Hi , I'm presently building my shed for my inerter generator. Can you please confirm band, model number and where you take your temperature and / or co indicator.... Look for a model with a separate probe.... Regards , Sylvain , Laval, Qc
Interesting add ons. I will tell you what I did as I am concerned about inside temps in your compartment due to the inlet air grille and exhaust fan size. I have a 5 kw Honda which is much smaller than yours. I started with a 12" fan and a 12 in (each side) inlet and outlet opening. I got interior temps of 125F after an hour with outside temp of 75 deg. The fan pumped 840 cfm and that freaked me out. Generator makers do not want these in enclosed compartments. It voids warranty and they typically won't give you a max temp at the generator (outside conditions). Maybe other reasons but I am still waiting for an answer from Honda. Champion that offers enclosed standby gen sets told me that they design for a temp rise of 5F between outside and inside air. For open frame generators they say don't use it if outside air is 40C. Utilities with mechanical generators try to maintain no more than 104F. Other sources say no more than a 10-15F gradient between inside compartment temp and ambient. This freaked me out. I bumped up the intake opening to 17 in sq as I did with the exhaust. I increased the exhaust fan size to a model 16S AC Infinity fan which moves 3,000 cfm. Now with 78 deg.F ambient temp the compartment stabilizes at 87-88 degrees F. and that makes me happy. These generators typically have a low oil level switch. There are two very good TH-cam videos that tell you how to put on a cheap bimetallic shutoff switch in the interior. Buy a normally open one for a temp setting somewhat above the interior temp in the generator. I purchased one rated for 50C and mounted it on the generator frame and tested it with a hair dryer to ensure it was doing what it was supposed to. Lots of people just assume that if it ran say for 10 hrs and nothing happened all is okay. Failure is sudden only when the ultimate failure occurs but is progressive up to that point. You have flexibiliy because the generator is seldom used but don't take things for granted. The bare exhaust pipe inside that compartment dumps a lot of heat. I would suggest that you purchase some heat wrap. Having the fan thermostatically controlled has the advantage of dumping residual heat outside immediately after the generator shutdown. In one of your earlier videos you focused on sound treatment. This can become quite expensive. You send a lot of noise out the intake and exhaust openings and sound likes to travel in straight lines. An exhaust hood on the intake and exhaust can help baffle sound by changing direction. These you can find commercially in sheet metal from various vendors and you can line these with sound proofing material. If you are interested you can find my install on a site called Eng-tips engineering forum and in the search box enter Generator temperature in an enclosed compartment. It discusses heat extraction from the compartment.
great info add on! sounds like a better fan and bigger intake is the ticket. I live in a HOA group with tight undies. the en closer is a nice solution ...be sure to check that inside temperature!
The duromax muffler is in the back. How did you route the exhaust out the side? There doesn't seem to be enough clearance between the generator and the shed wall to run a flexible tube
It was tight and I added cement board in the back to help with the heat. I have some muffler wrap but haven’t added it yet. I have run the generator for probably close to 60 hours total and haven’t had an issue.
@@CalvinGorriaran Thanks for answering, Calvin. Seems like the way to go. I think the key is the cement board heat shield you mentioned. Sounds like a plan
@@CalvinGorriaran I am using a dryer vent and where the bolts touch the plastic it seems to melt any plastic that touches the bolts. I have in well vented and that is my only problem area. I guess I just need to cut the hole larger so the bolts only touches the Hardiboard on the inside and outside.
@@davidreardon8266 the exhaust is the hottest part. I cut a hole and then used cement board around the exhaust area. You can see if the video where I did that along the back as well as the exhaust port.
Where is the best place to measure the ambient temp, my champion diesel gen has a max ambient temp of 40C (104F). If I measure the temp directly above the generator, I get a steady 28-30c (82-86F). If I measure near the gen shed's air intake, I get a bit lower. If I measure on the right hand side near where the exhaust passes to the outside, I get 50C (122F) due to the heat coming from the exhaust (exhaust is insulated to help). Is it safe with the heat with the the exhaust generating more heat the right hand side of the gen shed?
This is great Calvin. Question on transfer switch. If you have utility power in your shed, why not connect fan to utility power only? If you’re generator is going to supply power to your home, the fan will come on automatically. Right?
I’m confused about the transfer switch for your fan. I understand that if it’s plugged into the generator on the generator turns off, the fan has no power supply. What I’m not understanding is, if there is no utility power, what are you plugging into? Maybe I’m misunderstanding you. Are you turning the generator off manually when utility power resumes and are simply trying to run the fan to reduce the temperature inside the box?
The transfer switch just allows the fan to run after I have switched back to utility power. This way I don’t have to move the plug from the generator to the utility power and the box can continue to cool down after the generator is shutdown.
