6 Simple (Yet Effective) Ways To Quiet Your Portable Generator
The reason that most generators produce so much noise is because of the motor working inside them but you can’t do without it.
18/11/2019
There’s no doubt that your portable generator can be a lifesaver in the most severe conditions. Right in the middle of nowhere where you’ve decided to camp, or when the power goes out unexpectedly - you can always count on it to save the day. However, there are times when you just wish it wasn’t producing all of this noise. Not only does it take away your peace of mind, but it also results in problems with the neighbors, to say the least. And the last thing you want on your camping trip is to scare away the fellow creatures lurking in the dark. The reason that most generators produce so much noise is because of the motors working inside them, that is the main component in their mechanism - you can’t do without it.
When it comes to generators, you have one of two options: First, you can click here and select one of the highest quality generators, in which the manufacturers went the extra mile in making sure noise is best contained. These generators produce a noise level below 60 decibels, which is equivalent to the level of the noise coming from two people having a conversation.
Your second option is to make your DIY solutions to muffle the noise, which will come in handy if you already have a portable generator that you want to fix. If this is what you’re looking for, we have 6 simple and extremely effective ways to quiet your portable generator. Let’s get started!
Soundproofing Your Generator with a Cage
The first hack you can do is to build a box that muffles the sound of your generator. While it might be easier said than done, it can still be made quite simply.
The whole idea of your soundproofing box is to make a double-layer that’s noise-isolated in the middle. To do that, you’ll get materials to build your main box, which you can do using a Medium-Density Fiberboard. Next, you want to make sure that the noise won’t leave this box, which is why you’ll stack the insides of the box with layers of Mass Loaded Vinyl and Foam Mats. You’ll also want to use green glue, which is a good noise-isolating material to glue the edges. This concludes the main materials of your soundproofing box, but there are a couple of factors you need to be cautious about.
For starters, you need to provide sufficient ventilation for the generator, otherwise, high levels of dangerous smoke can accumulate inside the box. Ventilation is also important, so it won’t overheat and break down. You should also take into consideration the power outlets when taking measurements for designing the soundproofing box.
Use Plywood for a Quick Noise-Reduction Solution
If you want to go for a quicker, less permanent, option, you might consider creating a wrapping out of plywood around your generator. Using plywood boards, you’ll take measurements around your generator and create a box to fit comfortably around it. Make sure to keep the airflow and exhaust breathing. Plywood boards are great, cheap, and easy-to-use when it comes to reducing the generator’s noise, although they’re not as effective as building a soundproof box.
Adding a Muffler
Chances are, your portable generator already contains a muffler. But if you’re still bothered by its noise, it means that it’s not all that effective. In this case, you can simply call the manufacturer and ask for an upgrade of your generator’s muffler, which is a hassle-free process for you. You can opt for another DIY option, which will also come in handy if your generator doesn’t have any mufflers. This works by installing a muffler yourself to your generator, the same way that a muffler reduces the noise of cars and motorcycles. For this to work, you might want the help of an expert to guide you through.
Reducing the Noise Using Water
As we’ve mentioned previously, the motor is the main culprit behind all of the noise that’s eating away at your peace. The motor is connected to an exhaust pipe, which carries out all of the noise in the open air. There’s an extremely simple hack to overcome this problem: you can lead the exhaust to a bucket of water through a host. The result? The water will significantly cut down the sound, as per the laws of physics.
Decreasing the Sound Resulting from Vibration
If you’re still suffering from some weird noises coming from your generator, even after you’ve dampened the sound using water, then there’s another issue to address. This noise is probably coming from the vibration of the motor, and whatever it’s sitting on is magnifying that sound. For instance, placing your generator on a hard or rocky surface can exacerbate the noise. To simply overcome this issue, you can add a layer of a substance that’s soft enough to absorb the noise, yet stable enough to hold your generator in place. If nothing comes to your mind, then using rubber padding is the genius answer to this hack.
Redirecting the Noise Elsewhere
This final hack doesn’t do much in muffling the sounds, instead, they offer noise reduction through redirecting this noise elsewhere. For instance, if your exhaust pipe is placed horizontally, the chances of the exhaust hitting another surface and making more noise are high. In this case, you can reduce some of the noise by vertical repositioning it to face upwards. You can also use the help of some sound deflectors to deflect the noise in a different direction. The noise will still be there, it just won’t bother you as much. Your last resort can be to change the location of your generator altogether to a distant place where you won’t hear its noise, which can work as a temporary solution until you find another fix.
Although it’s great for maintaining your peace of mind, picking a good and quiet generator can be more costly than its alternative. The good news is that you can make your own DIY hacks to effectively reduce or even block out the noise. Some of your options include making a soundproofing box, using plywood boards, adding a muffler, using water to absorb the noise, creating a rubber padding, or redirecting the noise elsewhere. One of these hacks is sure to help you in having a quieter generator.