me2@neuralfibre.com replied:

It is going to take a VERY VERY long time to charge a batt with the generator. The 12V output is low current, and the deep cycle is slow to charge. 6amp max generally.

I would look at using the car alternator or getting a cheap new 4 stroke motor and alternator from the wreckers. For $500 you can get 80 amps.

Paul

traveller2 replied:

You probably can muffle it further but 2 strokes rely on a free flowing exhaust to get a relatively high output from a small capacity engine, fitting additional mufflers may nobble the power output somewhat.
I've never tried with my GMC 750w jobbie which is basically the same unit. But it did get quieter after a bit of use as the muffler gunked up a bit. Mind you they are pretty quiet for a 2 stroke.

TentEnKaMan replied:

Okay got an idea for a prototype. header and muffler off bike (single manifold I have one i think) and a cut up coke can side as the adjoining material prob wired on just to test it out. Will try to build in next couple of days and post back. Thinking the header and muffler way bigger than exhaust port for gennie anyhows, so maybe wont interfere with exhaust flow too much? Oh thats right Ive gotta bottle the beer first :/ lol

Member - joc45 (WA) replied:

Hi TentEnKaMan,
Sounds difficult on a cheap 2-stroke. Might be simpler to invest in a long extension lead.
You could reduce noise by setting up a surround of thick felting/old carpet about a metre high, held up by 3 or 4 poles poked in the ground, arranged around the genny. Most of the noise will then go upwards. Should pack up easily as well.
The 12v output from your genny is pretty low. You'd get best recharge on your AGM battery by using the 240v output and getting one of those 3-stage AGM chargers. Not cheap, but you'll pump plenty of amps into the battery, and safely.
Note you are using 20w halogens. Invest in 12v CFL flouros. You can get these quite cheaply (about $20) from Jaycar (cat SL2850 or 2852), but they need a protective cover, or buy a nice Versalite for about $100. You'll save a fair bit of power this way. You can also get 12v lights with an array of white LEDs. Not sure how good these are, but will use much less power.
Gerry

me2@neuralfibre.com replied:

240V charger will prob be 10A at best, and most likely less. Still going to take 5 - 10 times as long as an 80Amp alternator for $50 off a commodore.
Built one of these for the old mans boat for exactly this reason. Christie generator is the same thing with great packaging (and ouchie price).

I use the cruiser, but it's got a 120A alternator from factory, and the diesel is prety frugal. I won't idle it for hours though, might glaze it up. Take it for drive instead.

No easy way out of this game, I have tried.
Read my other post for info on battery economics - there is a link to battery isolator systems and discussion in there on battery ssytem costs and capacities.

Paul

Member - Mottleman (NSW) replied:

This might be the sort of thing you could consider
Site Link

I'm in the middle of building something similar and will post how it goes.

cheers
John

me2@neuralfibre.com replied:

Give me a shout offline with your location. I might have some ideas for you. Email is above.

Paul

Axel [ the real one ] replied:

Ive had the Scorpion 950 for about 4 or so yrs , [also have solar but thats not what your asking about] , do NOT try to charge a battery from the 12v outlet as it is unregulated , power from same can be anywhere from 12v upto 19/20v , as for quietening down ,one way is to braise an L shaped pipe about 6inches long onto the current muffler outlet and have it facing down to the ground , being 6 inches long it will extend down into the ground so you need to dig a hole about 2 shovel fulls round and deep where the pipe sits , drops the exhaust noise level from the normal 53db to around 40db ,quieter than a honda ,LOL. Ps , ours will and has run for 14hrs straight on the 1 tank of fuel [4.5lt] supplying 240v to a 15lt Engle + a 80lt Waeco + a 50lt Chescold and a 20yr old 60lt Engle + 2 old Cream and green 39lt Engles plus lights , would love to seea honda 1000 do the same.

kcandco replied:

Hi TentEnKaMan this site might interest you

www.campertrailers.org/generator_box.htm

regards Kc

Gossy replied:

apologies if this has already been mentioned but I don't have time to read the whole forum. In the Army we use to run a long rubber hose from the muffler outlet and run along the ground away from where the tent area was (and point it away). Crude but quite effective.

Member - Douglas M (SA) replied:

Hi TentEnKaMan
"I had a woman camper neighbour apologise to me recently for her awful country music blaring.... All I could say is why are you sorry? You have had to put up with worse from us."
It must be an absolutely awful sounding generator! ;-)

Doug

TentEnKaMan replied:

LMAOOOOOOOO Dougie, was a close battle but we were noisy 4 days and she was noisy one night lol

TentEnKaMan replied:

Well I tried the motorbike header/muffler, but it only worked minorly better than the garden hose solution posted above. This is probably partially due to my dodgy chopped up energy drink joiner and subsequent leakage (didnt have hose clamps big or small enough for either end) but is also a hell of a lot bulkier and requires some proffesional customisation to achieve properly. It ran my 700 watt drill with no gripes so the exhaust baffling is not an issue. Think Im going to try the box as it the whole motor not just the exhaust that needs to be quietened down. Both the hose and bike muffler demonstrated this. The muffler diminished exhaust noise more than the hose but I will probably incorporate the hose into the box as It is a lot lighter and less bulky than the muffler and does diminish exhaust noise as well. It also allows you to control the direction the noise goes in a lot more easily. Would also allow you to store generator in tent or trailer during wet patches. We got rained out for 3 days our first trip and i was constantly adjusting the tent i bought for our generator to try and strike a balance between not choking it on its own fumes and keeping it dry. Wish Id read this tip then hahahaha

TentEnKaMan replied:

Anyone know where to buy the soundprrofing stuff in Adelaide? It looks like astrofoil, I'v got some of that laying round in the shed lol