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How To Make A Generator Quiet

How to Separate Generator from Engine

Having a generator makes our lives convenient. It gives comfort and lets us continue with our tasks even during a power interruption. However, we can't also deny the fact that the noise it makes is unbearable. Here's a way on how to make a generator quiet.

What Makes The Noise

A generator performs a lot of work to produce power. The noise has six common sources, and they are as follows:

  1. Noise engine noise
  2. Cooling fan noise
  3. Alternator noise
  4. Induction noise
  5. Engine exhaust noise
  6. Mechanical noise

All of these contribute in creating a lot of noise during the process.

Tips To Reduce Generator Noise

If you can no longer stand the noise, here's how to make a generator quiet. 

  1. Use a generator silencer. A generator silencer is like a muffler. You need to fit it to the exhaust pipe of your generator, and it will suppress the noise. Silencers usually come in a different category, and each has its own noise reduction level.

  2. Make a generator box or shelter. Making a box or caging it will reduce the noise. But note that you can't totally seal the box to soundproof your generator as it needs air. But caging it will somehow lessen the noises it makes.

  3. Use a hose and water bucket. This is a good trick, and you won't need an expensive tool. Simply get a hose and around 5-gallon bucket of water. Connect an end of the hose to the exhaust pipe and submerge the other end of the hose to the water bucket. This trick will lessen the noise of your generator. Ensure not to let the water inside the generator. To do this, simply poke a small hole at the highpoint of the hose.

  4. Place it in a far location. If you use a generator in a camping site, put it 20 feet or 7 meters farther away. If it's far from you, the noise will be distant. Make sure also that the generator's exhaust is not facing your direction. If you use a generator in your house, put it away far from your bedroom or living room.

  5. Use rubbers on the generator feet. When the generator is working, it vibrates. The vibration adds up to the noise it creates. Using rubbers on the generator's feet will somehow reduce the vibration and will make it quieter. There are also anti-vibration pads or rubber mats that you can purchase. They also help with the vibration and reduces the noise.

  6. Soundproofing your house. This is an expensive solution, but maybe you may consider soundproofing your house, so you won't get distracted by the generator's noise.

  7. Check the muffler. The generator's muffler is supposed to help in reducing the noise. Check if it is damaged and replace it if necessary.

  8. Purchase and install a sound deflector. Sound deflector doesn't have an impact on reducing the noise of a generator, but it works by diverting the noise away from you.

  9. Proper position of the exhaust pipes. The exhaust pipes should be in a vertical position instead of horizontal. It will allow the exhaust to blow air and noise vertically, which is less noisy.

Conclusion

You can't soundproof your generator completely. The best you can do is combine the tips mentioned above in reducing the noise of your generator.