I built a custom shed using cement blocks but same principles as Calvin.My gen is a Honda 5kw and have a 12" louvered exhaust fan. I wired a bi-metallic switch to the oil level circuit (Normally open) and placed it at the exhaust end of the compartment near the exhaust fan. The switch was 50C which was recommended in the TH-cam video on how to wire the switch. The generator kept shutting down. I reclocated the switch to the alternator end of the compartment and changed it out for a 55 C switch mounted to the generator frame on a piece of foam. I have limited operation at this point but my interior thermometer says it is 115- 117 F and after 20 minutes the temp is stable. I have not had a power emergency yet so I have not run it for an extended period of time. I have to say I really like Calvin's idea of a transfer switch and will likely incorporate one into my setup. Hope this helps you
@@cayrick Thanks for the reply Cayrick. I have also installed a 50C switch on my generator, however, with the lid on my box closed, the temps are exceeding 50C and it keeps shutting down. I want to purchase a higher rated switch but I cannot find anything that tells what the MAX recommended operating temp should be. I am using the same setup as Calvin, but I have a Champion 11.5 KW.
@@davidwatterson4363 I think we are in uncharted waters in determining what the max temp limit is. I moved my 50C switch from the engine side of the generator to the intake (alternator) side and used foam and tie wraps to secure it to the frame. Then as an afterthought I changed that switch for a 55c. I live in Panama in the mountains and it is goldilocks temp ranges between 68 - 85 F. So far after 15-20 minutes the interior temp did not go above 117F.and was quite stable.. If in a longer run for whatever reason it should trip the 55C switch I might have to consider a second fan. The current fan is a 12" louvered fan with a hood on the outside of the compartment. Because the temp seemed quite stable aroung 115-117F I feel somewhat comfortable saying that won't be necessary but have not had an extended run or the generator at this point.
@@cayrick I live in Houston where the ambient temp can exceed 100 F often during this time of year. With lid open, I am seeing temps in the 120-130 F range. Lid closed it jumps to the 140's. I am not comfortable with that, but I do not know what is acceptable.
Hi there .. thanks for the video … quick question temperature have you set your fan trigger to on? Also, what temp. have you set the wifi monitor to alert you at? Thanks.
Sir, I am in League City, I purchased a Duo Max 13000. I put a little slab beside my house and I want to purchase a plastic shelter for my generator. Can you tell me where you bought all your materials. Thank you
![[ UPDATE! ] Converting a hybrid portable generator to a whole home generator with shed](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/awwWBhypmEg/mqdefault.jpg)
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What’s the highest temps you are seeing in there while running in summer heat.
How hot did it get in the shed? Did it stay under 104?
Hi , I'm presently building my shed for my inerter generator.
Can you please confirm band, model number and where you take your temperature and / or co indicator....
Look for a model with a separate probe....
Regards ,
Sylvain , Laval, Qc
I want to get this kind of shed as well how can i get in touch with you I live in spring branch west.
Calvin thank you for all the great ideas you have shown us. I have just about completed my system.
Interesting add ons. I will tell you what I did as I am concerned about inside temps in your compartment due to the inlet air grille and exhaust fan size.
I have a 5 kw Honda which is much smaller than yours. I started with a 12" fan and a 12 in (each side) inlet and outlet opening. I got interior temps of 125F after an hour with outside temp of 75 deg. The fan pumped 840 cfm and that freaked me out.
Generator makers do not want these in enclosed compartments. It voids warranty and they typically won't give you a max temp at the generator (outside conditions). Maybe other reasons but I am still waiting for an answer from Honda.
Champion that offers enclosed standby gen sets told me that they design for a temp rise of 5F between outside and inside air. For open frame generators they say don't use it if outside air is 40C. Utilities with mechanical generators try to maintain no more than 104F. Other sources say no more than a 10-15F gradient between inside compartment temp and ambient. This freaked me out.
I bumped up the intake opening to 17 in sq as I did with the exhaust. I increased the exhaust fan size to a model 16S AC Infinity fan which moves 3,000 cfm. Now with 78 deg.F ambient temp the compartment stabilizes at 87-88 degrees F. and that makes me happy.
These generators typically have a low oil level switch. There are two very good TH-cam videos that tell you how to put on a cheap bimetallic shutoff switch in the interior. Buy a normally open one for a temp setting somewhat above the interior temp in the generator. I purchased one rated for 50C and mounted it on the generator frame and tested it with a hair dryer to ensure it was doing what it was supposed to.
Lots of people just assume that if it ran say for 10 hrs and nothing happened all is okay. Failure is sudden only when the ultimate failure occurs but is progressive up to that point. You have flexibiliy because the generator is seldom used but don't take things for granted.
The bare exhaust pipe inside that compartment dumps a lot of heat. I would suggest that you purchase some heat wrap. Having the fan thermostatically controlled has the advantage of dumping residual heat outside immediately after the generator shutdown.
In one of your earlier videos you focused on sound treatment. This can become quite expensive. You send a lot of noise out the intake and exhaust openings and sound likes to travel in straight lines. An exhaust hood on the intake and exhaust can help baffle sound by changing direction. These you can find commercially in sheet metal from various vendors and you can line these with sound proofing material.
