Transporting your generator

[MK7]

I wonder if mislabeling the box would fool anyone. 

I just bought a heavy duty, plastic tote box at Costco for $9.  While sitting on the rear, black, steel carrier from Harbor Freight ($50) to one side, I can still open one of the 2 rear doors. This fits my $70 HB generator. It has holes to fit 6 padlocks on it. It's not super thick and not as nice as something like this: http://www.walmart.com/ip/Rubbermaid-48-Gallon-Action-Packer/10569596    but something too nice may probably be targeted, even for the nice box itself.

Personally, I wouldn't risk a $1000 Honda generator in any box in the open for a long time. It just screams that you're well equipped with more stuff inside the van.  Maybe wrap it all nice and tight inside 2 large trash bags to prevent smelling gas fumes and store it inside the van.

 

[66788]

You don't need to wrap the Honda generator in trash bags to supress the fumes, as all modern Honda generators have CARB (California Air Resources Board) compliant gas tanks/carbs. Just turn the fuel cap to "off" and presto, no fumes. Carried my Honda 1000 many times and no vapor.

Also, the NATO Jerry Cans will not leak vapor in your vehicle either, so I carry a 2 1/2 gallon NATO can with stabilized fuel as well.

 

[akrvbob]

I've had a Honda 2000 in my van for years, right now it's directly below my head as I sleep. I've never smelled it.
Bob

 

[dogear52]

I've had a Honda 2000 in my van for years, right now it's directly below my head as I sleep. I've never smelled it.
Bob

Bob, do you transport your gas can inside the van or CT, and is the NATO gas can military surplus or can I buy an official NATO can new? It looks like I might have to transport a gas can inside so need it 100% fume proof unless I can figure out a cheap and safe way to carry it outside on the CT.

 

[dogear52]

I wonder if mislabeling the box would fool anyone. Something subtle that you'd notice if you were scoping it out, but not so bold that it's obviously a trick. Like a small label that says something like extra clothes, dog food, or recyclables. Crap no one would bother stealing.

My current idea is to buy a box and bolt it to the carrier from the inside. I hadn't thought of further locking the generator via chain to the box but that's a good idea, just in case someone manages to pry the box open.

Matt71, I think I ran across a type of padlock that also had an alarm....might be useful. I'm going to search for it again for my similar needs.

 

[akrvbob]

I've had the cans and the generator inside for more many years, both with gas in them. The NATO cans are technically illegal now because you have to have the pathetic new spout. I've seen new ones that came with a legal buggered up spout, but that's okay, you will just take it off and throw it away.

Unfortunately, there are a lot of cheap Chinese crap copies floating around and you never know what you are going to get. From the reviews it gets this one must be the real thing:
http://www.amazon.com/Atlantic-British-Ltd-Jerry-Can/dp/B00ADLHN3S/

$60 with shipping is about what you have to pay. If you ever get to Moab Utah a guy there sells good ones for $50, I've bought a couple from him. Look around for military surplus stores or Prepper stores. They usually have them and they are good ones.

I much prefer the 2 1/2 gallon cans, plenty for a gen and easier to carry:
http://www.amazon.com/Atlantic-British-Ltd-Jerry-Can/dp/B00ADLHMJI

This is a new one with a legal spout for $109. And the spot is a horrible piece of ***** you pay another $40 for!
http://www.amazon.com/Jerry-Military-Gasoline-Hummer-Gasket/dp/B008Y4FSTM/
Bob

 

[highdesertranger]

I posted a link in the other gas can thread. they explain how to tell the fake nato cans from the real ones. highdesertranger

 

[Belinda2]

So, Reducto has a Yamaha under his bed and Bob has a 2000 Honda under his head of bed. I too have have a 2000 Honda. I have it in the front seat window well and level ( where your feet would go). I have it covered by a black, plastic garbage bag and turned to off after cooled. I can easily vent it by opening the passenger door for a minute. However, I too smell gas, occasionally. I use it so much, I don't use Sta-bil, but I will start, that's a good idea.
Reducto,
Do you use something besides gas, like a stabilizer?
Because I smell gas, I am terrified to use my Mr. Buddy propane heater or propane stove. It's still below freezing almost every night here in Maryland still. I don't want to have to drain the generator's gas or pay to store it some where because I use it. But, I really can't use the generator for heat because it is noisy in the suburbs and I have to go outside to turn it off and load it, which lets in the cold.
It's not possible to mount the generator on the outside. It would be too high profile and it would get stolen.
Any ideas so I can use the propane heater?

