Radio Shack sells an inexpensive db meter: Digital-Display Sound-Level Meter. It doesn't measure low sound pressure levels, but is OK for measuring the output of a generator. I have checked one against a $3000.00 professional meter & it is fairly accurate over the range it is designed for.
vermilye wrote: Radio Shack sells an inexpensive db meter: Digital-Display Sound-Level Meter. It doesn't measure low sound pressure levels, but is OK for measuring the output of a generator. I have checked one against a $3000.00 professional meter & it is fairly accurate over the range it is designed for.
I will second that. Mine is checked yearly against a lab-certified umpty-dollar SPL meter, and is always within ~1 db in the 50-70 dbA range.
84 Barth 30 tag powered by ht502/Thorley, Gear Vendors OD
Siamese Calvin and Airedale Hobbes
4WD Toyota toad
Retired Army SSG wrote: Howdy folks, First off, I do agree that red or blue are the quietest, (I own blue), with that said every one has differant needs and poket-books, so what works for some might not work for others. I drive a Dodge and others do not, it is the same with generators. I feel if it is with-in the NP guidlines as far as noise then fine. Using common sense and being considerate goes a long way. Enjoy your charging LOL
Well said, Army! Sure, quiet is good, but I believe that if it's within NPS standards then that's good enough. Regardless of what generator you have, common courtesy dictates that you should only run it when you really need it.
* This post was
edited 11/08/09 08:25pm by 5erTrailerTrash *
officergator wrote: I am giving some serious thought to buying the Champion 3500 watt generator with a db rating of 68db.
I question that figure. I don't know of anyone who has measured a Champion anywhere near 68 dbA, loaded or unloaded. I certainly haven't.
A while back, I had a Champion next to me a few weeks ago, and it measured 75 DbA at 21 ft with a light load, measured from the end opposite the muffler. I measured it there because that is what was pointed at our patio area.
It really barked when their microwave kicked in, but I didn't measure the increase.
I must be doing something wrong. We pull a 28' and for the sake of saving propane, I've a Champion 1500 strapped in the bed and a power cord off to an aux recepticle. Granted, it's not much but it's enough to run the microwave, keep the battery up and run a few electronics... for the most part, don't need more but when we do, we've a 3500 in the bed and yeah, it's a little loud and the only time we use it is when we need it... nothing more... call it security when dry camping. As for the rest, I'm not about to feed honda or yamaha's pocket book... it's simply not worth it. From a manufacturing standpoint, they use CNC's just like the rest. Cylinders are iron, etc... I'm not putting their kids through school for the sake of their ego. On top of it I've yet to see a Champion generator recall. Good enough.
Offline
