Generator sound box

[Tozguy]

This fella did a super job on muffling the sound from a portable generator. The concept also could apply to noisy compressors.

Very good video making too!

 

[markba633csi]

My brother and I built one too a few years ago. It was a compromise between providing ventilation and letting some of the sound out.
We used a couple of computer fans powered off the generator 12 volt output. Worked good for a couple years till the cheap-o generator threw a rod

 

[cathead]

This is my generator shed which will soon be insulated and have a wood stove installed. Right now there
are 3 generators in there and room for another if needed. This building is about 20 feet from the shop
and I can not hear the generator running inside. I'm patiently waiting for Menard's 11% sale to buy
the insulation.

 

[francist]

I remember the guys on a work grant built a box to muffle the noise from the Atlas Copco fresh air compressor we were providing for them. The air supplied two respirator-style breathing masks as they were using some pretty noxious solvents all day. Anyway, they built the nice box, insulated it with rigid foam insulation, painted it a nice shiny green and then proceeded to melt the compressor fan all to rat poo before realizing it needed air flow around it to keep it cool. Kind of one of those moments that makes you go “...hmmmm...”

 

[homebrewed]

Before I retired I worked in a lab that had a lot of tools that needed high vacuum, so every one of them had its own mechanical pump. To cut down on the noise (and it was quite a bit), we eventually moved all the pumps into a separate chase (I insisted on it). What a difference -- you don't realize just how obnoxious and tiring a constant racket can be until it goes away.

 

[Tozguy]

you don't realize just how obnoxious and tiring a constant racket can be until it goes away.

Well said.
My compressor got covered with a vented muffle box almost from day one. Now I only hear it enough to know when I forgot to turn it off.
We live in a normally quiet neighbourhood so any kind of noise like pool pumps, thermopumps, leaf blowers, etc. will carry very far. Most generators are very noisy and but manufacturers seem to be gradually moving from simple spark arrestors to real mufflers. Considering how easy it is to design an efficient muffler I don't see why there are still so many barking generators on the market.

 

[Mitch Alsup]

What a difference -- you don't realize just how obnoxious and tiring a constant racket can be until it goes away.

Works with Mother-In-Laws too..............

 

[cathead]

The polar vortex is wreaking havoc up here in northern Minnesota! It's going to be a
week of below zero weather with night time temps of 30 to 40 below F. So out of
necessity, I am insulating my generator enclosure. It's 8x12 feet so big enough but
with the floor covered with generators and "stuff" it is an interesting task. The walls
were pretty easy with fiberglass batts but the ceiling is a bit more challenging. I'm starting
with 2 inch thick pink formular (R10) and covering that with batts probably later. If the
room cools down to ambient temperature, the generators won't start. I have a 40,000BTU
Reddy heater running in there with the door open and it's comfortable enough to work.
My EU2000 Honda generator is parked outside the door a few feet to power the heater
and a trouble light. At night, I put the Honda generator in the shop that stays above freezing.
Normally around here, when it gets really cold, there is almost no wind. The forecast is for
cold AND wind so one has to be aware of wind chill. Today I get to machine 4x8 sheets of
formular to usable size pieces with a table saw...........


It's going to be insulated blue jeans today as I finish this job up. Stay warm out there
as the cold blast will be affecting a lot of the country for a week or so it seems.