Make a generator quieter?

[Skinnykyle]

I am looking for some ideas on how to quiet a generator (on a budget). I was thinking maybe a box built out of plywood & insulation, or maybe welding an ATV muffler on it or both.

Has anybody on the GS tried their hand at this?

[CletusBodeen]

You can build a 3 or 2 sided short wall with a roof over it and set the opening away from your camp. That'll help with the noise. I've heard you can use some black pipe from home depot and other fittings to put a full size auto muffler on it but have not done either option. My generator is pretty loud but I set it 100' away and use a heavy duty extension cord. The noise is tolerable and once you get use to it it'll be hard to sleep without the humm of the motor running

[Skinnykyle]

You can build a 3 or 2 sided short wall with a roof over it and set the opening away from your camp. That'll help with the noise. I've heard you can use some black pipe from home depot and other fittings to put a full size auto muffler on it but have not done either option. My generator is pretty loud but I set it 100' away and use a heavy duty extension cord. The noise is tolerable and once you get use to it it'll be hard to sleep without the humm of the motor running

I'm more concerned with the noise keeping deer spooked all night. Our campsite is fairly close to a draw where the majority of our deer bed.

[Tubby]

I wouldn't be overly concerned with the noise. I've had a chainsaw running in the woods sitting on the ground and had deer walk out to investigate...

["DOC"]

If you can find a muffler off an old Honda SL125/SL100 they bolt up pretty easy to the engine flange and they are pretty darn quiet

[texast224]

Pipe the exhaust into a bucket of water

[Stolle]

Building a generator shed would work the best. The noise you hear is a combination of exhaust noise and mechanical noise. Make the door of the shed away from where your camp and hunting ground is located. You also have to keep the generator cool. Good idea to run a fan to push out the heat.

[DavisHollow]

True, you'll be surprised how much of the noise is mechanical, both the engine itself, the bearings, the generator, and the air being tossed around the coils at 3600 rpm.

[Skinnykyle]

Thanks for the ideas guys!

[Skinnykyle]

Building a generator shed would work the best. The noise you hear is a combination of exhaust noise and mechanical noise. Make the door of the shed away from where your camp and hunting ground is located. You also have to keep the generator cool. Good idea to run a fan to push out the heat.

Have you done this? How big does the shed need to be and what kind/size of fan did you use?

[ranch hand]

The shed idea sound pretty good.

[Big_gun]

buy you a Honda EU series generator... you can't hear them run from 100' away...

[Stolle]

Have you done this? How big does the shed need to be and what kind/size of fan did you use?

Not myself. I have fished at a few fish camps at the land cut that have them. If I did it it would be at least 8x8 so it could double as a storage shed. Most just have residential box fan of some sort.

[Skinnykyle]

Not myself. I have fished at a few fish camps at the land cut that have them. If I did it it would be at least 8x8 so it could double as a storage shed. Most just have residential box fan of some sort.

Would'nt the hole for the fan just let the noise out? I am really thinking I might be listing a generator for sale to buy a new quiet one. I am going by a dealer tomorrow to listen to one of the Honda EU series.

Thanks for the input everyone!

[Skinnykyle]

Pipe the exhaust into a bucket of water

Does this really work? I might try it before purchasing a new generator.