Generator Muffler

Blackstorm · Joined: 28 Apr 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Niagara Falls NY

I am hoping somebody has a solution for making a portable generator quieter. The situation is that I will be staying at some sites that have no facilities (water or electric) and will have other RVers close by. I have a portable 5500 watt Generac generator that I have used for years and it runs great, but makes too much noise especially at night. I am hoping that there is some kind of aftermarket muffler that will make the generator quieter. I can place the generator a good distance from my unit and still have adequate voltage to operate everything including AC. Has anybody come up with a good solution that doesn't cost a fortune or create other issues especially fumes? I need to keep the generator a safe distance from mine and the other RVers. We all will have performance retrievers in or by our vehicles. Thanks for any input.
Glynn Matthews
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retired and happy · Joined: 06 Nov 2005 Posts: 303 Location: Stone Mountain GA

I have heard about an angle made of wood and lined with some insulating material. The size would depend on the size of your generator. Turned away from your RV, and positioned so as not to be a fire hazard from the generator or its exhaust, it will dampen the noise for you. I can't say what the effect would be for your neighbors, depending on where they are parked. Of course. a generator running at night will be heard.
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tumbleturn · Joined: 19 Feb 2006 Posts: 283

I do not understand your need to run the generator at night. If your batteries are in good shape, they will easily last all night. Then charge them during the day if you have a good-sized battery charger (I have a 45 amp charger). There should be no need to run the generator more than a couple of hours a day. Even if you do run the generator during the day, getting a quieter muffler would be polite to your neighbors. With the price of fuel these days, you might consider getting an 80- or 100-watt solar panel to help out.

Mike
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gensetbill · Joined: 16 May 2006 Posts: 22 Location: oregon

Well, there is no way to get a quieter muffler for mass produced contractor generators. You probably jerry-rig something but at this point, I can't think what. OK, there is no way you are going to run that at night in a campground without a riot starting. But if you insist on trying it, then take a piece of plywood, cut a hole in it and install a heater duct hose for the exhaust and another with a small 12-volt fan going into it for circulation. When you go camping, dig a hole by a creek would be best to muffle the noise and bury it. Leave an inch or so open around the top for additional air circulation, connect the fan to your dc charge plug and wish for the best...good luck.
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benwd · Joined: 13 May 2006 Posts: 3 Location: Somewhere

Outboard motors exhaust into the water and use no muffler. You would be amazed at how quiet your gen will be if you exhaust it into a hose in a five gallon bucket of water.

Punch a small hole in the high point of the hose to keep from sucking water.

gensetbill · Joined: 16 May 2006 Posts: 22 Location: oregon

That is interesting, Ben. Thanks for the tip. I never thought of that since I don't work on marine units......thanks Smile

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Blackstorm · Joined: 28 Apr 2006 Posts: 2 Location: Niagara Falls NY

Thanks Ben.
This was the type of solution I was looking for. I need to run the generator for some small motor load items and the air conditioner (these would have to be run the entire night) for breathing issues.
Glynn
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steve hutch · Joined: 03 Jun 2006 Posts: 3

There was a story in a free "truckstop" truckers magazine a few years ago (four or five) about a trucker who installed the muffler off a Harley on his onboard generator without too much problem. He says they are readily available from dealers because Harley owners take them off as soon as they buy their bikes. All you need to do is get it connected to your motor's exhaust. I would also consider creating a sound-proof space for it; just put some vents in it for breathing and cooling.

Walthy · Joined: 03 Jun 2006 Posts: 9 Location: Vancouver, WA

I've not done it, but I'm sure any competent muffler shop could fashion you a muffler for your generator. There are so many stock mufflers out there and some are quite small. Be sure the exhaust is directed away from your living area. I've always thought about using an exhaust extension and routing it up and over the rig. This setup would direct sound and exhaust over the rig. Be sure that water can't get into it and condensation might be a problem as water is a byproduct of the exhaust. My idea was for a temporary rig that would attach to the side of the RV when stopped and when needing some quiet. The big trucks always vent their exhaust up and over their rigs, so it must work. Check with a good, experienced muffler shop.

jazzin11 · Joined: 13 Nov 2005 Posts: 1 Location: Bellingham, WA

I use a product called a "GenTuri", an exhaust extension that goes about 2' above the roof of my RV. It has a venturi-type air inlet at the bottom to draw outside air into it for cooling and routes the exhaust above the roofline. This also cuts the exhaust noise by about 75%. I still find the Onan generator noise to be annoying, however, even without the exhaust note. At least this gets the exhaust away from neighboring rigs when in close quarters, and does offer some noise control.
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libss · Joined: 30 Jan 2006 Posts: 4 Location: oregon.washington

