Posted: 6/13/2010 1:53:32 PM EDT
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On impulse, I bought a 5000 Watt Huskie Generator and 100 gallons of gas (I can cycle the gas into my car/mower, too.) My question is, would it be safe to rig an exhaust system to it, so I could run it in my basement? I don't like the idea of having a noisy generator outside for obvious reasons.
I admit it. The Solar Flare/Wind thread pushed me into it. Don't laugh at me 
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would it be safe to rig an exhaust system to it, so I could run it in my basement?] IMHO, that would be a BIG NO, for several reasons. ar-jedi probably the biggest issue is gasoline in your house The gasoline is in the garage. But I'm curious what the issues are if I rigged up an exhaust system that lead outside. I admit, I'm completely ignorant on this subject, which is why I asked... but larger generators run indoors (I've seen them where I worked, and at the mall) and what they did, was had piping attached to the exhaust that went right out the roof. Is that a different system? |
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Quoted: Quoted: Quoted: nooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo This would be the correct answer. Why is it the correct answer? I'm ignorant, explain it to me!  The exhaust is the dangerous issue, am I right? Or is there something else at play? the vibration of the generator will do all kinds of funny things with connections. Hell, my cheapy 5,500 watt genny walks around on the floor. Just the mere chance of a leak and death for you and your family is worth not trying it. |
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It can be done.
It would take a room sealed off from the rest of the house. I mean SEALED so that no air exchanged ever with the rest of the house ever. It would take an air intake with a fan and an air exhaust that would most likely need a fan as well as a failsafe. You would need multiple CO detectors both in the room and outside in the rest of the house. The exhaust would need to be shielded in such a way as to prevent a fire inside the wall. Once you got done with all this a Honda EU series genny would look cheap indeed. 
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| I have that setup in my garage but I would not do it indoors. Gas indoors not good and it could consume too much oxygen if not vented and set up with air intake just right. I also have a 1000 sf garage with 12 foot ceilings and wouldn't really want to do it with a much smaller garage. It also makes it unbelievably hot when the engine is running. And I have carbon monoxide detectors wired into the house alarm system that calls for help automatically if levels even come close to getting to high. |
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1-build a small shed/whatever OUTSIDE & NEAR you're house, MOUNT the genny (like with concrete anchors) in there (vibration, theft, ect)
2-run the wires to you're backup circut breaker box, 3-which is properly seperated from you're main breaker box (the volts you pay for every month) 4- Conqure noise––there was a thread here about a guy that had an adapter made that allowed him to run a conventional car muffler on his genny-no backpressure issues or other operational disfunction. The Army used to fly a powered glider in VN that had an exhaust pipe that was +20' long to the muffler; guys said you couldn't even hear it fly over, just the wind noise from the fuselage. Make that- then you don't have to worry about A-killilng you're family from Carbon Monoxide B- anyone hearing your genny- just don't let em know what or why you're putting a "dog house" so close to the back of you're home. 
[no, I haven't done it YET!) |
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Thanks for the replies.
I will try to find some way to muffle the sound, then. Because where I live, the sound of a generator will result in waves of people coming to my house. I do have a detached and insulated garage. But even then someone would have to come in to fuel it up. Hmm... I have much to think about. ETA: although regardless of where I put it... feel much safer with a Genny. |
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The exhaust is the dangerous issue, am I right? Or is there something else at play? it is a litany of issues that will cause problems: Oxygen depletion, CO and CO2 production, fuel leak equals instant fire, etc... it's a bad idea all the way around. last week etc in general ––> If-you-use-a-power-generator-do-it-safely and generator-knowledge-essential ar-jedi |
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On impulse, I bought a 5000 Watt Huskie Generator and 100 gallons of gas (I can cycle the gas into my car/mower, too.) My question is, would it be safe to rig an exhaust system to it, so I could run it in my basement? I don't like the idea of having a noisy generator outside for obvious reasons. I admit it. The Solar Flare/Wind thread pushed me into it. Don't laugh at me First, I wouldn't think running a 5kw generator in a basement is a good idea. Next, running a 1000 watt Honda quiet genny in a garage on propane with a properly designed setup and safeguards is doable. The question is, who has the knowledge to impliment such a system? I expect a few here do. |
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There is no such thing as a completely quiet generator. Make sure you can secure it when its not in use. In the ice storm up North a decade ago people were having gennies stolen off their porches.
