Whenever you are camping out or living at a place where you have to face constant power outages there is only a solution for uninterrupted power supply and that is a generator. A generator can be really helpful but usually it is really loud so the noise can be an issue. In order to resolve this issue, there are different methods and we would like to discuss the most popular ones today with you.
You can use the generators for charging your mobile phones, batteries, or even running appliances in your RV but you will have to deal with them carefully if you want to get the full benefit of these incredible machines. Let’s take a look at how you can quiet a generator in detail:-
You may also read more on our tips on reduce noise on your air compressor.
Use the Generator of a Required Power
It is necessary that you know the power you need for your needs when you are purchasing a generator. It is extremely simple because the more powerful a generator is the more noise it would create. You need to make sure that you are not getting a generator that generates more power than required for the job. In this manner, you won’t have to deal with the extreme noise. If you just want to charge your cell phones, batteries, tablets, laptops, etc. you can easily get away with purchasing a smaller generator that puts out a few hundred watts.
On the other hand, if you want to run appliances like microwave, refrigerator, or A/Cs then you’ll need a power source that generates at around 4,000 to 5,000 watts. There are some models that are quieter as compared to the other ones but they are quite expensive so you need to make a trade off.
Exhaust Pipes Should Be Away From You
Whenever you are using a generator you should be careful about the placement of the exhaust pipes. They need to be positioned away from you and should not be facing your campsite. It is also possible to point these pipes upwards and in this way you won’t have to directly face the noise of the exhaust pipes.
Try to read also our articles on how to keep your refrigerator compressor silently.
Keeping a Safe Distance
It is one of the best ways to minimize the noise of a generator. You can keep it at a safe distance and the distance depends upon whether you are camping in a campsite with open land or in a closed space. If you are camping in a closed space you also have to take care of the neighbours as you wouldn’t like to disturb them with the noise of the generator. If there is no one around and you have an open land you can use long extension cords to place it as far from the site as you can.
There are decibel ratings on each one of the generators in the market nowadays. The ratings are measured around 7 meters away from the generator most of the time so a good solution would be to place it at least 25 feet away from the site. You can also use the heavy duty cords to place it away from your site and cut down the noise.
Place the Generator on a Suitable Surface
Once you have purchased a generator you have to make sure that it is placed on a surface that does not increase the noise or the vibration it creates while it is operating. Do not, we repeat, do not place it on a hard surface as it would further increase the noise. Avoid wooden, concrete, and asphalt surfaces and just place it on the ground or grass when you are camping outside. Such surfaces are extremely good at damping the noise.
Now, if you don’t have a soft surface to place the generator you may need an anti-vibration mat for solving the problem. These mats are made of rubber and they can decrease the vibration as well as the noise. Usually, these mats are used for various appliances but they are a good fit for this situation as well. Just place these mats beneath the generator and you will feel a clear difference in the sound of the machine instantly.
Utilize Sound Deflectors
When you have placed the generator 25 feet away from your campsite and placed it on a soft surface or used anti-vibration mats the next thing you need to do is to utilize the sound deflectors. You would require 4 plywood sheets and one sheet made of non-flammable material. Make sure that all the sheets are 4 feet in width and 3 feet in length.
Place the sheets against the generator at proper angles and utilize the non-flammable sheet for the exhaust. Leave proper space for airflow and the angle placement would create enough space for sound waves to be deflected down into the land. In this way, you would see an instant decrease in the noise.
Install a Replacement Muffler
You can use a replacement muffler to muffle the noise coming out of the exhaust pipes. There are perforated tubes that are used to deflect the sound from the engine to decrease the noise exhibiting the exhaust pipes. These pipes are the one of the components making the most noise in the generator and if you have an improved quality muffler you can drive down the sound by 10 to 12 decibels which is a considerable performance.
You need a muffler that would be suitable for your generator. Every generator has different types of exhaust pipes and you need to find a perfect match in this scenario. You will have to take advice from a specialist to get the right replacement.
Once you get the perfect choice you just need to replace the muffler and the job will be done. You would not have to worry about the noise anymore and you can enjoy your camping. All of these solutions are tried and tested ones so you can apply them on your generator as there are no technicalities involved in most of the solutions.
You may also read our tips on how to avoid noise in your squeaky stairs and sliding glass doors.
