How to Silence / Quieten a Generator

AlphaJohn said:
I just DIY'ed mine using ACM with 5mm sponge inside.

As for base simple Foamboard PVC with wheels from Builders. Roll it outside when I need to run it.

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Ignore the dust. Have an inverter + Solar so it doesn't work allot.

Used the same method and material for my battery box:
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You DIY'ed on a laser cutter? How hot does it get inside?
 
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I run my air compressor under a workbench in an enclosed box with wall to wall carpet lined panels. never hear that compressor ran, just feel a small vibration on the workbench. Of course it is well ventilated. even my jojo pump is in a carpet lined box and I never hear it, nor do my neighbours.

silencer for generator
 
dumbledore-albus-percival-wulfric-brian-dumbledore.gif
 
netorius77 said:
I have a 5.5kW petrol generator that I am running during load shedding. Problem is I live in a complex, and the managers have now declared that the maximum noise level must be less than 50dB on the neighbour's boundary. Mine is 60dB.

I need to find some inexpensive ways of quieting the thing down. It is new, so no issue with the actual exhaust, although I suspect this is where the best place is to start. It is also not permanently installed, so I just wheel it out when we need it. I was thinking of a light frame with think pink insulation to try and insulate the sound a bit, but such a hassle factor. I obviously also need to maintain the cooling.

HELP - Any ideas???
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This is what the volume knob looks like on most generators. You turn it to the off position and after a while, you won't hear it anymore.

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A 12 kva 1500 rpm diesel, in a concrete block housing, surrounded by old mattresses.

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Exhaust down through the slab, running into two underground concrete mufflers.
A few old mattresses suspended above it with an old coolroom wall for a lid.

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The other side of that vibracrete fence, in the street, you can't hear the generator. Can't hear it in the house either. The 1 amp solar panel keeps the starting battery happy.

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Some type of soundproofing enclosure with an intake/exhaust fan for cooling to keep air flow around the unit.
 
spiff said:
my advice comes from silencing our medium sized compressor underneath a workbench due to space constraints.

we lined the cubicle that house the compressor with wall to wall carpets and gave the compressor adequate ventilation through an outside vent.

this worked very well and the compressor was only detectable via minor vibrations through the workbench itself.

in your case an extension pipe for the exhaust pipe would be requirement. it has been suggested that you could add another silencer as part of the external exhaust setup.
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Fun times.

 
spiff said:
if you don't understand your equipment or how to service & maintain it - then don't be surprised with issues like this.
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Or in other words

"Hold my beer and watch this"

Nothing to do with service or maintenance, everything to do with oxygen and iron.
The result is always Iron oxides.
 
Spend money on a sub-90-decibel generator or spend the same amount of money to science your current machine to the same level.
 
LCBXX said:
Spend money on a sub-90-decibel generator or spend the same amount of money to science your current machine to the same level.
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You're not wrong - I asked for quotes from the site posted on the last page (soundproofmygenerator) and I was scared.
 
AntiThesis said:
So you're responsible for all those DIY videos that start "Just start up your CNC machine..." and make me sad? I was so keen to go find some of those boards too. Now I'll just have to use M6 blocks.
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CNC does exact same thing as a handheld router like this:
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I just draw my panels on AutoCAD instead of drawing cutting lines that you follow on the panel :p
 
For anyone curious about the soundproofing guys:

We offer three solutions:
1. The pre-manufactured, tried and tested Genesis designed and built LF125 enclosures - fixed AND framed (portable).

2. Also attached are our LF125 and LF125 Slimline Noise Barrier Panels price lists - these are not complete enclosures, but offer a good attenuation result at a better price point.

3. Our Entry Level Zero 2 Hero Barrier Panels. Modular, simple, cost effective and easy to add on to improve.



All price lists attached.

Quick facts:
✪ 30dB Drop off at 1m and a further 20dB by about 7 meters away (figures were recorded with a calibrated sound level meter but may vary slightly depending on your specific situation)
✪ Noise reduction coefficient (NRC): 1.0 Which is the maximum achievable!
✪ Manufactured from acoustically certified products
✪ Made from durable materials
✪ High safety: The inner acoustic lining is non-combustible
✪ Easy access to generator: All the sides & roof snap on with magnets & clips (framed); All sides & roof on hinges (fixed)

What’s included:
✪ A complete soundproof enclosure including two commercial grade extraction fans
✪ Fixed: It comes flat packed and putting it together is a highly skilled DIY job, with no special tools required, but we can offer installation in Cape Town, Joburg, PE and surrounds.

✪ Framed: It comes flat packed and putting it together is a skilled DIY job, with no special tools required. Access from all sides.
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AntiThesis said:
So you're responsible for all those DIY videos that start "Just start up your CNC machine..." and make me sad? I was so keen to go find some of those boards too. Now I'll just have to use M6 blocks.
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In fact I'll 1 up and attach my Drawings

If you interested. (Zip contains DWG + SVG)

Both battery and generator boxes in the file.
 

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