Honda Car Forum

On Fri, 22 Sep 2006 16:06:12 GMT, <lucasea@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

>
>"beav" <BEAVITH1@NETSCAPE.NET> wrote in message
>news:3js7h25asi8qvqus5chkt09ftusonbldcg@4ax.com.. .
>
>> the tractor was a hangar queen
>
>8^D I've heard that term used as regards Jags, but never a lowly garden
>tractor.
>
>
>> frankly, i'd go for the moth balls, and when i get back from this
>> weekend, i think i'm going that way.
>
>I assume you are implying that you prefer the smell of mothballs to that of
>dryer sheets. That may be the case after short-term exposure, but the
>mothball smell really hangs around and gets into things, and quickly becomes
>irritating. Have you read the (probably apocryphal) story about the guy
>that thought he would outsmart a squirrel by using mothballs to drive it
>away? The story goes that the squirrel got the last laugh by taking all the
>mothballs and stashing them in the wall of this guy's house. The smell was
>so into intolerable that he had to tear down the wall and clean it out.
>Like I said, probably an urban legend, but certainly the purported effect is
>plausible.



the tractor is in the shed. they can drag those moth balls anywhere
they like. : )

i've got 2 cats and i know how to use them.

>
>
>> of course, last night, i ran out and covered my new tractor with dryer
>> sheets...
>
>I wonder if it's the chemicals or the perfumes in the dryer sheets that
>repel rodents? If it's the chemicals, than odorless dryer sheets might be
>just the ticket.


whatever it takes..


>Eric Lucas
>

Use sticky pads and mouse traps that both are baited.

Make them come to you and when trapped they stay put.

Also cover the openings on the generator with tape...no bugs, mice or
other things will crawl in.

Checking the traps on a regular basis is a good excuse to do regular
preventive maintainance on the generator...you DO want the generator to
work when it is needed, don't you?

TMT



mgkelson@yahoo.com wrote:
> On Oct. 21, 2003 there was a post on alt.honda that said, in part:
>
> "I have a Honda EM5000SX generator I paid $2100
> for new 5 years ago. It only has about 10 hours on
> it as it's just backup for home. The other day it
> gave no output and turns out some mice got inside
> and ruined the generator portion. The Honda dealer
> where I bought it said it would cost more to replace
> the brushes and other components than to just buy a
> new generator. . ."
>
> Here's some more quotes on mice damage:
>
> Nov. 21, 1999
> " I recently finished rebuilding a (fixing mouse damage)
> Honda EFs-5500 generator. . ."
>
> Sep. 24, 1998
> "I will need to fab up a metal box to keep the mice out
> of the windings. . ."
>
> Jul 30, 2006
> "Mice in my shed have eaten away all insulation
> from the inside of my EU3000is. Seems the
> generator is noticeably louder without the insulation.
> I can not find a dealer who can order these two
> insulation 'blocks' from Honda. Can someone
> please measure both insulation 'blocks' and post
> the dimensions? I will try to glue alternative
> insulation in its place."
>
> I recently took a box cutter and made a small box cardboard box (out of
> a larger one) and put it over my Honda Generator. Then inside the box I
> put a can with holes in it filled with naphthalene moth balls.
>
> Now, one problem that I have is those moth balls really smell bad. In
> fact, they are stinking up my entire garage. That's a relatively small
> problem, though. A bigger potential problem I am wonder about is
> whether the fumes from the moth balls might damage the generator. Given
> the potency of the gas that those moth balls (napthalene), another
> problem, of course, is whether there is a health risk.
>
> Here's an excerpt from something I found on the internet:
>
> "CANCER HAZARD
> Naphthalene may be a CARCINOGEN in humans since it has been show to
> cause nasal and lung cancer in animals. Many scientists believe there
> is no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen."
>
> So, mothballs might not be a great idea, unless you can completely seal
> the container. Even so, the question still exists in regard to the
> generator. Is napthalene safe for a generator?
>
> Does anyone have any other ideas on how to protect a generator from
> mice?

