How to build and design a generator enclosure.

This is a short video to show you how we made a generator enclosure. The fan in the video was ordered on Amazon and it’s a 960 CFM fan. The in the intake vent measures 22 inches times 12 inches that’s the outside diameter and that was bought at Home Depot also we made a screen that fits inside the intake vent and you can get the screen kit at Home Depot. The fan is quiet and the housing will make the generator a lot less noisy. We also sprayed some expanding foam around the cut out for the intake vent. The enclosure is double wall so if you spray the phone between the walls be careful not to use too much foam.

[@Im_trending_today]

Good video, a parts list with links would have been a nice addition.

[@georgehuerta1990]

He did a good job it looks really good

[@TheLisber1]

Well done.. more info about the fan and the vent ?

[@georgemoomaw8152]

Nice neat job. Also I like the way you maximize air flow across the generator by the way intake and exhaust are on opposite walls and different heights.

[@oldtimerlee8820]

Thanks for sharing your approach. I've just received the same generator & bought a shed similar to yours. Looking for ideas and good how-to, to put it all together. Appreciate your effort.

[@allkindsofoutdooractivities]

Nice job! I like your build.

[@joemarino7430]

nice build very similar to mine. I think in the future I may add additional intake vents. Awesome Idea on the filter intake its great, and painting it for outdoor use was also good, i never thought of that thats why i went with the gable vent

[@josephgunn8442]

I have the WGen9500 dual as well. I’m planning on doing the same thing, but line the interior with some type of noise reduction panels, foam, etc……

[@ironoutdoorsman6646]

I like the intake vent 👍🏻

[@cayrick]

Mine is a 5 kw Honda and you claim it does not overheat with a 960 cfm fan. I ran my gen for 75 minutes and saw a 50F temp rise (75 outside and 125F inside). This was with a 12" 840CFM fan. I researched this at depth and info on temp rise is hard to find. Champion in a brochure says you don't want to operate a generator with an ambient temp >40C. They told me in their standby enclosed units the temp rise is 5C. Heat is your enemy and my suggestion is design for a temp rise inside the compartment of 10F and at most maybe 15. Heat is a generator's enemy; head temp and electrical winding insul. I ended up with a 16" fan at 3,000 cfm (AC infinity fan). None of the videos I watched even mentioned interior temperatures. Just a thought. My temp rise 10F.

[@jerryhall4678]

So what are the final temps you're getting. In Texas I'm getting 130 and my hessair 1100 cfm fan shut down. Added two more fans a 8 inch at 300cfm and another 12 inch at 900 cfm now have 2300cfm also went to a 21 x 21 intake vent but it still gets over 120 of course it could be 100 outside. Need to get the temp down the fans shutting down scares me and gas boils at 168

[@cayrick]

@@jerryhall4678 Since posting this I upgraded the ventilation system as follows. I have a curved intake and exhaust hood. Noise likes to travel in straight lines and the hoods keep it quieter. The intake hood has a screen to keep insects out and the exhaust has a hinged horizontal door and mesh to keep critters out. I say this because my intake which has no fan was obstructed and restricting air flow. Wall cutouts for air flow are approx 17" x 17" . Both openings in the hood are approx 22" x 18" or 396 in sq. each. These were enlarged since my previous post. I switched to a 16" powered exhaust fan (AC Infinity) and get an air flow currently of about 3,000 cfm. Ambient temp was 79 at the start of a fully enclosed compartment running test. After 90 minutes of operation under load, internal compartment temperature reached a max of 89 degrees. If you can keep the differential between 10 -15F you can't do much better. If you wish you can check out engtips and search generator temperature in an enclosed compartment. That is my install. One more thing I would suggest is to install a cheap bimetallic switch ( cheap on Ebay) and wire it into your low oil level circuit on the generator and if your fans go south it will prevent your compartment from overheating. In my case I bought a N. O. switch set at 50C and it gives me peace of mind. If you buy one for too low a temp your generator will shut off every time. I had to learn this. If you do a search on KZbin you will see an excellent video that explains how to do this.

[@donaldjeansonne8667]

I have a similar setup with a 5600w generator and a 2600 cfm fan. When the ambient gets in the upper 90's in Louisiana the generator stator is pushing over 120F. I have added more inlet louves but it hasn't made much help. So I can't run the enclosure with the doors closed during the hot summer (>90F ambient). I am afraid to run over 105 -110F stator temp. Under winter conditions it isn't a problem. I would appreciate any suggestions anyone has.

[@cayrick]

Glad you are paying attention to temperature levels. I had a long run time recently and the interior thermometer was at 98F. In my case I purchased a 12" fan to install on the inlet side of the compartment which is simply free flowing air. At the end of the day these generator setups are for emergency use only so thery don't see so many hours of operation. That is one saving grace. Having said that it is important to be aware that heat can be a problem and if possible address it as best as you can. @@donaldjeansonne8667

[@taylorcampbell985]

Any updates on it? How is it with the heat does it push enough hot air out to keep it cool enough to run long periods?

[@D70340]

Very nice, but all i see in your video is a finished project. I have this exact same generator, i just bought it from home depot a couple weeks ago. It would be a huge help to us all if you had added where you bought all your additional items. Post some links please????

[@deucebollards]

Thanks.

[@jaredtoles1001]

Great shed! I do have a question and I'm not seeing videos of people talking about it. If it rains, do you have issues with water getting inside your shed (water coming through the intake vent)?

[@vzndave]

First one I have seen with no insulation on the inside. No issues with heat?

[@jackprick9797]

What is the foot print of your shed, please?

[@randyn5397]

What are the shed dimensions please

[@stevew7291]

Finally!!!! Someone with the same Westinghouse generator I just purchased. I'm in the process of doing customizations. I purchased the generator after the big fiasco this past February. I would love to know more about your setup. Model of Suncast shed. How you setup your exhaust extension. Any 'sharks in the water' of lessons learned. I saw the Texas plates on your Super Bee (VERY NICE) so I'm guessing your down near the gulf. Hoping that you didn't have a lot of problem with Nicholas and that the generator worked well for you. Me, I'm in Temple and the last Texas hurricane I experienced was Carla in Galveston. Thank you in advance for any information you provide. --Steve--