Generator Quiet Box

Originally posted by WalleyeGuy Anyone here ever build a soundproofing box for a generator?

I have looked at different designs and of my own and conluded it would be workable if the box came apart in panels. For most generators the vast majority of the noise is mechanical clatter and vibration. It is constant being connected to RPM. I was forced to use a very loud 9500 watt generator at a recent disaster. I got a 6 to 8 dB reduction in noise (half the noise energy, maybe a little more) in my camper just by laying a wheel barrow on its side and using it to reflect sound away, sort of like a satellite dish.

A box with an open side would do the same. Two long sides with a top, making a corner should be the simplest design. Lining it with a layer of rubber foam or ductboard will absorb some energy, too, mostly high frequencies. It would need to cover the generator well and leave room for air circulation. I'd point the exhaust out the opening.   I've been looking at plastic outdoor storage bins.

Sadly, these are not small, lightweight solutions suitable for carrying in an R-pod.

Thanks Marwayne, that exhaust baffling us bound to help a lot Do you have a db meter you can take so w readings with for comparison? One thing I noticed with my Honda 2k is that while it's pretty quiet on eco at low loading it's quite loud spooled up under full load (like running the a/c. I doubt it's really any quieter that a non inverter generator under those conditions.

Marwayne, I have the same generator. When I measured mine with my db meter under near full load I found that most of the noise emanated from the exhaust. How did you measure your 50% noise reduction? Did you do something to reduce exhaust noise?

Originally posted by marwayne I have a built in geny for 8 years and have no problems. The noise is reduced by more then half, and vibration is almost nothing.

I have a built in geny for 8 years and have no problems. The noise is reduced by more then half, and vibration is almost nothing.