Which generator to buy?

[HADave]

Bringing this forward for the Fryhovers hope this helps you, there is great info here.

Aloha HADave

Mr T and all others concerned, wouldn't you think this thread would be better suited under The Building Forum?



Edited by - HADave on 08/14/2006 16:07:35

[Lucy]

Dave,
There is a forum at ppl motorhomes that is like this one we are on, where a man built his own quiet muffler out of PVC, I think, but anyway, it works and is quiet and would be easy to do. Would save a bunch of money too. I will see if I can remember to go there and look for it. I have company here from San Diego right now and am swamped in puppy sales, so life is real busy!

Aloha,
Lucy

Having another Great day in Paradise, Wherever that Maybe!
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/TheLanai

[nanasohana]

Thanks Dave. Very helpful.

[mella l]

For noisy generators, you could pick up a used dog igloo and put the generator in it to muffle the sound. Seems David M had some posts about muffling the sound of generators a while back, same idea different technique.

We are so lucky to have this forum to share these ideas on, from rock walls to fruit pizza, thanks everyone!

mella l

[David M]

Right Mella

Built a 3 sided enclosure with cement blocks, on a concrete pad, about 30ft from house. Left openings between blocks for air/exhaust. Hinged the front (plywood) to the top (plywood on 2x4 frame. I can lift the front to start it or fold front on the top and lift top for fueling. Can watch TV or carryon a normal conversation. Sophie painted it white.

David

Ninole Resident

[HADave]

A very easy way to help quiet down your genset, and I think this what Lucy may have been refering to, is to attach a 1" dia piece of, and I would use silicone, automotive hose, as in heater hose. clamp this to the muffler tail pipe and stuff it up a 1 1/2" vertically mounted pvc pipe, like a chimney. 10 ft section should work fine and not only will you get the noise well above ear level but also the carbon monoxide will be sent higher in the air, which could be bad if the wind blows in the wrong direction. The silicone hose will not burn, although abit more expensive than rubber but still cheap enough. I would think less than 20 bucks and you are as noise free and you can be.

Of course the more elite models of generators tend to be quieter because of material and closer tolerances in assembly. Honda's claim to fame. vibration tends to make for more noise than you realize. so there is something to be said for smoother operation it also makes them abit more fuel efficient not having to work so hard. Iron cylinder blocks, poorly balanced crankshafts and loose fitting pistons translate into noise vibration. Then again if one is on a tighter budget noise can be dealt with. My $350.00 True Value 5hp Briggs will run all day long next to any 1000.00 Honda, so I guess, "what ever flips your switch"

Aloha HADave