Generator

[ltrcrr]

I know this may not be correct place to ask this but it seems that this is the only place that has the correct answer or at least can point me in the correct direction.
 I plan to install a transfer switch beside my main box in the house and connect my generator in the event of a prolonged power outage... ( i plan to hire an electrician to do the job). Heres the question. I have a Honda ue3000 and would it be safe to  build a box to put it in to run it? If one was constructed...how would the air flow be handled? If it's enclosed should I create holes in order the generator can operate?
what is the best way to build an enclosure?

[oreo57]

This may or maynot be of interest to you.

[brainpause]

Please make sure the electrician knows what he is doing. I have several friends in the power company industry, and linemen have been injured (killed?) because there was a generator on a line that was supposed to be dead or grounded.

There should be a Transfer Switch installed.

Larry

[wavery]

It is OK to build an enclosure. Just be sure to have a grille on the front of the box and a fan on the back of the box. Don't try to run an exhaust pipe extension. Just leave a fairly large opening in the back of the box for the exhaust to go out. Line it up with the exhaust pipe on the generator.

There are cheaper generators than the EU3000i that are more suited for the job. I would recommend a minimum of 5000W for a small home back-up generator.

The generator will need to have a set of relays that start the engine when the power fails (unless you want to start it manually) and also cuts the power from the grid (to protect others).

Costco has a real nice 20KW natural gas back-up generator.

http://www.costco.com/Browse/Productgroup.aspx?Prodid=10001323&search=generator&Mo=11&cm_re=1_en-_-Top_Left_Nav-_-Top_search&lang=en-US&Nr=P_CatalogName:BC&Sp=S&N=5000043&whse=BC&Dx=mode+matchallpartial&Ntk=Text_Search&Dr=P_CatalogName:BC&Ne=4000000&D=generator&Ntt=generator&No=0&Ntx=mode+matchallpartial&Nty=1&topnav=&s=1