Soundproofing a portable generator, thoughts?

A

Active Verb

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Jun 30, 2004
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I bought a Coleman Powermate 5500 (watts) that works like a charms and sounds a bad boy. Don't want to piss off the neighbors (though will if need be). A review on epinions.com said putting sandbags around the open areas would help. A web search turned up thhttp://soundproofing.org/infopages/generator.htmis. And I guess, my question is, any other thoughts? Is there a quick and easy way to reduce noise from a noisy generator?
 
The link you provided has some good information. Though I would not wrap the motor or the generator with anything. Upgrade the muffler and rout it outside the enclosure is a must. You can also add a little length to the air intake to gather air from outside the enclosure as well. But you still need adequate air volume inside the enclosure for cooling so it should not be sealed too tightly. The enclosure doesn't have to be all that involved and it probably won't be used all that often unless your power goes out a lot.

You might also consider a power inverter and a deep cycle marine battery/batteries for evening use and reserve generator use for normal daylight/early evening hours. Of course this would depend on what you are trying to operate and your overall power requirements.
 
:)
Active Verb said:
I bought a Coleman Powermate 5500 (watts) that works like a charms and sounds a bad boy. Don't want to piss off the neighbors (though will if need be). A review on epinions.com said putting sandbags around the open areas would help. A web search turned up thhttp://soundproofing.org/infopages/generator.htmis. And I guess, my question is, any other thoughts? Is there a quick and easy way to reduce noise from a noisy generator?
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You're not going to without risking a fire. If you want quiet, then buy a quiet Honda or Yamaha. I'm like you and have a Coleman. They just don't compete with the latest Yamaha and Honda stuff that idles down based on load and ... a bunch of other "quiet-related" stuff. Course, I only paid Home Depot clearance prices for mine. My Dad stepped up hard for a Yamaha during "Rita" that runs super quiet... It really is nice.

HOWEVER .... you use the darn things so infrequently (or at least I do) that I'm just glad it starts when I need it. :)

Razz
 
If I have to choose between pissing the neighbours off with a little noise in order to keep my family warm and with lights then the neighbours will not only be pissed off, but probably cold and in the dark.
It has been my observation that having a generator going in the middle of a blizzard and power outage tends to bring neighbours together. Usually in my my heated and well stocked abode, but none the less together.

I am amazed at how many people still have not invested in a generator and wired their home after all the weather problems and power outages of the last few years.

I'll get off my soapbox now:D
 
A simple "doghouse" that is insulated with proper venting can help. It can't be too small and you need the right clearences etc. I intend to do that to mine one of these days. I have a 14 hp twin 8000 watt - well I do when the church's youth are not useing it for some film project ;) I am looking at making a generator from an old single cylinder long stroke diesel and a brush type genset. About bullettproof.... oh I will not be bore for lack of Projects!
 
Our portable 10,000 watt generator runs off our house propane tank (325 gallons) and plugs into a transfer switch. I have used a doghouse roof for protecting it from the elements, just make sure you have enough clearance for checking the oil and being able to safely fill the tank.

Here is a link for the more adventerous types on how to make your own generator.
http://theepicenter.com/tipoweek.html
 
Try the rv forums, those guys run their gens long periods of time and in crowded campsites.
 
While not a generator, I keep my noisy compressor in a Rubbermaid closet in the corner of my workshop. It really does a lot to muffle down the racket. Maybe you could do one with a breather hole in it or just leave the door cracked open a bit.
 
Active Verb said:
I bought a Coleman Powermate 5500 (watts) that works like a charms and sounds a bad boy. Don't want to piss off the neighbors (though will if need be). A review on epinions.com said putting sandbags around the open areas would help. A web search turned up thhttp://soundproofing.org/infopages/generator.htmis. And I guess, my question is, any other thoughts? Is there a quick and easy way to reduce noise from a noisy generator?
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The engines are AIR cooled. That should be taken into consideration. I'm having an airy brick shelter[ spaced for venting ]to protect the engine. If you want quiet, buy a Honda with about 1/4 the deicibels & 3 X the cost BUT will have the quietest unit.

Uncle Alan:thumbup:

Uncle Alan
 
The simplest, most efficient sound control is simply digging a small shallow hole about ½ again the size of the generator and setting it in there. Most of the sound generated from machines like this is heard in “line of sight” and there is little better than earth to muffle it.

If you are operating somewhere wet, try making an enclosure of common concrete building blocks. Fill them with something dense, sand, soil, playdoh, whatever and cover with a piece of ½” plywood. It won't work as well as a two foot deep hole, but you and your neighbors can still sleep.

If you check out the RV sites and "boondocking" you will find some variations on this.


Shhhhhh!
 
The only way I know to make it less noisy is to build a little house for it (my dad used galvanised steel and pressure treated wood) outside of the house. But it also depends on how your using it I only use it for when we get slammed by hurricanes every year. Also another good tip is if or when your generator breaks down take it to a lawn mower shop our local one is a little less pricey.
 
When I was in the Army we did it by sandbagging a wall around the generator and also putting the generator in a hole. The sand bags and hole will make the sound waves go up and away not out.


Paul
 
That is what I was thinking I read somewhere. I would try redirecting the sound up with a box of 3-4 pieces of plywood hinged and duct taped, no lid. I'd start at 4' and then try 8' tall just for simplicity sake. Make sure there is nothing above to deflect the sound, trees and such. YMMV greatly.................If it doesn't work, it is always good to have plywood handy.:D
 
I sescond Hardball, dig a hole. It's what the Army has done for theirs. Works well.

Since it's low freq noise thin barriers aren't going to work much (think car bass speakers, thin metal has little effect). You need something thick (or a hole :-) It's the Army's answer to most things:D
 
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