Honda portable generator rain shield

[tinkerreknit]

What; A rain cover for a Honda EU2000i generator, and would work for other portable gens.

Why; I normally run the gen under the hitch where it is protected from rain. But sometimes, wind will blow from front to back and I am uncomfortable with fumes under my camper. Also, for various reasons I sometimes need the space under the 5er hitch for other things. In the past, I used a heavy trash bag and a rope to cover the gen. But the gen would run in the rain or sleet, and I would have to shut it off and wait for it to cool, then suit up and go outside again to cover the gen. With the unbrella, the unit is protected when running or not. Also, it gets lots of air for cooling and ventilation.

The project; An old unbrella, a 1" conduit hanger, a 3'8" bolt (or whatever works for the umbrella, misc hardware, small shockcord.

The mount can be loosened via the wingnut and turned sideways for safety when the umbrella isn't needed.
The shockcord keeps the umbrella in place and keeps it from spinning in wind.

It might seem like a silly project, but it suits my camping trips very well. I welcome any comments.

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[Timay]

Will it fly when the wind blows?

The generator is okay to run in the rain - the electronics are 'potted' and will be fine, just be careful with it as you plug, unplug, etc., in the rain...

The cover looks great and should work great. You gave it wings, however, so watch it when it gets windy.

Tim

[SkiSmuggs]

I might have to try this with my larger home generator. Thanks for sharing.

[BrianGlenn]

2 of them....

Brian

[cvbdsl]

Originally Posted by Timay

Will it fly when the wind blows?

The generator is okay to run in the rain - the electronics are 'potted' and will be fine, just be careful with it as you plug, unplug, etc., in the rain...

The cover looks great and should work great. You gave it wings, however, so watch it when it gets windy.

Tim

Going back a few years to my army days, we had Honda generators and they were the envy of other units in the Regiment.
However we did find out that in very heavy rain they would ingest water and quit - it wasn't an electrical problem but the water displaced the air going in the carb.
Solution was less elegant that the OP - just a simple tarp on an A-frame made from branches.

Chris

[Larry]

I have a Honda 3000 and always ran it while in the bed of the truck and never under cover when on the road with no problems.

[Timay]

Originally Posted by Larry

I have a Honda 3000 and always ran it while in the bed of the truck and never under cover when on the road with no problems.

Did you run it while you were traveling? I did the same thing with no problems, but I only ran it when stopped because I didn't have a way to plug in the trailer without an extension cord.

I am going to get a cover for mine - out of sight, out of mind.

Tim

[wa8yxm]

I'm thinking a PUP TENT might be better, but hey.. Good invention so long as you do not get a high wind with that rain.

In fact I'd say "Wish I'd thought of that" Save I did.. Just did not publish. Thus I declare yours a "Great Mind" (Since we think alike).

Oh, with a Pup Tent (You close the end flaps when not generating) out of sight applies. May make sticky fingers move past.. might not. (Of course when it's running the assumption is you'd notice the loss of power if it stuck to fingers)

[Bushman512003]

I have a 3000 Honda and use a ply wood just a tad bigger for a rain shield if a storm is forecast but the norm is just run in the rain .about 10 years and no trouble yet....Bushman

[fishinjim]

i bet pvc pipe would make a nice frame and a tarp would make a tent cover

[Geodude]

I have one of these SuperGen tents: SGP SuperGen Tent Small - Product Details

The protect the generator from the elements but they don't cut down the sound at all.