IMHO all of these 'don't run in the rain' rules mean, "don't let it get wet"So the easy answer is to uild a small shed for it, or locate it under sufficient overhang.I have a gas generator with the same roviso -- don't oerate in rain. I took a arrel, slit it in half verticaly, and the generator wears it like a hat. Related QuestionsHow dangerous is it to carry oilgasoilgas at the ack of one's car?When going on long tris or out of the way tris where you know you may not see a gas station for a while, it's worth ringing along extra fuel in a safe and aroved container (ie, don't ut fuel in a lastic soda ottle and call it a day). However, the safest olicy, if you're just going aout town, is to kee your eye on the fuel gauge and lan accordingly. Things I always maintain in the ack though, are antifreezecoolant, synthetic engine oil, and hose reair tae.------What are the disadvantages of using generators in developing countries?Disadvantages of Using Portable Generators:Produce High Carbon Monoxide Gas:Portable or temporary generator produce a high level of carbon monoxide when they run. This can be deadly if the gas is inhaled for a longer time, therefore, it is recommended to use generators outdoor away from doors and windows. Even minor exposure may results in severe diseases. Noise:The portable generator produces irritating noise while running.Manually Operated:They have some drawbacks, you need to take it out of storage, carry it outdoors to the appropriate area plug it into your home, and add a fuel source such as propane, which you will need to store nearby.Source: Lifetime Mortgage AdviserWhat are the disadvantages of using generators in developing countries?.------Connecting portable generator with L6-20P to house with L14-30RForgot to come back here since there was no answer posted. Appreciate @Harper's help, I wish they would have put an answer so I could accept!So I ended up buying an L14-30R and replacing the L6-20R in the generator. I wired neutral over to the 240V and wired up the two hots to it. I wired ground over to one of the 120V that had ground on it but I REMOVED the jumper from ground to neutral. Since I only have a interlock and a inlet plug for the house, neutral is NOT switched over to the generator. If you have a proper transfer switch neutral MIGHT be switched to the generator. Since neutral was not switched, I'm using the house's NG bond and therefore I want neutral to float in the generator. If you do this, you should label the generator as Neutral floating in case you sell it or need reminding.Everything worked well when I was running on generator power for 3 or 4 days after an ice storm.------Starting a diesel tractorJust wanted to combine a number of the comments into an answer:Older diesel tractors really didn't have much in the way of electrics for the engine, aside from the starter, and you have already told us the engine turns over nicely so the basic assumption is that the electrics are okay.Also, as zipzit commented, if the smoke came as you touched the cables to the battery, before you actually tried to start the tractor, it is unlikely you did any damage beyond the battery itself.So the most likely cause is simple clogged fuel lines or contaminated fuel from sitting for a long time without being run. So test using starter fluid in the intake, and if it runs that should confirm this diagnosis------Is it possible for my generator to lose its residual magnetism every time it is switched off?I suppose the generator could have some fault the would cause residual magnetism to weaken. I notice from electrical wiring diagrams of portable generators that they donu2019t use battery power to develop the field. Instead, they use a DPE coil that produces a little (7 volts or so) from the residual rotating magnetism. It is rectified and applied back to the field coil, thus amplifying the magnetic field. This greater field allows the stator coils to produce the main A.C. output voltage. If you want a detailed discussion, see Generator FundamentalsAs a guess, suppose the DPE rectifier shorted, allowing AC instead of DC to the field- that might demagnetize the rotor. Is it possible for my generator to lose its residual magnetism every time it is switched off?------Why would you have to ground a portable generator when the whole idea is that itu2019s portable?Why would you have to ground a portable generator when the whole idea is that itu2019s portable?If the portable generator includes earth-fault protection (which is mandatory on work sites here) then the generator has to be earthed for sensing purposes.Itu2019s a tricky one. Most portable generators have floating AC windings. There is no earth connection unless and until one end of the windings are actually connected to the earth. Without any connection to earth, the output of the generator is relatively safe from the hazard of earth fault because there is no circuit to earth from the AC windings.Fitting an earth-fault protection relay requires an earth connection, thus increasing the risk that an earth fault can actually happen while hopefully tripping in the event that it does actually happen.Itu2019s a problem of "one size fits all" regulations. Why would you have to ground a portable generator when the whole idea is that itu2019s portable?------What causes the generator slip ring carbon brushes to heat?If we are taking DC generators the cause is the poor conductivity of carbon which as current passes through causes ohmic heating which can be significant especially at the surface causing sparks etc.nFriction is very very low and not a significant source of heat.nAlthough people call portable generators you use to power your house generators for example they are not and don't have brushes. Technically they are alternators but since they "generate" electrical power the word generator stuck. Since they produce AC current there is no need for brushes just like alternators in cars. Instead you have the slip rings which same as brushes in DC motors simply heat up as current passes through. What causes the generator slip ring carbon brushes to heat?