Last updated on November 4th, 2022 at 11:10 pm
Power failures are not only uncomfortable, but they can also be costly. Whether it’s deteriorating food, losing data, or experiencing business interruptions, the implications of intermittent electricity extend far beyond needing to search for torches and go without temperature control. When calamity hits, portable generators can keep your home or business running on backup power, but this costly piece of equipment must also be secured. However, you should keep your generator within a generator box or sheds if you have one.
Are you interested in learning how to construct a generator box? Continue reading for a bunch of useful information.
Measurements (Step: 1)
The first step is to measure your generator or air compressor, depending on which one you want to create the quiet box for. Therefore, to manage the soundboard thickness, insulation thickness, and ventilation features, you will need to leave a few inches on each side of the box. This reduces the chances of cutting the soundboard to the improper size.
Cut the Soundproof Box’s Sides and Top (Step: 2)
Using a circular or table saw, cut out the MDX according to your specifications. To avoid confusion later, use a pencil to identify your four wall pieces and your one top piece. Moreover, to avoid having to return to the hardware store or place a second internet order, make sure you purchase the correct size and quantity of MDX or soundboard.
Drilled Ventilation Holes (Step: 3)
Mark two circles on the MDX box to cut, based on the diameter of your ventilation ducts. The first ventilation duct must be located on the enclosure’s roof. The top vent should be toward the back, not the middle. On the opposite side of the top duct, cut the second ventilation duct on a side piece. Arrange the parts of the silent box on your flat workspace so that the top is surrounded by four walls.
Glued & Caulked Layer of Sound Deadening Insulation (Step: 4)
Adding layers of open space that enable sound to dissipate is the key to sound insulation. Adding more than one layer of sound deadening material to a quiet generator box is the greatest technique to deaden the sound. The first layer you should apply is a sound barrier made of Vinyl MLV material. Unlike foam, which is a sound absorber, a sound barrier material composed of vinyl is designed to prevent sounds and be used for soundproofing. To seal the edges of the vinyl, you will need some Greenglue noise-proofing sealant.
Inside the Quiet Enclosure, Add a Second Layer of Soundproofing (Step: 5)
As a second layer of soundproofing, closed-cell vinyl nitrile foam matting will be suitable. To finish your soundproofing insulation, trim it to size and apply it directly to the vinyl layer, sealing the edges with GreenGlue once again.
Put the DIY Generator Together (Step: 6)
It is finally time to put your DIY generator box together! Nail or screw all four walls together one by one. If you wish to modify the silent enclosure in the future or just disassemble it for space reasons, you always use screws. Finally, fix the enclosure’s top by screwing it in place.
Ventilation Ducts Installation
Air and sufficient ventilation must be provided to the inside of your DIY generator quiet box. To perform correctly and minimize overheating, the generator will require appropriate airflow. Without air, combustion is impossible, and the generator will overheat to potentially lethal temperatures.
The following video demonstration will help you to understand it better:
Things to Think About When Building a Generator Box
When it comes to picking an enclosure, you have a few alternatives. You can make one yourself to save money.
Price
Almost always, building a shed is less expensive than buying one. Generators can be costly and might cost $5,000, so you may need to cut corners wherever possible. After spending so much money on a piece of equipment, you might not want to take chances with its protection.
Materials
Consider choosing weatherproof materials that will not decay or corrode to keep your generator safe even when harsh weather strikes. One option is sheet metal, which will not rust or corrode, or powder-coated aluminum. If you don’t want to work with metal, concrete blocks treated with plaster or varnished lumber are a good alternative.
Size
A properly sized enclosure will be somewhat larger than the generator, allowing for extensive ventilation on all sides. The more room you have, the easier it will be to reach, maneuver, and operate the generator.
Surface
The most sturdy, smooth, lasting, and impermeable basis is a steel-reinforced ceramic pad, but other materials can also be used.
Here are several possibilities:
Direct Contact
The enclosure is constructed immediately on grass or soil. Avoid grassy areas and all potentially flammable items under and around the enclosure.
Gravel
A layer of gravel is laid before the enclosure is constructed or built on top of it.
Concrete
Before the generator is installed atop it and the enclosure is completed, a slab of concrete is treated and hardened.
Patio Blocks
Patio bricks or pavers can be used to provide a solid basis if you have a level, cleared ground space. They are not as firm as a concrete slab, but they do offer greater stability than direct touch.
Note: Keep in mind that softer surfaces, such as soil or grass, can reduce generator noise, but harder surfaces, such as concrete, asphalt, or wood, can increase it. One possibility is to place a rubber anti-vibration mat on the floor before placing the generator on it.
Ventilation
Generators require ventilation to maintain optimum operation and to minimize potential safety issues such as toxic gases, overheating, and fire. Any enclosure should be built with special attention to the necessary ventilation characteristics, which include:
- Wooden buildings should have floorboards that are at least 1/2 inch apart.
- Fresh-air louvers are fitted into walls, doors, and joints to provide ventilation while keeping out rain, wind, birds, and insects.
- An exhaust fan.
- Enough room for the shed door to remain open during operation.
Noise
Storage in a generator quiet box with noise reduction materials can mask or baffle generator noise. In general, the higher the number of layers in your generator box, the quieter it will be. Noise can be reduced by up to 50% using baffle boxes.
Electricity
Using an electrical cord to link your home or company to your generator is never a good idea. You will require a transfer switch for a generator to securely interface to a structure’s electrical system.
What Are The Reasons To Build A Generator Box?
Your generator needs to be protected and incorporated into the environment, regardless of whether you call it a box, shed, shelter, or enclosure. The following are some of the most compelling reasons to construct a box for your portable generator.
Weather
An enclosure shields your generator from inclement weather like rain and strong winds. Not only it can prevent weather damage to your generator, but it can also void its warranty.
Noise
You don’t want to hear your next-door neighbor idling his motorcycle for hours on end. Your generator may even violate municipal noise restrictions if it is excessively noisy. An enclosure is necessary to keep your neighbor’s happy muffles noise.
Security
Make sure your generator is both theft-proof and safe to have around: Inside the cage, you don’t want interested visitors to become trapped or injured.
Storage
Adding an enclosure to your outdoor storage shed or garage frees up the room.
Aesthetics
Having machinery out in the open can be unappealing. Choose a generator enclosure that is attractive to the eye and mixes in with the surrounding landscape to optimize the view.
Conclusion
To make a generator work safely and for a long period, it must be kept secured. That is why the generator box is designed. This article covers a way to build your own generator box, what you need to consider while designing it, and what are the reasons to construct it.
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