If you have lights burning, that'll give away your preps as much as the noise of the genny. Ever think about how far away light is visible when everything else is dark? You gonna put blackout curtains up? |
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Thanks for the replies. I will try to find some way to muffle the sound, then. Because where I live, the sound of a generator will result in waves of people coming to my house. I do have a detached and insulated garage. But even then someone would have to come in to fuel it up. Hmm... I have much to think about. ETA: although regardless of where I put it... feel much safer with a Genny. You may want to ask around about how much you can muffle any generator. Most motors run best with (not sure how much)muffle. Back pressure is what I think you need to watch out for. What ever you do, let the rest of us know, what you fine out! PITA45 
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Your question about venting outdoors but running inside is an honest but deadly one. The problem is CO is an insidious poison. * All * engines have a bit of blow-by, exhaust slipping past the rings, getting into the crankcase and in the case of a small motor, into the environment. Or what happens if your connection leaks, or piping cracks or just a host of other accidents?
Run it outside.
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Thanks for the replies. I will try to find some way to muffle the sound, then. Because where I live, the sound of a generator will result in waves of people coming to my house. I do have a detached and insulated garage. But even then someone would have to come in to fuel it up. Hmm... I have much to think about. ETA: although regardless of where I put it... feel much safer with a Genny. You may want to ask around about how much you can muffle any generator. Most motors run best with (not sure how much)muffle. Back pressure is what I think you need to watch out for. What ever you do, let the rest of us know, what you fine out! PITA45
Engines are tuned to a specific amount of exhaust backpressure. If there is less back pressure, the engine will run lean. Too much back pressure, and it may not run at all. You can retune the engine to a different amount of pressure by enlarging or changing the jets in the carburetor, which changes the air/fuel ratio. |
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My apologies for the delayed reply. There are many factors that make running a gen set indoors dangerous, even in the garage. dablues covered the most common issues that make it a deadly venture, while others have added to the explanation (oxygen depletion being another factor). I'm extremely glad that you had the foresight to ask before attempting it. Very sound judgement on your part!
BTW, congrats on the new Gen. The first time you lose power for a day or two it will pay for itself. Best regards, Greg Quoted:
Your question about venting outdoors but running inside is an honest but deadly one. The problem is CO is an insidious poison. * All * engines have a bit of blow-by, exhaust slipping past the rings, getting into the crankcase and in the case of a small motor, into the environment. Or what happens if your connection leaks, or piping cracks or just a host of other accidents? Run it outside. |
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would it be safe to rig an exhaust system to it, so I could run it in my basement?] IMHO, that would be a BIG NO, for several reasons. ar-jedi probably the biggest issue is gasoline in your house The gasoline is in the garage. But I'm curious what the issues are if I rigged up an exhaust system that lead outside. I admit, I'm completely ignorant on this subject, which is why I asked... but larger generators run indoors (I've seen them where I worked, and at the mall) and what they did, was had piping attached to the exhaust that went right out the roof. Is that a different system? Those are mostly NG or Propane with some being diesel. You don't want large quantites of gasoline indoors. They are built in isolated rooms with large fans/vents that evacuate all the air from the room several times per minute. Like somebody else said about you would be better off saving the construction costs and buying a Honda EU series. The fuel savings while operating would be another bonus. Grove |
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I have that setup in my garage but I would not do it indoors. Gas indoors not good and it could consume too much oxygen if not vented and set up with air intake just right. I also have a 1000 sf garage with 12 foot ceilings and wouldn't really want to do it with a much smaller garage. It also makes it unbelievably hot when the engine is running. And I have carbon monoxide detectors wired into the house alarm system that calls for help automatically if levels even come close to getting to high. That garage better not be attached to your house. I also hope that you allow it to ventilate before re-fueling. Keeping it locked when you aren't around would be a good idea too. Grove |
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On impulse, I bought a 5000 Watt Huskie Generator and 100 gallons of gas (I can cycle the gas into my car/mower, too.) My question is, would it be safe to rig an exhaust system to it, so I could run it in my basement? I don't like the idea of having a noisy generator outside for obvious reasons. I admit it. The Solar Flare/Wind thread pushed me into it. Don't laugh at me First, I wouldn't think running a 5kw generator in a basement is a good idea. Next, running a 1000 watt Honda quiet genny in a garage on propane with a properly designed setup and safeguards is doable. The question is, who has the knowledge to impliment such a system? I expect a few here do. I'm not sure why you think that because it is smaller or on propane makes it better to use inside a structure. A propane generator still produces CO. Grove |
Here is how you do it:
never ever run it inside. Watch the night club fire video. Smoke consumes a room fast. if you are worried about someone stealing it get a chain and lock, maybe set a concrete pad for it with the chain set in concrete. or hoop for the chain to pass through in the concrete. extension cord is by far cheaper than prepping for indoor use of a gasoline powered generator. |