So what are you guys think? Is this box worth the effort? Let me know your thoughts. ▶️Here is my newest generator sound box design th-cam.com/video/Wn_GF1RQoow/w-d-xo.htmlsi=3QVhW5V_QWGCH1Pn
No, it does not work - it just looks good. I typically never use a gen in the nice conditions you had... I want to see the test in a storm, 60mph wind gusts, for about 6hrs. Let me know if the box is still there and if the generator is still cool to operate..
@@MrFredsDIY you have a small generator. I’ve tried this before and my generator nearly burned the engine. It overheated. Your oil will break down fast and need of changing it often. You need good ventilation or a fan inside. My generator is twice the size of yours and was advised not to do it without an internal fan for airflow. Good design though.
Thanks for commenting! What size is your generator? We did a pretty thorough testing video with a thermometer in the oil and the temperature ran normal.
When we sat up generators years ago in the military, we used sand bags, the sound barrier should be built like the letter "G" and the top open. The opening should be facing towards any breeze that might be available. The sides should be slightly taller than the generator. This emits noise upward which makes it quieter. Heat is death for generators. If the generator doesn't have a sound barrier built around it, it is because it needs air. Just simply placing a barrier between you and the generator will cut the noise quite a bit. The materials that you used are excellent.
I was suprised to learn simple 4x8 sheet rock panels installed around a generator MASSIVELY reduced the sound!!! Simply lay the panels, one end on the ground, the other end on the generator. 4 panels takes care of almost ALL the noise. Cheap, solid fix!
If I tracked your numbers, the difference was generally about 2-3db reduction. While most people will be able to hear a difference of 3db, it is very near the limit of discernment for most. No one will consider a dramatic reduction. Still, i love the effort and plan on watching your earlier versions.
I dig your design. I built one almost exactly like yours. Being in broadcasting all my life I have heard what a difference sound-deading material can make. I lined the inside of mine with a product called sonex sound dampening panels used in radio station control studios. I had saved a bunch of scrap Sonex from a studio build. I had no idea at the time what I would use it for. glad I did. It works extremely well to dampen my RV generator. The only problem I ran into was the CO detector on the generator was very sensitive and would kill the engine if the wind was just right. I did a little tweaking with the box installing a small fan. Flat surfaces reflect sound in a big way. The Sonex (with a massive surface area) absorbs it like crazy. Thanks for sharing & Cheers from Louisiana.
@@thenoneckpeoplerepresentat8074 Absolutely. The cardboard type has more surface area than the styrofoam egg cartons. I have used them many times. And way less expensive than Sonex.
I'm more concerned with heat buildup. Cooking the generator is a big risk. Before I'd do this, I'd check temps at key point before and after putting this cover on.
Yeah it is an issue, My friend made one of these last summer used it on one of the hottest days of the summer to run his AC for an hour and it got so hot it swelled the gas tank and over heated the motor. Once it all cooled down he tried a box fan and it still was getting too hot and it really didnt help with sound all that much, he just ended up getting a much quieter inverter generator.
We go dirt biking riding a lot, in the Mohave deset. Big group of people. I have a gennie that I bought at a garage sale...30 years ago. Starts first pull, even now!! But it sounds like a cement mixer! A few years ago, two families with high end RVs, had gen trouble. We ran about a quarter mile of ext cords to my old gennie, and powered 3 RVs with it. It sat out on the desert for 5 days...making a ton of noise..and it saved that trip. Took it 200 yards away and leaned a camp table against it as a sound wall. Still have it. 50 plus years old now. Still fires first pull. And is noisy as hell. But we still count on it. (7 horse Tecumseh engine.) Bullettproof!!!
We have used the th-cam.com/users/postUgkxOTeIs0vv4_9B5hsmnLsk9r930uDQLu_Y for probably 30 hours with our camper and it’s been great! The noise level is really only noticeable when running the AC and other appliances like the microwave, hair dryer, or coffee pot. It’s not huge like other ones and it has wheels so even at 90lbs, I can move it!
adding a slight angle to the walls so the sound bounces down into the earth will help reduce the sound, you could also add in triangle sheaths onto the walls with your left over wastage, this will absorb more sound than just having flat walls.
A couple comments from my experience living on generators 24/7 for years. Lift the sound deflector an .5 to 1 inch off the ground to allow cool in hot out the top. Will not change your sound. Line the inside with carpet or welding cloth or "bag of rags". 100% coverage not required. Run a flexable exhaust line as far from camp as possible (up high in a tree or along the ground). Moving exhaust (and intake if possible) makes a HUGE difference. On some units it more than the sound box.
During our last major hurricane when I had to use a generator I used a wall from a plastic shed that had blown in from someone else’s yard. I put it between the generator and our living area of the house and just adding one wall between us and the generator made it a lot quieter.
Avoid flat panels that reflect sound. Avoid square corners Avoid parallel surfaces Utilize baffles and sound absorbing materials. A small amount of sound absorbent in a resonate spot can make a huge difference.
Most newer generators have a Carbon Monoxide detection feature that shuts down the generator if Carbon Monoxide builds up, such as running it indoors. You may need to ventilate this "enclosure" to defeat this automated shut down feature.
I love TH-cam... I was just thinking "I have to be able to build some simple box out of foam and wood to make this generator even quieter" and then bang here you are ;) Thanks for helping us out with this video, brother!
