Fixing noisy generators

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Jun 4, 2013 | 11:21 PM

truckfella

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Fixing noisy generators

Not sure this is the correct forum for this but...

A good friend of mine recently GAVE me a Coleman brand 5000 watt generator. This thing hasn't seen hardly any use at all. Was purchased for backup power at a cabin, but it was never needed. If its been started more than a handful of times, I'd be very surprised.

Once I got it home, it started for me on the 3rd pull and ran awesome. But Holy Moses is this thing loud. I plan to use it for backup power at my home. It doesn't need to be Honda quiet but, really, this thing is obnoxious.

I pulled the stock muffler (and I use that term loosely) from it and there is what appears to be 1" female threading. So I'm thinking about installing a much larger muffler to quiet this thing down. Like maybe a motorcycle muffler.

Anyone on here ever tackled such a project on a loud generator? Constructive feedback and advice is appreciated and welcome.

Jun 5, 2013 | 12:18 AM

Ford_Six

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From: The Big, Oregon

If it is a pipe thread, start with a "sausage" style muffler, and add on a smaller automotive muffler from there. It'll take some custom fab work, but I have heard this quiet a rather loud generator. Just keep radiant heat in mind when routing it, melting the bottom out of a plastic gas tank typically doesn't end well.

Jun 5, 2013 | 07:07 AM

Gearitis

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From: Waco, Texas

I attend NASCAR races religiously and the campers there mostly have the contractor type gennys. Most are noiseier than noisy. I have witnessed them changing out mufflers, trying to pipe it up an out, over and up. Bottom line, the genny is noisey just by the shear vibration and how the actual generator is made. It is usually not the engine but a combination of all components. Some were somewhat successful by changing out the muffler but it was still noisey. The best thing most have found is to put a box around the genny. Redirect the noise up from around the genny and away from yourself and others. Just my perspective, others, I am sure will have great ideas and thoughts.

Jun 5, 2013 | 09:32 AM

senix

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From: Frederick, MD

Simple barrier between you and the gen set may help.

Jun 5, 2013 | 09:42 AM

truckfella

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Quote:

Originally Posted by senix

Simple barrier between you and the gen set may help.

True that. I was thinking about building a simple Styrofoam box to put around it during operation. Perhaps use the Styrofoam thats got the aluminum sheathing on it for heat protection. And cut a couple of small holes and wire up a simple fan to draw air thru it to dissipate heat.

Jun 5, 2013 | 10:43 AM

r2millers

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From: Southern Cal

Quote:

Originally Posted by senix

Simple barrier between you and the gen set may help.

Ya but what a way to anger the neighborhood, using as a home backup. Have you looked at larger riding lawn mower mufflers. It will a npt thread and 3/4 or 1" would be most common. Remember the thread size on pipe is the ID, not OD unlike tubing so be sure of your size.
Lawn mowers aren't quiet either but maybe buy oversize to help.
See the link below for starters.

Amazon.com: Briggs & Stratton 393010S Lo-Tone Muffler For 5-8 HP Horizontal and Vertical Engines with 3/4-Inch NPT: Patio, Lawn & Garden

Jun 5, 2013 | 12:10 PM

SpringerPop

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From: La La Land

I've been meaning to quiet-down my own gen-set, and in doing the research for it, came across this article:
Joel's Garage: Quiet Generator Muffler

Be sure to also read some of the comments, as there are some good ideas there, too.

Maybe it will be of some help to you.

Pop