mgkelson@yahoo.com wrote:
> Pete C. wrote:

> >
> > The proper way to protect it is with fine metal screening covering all
> > the openings. Keeps out both rodents and many insects. You do not need
> > to enclose the entire unit, just seal off the problem areas with a fine
> > mesh, no more than about 1/8" opening size.
> >
> > Pete C.
>
> I think you are right. Protecting the problem areas or building an
> entire box out of fine metal screening is the best and possibly the
> only practical solution. I'm not sure why I didn't think of it right
> off the bat.

I would not screen the critical ventillation openings of the generator
with fine mesh, for fear it will restrict airflow and compromise the
machine.

Either build the box out of mesh (or somethin else) or if you simply
must guard only the generator openings, use the coarsest mesh you think
you can get away with.

Myself, I just invert a plastic tub over the genny when I'm not using
it. It doesn't make a perfect seal with the slab, so the gas vapors
never reach the required richness to be a combustion risk, and they
dissipate quickly when the tub is lifted anyway. I suppose a few vent
holes with fine mesh over them wouldn't hurt.

%MOD%

modervador@worldnet.att.net wrote:

>
> Myself, I just invert a plastic tub over the genny when I'm not using
> it. It doesn't make a perfect seal with the slab, so the gas vapors
> never reach the required richness to be a combustion risk, and they
> dissipate quickly when the tub is lifted anyway. I suppose a few vent
> holes with fine mesh over them wouldn't hurt.
>
> %MOD%

One thing interesting about Honda generators, incidentally, is that the
manual for the 2000i, requires that the gas tank be drained for
long-term storage. On the otherhand, the 3000i says that the gas tank
should be filled with fresh gas (mixed with conditioner) for long-term
storage. Then before you use it again you are supposed to drain the gas
out and refill it with fresh gas.

It makes you wonder if there is a valid reason for using the two
different methods or if the instructions were simply written by
different engineers.

Maybe the 2000i has a plastic tank and the 3000i has a steel tank? I
dunno.

In response to the original question, I have found a VERY effective
solution. I bought a container of the hottest powdered pepper I could
find, habanero powder, and sprinkeled it all around my electrical
cords and generator. The miice (rats in my case) walk across it and
get it on their paws, then when they start to chew it burns they
mouths. This by the way is very effective to keep racoons away from
your garden as well. Just remember to wash YOUR hands after working on
it!

On 10 Sep 2006 10:18:11 -0700, mgkelson@yahoo.com wrote:

>On Oct. 21, 2003 there was a post on alt.honda that said, in part:
>
>"I have a Honda EM5000SX generator I paid $2100
>for new 5 years ago. It only has about 10 hours on
>it as it's just backup for home. The other day it
>gave no output and turns out some mice got inside
>and ruined the generator portion. The Honda dealer
>where I bought it said it would cost more to replace
>the brushes and other components than to just buy a
>new generator. . ."
>
>Here's some more quotes on mice damage:
>
>Nov. 21, 1999
>" I recently finished rebuilding a (fixing mouse damage)
>Honda EFs-5500 generator. . ."
>
>Sep. 24, 1998
>"I will need to fab up a metal box to keep the mice out
>of the windings. . ."
>
>Jul 30, 2006
>"Mice in my shed have eaten away all insulation
>from the inside of my EU3000is. Seems the
>generator is noticeably louder without the insulation.
>I can not find a dealer who can order these two
>insulation 'blocks' from Honda. Can someone
>please measure both insulation 'blocks' and post
>the dimensions? I will try to glue alternative
>insulation in its place."
>
>I recently took a box cutter and made a small box cardboard box (out of
>a larger one) and put it over my Honda Generator. Then inside the box I
>put a can with holes in it filled with naphthalene moth balls.
>
>Now, one problem that I have is those moth balls really smell bad. In
>fact, they are stinking up my entire garage. That's a relatively small
>problem, though. A bigger potential problem I am wonder about is
>whether the fumes from the moth balls might damage the generator. Given
>the potency of the gas that those moth balls (napthalene), another
>problem, of course, is whether there is a health risk.
>
>Here's an excerpt from something I found on the internet:
>
>"CANCER HAZARD
>Naphthalene may be a CARCINOGEN in humans since it has been show to
>cause nasal and lung cancer in animals. Many scientists believe there
>is no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen."
>
>So, mothballs might not be a great idea, unless you can completely seal
>the container. Even so, the question still exists in regard to the
>generator. Is napthalene safe for a generator?
>
>Does anyone have any other ideas on how to protect a generator from
>mice?

