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Old 08-25-2013, 06:56 PM   #1
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Insulating the generator compartment!

OK I'm not sure if I read about what product to insulate the generator compartment on this forum or RV.net - but I can't find the answer anywhere - I thought the product was something like Genprotect (?) but I'm really not sure!

After DH spent hours cutting pieces of insulation, gluing and installing - I notice it was combustible.....well WW3 started - I guess it was my fault that he didn't see that!

Anyway, he wants to insulate the compartment to hopefully cut down on some of the noise.....anyone have any suggestions?
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Old 08-25-2013, 08:15 PM   #2
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If the generator compartment is made of sheet metal like mine is, I would Dynamat, It is specifically a sound deadening material and is heat resistant up to 300 degrees.
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Old 08-25-2013, 10:03 PM   #3
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I wouldn't worry about the flammability of the insulation that you stuck to the generator's dog house. I have Styrofoam on mine and we know that melts at low temperature.

Look at it this way, the generator is inside a fiber glass outer shell with a plastic door covering the compartment and it's under the dog house. In the event of a fire emanating from the generator the dog house will get super heated and then that heat will convect to the compartment components.

You can imagine the rest, so your insulation is a small factor when you consider the whole scheme of things. The generator compartment isn't fire proof by any means so no need to worry about the insulation.
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Old 08-25-2013, 10:50 PM   #4
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Originally Posted by sundancer 87 View Post
I wouldn't worry about the flammability of the insulation that you stuck to the generator's dog house. I have Styrofoam on mine and we know that melts at low temperature.

Look at it this way, the generator is inside a fiber glass outer shell with a plastic door covering the compartment and it's under the dog house. In the event of a fire emanating from the generator the dog house will get super heated and then that heat will convect to the compartment components.

You can imagine the rest, so your insulation is a small factor when you consider the whole scheme of things. The generator compartment isn't fire proof by any means so no need to worry about the insulation.

Well he tore out what he already installed and tossed all the cut pieces in the garbage......I'll see if I can get them out of the garbage and discuss this with him.

However as soon as he saw "Flammable" he flipped - we are both on the Fire Dept. (he is Asst. Chief) and it would be totally embarrassing if anything happened!
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Old 08-25-2013, 11:05 PM   #5
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As firefighters you know there are more things inside that compartment besides the insulation that are flammable. I have two batteries inside the same compartment that would pose more of a problem with flame impingement than your insulation or my melting Styrofoam.
How many runs have you made on a generator on fire. In my 20 years I never did. That's not to say it won't happen but it is a rare occurance.
One could spray the inside of the compartment with a fire retardant for a little peace of mind.
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Old 08-26-2013, 11:40 AM   #6
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Originally Posted by sundancer 87 View Post
As firefighters you know there are more things inside that compartment besides the insulation that are flammable. I have two batteries inside the same compartment that would pose more of a problem with flame impingement than your insulation or my melting Styrofoam.
How many runs have you made on a generator on fire. In my 20 years I never did. That's not to say it won't happen but it is a rare occurance.
One could spray the inside of the compartment with a fire retardant for a little peace of mind.
Thanks this is all making me feel "better"! We have NOTHING inside that compartment other than the generator!

Most of the generators installed where we live are propane (not talking RV here and almost every home has a generator) - and we have seen one BLOW just recently - actually lifted the mobile home off its piers......yea I know explosion not fire!

Anyway, I think we will be attempting to re-install the cut pieces today!
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Old 08-26-2013, 12:59 PM   #7
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I don't have a generator, but here's a thought ...... why not insulate around the outside of the metal generator compartment, therefore keeping the metal between the generator and the insulation...?
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Old 08-26-2013, 01:06 PM   #8
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That was my impression, the insulation was attached to the generator's dog house rather than the generator itself. Dunno, only the owner knows what's in the compartment.

Too many RV applications for the same process
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Old 08-26-2013, 04:11 PM   #9
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Our generator sits inside a metal box on the driver's side:



What we want to do is insulate the inside (attaching it to the walls) of the compartment.
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Old 08-26-2013, 05:18 PM   #10
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I don't see any problem with insulating the walls and ceiling of the compartment.
If you don't want to stick the insulation on the ceiling you can always put a piece of thick Styrofoam on top of the generator proper if it doesn't have any vents on top.
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Old 08-26-2013, 05:58 PM   #11
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Sundancer what is a doghouse????
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Old 08-26-2013, 06:03 PM   #12
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It is the metal box that goes around Gen set (usually galvanized metal).
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Old 08-26-2013, 06:13 PM   #13
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It is the metal box that goes around Gen set (usually galvanized metal).
That's what it is, a housing just for the generator that's inside the compartment. One side, roof and back is sheet metal. The floor is what it is and the other wall is the compartment material. The front is open per se as the compartment door is there. They may have been kind enough to install it in the compartment since the bed is directly over that compartment in the 3800 hauler.

It looks like you could get a tin bender, aka sheet metal person, to fabricate you a dog house for your compartment. Another layer of noise reduction if you will.
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Old 08-26-2013, 09:19 PM   #14
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We were going to insulate the walls and ceiling of the tin box, as I explained in my original post....but after spending much time cutting and fitting, I read that what we were using is flammable....I've checked out Dynamax and B-Quite sound deadner but they are both "$$$pricey".....was looking for an alternative insulation!
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Old 08-26-2013, 11:20 PM   #15
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Well, rock wool is heat resistant to 1800 degrees but I get itchy just thinking about working with that stuff.
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Old 08-27-2013, 11:39 AM   #16
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Well, rock wool is heat resistant to 1800 degrees but I get itchy just thinking about working with that stuff.
Well this suggestion put me into another search and I came up with http://images.lowes.com/product/conv...83027027lg.jpg

made the suggestion to Leo, but he is a "I wanna see it first before I but it kinda guy"

I found that Home Depot has some in stock, smaller in width but at least he can get an idea.

Now we need to make an hour trip to Home Depot and I don't know when that will be!
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Old 08-27-2013, 03:10 PM   #17
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Ohhh, I did not know that was fire resistant to that level. I can vouch for the sound deadening. We used that in a wall between bathrooms when we remodeled one of them to deaden the sound of the showers running in each. Contractor buddy just gave me some and said "Use it!"
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Old 08-27-2013, 11:04 PM   #18
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Originally Posted by Chalkie View Post
Ohhh, I did not know that was fire resistant to that level. I can vouch for the sound deadening. We used that in a wall between bathrooms when we remodeled one of them to deaden the sound of the showers running in each. Contractor buddy just gave me some and said "Use it!"
Well if you were closer I'd steal some and use it!
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