a cost) but hey-ho.

OK fingers crossed for you
If you do need 240 at night, then an inverter is the answer, and use the generator during daylight hours to recharge the batteries.

That is what we do to top up the batteries if we can't get an EHU. Our machines now all run on multi voltage and it is worth asking at the hospital for these types of machine. In our case we were given the multi-volt machine because we get power cuts and if the power is out overnight we need an emergency hospital bed - far from ideal for anyone. We did buy the 12v power supply direct from RESMed as said above but might be worth checking of your health board would supply that free as part of the package. Some do, some don't.

We ran the gennie or the first time at @irnbru 's Falkirk meet for the Ceilidh mic and amp, it was put at the back of the van and was much quieter than I expected. In the rain it just gets tucked under the van making sure the exhaust is blowing away from us and everyone else. If you are considerate about use and let people know why you are using it and when you intend to use it there is rarely a problem.

 

[zac]

Hi Zac, we have had a gennie for more than 20 years...I think I have used it 10 times, its a 90db 2T Honda, it cost an arm and a leg....its need running frequently, I do not carry it often, but when I do I do not have the tank filled.
In my opinion the less fuel you carry the better, you can buy a litre at the same time you top up the motorhome, a specialised fuel container called a Sigg bottle with pourer is what I carry, no smells no spills, if its for an emergency as you say, then you only need an emergency supply of fuel. Available at good outdoor suppliers. Buy the fuel type not the water type. MSR also make a similar bottle.
Regarding a cover...look at beach shelters...cheap to buy easy to put up...but beware of the exaust coming into contact with these thin nylon types. We used a fishermans tent of the simple type for the rainy one occasion we used the gennie. During our 6 week trip to Portugal last winter we carried the gennie because we expected the panel to be less efficient, as it turned out we didnt use it, even in the frozen north the panel was sufficient.
For general advice...use a gennie a full 25 metre cable length away, but well away from your buddy next door, we have never needed to refuse gennie use here, we have electric and loads of sun as you well know.

Thanks Martin, i will take a look at the bottles mentioned as we only need a small amount of fuel really in an emergency.

 

[Neckender]

Thanks @Puddleduck for your help with this, my machine is a Phillips remstar which uses very little power over night, I am very new to this and after a few nights use at Bagwell rally for the first time, I started to get dry throat and nose completely blocked over night so had great difficulty breathing. I haven't used it since June the 27th and have an appointment tomorrow with hospital and they are going to supply me with humidifier to try.

Hi @DanielFord, I have been motor homing for quite a few years and I am not an inconsiderate person and I know how people dislike generators. For week end use I'm sure that my battery bank would be enough but for extended trips with no hook up I think I'll need a genny to top up during some days.

John.

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[bubble63]

I'm looking for a generator now as I have been put on to a cpap machine and humidifier for my sleep apnea. I will carry it in our small camping trailer.

John.

You should be able to use a battery and solar
Use the humidifier but turn the heater off. Start with warm ish water (40 deg) from the kettle

Using a generator to charge a battery for overnight use is no different to using solar, except that one annoys others !!!

Use a pure sign wave inverter or preferably a CPAP low voltage adapter

Resmed do one not sure about phillips

Google CPAP battery

 

[zac]

Hi Zac, we have had a gennie for more than 20 years...I think I have used it 10 times, its a 90db 2T Honda, it cost an arm and a leg....its need running frequently, I do not carry it often, but when I do I do not have the tank filled.
In my opinion the less fuel you carry the better, you can buy a litre at the same time you top up the motorhome, a specialised fuel container called a Sigg bottle with pourer is what I carry, no smells no spills, if its for an emergency as you say, then you only need an emergency supply of fuel. Available at good outdoor suppliers. Buy the fuel type not the water type. MSR also make a similar bottle.
Regarding a cover...look at beach shelters...cheap to buy easy to put up...but beware of the exaust coming into contact with these thin nylon types. We used a fishermans tent of the simple type for the rainy one occasion we used the gennie. During our 6 week trip to Portugal last winter we carried the gennie because we expected the panel to be less efficient, as it turned out we didnt use it, even in the frozen north the panel was sufficient.
For general advice...use a gennie a full 25 metre cable length away, but well away from your buddy next door, we have never needed to refuse gennie use here, we have electric and loads of sun as you well know.

Are these similar to the Siggs as cant seem to find any fuel bottles on them, See Broken Link Removed
I am assuming you still need to ensure you have a petrol can of some sort as these dont look big enough to fill up at a petrol station (excuse my ignornance) its all a learning curve which is what its all about.

 

[Puddleduck]

Sorry, in haste.

Your machine does have a 12v DC option. You can also get a battery pack for it which is supposed to last 1 or 2 nights on a full charge but I can't see if that is with or without the humidifier.

Here is the link for the spares and parts:



You didn't say which model but eu-pap should be able to help.
A better link for the cable:
http://www.eu-pap.co.uk/respironics-12v-dc-cables.html

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[PhilG]

I'm looking for a generator now as I have been put on to a cpap machine and humidifier for my sleep apnea. I will carry it in our small camping trailer.

John.

We needed to run one of these too, we could almost get through the night on a single leisure battery , would deffo have done it on two. Obviously there are issues with keeping pulling the batteries down , but these can be got round.

We would fire the genny up at 7.30 , and batteries would be back to good by 10 ish , so you have a big window during the day to get back to full charge.

 

[jumar]

Are these similar to the Siggs as cant seem to find any fuel bottles on them, See Broken Link Removed
I am assuming you still need to ensure you have a petrol can of some sort as these dont look big enough to fill up at a petrol station (excuse my ignornance) its all a learning curve which is what its all about.

Yes similar to the ones on the net...my sigg petrol 1 litre bottle is now 35 years old, its leak and crush proof, I have used it on many mountaineering trips during this period, you only need to carry 1 litre if its for emergency use, my Honda gennie runs for 3 hours on about 500 ml, so 6 hours emergency use is possible.

 

[PhilG]

Yes similar to the ones on the net...my sigg petrol 1 litre bottle is now 35 years old, its leak and crush proof, I have used it on many mountaineering trips during this period, you only need to carry 1 litre if its for emergency use, my Honda gennie runs for 3 hours on about 500 ml, so 6 hours emergency use is possible.

Jesus.. we will do 15 litres in 2 days.. i guess it doesnt have to much to do

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[pappajohn]

I won't know until Thursday what power the equipment will need 12 volt or 240 and night time is when you sleep.

John.

I hope you don't need a lot of sleep John.

From Aldi web page generator specifications

3.2 litre tank volume capacity giving approximately 3 hours' running time