Good idea! Your post just reminded me that this is an old trick to keep
squirrels out of your bird feeder. Apparently mammals have capsaicin pain
receptors, but birds don't.

Capsaicin cream may work even better on wires, etc., although it's more
expensive.

Eric Lucas

"Bob Ferapples" <licku45@yqahoo.com> wrote in message
news:efati21en9kimnooliglbgbor59mh9vnun@4ax.com...
> In response to the original question, I have found a VERY effective
> solution. I bought a container of the hottest powdered pepper I could
> find, habanero powder, and sprinkeled it all around my electrical
> cords and generator. The miice (rats in my case) walk across it and
> get it on their paws, then when they start to chew it burns they
> mouths. This by the way is very effective to keep racoons away from
> your garden as well. Just remember to wash YOUR hands after working on
> it!
>
> On 10 Sep 2006 10:18:11 -0700, mgkelson@yahoo.com wrote:
>
>>On Oct. 21, 2003 there was a post on alt.honda that said, in part:
>>
>>"I have a Honda EM5000SX generator I paid $2100
>>for new 5 years ago. It only has about 10 hours on
>>it as it's just backup for home. The other day it
>>gave no output and turns out some mice got inside
>>and ruined the generator portion. The Honda dealer
>>where I bought it said it would cost more to replace
>>the brushes and other components than to just buy a
>>new generator. . ."
>>
>>Here's some more quotes on mice damage:
>>
>>Nov. 21, 1999
>>" I recently finished rebuilding a (fixing mouse damage)
>>Honda EFs-5500 generator. . ."
>>
>>Sep. 24, 1998
>>"I will need to fab up a metal box to keep the mice out
>>of the windings. . ."
>>
>>Jul 30, 2006
>>"Mice in my shed have eaten away all insulation
>>from the inside of my EU3000is. Seems the
>>generator is noticeably louder without the insulation.
>>I can not find a dealer who can order these two
>>insulation 'blocks' from Honda. Can someone
>>please measure both insulation 'blocks' and post
>>the dimensions? I will try to glue alternative
>>insulation in its place."
>>
>>I recently took a box cutter and made a small box cardboard box (out of
>>a larger one) and put it over my Honda Generator. Then inside the box I
>>put a can with holes in it filled with naphthalene moth balls.
>>
>>Now, one problem that I have is those moth balls really smell bad. In
>>fact, they are stinking up my entire garage. That's a relatively small
>>problem, though. A bigger potential problem I am wonder about is
>>whether the fumes from the moth balls might damage the generator. Given
>>the potency of the gas that those moth balls (napthalene), another
>>problem, of course, is whether there is a health risk.
>>
>>Here's an excerpt from something I found on the internet:
>>
>>"CANCER HAZARD
>>Naphthalene may be a CARCINOGEN in humans since it has been show to
>>cause nasal and lung cancer in animals. Many scientists believe there
>>is no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen."
>>
>>So, mothballs might not be a great idea, unless you can completely seal
>>the container. Even so, the question still exists in regard to the
>>generator. Is napthalene safe for a generator?
>>
>>Does anyone have any other ideas on how to protect a generator from
>>mice?
>

As pointed out to me by an animal protection nut once time when I
suggested the bird feeder trick, while it's true that birds don't have
the pain receptors for capsaicin like mammals do it gets in their eyes
and burns them anyway, imparing their vision. Birds can't fly on
instruments!


