Generator box on A frame

Scotty · Member

Generator box on A frame

ozjohn · Guru

Scotty,
A couple of questions come to mind.
1. The weight of the Genny and box will have to be incorporated into your 'Personal Weight" Allowance. Make sure the extra weight doen't take the all up loaded weight in excess of the vans ATM, or the Ball Weight in excess of the tow bar and vehicle manufacturers maximum permitted ball weight.
2. Is the A-frame capable of supporting the weight of the Genny and box taking into account the increased weight applied by inertia when travelling over bumps etc?
3. The venting maybe suffucient to allow exhuast to escape, but there may not be enough airflow to cool the (Aircooled) Genny in hot weather.
Even in a box you may (or maynot) find the noise and vibration intrusive.
Most vanners run a long lead from the van to the Genny and chain the genny to a tree.
Just use it during the day to recahrge the battery and use the battery at night. Running a Genny at night or for long periods will not endear you to other traveller.
Like your choice of brand.
Cheers, ozjohn.

-- Edited by ozjohn on Friday 25th of March 2011 03:02:23 PM

Scotty · Member

G'day Ozjohn, Thanks for your reply. I have removed a pole carrier from the draw bar ( I had a rollout awning installed) and also relocated the spare from the front boot to a new rear bumper bar. So there should be some leeway to put around 20 - 25 Kg back on the draw bar. I am conscious of the heat and exhaust issue. I have looked at the following website www.webcon.com.au in Horsham who appear to specialise in generator boxes taking into account the ventilation and exhaust problems. The biggest problem is the cost when made out of checker plate. I mainly want to secure the genny from light fingered campers and not so worried about running the machine in the box (although that would really be convenient, don't you think?) cheers, Scotty

DeBe · Guru

Millard Van & Genquipe Genny.JPG This is semipermanent mounted 2600Watt genny on my vans A frame as its a bit heavy to lug around for me. When traveling there is a cover ive made for it.

Scotty · Member

thanks DeBe, could you post photos of the cover? Scotty

DeBe · Guru

Gen cover.JPG Made the cover out of heavy trucking tarp material.

Scotty · Member

thanks DeBe for your quick reply. Scotty

dogbox · Guru

you can get sound deadening material from marine shops like whitworths if the noise is a issue
they use it to keep the noise down from inboard engines

milo · Guru

we have a similar set up to DeBe's on the back of dads motor home, but its more of a permanent setup
and can leavethe generator there during use.. and with a similar covering as well..

Scotty · Member

Thanks everyone for your responses. Doing a web search I found a fabricator in HORSHAM www.webbcon.com.au they represent themselves as specialising in generator boxes, and they appear to be cheaper than many others. Has any one had any experience with them or had a box made by them? I am quite interested in what they can do and the fact that it appears to be well engineered to allow the genny to run in the box. Any comments would be appreciated. Cheers Scotty.

milo · Guru

our set up was custom built buy a local trailor company who built custom trailers etc and worked with us
on what we wanted and did it to our design, i think they had the van for a couple of days..........

-- Edited by milo on Thursday 31st of March 2011 12:55:38 AM

ozjohn · Guru

Probably OK (Depending on weight) on a Motorhome, but with a caravan where Ball Weight must be taken into considertion, a box on the rear may result in a dangerous weight ditribution situation.

Cheers, ozjohn

PeterD · Guru

Milo

Does the addition of that box infringe the 60% rule? The overhang at the rear of a vehicle must not exceed 60% of its wheelbase.

ozjohn · Guru

PeterD wrote:
Milo
Does the addition of that box infringe the 60% rule? The overhang at the rear of a vehicle must not exceed 60% of its wheelbase.

G'day Peter,

The 60/40 rule was revised sometime ago.
The new regulation is:
"The rear overhang must not exceed 3.7metres or 60% whichever is the lesser".
I believe this amendment was brought about by the importation and approval on no compliant vans from Europe.
Note: Measurements are taken from the centreline of the wheels or axle assembly.

Cheers, ozjohn.

-- Edited by ozjohn on Friday 1st of April 2011 11:10:16 AM

milo · Guru

PeterD wrote:
Milo
Does the addition of that box infringe the 60% rule? The overhang at the rear of a vehicle must not exceed 60% of its wheelbase.

no idea, how do you find out?

blaze · Guru

measure from the centre of the front wheels to the centre of the rear wheels and you are allowed no more than 60% of that past the centre of your rear wheels
cheers
blaze

Mick17 · Veteran Member

Rear boxes for generator,trap,shade cloth and chain saw.jpg Hi Scotty, These are my to boxes on the back of our van mate. They really travel well and they carry my Genny and chain saw

cheers

Mick

Scotty · Member

G'day Mick17,

Thanks for your photos. Do you have any idea of teh weight of your additions to the rear bumper bar? And about how much did they cost to make and install? Thanks, Scotty

Mick17 · Veteran Member

Hi Scotty,
Both boxes weight came in around 15kgs each, One box has a 2Kva Genie and the other has a Stihl 170m chain saw and 3 x shade cloths.
"Now" the price was back in 2006 $575 each custom made to fit and i make the center piece under the spare wheel myself.
Scotty these boxes also have a support middle strengthen bar that supports the 2 x outside support arms.
"Note " Scotty these boxes have travelled over 80,000kms and have never move. "touch wood"
Hope you can understand my thoughts in answering your QUESTION.
Cheers
Mick

PeterD · Guru

milo wrote:
no idea, how do you find out?

Milo - Have you done your measurements yet? Blaze gave good directions for you to measure the overhang.