greg24fan
North Carolina
Full Member
Joined: 06/25/2007
View Profile
 Offline
|
Don't get a chance to post here often. Hope this isn't something that has come up much before. Anyway, every year a few buddies and me take my TT to a couple of NASCAR races. Other than that, I don't dry camp enough to justify the expense of a nice, quiet generator. Instead I have a B&S powered 5250 watt generator that is somewhat loud in closed quarters. I'm wondering if there is a way to significantly quieten it without a lot of effort or cost. I've seen a lot of people at the races with long "snorkels" sticking up off of their generators. Is this more to route the fumes or the noise? If it might help with the noise, does anyone know of a "how-to" to go about building one of those things?
2005 Jayco Jay Feather 29Y TT
2004 Dodge Ram 4x4 1500 Quad Cab SLT - Hemi V8
|
hershey
Albuquerque,(fulltime) NM, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 06/04/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
Sorry but it would cost a fortune, well small fortune to do anything to really have a positive effect on your generator. The noise you hear isn't the exhaust as much as it is just plain engine noise. Its perfect for a NASCAR race camping but you'll drive your neighbors crazy in other situations.
You might do a search on this same subject, there is an article where someone went to great time and expense to convert his chainsaw generator to camping usage. He claims great success, but he went to way more trouble in doing so than I believe most of us would attempt.
hershey - albuquerque, nm
Someday Finally Got Here
My wife does all the driving - I just get to hold the steering wheel.
Expedition - Suzuki Grand Viagra
NASCAR 20 - - 99
|
Bumpyroad
Virginia
Senior Member
Joined: 12/01/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
IIRC, some folks died from carbon monoxide fumes a while back at a NASCAR race. does anybody rent out a decent/quiet one?
bumpy
|
Hit The Road Jack
Treasure Coast of Florida
Senior Member
Joined: 10/20/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
greg24fan wrote:Don't get a chance to post here often. Hope this isn't something that has come up much before. Anyway, every year a few buddies and me take my TT to a couple of NASCAR races. Other than that, I don't dry camp enough to justify the expense of a nice, quiet generator. Instead I have a B&S powered 5250 watt generator that is somewhat loud in closed quarters. I'm wondering if there is a way to significantly quieten it without a lot of effort or cost. I've seen a lot of people at the races with long "snorkels" sticking up off of their generators. Is this more to route the fumes or the noise? If it might help with the noise, does anyone know of a "how-to" to go about building one of those things?
As mentioned, the generator's crankcase is your main concern for noise reduction. Building a sound dampening, well vented enclosure is what to strive for.
|
TXiceman
(Near) Houston,TX
Senior Member
Joined: 11/17/2000
View Profile
Offline
|
Building an enclosure to dampen the sound is a real challenge. You have to get cooling air in and out and not let the noise out. The science of sound control is pretty challenging and that is why you pay the BIG bucks for the Honda and like generators.
Your best bet may be to redirect the sound since sound is very directional.
ken
KE5DFR
Vintage 1979 Silver Streak Supreme Rocket toted by a 2002 F350, crewcab dually, 7.3L,4.10 axle,SCMT. Travel with two miniature Schnauzers and one African Gray parrot. Practicing for retirement!
|
|
|
greg24fan
North Carolina
Full Member
Joined: 06/25/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
I guess I should have used better terminology. I realize it's not very feasible to truly make it significantly quieter. What we were thinking, though, is that it may help to redirect the noise upward using some sort of pipe. We noticed several people that had an extension pipe mounted that routed the exhaust straight up just above the height of their RV's. I'm sure this has a lot to do with redirecting the fumes but my buddies are convinced it helps a lot with sound as well. Just wondering if that truly is the case and, if so, how do you build it? I would be glad to do a search but, so far, I'm at a loss as to what keywords to use to find something helpful.
|
hershey
Albuquerque,(fulltime) NM, USA
Senior Member
Joined: 06/04/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
Heres and example of a homemade exhaust pipe extention. This could be adapted to your generator. Again, it will certainly help with eliminating the fumes but it will do little to quieten the sound. The sound is mostly the engine noise.
|
Not a Clue
Southern Ca
Senior Member
Joined: 07/01/2007
View Profile
Offline
|
greg24fan wrote:I guess I should have used better terminology. I realize it's not very feasible to truly make it significantly quieter. What we were thinking, though, is that it may help to redirect the noise upward using some sort of pipe. We noticed several people that had an extension pipe mounted that routed the exhaust straight up just above the height of their RV's. I'm sure this has a lot to do with redirecting the fumes but my buddies are convinced it helps a lot with sound as well. Just wondering if that truly is the case and, if so, how do you build it? I would be glad to do a search but, so far, I'm at a loss as to what keywords to use to find something helpful.
You can buy the exhaust extender for re-routing the exhaust. It is called a Gen-turi. I just bought one but haven't tried it out yet. It is mostly for rerouting the exhaust up and away from your campsite. Some people say it also quiets the noise a little. I bought mine a camping world. Google it and you will find stuff on it. Also a search on this site will give some ideas.
Linda B.
2009 29' Fleetwood, Fiesta V10 - The Big Bus
2008 Saturn Vue (Toad)with US Gear UBS
& Demco baseplate and tow bar.
Traveling with Robin(friend),Liz(cockapoo)&Buddee(cavalier)
|
Oldfordman
Marysville, WA
Senior Member
Joined: 04/30/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
I happened to visit the "Burning Man" website a year or so ago and noticed that they had some "Generator Tips" posted. They suggested that a loud generator could be made more acceptable to your neighbors if you made an enclosure consisting of 4 sheets of plywood. Just fasten them in a square 8' X 8' around the generator using anything from nails to duct tape. This would allow ample air circulation around the genset while directing the noise upward. There is no real simple way to build an enclosure for these small gensets that doesn't restrict the air movement that is essential for cooling them.
The idea of carrying 4 sheets of plywood may not be appealing but balance that with the noise. Maybe some sheets of insulation material may be lighter and do as well?
As for me, I would welcome the noise of a generator compared to the noise of 120db Rock and Roll/Country Music accompanied by the chaos of several hundred drunks.
Life is full of choices. I choose to have fun!
|
Bumpyroad
Virginia
Senior Member
Joined: 12/01/2005
View Profile
Offline
|
Oldfordman wrote:I happened to visit the "Burning Man" website a year or so ago and noticed that they had some "Generator Tips" posted. They suggested that a loud generator could be made more acceptable to your neighbors if you made an enclosure consisting of 4 sheets of plywood. Just fasten them in a square 8' X 8' around the generator using anything from nails to duct tape. This would allow ample air circulation around the genset while directing the noise upward. There is no real simple way to build an enclosure for these small gensets that doesn't restrict the air movement that is essential for cooling them.
The idea of carrying 4 sheets of plywood may not be appealing but balance that with the noise. Maybe some sheets of insulation material may be lighter and do as well?
As for me, I would welcome the noise of a generator compared to the noise of 120db Rock and Roll/Country Music accompanied by the chaos of several hundred drunks.
yep, foil covered foam would work. split two in half, leaving one side of foil for hinge, tape edges, one 4 x 8 x 3inch flat package, but wouldn't a 4 ft x 4 ft one work OK? would make a 4 x 4 x 3 inch stack.
bumpy
|
|
|