On Thu, 12 Oct 2006 20:52:34 GMT, <lucasea@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

>Good idea! Your post just reminded me that this is an old trick to keep
>squirrels out of your bird feeder. Apparently mammals have capsaicin pain
>receptors, but birds don't.
>
>Capsaicin cream may work even better on wires, etc., although it's more
>expensive.
>
>Eric Lucas
>
>"Bob Ferapples" <licku45@yqahoo.com> wrote in message
>news:efati21en9kimnooliglbgbor59mh9vnun@4ax.com.. .
>> In response to the original question, I have found a VERY effective
>> solution. I bought a container of the hottest powdered pepper I could
>> find, habanero powder, and sprinkeled it all around my electrical
>> cords and generator. The miice (rats in my case) walk across it and
>> get it on their paws, then when they start to chew it burns they
>> mouths. This by the way is very effective to keep racoons away from
>> your garden as well. Just remember to wash YOUR hands after working on
>> it!
>>
>> On 10 Sep 2006 10:18:11 -0700, mgkelson@yahoo.com wrote:
>>
>>>On Oct. 21, 2003 there was a post on alt.honda that said, in part:
>>>
>>>"I have a Honda EM5000SX generator I paid $2100
>>>for new 5 years ago. It only has about 10 hours on
>>>it as it's just backup for home. The other day it
>>>gave no output and turns out some mice got inside
>>>and ruined the generator portion. The Honda dealer
>>>where I bought it said it would cost more to replace
>>>the brushes and other components than to just buy a
>>>new generator. . ."
>>>
>>>Here's some more quotes on mice damage:
>>>
>>>Nov. 21, 1999
>>>" I recently finished rebuilding a (fixing mouse damage)
>>>Honda EFs-5500 generator. . ."
>>>
>>>Sep. 24, 1998
>>>"I will need to fab up a metal box to keep the mice out
>>>of the windings. . ."
>>>
>>>Jul 30, 2006
>>>"Mice in my shed have eaten away all insulation
>>>from the inside of my EU3000is. Seems the
>>>generator is noticeably louder without the insulation.
>>>I can not find a dealer who can order these two
>>>insulation 'blocks' from Honda. Can someone
>>>please measure both insulation 'blocks' and post
>>>the dimensions? I will try to glue alternative
>>>insulation in its place."
>>>
>>>I recently took a box cutter and made a small box cardboard box (out of
>>>a larger one) and put it over my Honda Generator. Then inside the box I
>>>put a can with holes in it filled with naphthalene moth balls.
>>>
>>>Now, one problem that I have is those moth balls really smell bad. In
>>>fact, they are stinking up my entire garage. That's a relatively small
>>>problem, though. A bigger potential problem I am wonder about is
>>>whether the fumes from the moth balls might damage the generator. Given
>>>the potency of the gas that those moth balls (napthalene), another
>>>problem, of course, is whether there is a health risk.
>>>
>>>Here's an excerpt from something I found on the internet:
>>>
>>>"CANCER HAZARD
>>>Naphthalene may be a CARCINOGEN in humans since it has been show to
>>>cause nasal and lung cancer in animals. Many scientists believe there
>>>is no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen."
>>>
>>>So, mothballs might not be a great idea, unless you can completely seal
>>>the container. Even so, the question still exists in regard to the
>>>generator. Is napthalene safe for a generator?
>>>
>>>Does anyone have any other ideas on how to protect a generator from
>>>mice?
>>
>

It's not clear to me that that should be true. Capsaicin is not an
intrinsically corrosive chemical, nor is it intrinsically damaging to flesh.
The only thing that causes burns when it gets on human flesh is the body's
physiological response to its presence, which only happens because of its
very specific interaction with a receptor that apparently birds don't have.
As a molecule, it contains a phenol and an amide. The phenol is likely
mildly irritating in a non-specfic way, but it's very electron-rich, so its
pKa is going to be pretty high.