Not that I've ever done it, you understand, but I understand people who "collect" firewood at night and need to keep their chainsaws quiet exhaust them into a bucket of water. Don't see why that wouldn't work with gensets also.
patrick

rmgolfcourse · Posted: Mon Jun 05, 2006 6:15 am Post subject:

Check out this page of the Forum:

http://www.rvtravel.com/rvforum/viewtopic.php?t=368&sid=0230fc0e0aef505d60dc8b82e96ee560
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kingrokon · Joined: 05 Jun 2006 Posts: 61

The easiest solution in terms of effort would be to get one of the “quiet” Honda or Yamaha generators, the type with an external noise deadening case. It is difficult to tell if they’re even running, standing 30 feet away. “Kipor” also makes a somewhat cheaper knock-off version of these that supposedly isn’t too bad. The really quiet ones (less than 60 db) are usually available only up to around 2000 watts. But that should be plenty to charge batteries if you’ve got the right charging equipment. A 1000-watt generator should run a separate 45 amp charger, provided the charger is efficient. Sell your “home emergency” generator for whatever you can get, maybe a $250-300, if it hasn’t been run too much. These kind of generators are notoriously noisy.

If you’re trying to charge your batteries using the converter-charger that came with your camper using the shore power plug, chances are that your setup is inefficient. Most converters that come with RVs as standard equipment only charge batteries at 3 or 4 amps. You can get a “3-stage” battery charger that charges at a higher rate (15 to 50 amps depending on the model) until the batteries are nearly charged, and then cuts back to a safe level. Also, as somebody else already noted, you can go to an auto parts store, buy a battery charger and clip it directly onto the batteries. Even a 10-amp charger will probably do a faster job than the factory-supplied charger-converter, but will still take a few hours. A 45 amp charger will do a faster job, but will also be pretty heavy and take up a lot of space. Keep in mind that the 45-amp rate is only for a fully discharged battery when the charge starts. As the battery gets charged, the rate drops off. The “3-stage” charger-converters compensate for this effect.

How long a cord you can use depends on the power draw and the wire gauge of the cord. A 12-gauge cord costs more, but will handle more current. A light-duty 18 gauge cord will handle very little power. (The HIGHER the gauge, the SMALLER the wire.) You can probably get away with 200 or 300 feet for a light draw such as a 10 amp battery charger. But for a heavy draw like a space heater, 50 feet of 12 gauge cord may be the maximum.

If you’re really short on money but have a lot of time, you can experiment with quieting down your existing generator. I found a small auto muffler from an auto parts store. Try to find a friendly clerk when they aren't busy and have time to rummage through the back to find you something the right size, rather than looking by application. Get a “heavy duty” muffler rather than the noisier “performance” muffler. The main problem with the “home emergency” generators is that even with a quiet muffler, there is a lot of noise from the air intake and rattling sounds from the engine. To really get them even reasonably quiet, you would probably have to make a box to put them inside with provisions to get the exhaust out, and cooling air and intake air in. Note that part about the cooling air, otherwise the generator will overheat in a pretty short time. Unless you have a lot a free time and are very handy mechanically, it probably isn’t worth the effort.

Chris
New Mexico
Ancient 20-foot class C

kingrokon · Joined: 05 Jun 2006 Posts: 61

Probably this thread is now dead, but I found out about this recently:

"Vector" makes a series of "Smart" battery chargers that are three-stage chargers. They claim they can charge your battery in 1/2 to 1/3 the time of the old style chargers of the same amp rating.

Another advantage is that they use high frequency technology. The transformer inside the charger is considerably smaller, so the weight is much less than an old-style 40-amp roll-around charger.

The 40 amp model, VEC1093, comes with a carrying handle, is about the size and shape of a small briefcase, and only weighs about 13 pounds. MSRP is about $120; street/e-bay price is about $100.

"Northern Tool" http://www.northerntool.com has them, as of 7-14-06, for $79.99. I went ahead and ordered one as this looks like the ideal RV battery charger. I'll report back later about how well it works.

(I have no affiliation with Vector or Northern Tool. It just looks to me like a good charger.)

Motor31 · Posted: Sat Jul 15, 2006 7:51 am Post subject:

Check with a small engine repair shop. Perhaps using more than one muffler in series might do the trick.
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