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Small Cabin Forum / Off-Grid Living / Generator "Dog house" design?
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cbright
Member
# Posted: 16 Apr 2013 15:23
Reply 


Hi all,

I'm looking for some pictures/suggestions on building a Generator house for my Honda EU3000.

MUST be super secure such that I won't be afraid to leave the generator in it when unattended. It is actually on my property, but about 300+ feet from my house and down a hill at my waterfront "shack" which is across a semi busy road.

My first idea is to pour a concrete pad with 2 big steel eyelets in it that I can put bike U-locks through (around the handles of the generator).

Would like it to be fairly easy to get the generator out and easy to access to start/fill with gas. Maybe a roof that hinges off someway?
Suppose it should have some fans for an intake/outtake?

Thanks for any ideas,
Chris

GomerPile
Member
# Posted: 16 Apr 2013 15:59
Reply 


Both home depot and Lowes sell steel job boxes in several sizes. Pour a concrete pad with j-bolts to secure the box to the pad. The locks are not easily cut off without some serious tools. You can punch out some holes for the exhaust and air intake. I suggest installing an AC fan in there to exhaust warm air and keep the generator cool.

Someone determined enough might be able to pull the entire box out of the ground with a chain....heres how you deal with that:

Use 6ft+ long rebar rods driven in at 45 degree angles into the ground and make sure the tops are in the cement pad. Dig some deep holes under the slab to pour "fingers" of concrete into the soil. If you are lucky there will be a large burried rock you can clear off and use as ballast.

The only other solution is to hide it so well that no one will find it. In that case a job box installed under a low deck might make a good water tight hiding spot.

cbright
Member
# Posted: 17 Apr 2013 09:57
Reply 


Thanks for the ideas...

Where it will be, it would be near impossible to pull the box apart/off the pad. I have some ideas about a solution involving just a pad and some very secure locks. Will post pictures of what I come up with in the end.

skootamattaschmidty
Member
# Posted: 17 Apr 2013 10:21
Reply 


Out of sight out of mind is always good. My generator is in a small log cabin shed. The shed has a solid door that has two locks on it. I keep the generator fastened on a plywood base with small pneumatic tires that I wheel in and out of the shed. When I lock it in the shed I also have it locked to a metal bar that is lagged into the logs on the inside. So far so good"

groingo
Member
# Posted: 20 Apr 2013 13:30
Reply 


Unfortunately we have all found that if someone really wants something they will get it, what I'd do I'd do is build a fake outhouse and under the sit down area you could easily hide the generator, just keep the door locked when company comes over if you know what I mean?

mgc
Member
# Posted: 21 Apr 2013 11:01
Reply 


No, this is not theft proof, however, our little Honda 2000 runs nicely in it and it is lockable, water tight with lots of airflow. It can be stolen, but they have to look real hard to find it.
photo.JPG
photo.JPG


creeky
Member
# Posted: 22 Apr 2013 10:19
Reply 


mgc, that's so nicely built they might just take the building.

mgc
Member
# Posted: 23 Apr 2013 05:41
Reply 


Yep, but it is sure going to be hard to walk with and I'll have lots of pictures of them figuring out how to carry it. Thieves are an industrious bunch.

dfosson
Member
# Posted: 2 Jun 2013 21:59
Reply 


Creeky, I had the same concern about safety, security and reliable operation. I have a 4000 watt unit in my 'dog house' and it has eyebolts in the 4x4 posts to secure my genny should someone break in. I simply used hinged doors with a lock and then eye bolts and a bar to secure it. I installed dual fans for intake and an exhaust for cooling. I also installed a remote thermometer where I can monitor the internal temperature from my cabin when its enclosed and running. I have it through 2 years and it works great. I found you can get a shelve that rolls out to sit the generator on so it can be pulled out to fuel. These are typically for televisions but they work well for a small generator.

mjmmessina
Member
# Posted: 3 Jun 2013 08:19 - Edited by: mjmmessina
Reply 


Here is my generator shed, would you think there is a generator inside of it?
IMG001541.jpg
IMG001541.jpg


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