Or cabin is semi-rustic and we have to run a generator when we want electricity or to use the water pump to put water in the holding tank. So I have a portable generator and it sounds like a loud lawnmower right outside the window. I am thinking of getting a longer cord and building a shed and trying to make it as sound proof as possible. Is there any material that you can think of that I can put inside the shed that could diffuse the sound that won't deteriorate quickly or critters won't tear apart. I plan on building a three sided shed with the open side and noise going away from the cabin. I know that the exhaust should go out of the open end to prevent overheating. If there's any other suggestions for building this, please let me know. Thank you.
One thing you have to remember is even though the sound can be driving you crazy, most generators are not meant to be enclosed. I sell them all the time and people who make this mistake will be on the wrong end of CO2 poisoning. Let that thing breath, and make sure it is kept dry and not totally enclosed.
there are companies that manufacture silencers for such applications. these would help reduce sound to acceptable levels. also move it away from windows.one brand of silencer I previously sold was Cowl. they worked well.
I might check that out. Are they easy to install or do you have to take them to a service company? Does it really reduce sound that much?
Right now we are limited by the length of the cord that plugs in to the cabin. We might buy a 100 foot cord to get it futher away, but those cords are not cheap!
I bought a Westinghouse 2000w inverter for under $600 to my door from Amazon (needed Prime for free shipping though). Its decibel level is comparable to the Honda, and much cheaper. A pile of great reviews on Amazon as well from a lot of cabin and camper owners.
If we need more power (toaster, coffee maker, power tools), we use our cheaper Champion 3500w generator. If we are running just lights and such, the Westinghouse is great.
We sit it on the back side of our shed and put a piece of plywood over it to keep it dry. We can barely hear it in the cabin when the windows are closed.
One is the biggest reasons we got it was so Dad can use is C-pap machine overnight. It sips fuel when used for lighter wattage. It also has a 12 volt output for more versatility.
We have a Champion Inverter 2000W Generator and it is very similar. I think I got it on a sale at Cabelas for under $500 and I had a bunch of points so it cost me very little. I can get 6-8 hrs when running the A/C at night which makes it run pretty hard.
This isn't sound proof but I built this out of scraps and it keeps the rain off of the Generator for the camper. Also since we are on a slope it keeps it level.
A properly sized silencer will reduce sound to acceptable levels. An actual dB reduction isn't always easily predictable. Understand a 10dB drop is roughly equivalent to a 50% sound reduction. All the ones we sold and set up were as easy to install as a standard muffler.
Another thought to help decrease interior observed sound is if possible eliminate the gen sets line of sight to your cabin maybe behind a shed ,pile of firewood, or over the hill, etc. Yes an increase in distance will help also.
My dad had his installed in his garage and wired back to the camp with a transfer switch for when he lost power. All ways had the garage door open when running. Garage was a detached one so no worry with the CO2. You may look into the foam board insulation as some sound dampening. A 3 sided unit with a roof should work as you need air movement to cool unit as well as keep the CO2 issue down. He never used it at night when they were sleeping as no need for power. He used normal wire to run the 220 V into the switch.
We purchased it for their 50th wedding anniversary. He was mad that we did that as he wanted no gifts. I think about the 2nd time he used it he changed his mind. They lived year round in the Hears Content camps so it got used a lot.
Brother needed it this past Sunday when the storms hit the area.
I used it about 3 times last summer when we stayed there.
Foam insulation board is a bad idea as it is closed cell construction. sound reducing foam is open cell. Also beware as some foams marketed by unknowing or irresponsible individuals is deadly when burned which can happen easily. fiberglass or rock wool are much better and safer products.
Honda Generator all the way....we ran it for 13 hours straight when we were building and it used less than a 1/4 tank of gas. VERY impressed on how quiet it was also. Well worth the money!
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
The HuntingPA.com Outdoor Community
2.8M posts
46.8K members
Since 2004
A forum community dedicated to Pennsylvania’s hunters and enthusiasts Come join the discussion about trails, licenses, fishing, game laws, styles, reviews, optics, accessories, classifieds, and more!