Maintenance & Restoration

Legacy Posts · 10-09-2002, 10:12 PM

I thought I would share a modification I made to my Casita. The Casita came with two propane tanks. The weight of each full propane tank is about 48 lbs.

I chose a Honda eu2000i generator because of the weight 49 lbs and the noise level is very low.

My new box...

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3da4fe3901cdahonda-box.jpg/>

Legacy Posts · 10-09-2002, 10:14 PM

Open Lid

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3da4fe8ad5e9bopen-box-side.jpg/>

Legacy Posts · 10-09-2002, 10:14 PM

Inside the box...

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3da4febad72c9open-box.jpg/>

Legacy Posts · 10-09-2002, 10:16 PM

Note the little hole for the exhaust...

<img src=http://www.fiberglassrv.com/board/uploads/3da4fefdd67d6exhaust.jpg/>

Legacy Posts · 10-09-2002, 10:18 PM

If you look close you can see the little front door to access the pull rope to start the generator.

Also, there is a 12 volt fan in the bottom to keep the air circulating and thus keep the air cool in side. It only runs when the generator is running.

Legacy Posts · 10-10-2002, 06:16 AM

Nice job Michael,

Really a nice piece of work. Just keep Charles away and make sure its locked.....

Legacy Posts · 10-11-2002, 09:18 AM

A generator really does seem a good idea to me, and yours looks like it was made for our little trailers.

Can you run a three-way fridge from this? ... and all the electrical lights, microwave, etc. from it? As you can see, I'm new to all this. I'd like to think I could just switch my system to AC and run it from a generator such as yours here.

Legacy Posts · 10-11-2002, 09:48 AM

Floy,

Yes, you can run anything from the generator. One word of caution. You can only run one of the big ticket items at a time; like microwave, heater, airconditioner. To use the microwave, we turn the airconditioner off for the 3 or 4 minutes we are using the microwave. We put refrigerator on propane when we need to use the generator.

I hope this helps.

Legacy Posts · 10-11-2002, 09:50 AM

Now I'm embarassed for posting the pictures of my Watt Box in another thread :red

Nice box, Michael. Did you fabricate it, or buy it?

It looks like diamond plate aluminum, but where did you get the corner molding and what is it? Are the corners welded?

Legacy Posts · 10-11-2002, 09:55 AM

The sides are made from 1/16th inch aluminum diamond plate. The frame is made from 1 inch steal angle iron. I welded the frame up and then smoothed and filed with bondo to make it look good. I painted the frame with marine boat paint and used stainless steel faseners to put it together. The piano hingers are also stainless.

There is no bottom so that propane cannot get trapped inside and it will run cooler. I think that is about it.

Legacy Posts · 10-11-2002, 02:26 PM

Legacy Posts · 01-03-2003, 11:22 AM

Michael, the more I look at this great generater box, I keep wondering if I could make something like that out of exterior grade plywood and paint it. I know that it won't be as sturdy or durable as the metal but wonder if it would hold up 'well enough.' I'm thinking of making one that will house both propanes and have a little tool storage in the front. Either that, or build a small one and move the battery in front of the propanes.

If properly primed/painted and I use angle iron on the corners, do you think it would hold up?

Legacy Posts · 01-03-2003, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Orginally posted by Suz

Michael, the more I look at this great generater box, I keep wondering if I could make something like that out of exterior grade plywood and paint it. I know that it won't be as sturdy or durable as the metal but wonder if it would hold up 'well enough.' I'm thinking of making one that will house both propanes and have a little tool storage in the front. Either that, or build a small one and move the battery in front of the propanes.

If properly primed/painted and I use angle iron on the corners, do you think it would hold up?

Sure. I made a camp stove that way and it has lasted over ten years and still looks good. The main reason I used aluminum is that it doesn’t rust and I thought it would look good.

The aluminum diamond plate is as easy to work with as plywood, just a lot more expensive.

Good luck on your project.*:)

Legacy Posts · 01-03-2003, 11:41 AM

Suz,

I got to see the Mike Box on Boxing Day and let me tell you, it is a work of art.

You might consider a thatched box. I'll bet Dena would send you some palmetto fronds. Add a tropical touch. :laugh