 

[akrvbob]

The Honda has an on-off vent on the gas cap. Are you closing it before putting it in the rig?
Bob

 

[SoulRaven]

Trace down and remedy the gas fumes problem ASAP!

 

[VanLifeCrisis]

i smelled gas coming from my genny too when it was under my bed. i stopped carrying it anyway

 

[Belinda2]

Yes, Bob. My Honda 2000i I leave the vent on the gas cap open while running, open while I let it cool down after turning the generator off, then I close the vent on the gas cap, cover the generator to hide it with a black garbage bag, and put the generator away on a level surface in the window well of my minivan on the passenger side on the floor. The gas cap is on tight. I wedge the seat to lock it in between the dash and the seat, so it is not moving.

 

[akrvbob]

I hope this doesn't sound silly, but women generally have a better sense of smell than men. I can say in all honesty every woman I've ever been in a relationship with had a much better sense of smell than I did.

So my Honda ay have had an odor and I just didn't smell it. Except my girlfirend spent a lot of time in my trailer and never smelled it either.

I started out with a Honda 1000 and it would fit in a rubbermaid tote with the lid on so I kept mine in there sealed up. I noticed that after being sealed in it for ahwile when I took it off I could faintly smell gas so I assume it was letting out fumes, just too low for me to smell and the tote accumulated the so I could.

If you have room for it, I'm sure you could find a plastic tote that would hold the Honda.
Bob

 

[Belinda2]

Bob,
I tried that a tote so it would stack nice. The standard stacking/shipping tote is too short for the height of the generator. I use the totes with a lip on them, so they don't shift during transport. I put it upfront in my vehicle because I vent it all the time going in and out. I don't really care if I smell it as much as I worry about the safety aspect of it. I don't have any room for wasted space in a tote being as though it's a minivan. The Honda has a carrying case that you could purchase. I could find out what it looks like a build one with the proper curves or vents. It would be nice as long as it wasn't "notice me, I'm China-red". I'm thinking of trying a new gas cap or rubber seal on it. I've had it since 1996. I will brain-storm it out, since it seems maybe I am an isolated incident.

 

[akrvbob]

That's old enough that it makes sense the seal has dried out, hopefully that solves it.

I bought the Honda cover for mine and t was "steal-me-silver" so I spray painted it camouflage colors, worked really good! You'd think it would flake off but it never came off at all, it' still there right now.
Bob

 

[Belinda2]

That's old enough that it makes sense the seal has dried out, hopefully that solves it.

I bought the Honda cover for mine and t was "steal-me-silver" so I spray painted it camouflage colors, worked really good! You'd think it would flake off but it never came off at all, it' still there right now.
Bob

 

[Belinda2]

Humm. Sorry that post did not take.
I did some research about Honda generators. I went to two dealerships: one in Delaware and one in Maryland. This is what I found out:
Honda does have problems with complaints about the gasoline smell from their generators. According to the part department and the maintenance department, 80% of the problems are the carborator. They also have leaking occur from the little clear hoses, and gasoline found that is dripping onto the floor of the inside casing of the generator. I noticed that the Honda vent. cap has changed thorough the years. The change was from standards imposed by California emissions, not this problem. Honda does not have any complaints at these two locations about their vent. caps or the seal inside the vent caps. Honda will charge $20-$30 for parts for the carborator to be replaced and $100 labor. I feel this is still too much money. When I need to use my propane heater, I will chain and cover my generator underneath my vehicle for the night or hide, chain, and cover it near by my vehicle.

 

[LeeRevell]

The ethanol corrupted gas is known to damage small engine fuel lines ( and eventually the engines themselves) so this could be the trouble. I use only nonethanol gas in my gennies.

 

[cdiggy]

The ethanol corrupted gas is known to damage small engine fuel lines ( and eventually the engines themselves) so this could be the trouble. I use only nonethanol gas in my gennies.

This is a common problem with any carb motor that is older. The plastic and rubber they used held up well to gas but alcohol kills them quickly. All the older outboard boat motors around my area had lots of problems once they added alcohol to they gas. Supposedly Ann additive (star I think it's called or stabil makes some product) helps somehow to keep the alcohol from degrading the fuel lines and soft carb parts but I have not tried it.

 

[Belinda2]

What does everyone think of this idea just for the actual coldest weather so I can use my propane Mr. Buddy heater:
Drain my Honda generator and put that gas in my minivan gas tank.
Think I couldn't get all the gas out and I would still smell fumes?