If you have a generator, you need to protect it from the weather. A generator enclosure will do just that. You can build your own generator enclosure using some common materials. This will keep your generator protected and operating at peak performance.
Building a generator enclosure is a great way to protect your investment and keep your family safe during an emergency. It’s also a good way to keep the noise level down when the generator is in use. There are many different ways to build a generator enclosure.
So the question is generator enclosure users is that. How to build a generator enclosure. Now you don’t need to be a professional builder to construct the enclosure. It is a time-consuming project but not a difficult project.
How to build a generator enclosure?
Here are some steps to follow to build your own generator enclosure.
1) Firstly find the generator you need to enclose. Make sure it is unplugged and there’s no gas in it. This will make the process much easier.
2) Once you’ve located the generator, measure out an area of 14’x14′ (or larger depending on how much space around the outside you want).
3) After measuring, go inside the house and draw up a grid with measurements that correspond to your measurement of 14 x 14 feet. The squares should be 10 inches by 10 inches each. Label them as “A” through “J.” Make sure to put a mark at each corner so that nothing gets messed up when you’re digging.
4) After you’ve marked out the grid, start digging. The generator that you’re enclosing will be in the center of your home so make sure to account for its location when digging.
Be careful not to damage anything underground while you’re digging your holes (sewer lines, electrical cables, or telephone lines). When you go back inside after completing the task, wash up well and make sure all tools are put away securely.
5) Set up a funnel-shaped barrier outside where your generator is located using bricks or cinder blocks about 4 feet high and 24 inches wide at the bottom. It should mimic a funnel shape from one side to another with each row being slightly tilted toward the center of the enclosure where your generator is.
Make sure to leave enough room for your generator to stick out of the enclosure by about 2 feet (make sure you’re leaving plenty of space around the generator).
6) Build a frame out of plywood and 2x4s. To do this, cut pieces of plywood that are 7 inches by 12 feet long. You will need 11 pieces of these (44 inches long) and four pieces (32 inches long). Cut two more pieces at 60 inches by 22 ½ inches (or whatever size is necessary for your particular unit).
Use pieces that are thick enough to hold up all your tools without bending or breaking; ¾-inch is best. The 32 inch-long pieces should be used for center supports and placed every 16 inches. The 60-inch pieces can be used as shelves and placed every 32 inches on the opposite side of the 32-inch center supports.
Once you have all your plywood pieces cut to size, lay them flat with two 22 ½ -inch long pieces parallel to each other underneath and a 12-foot piece running perpendicular on top of those (this is plywood version 1).
This will make a shelf. You’ll need to make four support shelves from plywood versions 2 through 5. Do this by laying down three 23-inch long, parallel pieces of plywood laid flat, then one 30-inch long piece across the top. These should form a perfect “L” shape when viewed from above or below.
Once you have all your plywood pieces cut to size, lay them flat with two 22 ½ -inch long pieces parallel to each other underneath and a 12-foot piece running perpendicular on top of those (this is plywood version 1). This will make a shelf.
You’ll need to make four support shelves from plywood versions 2 through 5. Do this by laying down three 23-inch long, parallel pieces of plywood laid flat, then one 30-inch long piece across the top. These should form a perfect “L” shape when viewed from above or below.
6) Once you have the frame made, measure out where your vertical supports are going to go using your center marks from step 2 as guides. There will be 13 total vertical supports in two rows of seven. Place these roughly 12 inches apart (between centers).
7) Next, you’re going to need to cut 13 pieces of 1 x 2 lumber that measures 6 ½ feet in length. You will need two for each vertical support; one goes at the top and one at the bottom. Mark where your vertical supports are located using your center marks from step 2 as guides. Pre-drill holes in each vertical support, then fasten them to the frame using the carpenter’s screws.
Conclusion:
After finishing this article you should have enough knowledge to build a generator enclosure. If you do not, please refer back to the beginning of the article for more information.
Also, be sure to keep checking back on the website for updates and other posts like this one because we plan on putting up new posts every week or two weeks depending on if we get stuck writing them or not. Thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed it!
FAQs:
Q 1) How do I protect my generator?
There are a few ways you can do this. You could build an enclosure with a door and lock it up. You can also create or purchase a cover for your generator that will keep the weather off of it as well as keep curious people away from it.
A cover will also make sure your generator is covered up if debris falls on it during a storm or something similar happens. Whatever way you decide to go is completely up to you just as long as your generator remains safe from the elements, animals, and curiosity seekers!
Q 2) How large should my enclosure be?
Your enclosure should be as big as necessary for your needs, but not larger so that there’s less room around it for things like a workbench if you decide to build one into the enclosure as well.
Be sure to take into consideration where you will be running your gas line and electrical cord because those should be kept as short as possible so that their length does not become a hazard.
Q 3) How high off of the ground do I want my generator to be?
You will need to put your generator at least 18 inches off of the ground, but you can go higher if needed or desired. Just make sure that anything that needs to run through an extension cord has enough room above the unit for this cord. The last thing you want is something like an electrical plug getting wet because it’s too low!
