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It’s hard to ignore the increasing number of heavy-hitting storms. From hurricanes and tidal surges to tornados and blizzards, the past few years have seen an increase in these catastrophic events dealt forth by Mother Nature herself. It’s within these times that the demand for a portable generator is greater than ever.
Just as important as possessing an emergency back-up generator is being able to care for and maintain that generator. This will include not only preventative maintenance such as oil changes and gapping sparkplugs once in a while, but also proper storage and use in adverse weather.
For insight on proper generator maintenance, check out one of our expert Jim’s articles on Electric Generator Maintenance. For further direction about which cover or canopy will meet your needs, please read on…
Generator covers have been on the market for years. Based on the same principles that protect our grill and outdoor patio furniture, generator covers are designed to protect your equipment when not in use. These are most commonly made of a canvas material and will just drape directly over your unit allowing gravity to keep it in place. The benefits of such a product will be prominent the first time you pull out your portable generator and shake the dust cloud from the cover, unveiling your “like new” unit beneath. It is important to understand that while these covers are more than suitable for shielding your generator from particulates, most are not waterproof and therefore should not be used for storing the generator outdoors.
Just as important is the intended purpose of these covers, storage. Right about this time each year, we hear of homeowners who choose to use their cover to shield the unit while in use during poor weather. This is strongly discouraged as these generators require adequate ventilation in order to operate properly. Because the covers are intended to “fit like a glove” this will often restrict the air-flow and starve the motor for air. Also, being that the covers are not flame retardant, there is a significant fire risk when operating in this manner. If you do have a need for backup power in stormy conditions, then consider a generator canopy such as those offered by GenTent.
Portable generator canopies are hot on the market and growing in popularity. While these products are still in their infancy, the concept of protecting your generator from rain and snow has been around for years. Most homeowners are aware that electricity and water do not combine very well, and perhaps just as hazardous is the use of a portable generator within your home or garage. Every year there are reports of fatal incidents involving generators being used in enclosed environments. So why do people put the portable generator in the garage with the exhaust pointing outward? Because manufacturers also warn to never use the generator in wet weather. Read your user guide, or carefully read the labels on your generator and you'll find the labels containing warnings that caution against wet weather use.
A great solution to avoid these pesky hazards is to implement the use of a generator canopy. The canopies will allow you to operate your generator even in poor weather. These products are carefully designed to shield your outlets from the infiltration of water but more importantly allow for adequate air-flow where it matters most. Also, the waterproof canopies will implement the use of basic clamping systems that will easily pair with just about any generator on the market. Keep in mind that the canopies provide very little benefits when used for storage, in fact the large canopy frame will likely make these awkward and difficult to tuck away. While these products do not eliminate the risks presented when electricity and water are combined, they will aid in minimizing the hazards that the user will experience when trying to restore power during the next Nor’easter.
Ultimately, your usage requirements should dictate your decision. Remember, the covers are for storage while the canopies are for usage. If any of this information is unclear, or you would like to confirm which canopy will fit your generator best, please feel free to give us a call or submit a question to our Q&A section at Electric Generators Direct.
Just as important as possessing an emergency back-up generator is being able to care for and maintain that generator. This will include not only preventative maintenance such as oil changes and gapping sparkplugs once in a while, but also proper storage and use in adverse weather.
For insight on proper generator maintenance, check out one of our expert Jim’s articles on Electric Generator Maintenance. For further direction about which cover or canopy will meet your needs, please read on…
Generator covers have been on the market for years. Based on the same principles that protect our grill and outdoor patio furniture, generator covers are designed to protect your equipment when not in use. These are most commonly made of a canvas material and will just drape directly over your unit allowing gravity to keep it in place. The benefits of such a product will be prominent the first time you pull out your portable generator and shake the dust cloud from the cover, unveiling your “like new” unit beneath. It is important to understand that while these covers are more than suitable for shielding your generator from particulates, most are not waterproof and therefore should not be used for storing the generator outdoors.
Just as important is the intended purpose of these covers, storage. Right about this time each year, we hear of homeowners who choose to use their cover to shield the unit while in use during poor weather. This is strongly discouraged as these generators require adequate ventilation in order to operate properly. Because the covers are intended to “fit like a glove” this will often restrict the air-flow and starve the motor for air. Also, being that the covers are not flame retardant, there is a significant fire risk when operating in this manner. If you do have a need for backup power in stormy conditions, then consider a generator canopy such as those offered by GenTent.
Portable generator canopies are hot on the market and growing in popularity. While these products are still in their infancy, the concept of protecting your generator from rain and snow has been around for years. Most homeowners are aware that electricity and water do not combine very well, and perhaps just as hazardous is the use of a portable generator within your home or garage. Every year there are reports of fatal incidents involving generators being used in enclosed environments. So why do people put the portable generator in the garage with the exhaust pointing outward? Because manufacturers also warn to never use the generator in wet weather. Read your user guide, or carefully read the labels on your generator and you'll find the labels containing warnings that caution against wet weather use.
A great solution to avoid these pesky hazards is to implement the use of a generator canopy. The canopies will allow you to operate your generator even in poor weather. These products are carefully designed to shield your outlets from the infiltration of water but more importantly allow for adequate air-flow where it matters most. Also, the waterproof canopies will implement the use of basic clamping systems that will easily pair with just about any generator on the market. Keep in mind that the canopies provide very little benefits when used for storage, in fact the large canopy frame will likely make these awkward and difficult to tuck away. While these products do not eliminate the risks presented when electricity and water are combined, they will aid in minimizing the hazards that the user will experience when trying to restore power during the next Nor’easter.
Ultimately, your usage requirements should dictate your decision. Remember, the covers are for storage while the canopies are for usage. If any of this information is unclear, or you would like to confirm which canopy will fit your generator best, please feel free to give us a call or submit a question to our Q&A section at Electric Generators Direct.