Increased numbers of people are installing house generators to ensure continuous electricity in the event of a power outage caused by a storm or other natural disaster. Portable generators are favored over standby ones because they are less expensive, easier to move around, and require less upkeep.
Diesel, gasoline, natural gas, and propane are the most common fuels for residential generators. Exhaust gases are a natural byproduct of any internal combustion engine and are thus produced by every form of generator regardless of the fuel used.
You can purchase the generator exhaust extension assembly online, from the market, or fashioned at home with inexpensive materials. You can hire a professional to install an exhaust extension system, or you can do it yourself by gathering all the necessary tools and materials.
What is a generator exhaust extender, why do you need one, and how to build one yourself are all topics we'll cover in this tutorial.
Safely directing potentially toxic emissions from your generator to a well-ventilated area is as simple as extending the exhaust. Extending the emissions into an outdoor space gives you and your loved ones added security.
Because of the exhaust, generators should not be placed or operated in a garage. Extending the exhaust is necessary if the generator is housed in a weatherproof enclosure outside. As carbon monoxide can also cause a fire, this helps to keep the enclosure secure.
What exactly is a Generator Exhaust Extension?
Because of its accessibility needs, noise levels, and exhaust gases, the location of your house generator is crucial. Most portable generator makers advise against bringing their products inside or into enclosed spaces.
Those who have a carport or a shed to store their generator in are at an advantage. Nonetheless, we must exercise the utmost caution and guarantee that the shed/garage has adequate ventilation to allow you to work there without feeling stifled and to expel any potentially hazardous exhaust gases.
In this case, the use of a generator exhaust extension is a simple but extremely practical option. However, what does it mean to have a Generator Exhaust Extender installed? It's just a few tubes and connections that attach to the generator's exhaust to reroute the fumes elsewhere.
Ready-to-use kits are sold commercially (online and in shops) to help you lengthen your generator's exhaust pipe. And if you have the right equipment, it's not hard to build one on your own, either.
Why is Generator Exhaust Extension required?
Imagine, You want to get some work done while running the generator that powers your home or business, but the generator is housed in a shed or garage. An exhaust extension for your generator is a lifesaver in this situation, allowing you to continue working safely without being exposed to potentially hazardous exhaust gases.
Even if you are not in the same room as the generator, make sure that the area is adequately ventilated, as carbon dioxide, which is odorless, cannot be trapped in a closed space. If you attach a conduit or tube to the generator's exhaust, you can prevent any exhaust gases from escaping and harming anyone nearby, no need to say that air pollution impact your lungs..
Buy Generator Exhaust Extension Kits From the Market
There are a variety of components available on the internet for extending the exhaust on your generator. Popular generator brands like Honda, Champion, Westinghouse, DuroMax, and others can use these components.
Some exhaust extension packages only include the hardware, while others include the hose and a muffler in addition to the hardware. It will save you time & effort because they can be put in place immediately after purchase.
Generator Exhaust Extension - Do it Yourself
A generator exhaust extension is a job a handy person with access to the necessary tools can tackle on their own, like wire a generator panel.
You'll have an extension for the generator in no time if you have the appropriate equipment, take some precise measurements, and connect a few pieces.
Critical equipment that you need for generator exhaust extension
The materials and equipment that could come in handy while constructing the exhaust expansion are listed below.
Tools for Measuring Distance: Use a Compass and Tape to Measure
A Vernier caliper (for accurate measurements)
The Hose Clamp or Pipe Clamp
Screwdriver
The Importance of Taking Precise Measurements
The next thing to do is to collect some measurements.
Take a reading with a vernier gauge to determine the exact size of the generator's exhaust pipe. Due to the reality that exhaust sizes vary by manufacturer, there is no universally accepted value. The success of the expansion depends on your meticulousness in taking the necessary measurements.
The length of the required conduit or tube extension should also be measured. When it comes to lengthening something, you can choose between a conduit and a tube. You can't bend or flex conduit to suit your needs the way you might with other materials.
A metal rod can be bent and curved to any shape you like. It's malleable and sturdy because metal is its primary material.
Install the Vent Line
Make sure the generator's exhaust is clean before adding anything. Now you can attach the extension to the exhaust using a hose clip or a pipe clamp. Pipe clamps are recommended because they can be used on both conduit and hose.
Loosen the clamp's screws, slide it onto the exhaust, and make space for the pipe or hose to pass through. Now, move the clamp back onto the pipe or hose and slide the pipe or hose onto the exhaust (the pipe or hose's diameter should be just slightly larger than the exhaust's).
Ensure the fasteners are in before you close the clamp. Check that the pipe doesn't come loose when you wiggle it around. Anywhere outside the shed or carport with sufficient air circulation will do, and the hose need not be in the way.
Give it a try (Test it)
Once you have made sure you have everything you need, it is time to put the extender through its paces. Please start the generator and leave it running for a while. The hose's installation and the presence of leakage are both things to examine.
The next-to-last stage is to extend the exhaust pipe to the well-ventilated distance you determined at the project's outset. Keep in mind that it needs to go out from the cover by at least a few inches. Put it far from any drafty windows or doorways so that the poisonous gas doesn't seep indoors.
Last but not least, we must put the generator's new emission piping to the test. In this way, you can rest assured that your job is error-free. For a period of 10 minutes, please turn on the generator. Examine the flex tube for leaks at both the point of placement and the point where it exits the building.
FAQ
Here are some common questions we tried to answer.
Can you extend the generator exhaust?
The location of your generator will determine whether or not you need an exhaust extender. You can either get an exhaust extension kit for a generator, or you can buy the components separately.
How do I extend the generator's exhaust?
A generator exhaust extension package or the necessary components can be purchased to facilitate the process of extending the exhaust on your generator. In the above post, we share in detail a do-it-yourself project to lengthen a generator's exhaust.
How can You reduce the noise level of a generator?
If you put your generator inside a shelter, you can cut the volume by as much as 10 to 15 decibels. The average loudness level a generator can achieve is around 75 dB. Again, a silent box is a great option for those who want to lessen the volume of their generators.
Is it okay if I exhaust my generator in the garage?
Manufacturers of generators strongly advise against using them in enclosed spaces like garages. The risk of being exposed to carbon monoxide is among the most serious. Without proper ventilation, even a tiny leak can expose people to dangerous levels of gas. Keep in mind that CO2 has no taste, no smell, and no visible properties. Also, carbon dioxide has a high potential for ignition. A single ember could start a major blaze.
I'd like to know if I can get a muffler for my engine to make it less noisy.
If your generator has an exhaust extension, you can modify it by installing baffles or a silencer. A generator shelter (sound box) can decrease noise by as much as 10-15 dB, so this may help you sleep better at night. An extension with baffles or a muffler can further muffle the sound when used in combination with a shelter.
The decibel level of sounds a generator produces could reach 75. The human voice is typically heard at a volume of around 60 dB.
Conclusion
Generator is an important device, it's exhaust may be dangerous if installed in a confined space. The generator's emissions produce carbon monoxide as it operates. Safely directing potentially toxic emissions from your generator to a well-ventilated area is as simple as extending the exhaust. Extending the emissions into an outdoor space gives you and your loved ones added security.
Extending the exhaust is necessary if the generator is housed in a weatherproof enclosure outside. I hope this guide helps you with your generator exhaust extension.