Need Advice

songwriter · 01-11-2009, 06:21 AM

Due to the severe ice storms in hte North East we had to go out and purchase a generator. The electrician who wired it in suggested building a roof or covering over it as it is outdoors int he back yard. I bought a 10 x 10 or so outdoor party tent but it collpsed with the weight of ice & snow.

So I want to try building a 6 to 8 foot wide lean to that runs off the back of our house and over the generator. The house is a Florida style Colonial with attached 2 car garage and has a shed built onto the back side of the garage that looks like it is part of the house. Behind that is the generator. I wanted to lay some 2 x 4's up against the roof of the garage on a 45 degree angle and the lay some type of ply wood sheets over them to make a sort of solid covering that will protect the generator. Any idea approximately how many 2 x 4's and sheets of ply wood wil be needed? I'm thinking maybe six 2 x 4's at 16 inches apart. Sould I just lay them parallel and attach the plywood over them or do I need 2x4's running acorss the tob and bottom as well? Since the generator is a few feet away from the house how long of a 2x 4 is needed? Also should I use nails to hold it all together or do I need to drill holes and use wood screws? finally is plywood ok as a covering or someting stronger? You can respond to pospielg@yahoo.com

thanks

Tom Struble · 01-21-2009, 02:14 AM

Sounds like your trying to protect a resource you need after a storm with something thats sounds like it wont hold up to a storm,
have a proper slab poured and look into a steel generator enclosure and make sure its vented properly.What does the genny run on?gas? diesel?ng?propane?

Jack of most · 01-21-2009, 06:41 AM

A concrete slab would be good to use. As for the roof, 6'-8' wide, but how long? With the weight of ice and snow I would suggest 2x6 for your framing, due to sagging, as long as you don't go over 10' or so.(not sure of your building codes out there.) 16" on center will be fine. What's going to hold your roof up? Plywood alone is NOT a suitable roof covering. Use 15# felt and a asphalt shingle of some sort. Nails or screws will be fine. I would look into building a real shed around it.

TBFghost · 01-21-2009, 09:54 PM

....i am confused....

jogr · 01-22-2009, 01:07 PM

If this is a portable generator I would just store it in the shed or garage when not in use. When in use you could do something as simple as placing a sheet of plywood over a couple sawhorses for protection or even using an old folding card table (hopefuly we're talking only being out of power a day or two). Don't close it up so that it restricts airflow.

If it's a permanent install it should have a permanent cover that was designed for it (proper airflow for exhaust, intake and cooling).