------Are there still Turkmen tribes in modern day Turkey and Azerbaijan?In Turkey, there are still some Turkmen clans with near-original nomadic lifestyle (their ancestors didnu2019t use portable generators and phones etc.) around Taurus mountain chain running in parallel with Mediterranean.Theyu2019re more like an endengered species and because they live on highlands an average person might not see any of them all their life. Theyu2019re very friendly and hospitable people if youu2019re willing to do a long trekking to meet them and their accent of Turkish (probably due to preservation in centuries old solitude) is quite different and melodic.Are there still Turkmen tribes in modern day Turkey and Azerbaijan?------How can I hook up my house lights to a portable generator?Youu2019ll need a transfer switch device to connect your home appliances and lights to the portable generator. The transfer switch makes it easy and safe to use your portable generator. The transfer switch is basically an electrical device that you can install next to your homeu2019s electrical panel. The device helps to connect circuits in your homeu2019s electrical panel to the generator. It saves you from the trouble of running extension cords from the generator to each item that you want powered. To light up your house during a power outage, simply start your generator and link it to your transfer switch. The transfer switch will detect a new source of power automatically and make the necessary circuit adjustments to power your lights and other appliances. Remember to check your useru2019s manual before use. Read more information about portable generators at handygenerators. com. How can I hook up my house lights to a portable generator?------How to wire a portable generator to a irrigation pumpYour pump doesn't use neutral. So there's no need or reason to modify anything. Regardless... You would never modify an extension cord like that, because then it'd be dangerous to use anyplace else. If you must violate Code, you can do it more sanely by getting a NEMA 5-20 plug, and jumper it internally neutral to ground with a #12 wire, and just plug it into the generator in an unused 5-20 socket. A 5-20 plug looks like a common 5-15 but with a sideways neutral. The beauty of it is the generator will take it, but few other sockets will------Can a propane generator operate in the garage safely?Absolutely not. Never operate a generator indoors or in any enclosed space. Even with the overhead door open, carbon monoxide can accumulate to deadly levels. Every manufacturer of portable generators warns against this including manufacturers of propane generators. When Generac still manufactured portable propane generators, the very first safety guideline listed in the manual was do not operate it indoors.It is not the same as starting a car and then backing out.Portable Generator Safety Rules to Live ByCan a propane generator operate in the garage safely?.------What are some good and affordable portable power generators?For this question, different people have different ideas. According to what as i know, share a suggestion for your reference.You can choose a generator depends on your requirement, such as what and where you will use about the generator, what price you can accept, etc. After considering all questions you worry, you can choose a good and affordable portable power generators.If you use generator for prime, standby or emergency, I recmmond you diesel portable generator .There is two series of portable generators: Car GT series diesel power station and trailer generator set. Car GT series diesel power station is will be installed in mobile chassis, a strong mobility and adaptabitity. Applicapble to rescue or emergency power construction remote a reas, power supply operation. As picture shows:Trailer Type generator is widely used in field operations and environmental noise demanding places, or used as a backup power supply. As picture shows:What are some good and affordable portable power generators?------Can a portable generator damage electronics?Some portable generators can produce power that is not the relatively clean sinusoidal alternating current wave that comes from carefully-regulated public utilities. However, many modern electronic devices have power supplies that convert AC to regulated DC and can tolerate a range of voltages from 100 to 250 and frequencies anywhere between 50 Hz and 60 Hz. Those devices are unlikely to be damaged by portable generators. Iu2019ve used portable generators for backup power in my homes for more than 40 years and in my RV for more than six years without any damage to computers, TV sets, DVD players and other electronics.Can a portable generator damage electronics?------Are British sockets waterproof?Standard domestic 13A sockets are not at all water resistant and shouldnu2019t be used anywhere they might be exposed to water.In the EU there is the IP rating system which defines resistance to ingress of solid particles and liquids. This applies to a whole range of enclosures as well as electrical fittings and sockets with various levels of IP protection are available. This goes all the way up to fully submersible connectors.There are, for example 3 pin 13A style sockets which are protected with a sealed enclosure with a flap, these can be installed outdoors but have less protection when actually in use.Higher protection in actual use is provided by inline sockets which inherently have better sealing and can easily be retrofitted to items with a standard 13A plug. There is also a standard for 110V mains power which is intended for use outdoors and is pretty standard for construction work etc where portable generators are used, although it is debatable whether it provides any meaningful improvement in safety. 110V AC is certainly still perfectly capable of killing you.Are British sockets waterproof?------How to power an outdoor DJ Set?Generators are noisy (audible) and noisy (electrical).Best bet is some form of battery system that can output a sinusoidal wave (try to avoid square waves!). You could run a solar rig into the battery to keep it topped up.It depends on the amount of gear you want to run - check the watt usage on each item, convert to kVA and find a suitable battery and convertor (e.g. 12v to 240v) to power it all