Whole house generator exhaust

[Seldom Seen Slim]

I'm not sure where to put this -- so it goes here.

We've got a whole house (backup) generator.  It's in the garage and is wired to the correct isolation panel in the house.  As of now I have to move the generator to outdoors when I'm running it (not fun during a blizzard) or suffer a hot and CO-filled garage.  I'd like to modify the exhaust system to blow outdoors - probably through something similar to a dryer vent.  So far no problem - except that I think (note THINK) I should isolate,for the sake of vibrations, the pipe going outdoors from the manifold of the engine.  It being a relatively small generator (6kw) the exhaust is about 1", and I don't know if I can find a small-enough flex tube, all metal, to do that.  The generator will be adjacent to the outside wall - so I'd need no more than maybe three feet of this hose/tube.

Ideas?  Thanks.

[Bob Drury]

  Slim, this may or may not be a fix..........  take a look at electric metal flex tubing as is often used at industrial motor terminations.  I am not sure if it would hold up to the heat but it might be worth a try.
  Grainger calls theirs Ultra-flex flexible metal hose.

[tauruck]

Maybe welding a flange onto the end of the pipe that can take a flexible metal hose of the next size up would solve your dilemma. You might lose some bottom end though.

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Well, no bottom end is required, this being a generator that runs at two speeds -- off and full.  The only time it isn't at speed is when it's just starting or stopping.

As for the metal flex tubing -- yeah, good.  I was thinking of the hose used to vent the dryer, but even if I could find that in 1 1/2" -- I'd need to have it all metal.  I guess I'll visit Out of Phase Electric, our local electrical jobber.  Thanks.

[4-barrel Mike]

Or something like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/1-5-ID-x-6-OAL-Vibrant-Stainless-Exhaust-Flex-Pipe-w-Braided-Liner-62306-/121206241741?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c387479cd&vxp=mtr



1.5" ID

Mike

[Queeziryder]

Jon,

If you have a wreakers yard nearby that does euro boxes have a look at Saab exhausts. They use almost exactly what Mike is showing above.

HTH
Neil

PS
Are you going to reply to the email that I sent last month?

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Ah, sloth and stasis hits me again.  What size do you want, Neil?  And, for the record, I see a note from you on the 11th of November.  Is that the correct one?  It isn't last month -- maybe there's another one I've missed.  Sorry.

As for a junk yard - we've got one someplace around here -- probably within 30 miles or so. I'll try and find an excuse to mosey up there for a look-see.  Saab, hey?  Thanks.

[runt13]

remember there are other fumes besides exhaust!

just saying

[Seldom Seen Slim]

Hunh?  Fumes about which I should be concerned about sending outdoors, or fumes from me when I eat a big meal of prunes and beans?  Seriously - other than exhaust, what else would there be that needs to be taken care of?

[mitchell968]

dont forget a couple carbon monoxide detectors if your gonna run it in the garage    you can build a insulated dog house to " intinuate" to noise. wrap the exhaust. many an alaskan has bought the farm doing this . put it outside.      mitchell

[kiwi belly tank]

Any good parts store will have steel exhaust flex tubing in cut to length rolls & you can get a rain cap for the end of it to keep the critters out. Put a Co detector in there with it too.
  Sid.

http://www.ebay.com/sch/i.html?_from=R40&_sacat=0&_nkw=steel+exhaust+flexible+tubing&_nkwusc=steel+exhaust+flexable+tubing&_rdc=1

[rouse]

SSS,

I Like you and Nancy a lot, so do your self and your friends a great big favor and build a dog house for your generator next to the house " outside ". It is a lot easier to run wires through the wall,  and a whole lot less likely to set the house on fire.

I know you'll end up spending a few ( maybe a Lot ) more $$ up front, but you will be able to sleep better at night knowing you haven't built yourself a death trap.

I know you live way the hell up North where things can get damaged by the weather, so maybe to protect your investment in the generator, you may get a little inventive and build you a sliding dog house. One that you can slide on a track into the garage when you're not using it, and outside when you are. Each end of the dog house could have a sealing wall that will seal to the hole you cut into the garage, kinda like a doggie door arrangement.  If you build it right you'll never have to get out in the weather to service it, just slide it in to service, and back out to run. ( alright get your mind out of the gutter, I'm serious here ).

We have our weather events that can KO our power for weeks, My generator is absolutely an outdoors pet.

Rouse

[Glen]

I would build a dog house out side an vent to atmos. with a tall pipe to get it up and away. You could insulate the dog house as well to make it easier to start when cold. Keep fresh gas for it as well. Start it every couple of weeks.

[Glen]

Looks like Rouse and I were thinking about the same as we were both typing at the same time.

[rouse]

Looks like Rouse and I were thinking about the same as we were both typing at the same time.

Must be one of those "Great Minds" things. 

Rouse