Eric Lucas

"Bob Ferapples" <licku45@yqahoo.com> wrote in message
news1bti2l9oncrkb23lvifapao2jj3laig7u@4ax.com...
> As pointed out to me by an animal protection nut once time when I
> suggested the bird feeder trick, while it's true that birds don't have
> the pain receptors for capsaicin like mammals do it gets in their eyes
> and burns them anyway, imparing their vision. Birds can't fly on
> instruments!
>
>
> On Thu, 12 Oct 2006 20:52:34 GMT, <lucasea@sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
>>Good idea! Your post just reminded me that this is an old trick to keep
>>squirrels out of your bird feeder. Apparently mammals have capsaicin pain
>>receptors, but birds don't.
>>
>>Capsaicin cream may work even better on wires, etc., although it's more
>>expensive.
>>
>>Eric Lucas
>>
>>"Bob Ferapples" <licku45@yqahoo.com> wrote in message
>>news:efati21en9kimnooliglbgbor59mh9vnun@4ax.com. ..
>>> In response to the original question, I have found a VERY effective
>>> solution. I bought a container of the hottest powdered pepper I could
>>> find, habanero powder, and sprinkeled it all around my electrical
>>> cords and generator. The miice (rats in my case) walk across it and
>>> get it on their paws, then when they start to chew it burns they
>>> mouths. This by the way is very effective to keep racoons away from
>>> your garden as well. Just remember to wash YOUR hands after working on
>>> it!
>>>
>>> On 10 Sep 2006 10:18:11 -0700, mgkelson@yahoo.com wrote:
>>>
>>>>On Oct. 21, 2003 there was a post on alt.honda that said, in part:
>>>>
>>>>"I have a Honda EM5000SX generator I paid $2100
>>>>for new 5 years ago. It only has about 10 hours on
>>>>it as it's just backup for home. The other day it
>>>>gave no output and turns out some mice got inside
>>>>and ruined the generator portion. The Honda dealer
>>>>where I bought it said it would cost more to replace
>>>>the brushes and other components than to just buy a
>>>>new generator. . ."
>>>>
>>>>Here's some more quotes on mice damage:
>>>>
>>>>Nov. 21, 1999
>>>>" I recently finished rebuilding a (fixing mouse damage)
>>>>Honda EFs-5500 generator. . ."
>>>>
>>>>Sep. 24, 1998
>>>>"I will need to fab up a metal box to keep the mice out
>>>>of the windings. . ."
>>>>
>>>>Jul 30, 2006
>>>>"Mice in my shed have eaten away all insulation
>>>>from the inside of my EU3000is. Seems the
>>>>generator is noticeably louder without the insulation.
>>>>I can not find a dealer who can order these two
>>>>insulation 'blocks' from Honda. Can someone
>>>>please measure both insulation 'blocks' and post
>>>>the dimensions? I will try to glue alternative
>>>>insulation in its place."
>>>>
>>>>I recently took a box cutter and made a small box cardboard box (out of
>>>>a larger one) and put it over my Honda Generator. Then inside the box I
>>>>put a can with holes in it filled with naphthalene moth balls.
>>>>
>>>>Now, one problem that I have is those moth balls really smell bad. In
>>>>fact, they are stinking up my entire garage. That's a relatively small
>>>>problem, though. A bigger potential problem I am wonder about is
>>>>whether the fumes from the moth balls might damage the generator. Given
>>>>the potency of the gas that those moth balls (napthalene), another
>>>>problem, of course, is whether there is a health risk.
>>>>
>>>>Here's an excerpt from something I found on the internet:
>>>>
>>>>"CANCER HAZARD
>>>>Naphthalene may be a CARCINOGEN in humans since it has been show to
>>>>cause nasal and lung cancer in animals. Many scientists believe there
>>>>is no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen."
>>>>
>>>>So, mothballs might not be a great idea, unless you can completely seal
>>>>the container. Even so, the question still exists in regard to the
>>>>generator. Is napthalene safe for a generator?
>>>>
>>>>Does anyone have any other ideas on how to protect a generator from
>>>>mice?
>>>
>>
>

