Generators
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,711
Likes: 12,853
From: Wyoming
My Onan 5500 mounted in my toy hauler had the exact same decibel reading as my brother's dual Honda 2k generators that were sitting on the ground. I measured from equal distances. That surprised me. I thought my Onan would come out a bit higher (louder) on the scale.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
The hardest thing about measuring decibels is not only comparing by distance, but also load.
Lots of comments in this thread about inverter gensets being quieter, which is not automatically true. Inverter gensets running at their max are often quite loud.
Steve
Lots of comments in this thread about inverter gensets being quieter, which is not automatically true. Inverter gensets running at their max are often quite loud.
Steve
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
It's funny how sounds can seem louder or quieter depending on the frequency. We were just camping the last two days in the National Park near us and with lots of folks running gensets. A class C was running its Onan and man did it seem loud. But then again, our Yamaha sounds really quieter until you make it work at its max, then it doesn't sound so quiet.
And I have yet to hear an open frame that sounds quiet. Man, I really wanted some armor piercing rounds for some of the folks with contractor models camped near us!
Steve
And I have yet to hear an open frame that sounds quiet. Man, I really wanted some armor piercing rounds for some of the folks with contractor models camped near us!
Steve
Post Fiend
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 19,311
Likes: 97
From: Waterloo, Iowa
Don't let anybody kid you, the Honda EU series for example are quieter than the cheapies but not exactly quiet. I can see where generators would become an issue in parks and campgrounds, especially at night. Hearing those things drone all night?
When they claim 59 db what does that mean exactly, 100 feet away, upwind?
When they claim 59 db what does that mean exactly, 100 feet away, upwind?
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,711
Likes: 12,853
From: Wyoming
I could be wrong but I thought that the standard measure for decibels was at 1 meter away from the source.
I have the Gen-Turi stack on my generator. It does a very good job of redirecting the exhaust fumes. It also helps a bit on the noise too, but that's not why I bought it.
I have the Gen-Turi stack on my generator. It does a very good job of redirecting the exhaust fumes. It also helps a bit on the noise too, but that's not why I bought it.
Hotshot
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 10,060
Likes: 491
From: Bristol, TN.
Here is what the standard is supposed to be "Generators must conform to National Park Service regulations pertaining to audio disturbances, which states that "motorized equipment or machinery cannot exceed a noise level of 60 decibels measured on the A-weighted scale at 50 feet" (36 CFR 2.12)."
Of course, since the standard is never enforced, in reality there is no standard! If I were king here is what I would do. If you were in a National Park or National Forest, where the standard is supposed to apply, I would drive around and, with my trusty decibel meter, I would issue a one time warning to anyone with a generator that was louder than the standard. The next time it would be a $50.00 citation. On the third strike you would have to leave the campground.
Once word got out I think it would put an end to all the nonsense about $300 open frames being quiet. Unfortunately the notion of consideration for others is a long gone memory and some type of legal penalty strikes me as the only way.
Steve
Of course, since the standard is never enforced, in reality there is no standard! If I were king here is what I would do. If you were in a National Park or National Forest, where the standard is supposed to apply, I would drive around and, with my trusty decibel meter, I would issue a one time warning to anyone with a generator that was louder than the standard. The next time it would be a $50.00 citation. On the third strike you would have to leave the campground.
Once word got out I think it would put an end to all the nonsense about $300 open frames being quiet. Unfortunately the notion of consideration for others is a long gone memory and some type of legal penalty strikes me as the only way.
Steve
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 19,711
Likes: 12,853
From: Wyoming
60 decibels at 50 feet seems pretty doable. I'll have to check mine again at that distance. It does depend on what surface the exhaust is facing. Grass will muffle the sound some, but concrete sure won't.
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From: Southern,Alabama
Senior User
Joined: Jul 2014
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From: California
You could add one of these soft starts and your AC start issue will be solved. Go to the Airstream forum and there are alot of threads on these.
http://www.microair.net/collections/...nt=30176048267
http://www.microair.net/collections/...nt=30176048267
Thanks,
Lead Driver
Joined: Jan 2002
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From: Itinerant
It gets a lot of good reviews.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: West Michigan
You could add one of these soft starts and your AC start issue will be solved. Go to the Airstream forum and there are alot of threads on these.
http://www.microair.net/collections/...nt=30176048267
http://www.microair.net/collections/...nt=30176048267
Thanks for the lead. I just ordered a couple of these. The airstream coupon code is still good, although for $40 off each, not $50.
Logistics Pro
Joined: Mar 2005
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From: West Michigan
Thanks, dave