A generator is crucial to every household, more so for those in regions experiencing frequent power blackouts. The only demerit of most generators is the high level of noise they produce. Is there any solution to this disturbing problem? Yes! While reducing noise coming from the engine is not possible, you can cut significantly the sound emanating from the exhaust; making your noisy generator silent.
Reducing noise is essential not only for neighbors and family members but also for passersby. Read on for an expert guide on how to quiet a generator
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Inspect the exhaust regularly
Inspect the exhaust on a regular basis. Generator noise comes from two main sections, the engine, and the exhaust. By installing a muffler in the exhaust, noise emanating from this section reduces by a huge margin. You can opt to replace the exhaust with a bigger muffler/a car muffler either by yourself (if you are sufficiently skilled) or hire an expert to install for you.
Either way, the result is a significant reduction in the noise your generator produces. The video below somehow will help you come up with good ideas.
- Change the orientation of exhaust pipe
Horizontal exhaust pipes direct sound waves in one direction making the noise louder in a particular direction. Imagine what the situation would be if the pipe is pointing to your nearby house? Irritatingly very noisy! Modify it to face up for it to channel noise upwards. Brace yourself for a slight change in its appearance. However, the difference in appearance is too little a sacrifice for the resulting massive reduction in noise level.
Related reading: Questions to ask before choosing a generator
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Create an enclosure
Brick or walled wooden enclosures absorb the sound your noisy generator produces. Surround the cabinet with a fireproof insulator to absorb sound. The housing, nonetheless, needs to be spacious enough and adequately ventilated so that the resulting heat and exhaust gasses outflows. If the natural airflow is not sufficient, incorporate an electric fan to increase efficiency.
Creating an enclosure has to be the favorite out of any of the ideas that we are showing on this page. That is not only because it cancels a lot of the noise out, but it also conceals what you have inside. If you have read our bugging-in article, then you will remember that in the time of need, people will hunt for items such as generators. Hiding your generator away from prying eyes is a benefit no matter the state of affairs, and even more important during times of crisis. Not only can you hide it, but you can also lock it away pretty well too!
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Install your noisy generator far from the house
Your generator will appear quieter if you install it as far as possible from your home. So, if you need an inexpensive and yet effective way to silent your generator this strategy is ideal for you. Just ensure that your generator is not at risk of any form of meddling, theft or damage.
Apparently, placing it furthest at the expense of its safety is not recommended. Some portable generators are manufactured to be quieter by design since you will need to carry them in densely populated area. Check out this guide for the best quiet portable generator.
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Install your generator correctly
After identifying the ideal position for your generator put it in such a way that its exhaust points away from the adjacent residential area. The exhaust is, principally, the section of your generator noise emanates from hence appears the loudest. Consequently, by directing it away from the nearest estate goes a long way in making it less of a nuisance to persons living in the area.
Suggested article: 6 Electricity Generators You Need to Have in Your Bug Out Bag
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Build a wall to reflect away the noise
Build a wall and install a proper sound reflector on it to redirect the noise your generator produces away from your place of residence. While this approach does not substantially reduce the noise, by reflecting the sound, your generator will appear less noisy. Your family members and neighbors will not even realize that your generator is running. The most important thing is to reduce the disturbance your noisy generator causes to residents and building a wall achieves just that.
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Shop for a quieter generator
Massive generators are intended for use in construction sites and other places where noise from other equipment overshadows that from generators. There are specific models of generators designed to emit less noise and hence are appropriate for use in locations of residence. Refer the best quiet generator reviews to buy a quieter generator is also an excellent way to go. You’ll save money, time and energy you would otherwise have expended adopting any of the methods above. It is also ideal for you if you live in a packed area where some of the strategies such as position a generator far away and constructing a wall are unworkable.
With the above adept tips to quiet a generator, you’ve everything it takes to derive maximum benefits from your noisy generator. Luckily, you can implement the approaches irrespective of your technical know-how in dealing with generators. Adopt them to reduce, successfully, the noise your generator emits and accordingly make your generator less irritable to you, your loved ones and your neighbors.
This guest post is contributed by Victor Hill from Trustworthy Power.
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Good advice, and all good reasons and methods to quiet noisy machines.
Re #6…”Build a wall to reflect away the noise”:
My 6000W portable operates at 3600 rpm and it is noisier than I’d like. I use it for a lot of things, usually for working on projects somewhere away from home, and occasionally for camping. I know I should make a permanent fix to the exhaust as you suggest, but I haven’t. In the meantime, yes, earplugs help, which, if I’m using noisy power tools, I always wear…it’s so important and so easy to guard our hearing. In addition, to attenuate the generator noise when I’m working, I constructed a folding 2-sided sound “deflector wall”. It’s made from an 8′ sheet of plywood cut in half making two 4′ x 4′ panels, with a strap-hinge along the seam to allow folding for transport and storage, and to hold it together when it’s deployed standing upright in a V-shape.
I try to place the generator as far from my work site as is reasonable (50′ or less, depending on what gauge of extension cord I’m using). I set up and stabilize the V-shaped “deflector wall” close to the generator. Not fancy but effective. I haven’t measured the sound attenuation, but to my ears it works surprisingly well; and at the end of a relatively long work day I think I might even be a little less fatigued than I would be without it.
Still, I can’t use that V-wall setup on relatively windy days, so the exhaust fix remains an appealing idea. I just need to figure it out and do it. Thanks for the nudge.
Putting a cherry bomb on a generator may help a little but really…
Most generators today have fairly quite mufflers, its the engine itself that makes the most noise. I have a Yamaha 6500 generator that has a Kubota diesel, it is in its own covering. I built a sound proof shed with auto vents that sits twenty five feet from the house. It barely can be heard any distance from the house.
What about using a muffler for a 50cc – 150cc Chinese scooter? Wouldn’t that work?