If you are interested you can find my install on a site called Eng-tips engineering forum and in the search box enter Generator temperature in an enclosed compartment. It discusses heat extraction from the compartment.
great info add on! sounds like a better fan and bigger intake is the ticket. I live in a HOA group with tight undies. the en closer is a nice solution ...be sure to check that inside temperature!
Yes I'm stealing the Fan transfer switch Idea Thanks for sharing:-)
Where did you get the High temperature panels
I have the same generator do you have a video on how you did the exhaust extension
The duromax muffler is in the back. How did you route the exhaust out the side? There doesn't seem to be enough clearance between the generator and the shed wall to run a flexible tube
It was tight and I added cement board in the back to help with the heat. I have some muffler wrap but haven’t added it yet. I have run the generator for probably close to 60 hours total and haven’t had an issue.
@@CalvinGorriaran Thanks for answering, Calvin. Seems like the way to go. I think the key is the cement board heat shield you mentioned. Sounds like a plan
Add any problem with the exhaust melting the plastic on the shed?
None. It doesn’t get near hot enough.
@@CalvinGorriaran I am using a dryer vent and where the bolts touch the plastic it seems to melt any plastic that touches the bolts. I have in well vented and that is my only problem area. I guess I just need to cut the hole larger so the bolts only touches the Hardiboard on the inside and outside.
@@davidreardon8266 the exhaust is the hottest part. I cut a hole and then used cement board around the exhaust area. You can see if the video where I did that along the back as well as the exhaust port.
Where is the best place to measure the ambient temp, my champion diesel gen has a max ambient temp of 40C (104F). If I measure the temp directly above the generator, I get a steady 28-30c (82-86F). If I measure near the gen shed's air intake, I get a bit lower. If I measure on the right hand side near where the exhaust passes to the outside, I get 50C (122F) due to the heat coming from the exhaust (exhaust is insulated to help). Is it safe with the heat with the the exhaust generating more heat the right hand side of the gen shed?
This is great Calvin. Question on transfer switch. If you have utility power in your shed, why not connect fan to utility power only? If you’re generator is going to supply power to your home, the fan will come on automatically. Right?
Very cool Calvin! - Jason from MS
I’m confused about the transfer switch for your fan. I understand that if it’s plugged into the generator on the generator turns off, the fan has no power supply. What I’m not understanding is, if there is no utility power, what are you plugging into? Maybe I’m misunderstanding you. Are you turning the generator off manually when utility power resumes and are simply trying to run the fan to reduce the temperature inside the box?
The transfer switch just allows the fan to run after I have switched back to utility power. This way I don’t have to move the plug from the generator to the utility power and the box can continue to cool down after the generator is shutdown.
Nice videos Calvin....Have you found any info on what the max operating temp for this type of setup should be? What do you consider "too high" ?
I built a custom shed using cement blocks but same principles as Calvin.My gen is a Honda 5kw and have a 12" louvered exhaust fan. I wired a bi-metallic switch to the oil level circuit (Normally open) and placed it at the exhaust end of the compartment near the exhaust fan. The switch was 50C which was recommended in the TH-cam video on how to wire the switch. The generator kept shutting down. I reclocated the switch to the alternator end of the compartment and changed it out for a 55 C switch mounted to the generator frame on a piece of foam. I have limited operation at this point but my interior thermometer says it is 115- 117 F and after 20 minutes the temp is stable. I have not had a power emergency yet so I have not run it for an extended period of time. I have to say I really like Calvin's idea of a transfer switch and will likely incorporate one into my setup. Hope this helps you
@@cayrick Thanks for the reply Cayrick. I have also installed a 50C switch on my generator, however, with the lid on my box closed, the temps are exceeding 50C and it keeps shutting down. I want to purchase a higher rated switch but I cannot find anything that tells what the MAX recommended operating temp should be. I am using the same setup as Calvin, but I have a Champion 11.5 KW.
@@davidwatterson4363 I think we are in uncharted waters in determining what the max temp limit is. I moved my 50C switch from the engine side of the generator to the intake (alternator) side and used foam and tie wraps to secure it to the frame. Then as an afterthought I changed that switch for a 55c. I live in Panama in the mountains and it is goldilocks temp ranges between 68 - 85 F. So far after 15-20 minutes the interior temp did not go above 117F.and was quite stable.. If in a longer run for whatever reason it should trip the 55C switch I might have to consider a second fan. The current fan is a 12" louvered fan with a hood on the outside of the compartment. Because the temp seemed quite stable aroung 115-117F I feel somewhat comfortable saying that won't be necessary but have not had an extended run or the generator at this point.
@@cayrick I live in Houston where the ambient temp can exceed 100 F often during this time of year. With lid open, I am seeing temps in the 120-130 F range. Lid closed it jumps to the 140's. I am not comfortable with that, but I do not know what is acceptable.
Hi there .. thanks for the video … quick question temperature have you set your fan trigger to on? Also, what temp. have you set the wifi monitor to alert you at? Thanks.
Sir,
I am in League City, I purchased a Duo Max 13000. I put a little slab beside my house and I want to purchase a plastic shelter for my generator. Can you tell me where you bought all your materials. Thank you
The links are in the description of the main video :-)