Added Generater Box

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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/>

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Open Lid

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

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Inside the box...

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

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Note the little hole for the exhaust...

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

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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.

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Nice job Michael,

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

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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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?

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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. :)

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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

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if there is no bottom, how does the honda stay in, and wouldn't you get road slug thrown up into it? :)

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

Does that mean I can cut it with a jig saw using a metal blade (and ear plugs)?

Morgan, I really like your idea about the thatched box. What I'd really like is one of those old european wicker laundry baskets. Now that would be cool. Wouldn't hold up worth a dern, but would look great until it fell apart on the first trip! ;)

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Orginally posted by Suz

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

Does that mean I can cut it with a jig saw using a metal blade (and ear plugs)?

Morgan, I really like your idea about the thatched box. What I'd really like is one of those old european wicker laundry baskets. Now that would be cool. Wouldn't hold up worth a dern, but would look great until it fell apart on the first trip! ;)

Suz,

Looky, looky

http://store.yahoo.com/truckstuffusa/chaltrailutb.html


I have no idea what size you'd need.

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Hey, Morgan, thanks for that link. That looks pretty good. I wonder if the bottom is solid...if so, I guess I would have to vent it someway....

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Oh! shucks, :sad I thought it was a basket box dipped in concrete or something. :u

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Orginally posted by Suz

Hey, Morgan, thanks for that link. That looks pretty good. I wonder if the bottom is solid...if so, I guess I would have to vent it someway....

Cut holes and put in louvers (louvres). That would keep JJs road slugs out. :wave