generator noise

Submitted: Monday, Jul 21, 2003 at 12:33

ThreadID: 6088 Views:5623 Replies:4 FollowUps:2

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wes

hi there, i was reading with interest some of the forum letters concerning generators and whether or not theyr'e a valid accessory for the average 4wdriver/caravanner or just an easy way of upsetting your fellow travellers with their noise and pollution (even tho these days both of these problems seem to be quite minimal with new technology) and was wondering if anyone has tried a sound proofing box (maybe just an old esky upside down with a few small holes to let the gas out) to limit the noise and let it be used without bothering everyone else. Having just bought a new generator (honda eu10i) i'd like to be able to use it at camp sites etc without annoying others in the area.

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Reply By: Tony - Monday, Jul 21, 2003 at 13:56

Reply By: Topcat (WA) - Monday, Jul 21, 2003 at 14:46

Reply By: Member - Willem- Monday, Jul 21, 2003 at 18:16

Monday, Jul 21, 2003 at 18:16

Hi Wes,

I spent 5 years on the road lugging a 27 footer around and of necessity had to have a generator. I have a Suzuki 800 and it is reasonably quiet. I normally put it on the opposite side of the van to other campers and had a piece of board to deflect any noise away. Some things to think of are:

Standing the generator on a platform which has 100mm foam underneath at ground level.

Making an extension removable exhaust and muffler from motorbike parts and attaching it so that it points upwards say to a height of 2 to 2.5 metres.

Another one is to run an extension exhaust pipe through a small drum of water......but that's too elaborate.

We were camped at place in the NT when a bloke pitched up around 3pm in a truck with a trailer and a 4x4 on the trailer. "Do ya mind if I run me gennie to cool me beer down?" he said with a can in hand. There were about six other campers there sitting in a circle around a smouldering fire. "No worries" we all said in unison. Well............he started this 2.5kva Yanmar diesel which had a broken muffler and that was mounted on a steel skid plate on the back of the tipper..........and the noise was extreme. After an hour we asked if he could please turn the noise off. He refused. We all got up walked over to his truck, beckoned to him and toild him to bleep off or else. He complied but begrudgingly calling us a pack of bastards!!

This was an extreme case. Normally campers help one another out and turn generators off at 10pm

Cheers, Willem
Never a dull moment

AnswerID: 25508

Follow Up By: Member - Bob - Tuesday, Jul 22, 2003 at 13:37

Tuesday, Jul 22, 2003 at 13:37

I don't think people mind minimal use during the day for recharging gear etc, but even around the fire at night the constant drone of even the quietest generator defeats the purpose of why we go bush. Some people like their camp lit up like suburbia, run power tools, or loud music - all of which detracts from the bush experience. To the owner, the constant thrum of the Honda is a source of pride. To others within earshot, it is a PITA.

FollowupID: 17357