I have a Coleman Powermate Generator 10 hp 5000 running watts. I have a transfer switch setup in my house for power outages. It works really well but it is loud. Does not bother us with windows closed it is hardly noticeable. However, I would like to use it for camping someday but I need to quiet the thing down alot. Does anyone have a similar generator? If so, where did you get a quiter muffler/ spark resonator. Thanks.
2002 Chevrolet 1500 4x4 Ext.Cab 5.3 3.73 rear
Putnam Class V XDR
Prodigy
2008 Jayco Jayflight G2 29BHS
MAXX AIR
Tornado
Reese Strait Line Dual Cam 1,200 lb Trunnion bars
I have 13hp 5500watt generator and it was loud too,but with running time it's been getting quiter.I also tried everything and nothing worked..Good luck
Doubtful that you will be able to quiet that contractor generator down enough to be useful in a campground environment. I did see a post a long time ago about a guy who went through a lot of trouble to build a vented and insulated box for his, but this seems like a LOT of trouble.
Personally, I had a Coleman genny for power outages as well, and when I bought my camper, I bit the bullet and bought a yamaha. Easier to tote around, and if you put it around back of the camper, you don't even know it's there.
The box idea works somewhat if you do it right. The idea is to aim the noise straight up into the sky instead of letting it go in every direction. The ideal box would have sound absorbing foam like a recording studio uses, on the inside. The sides should be at least 6 feet high with a hole at the bottom for fresh air and the top should be open. That way the smog and the noise should go straight up instead of straight into people's ears. If you are on the edge of the CG then you can leave one side open which points away from the CG.
If you do a search on this topic you should find enough to read for hours. Basically, it comes down to this, the question is; why should I spend $1000 for a Honda/Yamaha when I can get brand_____ for $300. The answer is because the brand X with few excpetions will be way too loud for a campground. There is a reason people spend the extra money. There appear to be a few who have actually devised elaborate sound boxes that may have cost as much as a better generator, (quieter), and, have made sound levels acceptable, at least, to them. I can't imagine hauling something like that around and setting it up everytime I want to run the microwave. The problem is, a better muffler won't do much because a lot of the noise is not exhaust noise and, the generator needs air flow as it is air cooled and sound travels on air so, generally speaking, if you have airflow, you have sound flow. Good luck.
canoe on top wrote: If you do a search on this topic you should find enough to read for hours. Basically, it comes down to this, the question is; why should I spend $1000 for a Honda/Yamaha when I can get brand_____ for $300. The answer is because the brand X with few excpetions will be way too loud for a campground. There is a reason people spend the extra money. There appear to be a few who have actually devised elaborate sound boxes that may have cost as much as a better generator, (quieter), and, have made sound levels acceptable, at least, to them. I can't imagine hauling something like that around and setting it up everytime I want to run the microwave. The problem is, a better muffler won't do much because a lot of the noise is not exhaust noise and, the generator needs air flow as it is air cooled and sound travels on air so, generally speaking, if you have airflow, you have sound flow. Good luck.
I agree. It's better for camping to just buy a quiet generator than to try to quiet down your own. The box idea works best at home or work, where it is semi permanent, or to power loud events like bands or dances. When camping I don't want to hear anything but the natural sounds of the forest. That's why we camp on the grid or we use solar power.
it depends on what you mean use it for camping...
I rely on my batteries for camping... they need charged about every 4 days... I never run my generator outside posted hours and only for battery charging... if I felt the need to use it for the mic, I would...
I try to run it when the neighboring campers are away from their site if I can...
my generators primary function when at home or camping is emergency use, and I have no guilt feelings for my use...
there are some sound absorbing materials (cloth like) that are light weight and somewhat effective, but most are for indoor use... you can build/buy a cage(or box if you prefer) like a large dog cage, that folds for transport lined with a sound absorbing material... but not sure it is worth it...
I would use any of them the same way... and of late I boondock less and less and have electric almost all the time, so I may leave it at home this year...
Love my mass produced, entry level, built by Lazy American Workers, Hornet
I was recently speaking with somebody who made a box that covers the generator..lined he box with insulation foam boards purchased at Home Depot. I assume there was air flow holes in his design. He did say that it quieted down the unit considerably. Might be worth a shot..You can make the box with hinges so it folds up easily and wont take up much room.
I used to have a Coleman 1850. I tried the box idea, it didn't help with the noise a whole lot but it did cause a major heat build-up problem inside the wood box as it started to smoke! I now own a Honda EU2000. I read and sought input on here and that was my solution.
2006 Nash 25S
2000 Ford F150 7700
2006 Fish Rite 18' Yamaha 115 and T8
roaminaround wrote: I used to have a Coleman 1850. I tried the box idea, it didn't help with the noise a whole lot but it did cause a major heat build-up problem inside the wood box as it started to smoke! I now own a Honda EU2000. I read and sought input on here and that was my solution.
I agree. I bought a used EU1000i honda from a honda dealer her for 275$. Im very happy. I brought my Power pro 3500watt generator for some dry camping here on the island before I bought the honda. I was one of the few people with a homeowner gen. You will not make many freinds with a loud gen. If you can buy the honda. They offer 12months mo intrest. Or buy a used one.
2006 Jayco Jay Flight 27 BH.(paid off :-)
2008 toyota tundra 5.7L w/tow Off road Pkg. (not paid off)
Honda Eu2000i
The wife and the dog Loving Camping!
Offline
