Putting a muffler on genset

Submitted: Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 09:02
ThreadID: 67628 Views:2510 Replies:5 FollowUps:6
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Power's gone off again so we're runnig on generator (5kva Honda 11HP)

It's wired into the switchboard so relatively painless, but it is noisy. The little muffler was never much good and has been removed now there is just a a straight pipe.

I'm wondering about putting a bike muffler on it, but a couple of people told me that was not a good idea as it would loose too much power, cause problems with the engine etc.
You do wonder why they don't come stock with something effective.

Has anyone done a similar job and did it effect performance unduly? Are there any other issues I should be aware of?

Thanks for any suggestions.
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Reply By: Best Off Road - Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 09:06

Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 09:06
GT,

Possibly run a hose from the pipe into a bucket of water. Outboard motors don't neeed a muffler.

Just a thought.

Cheers,

Jim.

AnswerID: 358533

Follow Up By: Ozboc - Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 18:13

Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 18:13
I was going to suggest the same thing --- I have a skiboat with a worked 350 chev Motor ( V8 for those that don't know ) with 3 inch straight pipe ( No mufflers ) when i am idling the exhaust pipes are inder the water and all you hear is a Gurgle sound ---- motor runs fine -- when up and plaining -- LOUD....

don't know why this cant work on a generator running a pipe into a bucket of water .... only draw back is you will end up with boiled water after some time .....



Boc
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Reply By: Member - Rodney B- Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 09:19

Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 09:19
Years ago when we went fishing we ran a little 500 watt honda for the week or so we were fishing (freeze the Barra down then put them in a big ice box). We used to dig a hole about 1/2 metre deep put a board over it and put 6" of dirt on it and run a pipe from the muffler or exhaust into the hole. (leave the opening away from your camp of course) and you couldn't hear the genny from 20 feet away .

AnswerID: 358536

Follow Up By: Kirks - Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 15:45

Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 15:45
Rodney B.

What sort of a pipe do you use, and what is it made of.

Thanks Kirks.
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Reply By: Axel [ the real one ] - Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 09:40

Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 09:40
Most important thing is not to restrict the exhaust gas flow to much , in previous thread you wanted to know what to do about your regular 5am Harley noise maker lol , same problem ,different application ,, ;)
AnswerID: 358542

Follow Up By: GoneTroppo Member (FNQ) - Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 09:45

Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 09:45
I wondered if that would come up :-)

The Honda genset is a vital piece of equipment runnig a business, The Harely is just annoining!!!!
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Follow Up By: Axel [ the real one ] - Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 10:02

Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 10:02
No need to go fishing today , had my bite ,,, lol.
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Reply By: OzTroopy - Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 09:54

Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 09:54
Geez you must have delicate hearing GoneTroppo,

Noisy generators , motorbikes .......

Out camping, the birds in the morning and evening must really give you curry ..... lolol

Hondas have normally always been the quietest of gennies.

A covered, hole in the ground, away from your camp is very effective and canvas works as well as wood.

Might pay to check Honda for a spare parts listing of mufflers for your model .... Jap stuff regularly has various, similiar components for different sales markets/countries/applications ... may be a quieter muffler available .. ???
AnswerID: 358546

Follow Up By: GoneTroppo Member (FNQ) - Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 10:38

Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 10:38
That reminds me...I've been meaning to mention a crowd of Kookaburras that roost in the trees along the creek.
Thst start about half an hour after the bloek with the Hearley has been!!!!

Seriously though, I like the hole in the ground idea, but usually the power goes off in a storm, torrential rain etc etc. so the genset lives in the shed (open sided on three sides 150mm thick concrete floor)
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Follow Up By: PradOz - Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 13:14

Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 13:14
i hope the kookaburras arent laughing at you getting agro with the harley every morning :))
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Reply By: Rossc0 - Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 13:04

Tuesday, Apr 07, 2009 at 13:04
We had a solar setup to provide power in our previous house with a 5kva gen powered by an 11hp honda as additional backup.

So to make it quiet we ran it through a normal car muffler, from memory it was out of a XY falcon. Because this is 2" inlet and outlet and can handle all that a 351 cleveland can pump through it, it had absolutely no effect on the power of the genset.

You could hear the genset was running about 3m away from it ( with the shed door open) but no exhaust noise all mechanical noise. The genset was about 50m from the house so was undetectable from the house.

You could actually work in the shed without being deafened by the exhaust noise.

Cheers
Ross
AnswerID: 358575

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