Generator Quiet Box
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=15111
Printed Date: 12 May 2025 at 6:26am
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Topic: Generator Quiet Box
Posted By: WalleyeGuy
Subject: Generator Quiet Box
Date Posted: 20 Jan 2022 at 7:19pm
| Anyone here ever build a soundproofing box for a generator? |
Replies:
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2022 at 8:35am
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Since most of the noise is from the exhaust a box is likely to do more harm than good. You could easily overheat the gen and void your warranty. I'd suggest getting an audio db meter and try testing the noise level with and without some temporary panels placed around the generator, far enough away from it not to cause overheat (several feet at least). See if you can make a significant reduction that way. The other thing is to bring a heavy gauge 100 ft extension cord and place the generator out as far as possible with the exhaust pointing away from you and neighboring campsites. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: GlueGuy
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2022 at 9:40am
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My (former) brother-in-law built a special shed for his diesel generator. It was water-cooled, so he set up a the radiator and fan outside the shed. Then he ran the exhaust through a baffled chamber that was at least 20 feet long made out of concrete. That chamber went into a large tube that was routed underground, and exited a ways away from the shed. The shed itself was heavily sound insulated with sound absorbing mats. The whole thing was remarkably quiet. You could not hear the generator until you opened the (sound-insulated) door. ------------- bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2022 at 11:50am
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I have a built in geny for 8 years and have no problems. The noise is reduced by more then half, and vibration is almost nothing. https://postimg.cc/tYLMg3yy">  https://postimg.cc/KKQftBX1">  https://postimg.cc/WqZ0YJy6">  https://postimg.cc/f3pnQJCg">  ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2022 at 12:14pm
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Marwayne, Your builds never fail to impress me. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: WalleyeGuy
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2022 at 4:42pm
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Nice... What do you do to counter-balance all that weight on the back?
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Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 21 Jan 2022 at 5:25pm
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This is the counter weight https://postimg.cc/t1fPfSCP">  https://postimg.cc/23nvcxpb">  https://postimg.cc/dhNTkHCX">  https://postimg.cc/sMLvDBdC">  ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2022 at 4:13am
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Marwayne, I have the same generator. When I measured mine with my db meter under near full load I found that most of the noise emanated from the exhaust. How did you measure your 50% noise reduction? Did you do something to reduce exhaust noise? ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 22 Jan 2022 at 11:24am
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i built a box that is insulated with insulated baffles inside and the exhaust is diverted to the ground. https://postimg.cc/PP7t0rGy">  https://postimg.cc/mtnHVsmf">  https://postimg.cc/0rFkBy1f">  ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2022 at 7:22am
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Thanks Marwayne, that exhaust baffling us bound to help a lot Do you have a db meter you can take so w readings with for comparison? One thing I noticed with my Honda 2k is that while it's pretty quiet on eco at low loading it's quite loud spooled up under full load (like running the a/c. I doubt it's really any quieter that a non inverter generator under those conditions. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 23 Jan 2022 at 6:56pm
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I wrote all the numbers down about 8 years ago but can't find them anymore, but I can tell you this, we have bin to 4 pod rallies people want to hear the geny and they all say man you can stand beside the trailer and we can talk to each other without having to yell. ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: Colt
Date Posted: 27 Jan 2022 at 11:16pm
I have looked at different designs and of my own and conluded it would be workable if the box came apart in panels. For most generators the vast majority of the noise is mechanical clatter and vibration. It is constant being connected to RPM. I was forced to use a very loud 9500 watt generator at a recent disaster. I got a 6 to 8 dB reduction in noise (half the noise energy, maybe a little more) in my camper just by laying a wheel barrow on its side and using it to reflect sound away, sort of like a satellite dish. A box with an open side would do the same. Two long sides with a top, making a corner should be the simplest design. Lining it with a layer of rubber foam or ductboard will absorb some energy, too, mostly high frequencies. It would need to cover the generator well and leave room for air circulation. I'd point the exhaust out the opening. I've been looking at plastic outdoor storage bins. Sadly, these are not small, lightweight solutions suitable for carrying in an R-pod. ------------- John '16 R-Pod 180 |
Posted By: offgrid
Date Posted: 28 Jan 2022 at 7:15am
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For the Honda 2k type inverter generators running at full load, most of the noise is the exhaust, not mechanical noise. For noisy old style open frame generators it's problem the opposite.
Pointing the exhaust away from people and into an open area where the sound isn't getting reflected back at you helps a lot. Then just adding a sound screen in front of the generator will cut the remaining mechanical noise significantly. Or if you can place the generator far away from you then the screen isn't really needed because sound pressure follows an inverse square law, dropping with the square of the distance. So doubling the distance results in a 6db drop. If you can place the generator on the other side of a rise in the ground from you that also helps. OIf youre not running the a/c and you're camped in the open, consider getting a decent size solar system instead of running the generator. Most campgrounds won't let you run a generator at night anyhow, even one that's been quieted. ------------- 1994 Chinook Concourse 1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft 2015 Rpod 179 - sold |