One thing I'm thinking about doing with my Honda 3000i, at least as a
temporary measure, is getting a couple of inexpensive plastic tarps and
"double bagging" it and then tying the open end of the tarp up with
some wire/cable tires.

With the inside "bag" I could put some dryer sheets and some Desiccant
Container Dry. With the outside bag I might be able to put some
mothballs since it should be mostly airtight. Then I could sprinkle
some habanero powder around the generator.

Another thing I've thought about is putting the Honda 3000 cover on
from the bottom. This should cover all the holes. Then I could put some
dryer sheets and some desiccant inside the cover and sprinkle the
habanero around the outside or maybe spray the cover with some sort of
repellant.

Eventually, I think I'll probably build my own custom box.

Bob Ferapples wrote:
> In response to the original question, I have found a VERY effective
> solution. I bought a container of the hottest powdered pepper I could
> find, habanero powder, and sprinkeled it all around my electrical
> cords and generator. The miice (rats in my case) walk across it and
> get it on their paws, then when they start to chew it burns they
> mouths. This by the way is very effective to keep racoons away from
> your garden as well. Just remember to wash YOUR hands after working on
> it!
>
> On 10 Sep 2006 10:18:11 -0700, mgkelson@yahoo.com wrote:
>
> >On Oct. 21, 2003 there was a post on alt.honda that said, in part:
> >
> >"I have a Honda EM5000SX generator I paid $2100
> >for new 5 years ago. It only has about 10 hours on
> >it as it's just backup for home. The other day it
> >gave no output and turns out some mice got inside
> >and ruined the generator portion. The Honda dealer
> >where I bought it said it would cost more to replace
> >the brushes and other components than to just buy a
> >new generator. . ."
> >
> >Here's some more quotes on mice damage:
> >
> >Nov. 21, 1999
> >" I recently finished rebuilding a (fixing mouse damage)
> >Honda EFs-5500 generator. . ."
> >
> >Sep. 24, 1998
> >"I will need to fab up a metal box to keep the mice out
> >of the windings. . ."
> >
> >Jul 30, 2006
> >"Mice in my shed have eaten away all insulation
> >from the inside of my EU3000is. Seems the
> >generator is noticeably louder without the insulation.
> >I can not find a dealer who can order these two
> >insulation 'blocks' from Honda. Can someone
> >please measure both insulation 'blocks' and post
> >the dimensions? I will try to glue alternative
> >insulation in its place."
> >
> >I recently took a box cutter and made a small box cardboard box (out of
> >a larger one) and put it over my Honda Generator. Then inside the box I
> >put a can with holes in it filled with naphthalene moth balls.
> >
> >Now, one problem that I have is those moth balls really smell bad. In
> >fact, they are stinking up my entire garage. That's a relatively small
> >problem, though. A bigger potential problem I am wonder about is
> >whether the fumes from the moth balls might damage the generator. Given
> >the potency of the gas that those moth balls (napthalene), another
> >problem, of course, is whether there is a health risk.
> >
> >Here's an excerpt from something I found on the internet:
> >
> >"CANCER HAZARD
> >Naphthalene may be a CARCINOGEN in humans since it has been show to
> >cause nasal and lung cancer in animals. Many scientists believe there
> >is no safe level of exposure to a carcinogen."
> >
> >So, mothballs might not be a great idea, unless you can completely seal
> >the container. Even so, the question still exists in regard to the
> >generator. Is napthalene safe for a generator?
> >
> >Does anyone have any other ideas on how to protect a generator from
> >mice?