silencing generators
Submitted: Monday, Nov 15, 2010 at 18:16
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Imanoone2u
sorry folks, but here is another, potentially dumb, question.
I'm thinking of getting a small generator to supplement my solar panels on rainy winter like days.
In principal I hate them and this is mainly due to the noise they make, so, Here's the question:
WHERE does the noise come from?
is it the exhaust? or the cylinders, or the air intake or some other moving part?
subject to the answers you may be able to provide, I was wondering if an upturned 'tea-chest' insulated on the inside would 'kill' the noise. and If i were to put a (2mtr) piece of pipe in the top of this box to act as an exhaust would that make a difference? possibly will need a grill for airintake
with all the different prices for generators and the 'silent' Honda ones costing in the vincinity of $2k, I'm looking for a cheaper, effective option.
I've never really looked at them, but if I have some pre-lim info, the sales folks won't be able to hoodwink me.....to much
Thanks folks
Marcel
Reply By: Notso - Monday, Nov 15, 2010 at 18:23
Monday, Nov 15, 2010 at 18:23
You can do it but it would take a bit of research.
Motor homes have genny boxes where the genny is permanently mounted.
Don't know about requirements for venting and heat removal. It might cost you as much to build the box as to buy a quiet little honda for say $1000 or so.
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Reply By: greybeard - Monday, Nov 15, 2010 at 18:47
Monday, Nov 15, 2010 at 18:47
i'd also suspect induction noise as
well.
back in my dim distant past :) when I used to play with motor bikes there was definitely noticable induction noise ( air intake ) predominately with two strokes.
if you quieten down one end of the gennie then expect to have to quieten down the other at some stage as
well.
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436077
Reply By: Stevesub1 - Monday, Nov 15, 2010 at 18:50
Monday, Nov 15, 2010 at 18:50
The noise is probably coming from everything. A better muffler will help, Go Karts in NZ a few years ago had to have a special airbox to muffle the incoming air, as for any mechanical noise, who knows.
Pay the extra $$ for a quiet one as if you havce a insulated tea chest, you need to get rid of a lot of heat which means vents which means noise.
Stevesub
AnswerID:
436078
Reply By: Bushranger1 - Monday, Nov 15, 2010 at 19:34
Monday, Nov 15, 2010 at 19:34
Hi Marcel,
I reckon a lot of the noise is purely mechanical & a different muffler probably will not make much difference.
I have one of those cheap $98 2 stroke gennies & I made a box that is double skinned &
well vented on both the air cooling intake & exhaust side. This combined with 50 metres of extension cord makes it quite acceptable.
Mind you I do tend to run it for 4 hrs in the afternoon while I go out for a walk so that I can enjoy a peacfull evening around the fire just running on my inverter & batteries.
Funny thing is though the cooling fan on my inverter drives me nuts on a quiet windless night in the bush!
Cheers
Stu
AnswerID:
436084
Reply By: Robin Miller - Monday, Nov 15, 2010 at 19:45
Monday, Nov 15, 2010 at 19:45
Hi Marcel
Even the quiet ones are hopeless in my opinion , but as others say above the noise comes from everywhere and hence only solution is to tackle it as a system.
If you get one - put it inside the car (wagon) and run it with the doors all closed and just a 1cm opening of 2 windows, you won't believe how effective this is as the various vibrations have to sgake 2 tons of car mounted on rubber cushions.
P.S. 2 strokes should be avioded when using above method.
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Reply By: Member - Graham H (QLD) - Monday, Nov 15, 2010 at 21:09
Monday, Nov 15, 2010 at 21:09
After suffering these on our big trip I would say the quietest way is leave it at home and buy more solar panels.
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436102
Follow Up By: disco driver - Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010 at 01:10
Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010 at 01:10
Graham,
Already having a generator, and without the extra cash
reserves to set myself up with a solar setup, ( I'm a grumpy old age pensioner with disabilities), I'm afraid that if you come across me on your travels, you'll have to put up with my noisy old generator or shift
camp away from me.
Having said all that, I try to limit my generator use to as few hours as possible and usually in the afternoon. I also try to get the genset as far away from everyone as possible within the limiting factors of voltage drop and extension cord length.
Can't do much more than that!
Disco.
FollowupID:
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Reply By: Member - Josh (TAS) - Monday, Nov 15, 2010 at 22:02
Monday, Nov 15, 2010 at 22:02
Have to agree with Graham on this one. Have you looked at how effecient your solar is or can you reduce power usage so the solar handles it. If we had continual bad weather and low sun light we would simply hook up the car for an hour to bring the charge up. In 3 yrs probably only did this 3 or 4 times. Personally I would avoid a gen as much as possible if you enjoy peace and quiet.
Josh
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Reply By: Muntoo - Monday, Nov 15, 2010 at 23:10
Monday, Nov 15, 2010 at 23:10
The old man has a Honda one, and he put one of those 20L plastic containers over it, and i didnt even hear it. I didnt even know it was on and it was only 10 metres away. Then he took the container off and it was barely noticeable anyway. Him and the old girl travelled non stop fro nearly 2 years and they used whenever they had too, never heard it once he reckons. And he can hear a snake or rattle from 50 metres away.
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Reply By: Shaker - Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010 at 15:39
Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010 at 15:39
I wonder how many 'generatorophobes' have under bonnet shower systems & start & idle their diesels morning & night??
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Reply By: Imanoone2u - Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010 at 23:50
Tuesday, Nov 16, 2010 at 23:50
Hmmmm, yeah thought so.
more panels and less usage of not needed electricals is the way to go.
Thanks for all your replies. Had to ask though, can't learn without asking.
See you 'round one day.
Marcel
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