Why do I never read about the best place for noise reduction and that is underground. However, you must pay attention to air supply and exhaust and the exhaust can be connected to a long pipe. My father had this with a generator and you had to do your best to hear something in the distance. Note: if you have a high groundwater level, I would not do this. It is possible, but it may be too complex
Sir that foam board has a sound reflective coating , seams like if you wanted to reduce sound you might try something that absorbs it instead of redirecting it like fiberglass insulation or rock wool , heck that fiberglass insulation board used for air condition ducks would be a better choice with the aluminum foil on the outside But you are on the right track.
How about just two 3'x3' sheets of 1\4 plywood, hinged at the top and the interior covered with sound deadening material, like a pup tent. Sound would still exit the ends but so would the heat and it would fold flat and provide some weather protection. Thanks for sharing.
Very nice construction on your boxes. I used a cardboard box once during a snow storm to keep snow off my generator while hunting once and I was surprise how much the noise was reduce by the box and snow storm.
If you want to reduce sound further maybe staple or hot glue in some egg shell foam (or even cheap egg cartons on the inside to create some baffling. Seems like you've got the tools to actually test the volume pretty decently.
Try using a sound absorbing material that is non-flammable like fiberglass insulation or rockwool. A lot of the materials you used can reflect and conduct sound pretty well
This looks great when tested for 15min in a nice day.... Now picture the grid power is out, 60mph wind gusts 5-8 hrs of run time needed in the middle of the night.... I'd pick my 3/4 treated plywood box, with angled roof(shingles on top), reinforced with 4x4 in corners, 2x6" duct fans for exhaust and 1x6" duct fan for intake(cold air). The box has soundproofing on the outside.. I can go to sleep, knowing the wind wont blow it, the gen will stay cool - that one was tested also:)
Suggestion: Layer the inside of the box with egg cartons or sound deadening foam. (I work in a recording studio - it's all about the acoustics...) Also, my Dad built one of these in the 70s and used egg cartons on the inside. Thanks for the video and how you assembled yours.
The 2 things that kill gasoline motors are heat and vibration. I used 2 10” 12v radiator fans pushing air across. I checked temperatures before and after and it was better than open air. Heat rises but I didn’t want to open the top so I blew it from once side out the other. Worked like a charm.
Dear Sir, I learned how to soundproof generator sets for the film industry. Your soundproof design is what I call, flat plane muffling. I built a generator, (120 kiloWatts, thats a turbo charged Cummins 6ctg, if I remember corrct), Mounted on a brand new truck, spankin' from the showroom, that on its first movie, was boomed up the side, by the fussy sound guys, microphone 3 feet away from the skin, with sensitive dialogue as they walked. The movie was Grampire, I don't know the local name to you but it was with Al Lewis as the Vampire. Al Lewis, such a cool guy, not that I'm insinuating a closeness. One day he talked about the car crash on car 54 with Fred Gwynne. That's all. I had always had an image of his credit on The Munsters. That crooked swerve of a signature. I got to work on a movie with him. He was the Best. Al Lewis is cool.
I only do dispersed/boondock camping and have quiet Honda gen. I park my truck opposite the living side of my fiver. I then position my generator on the opposite side of my truck near a tire and point the exhaust away (very important!) Cheap, easy and greater decibel reduction than you’re getting without obstructing air flow or creating heat build up. Of course it helps being old-age hard of hearing 🤣
Some other comments saw the design flaw as well. With an open end you will get redirected sound waves coming back as they bounce off everything. If you're making this for home use try adding a layer of reflectix barrier inside. I have it and its works great.
I live off grid. I use generators when the sun dont shine (i am mainly solar). I put it in a trailer with wood sides. Trailer isnt safe fir the road anymore. I put a camper shell on top suspended by 2x4's. that was my solution.
@@Khlandestine it works well. It's well ventilated as camper is suspended on 2x4's. The camper shell back window is easy access to fill generator. The back of the bed is wood, and is easily removed for service..it also works as a sound damper.
I had the loudest generator on earth, it was a Coleman. I too tried to make a sound barrier, I rigged up a car muffler to it and it was still so loud it drove us insane. My solution? I bought a Honda. Was it expensive? You bet. Was it worth it. YES! It was so quiet, we were sitting outside of the camper and some asked if the generator died, we all looked around, we then noticed all the lights were still on. There is an old saying that I go by, "Buy once, cry once"
Instead of metal corners you could drill the styrofoam and glue in pvc sleeves for the bolts, and use bigger fender washers. That would be a lighter way. As some others have hinted, maybe line the inner side of each wall with 1" rockwool. Thanks for you videos 👍
I did the same thing years ago. I neglected to make a video for it though. I built mine out of fire retardant drywall, and then put a thin layer of paneling on the outside for weather protection. The main reason I did drywall, is so the shed wouldn’t catch on fire. I initially built one out of wood like you did, but it didn’t seem to insulate the sound as well. I never tried foam though. Great idea!
Sheeit. I built one of them generator noise reduction sheds back in 1976 using bales of hay. Didn't take long and I smelled grass burning. Yup, set the bales of hay of fire but was able to rescue the generator.
If u want really kill sound u need dense product everyone agrees Sheetrock is great for this also have a box then a second box with some spacers strips giving 1 1/2” 2” gap between 2
I put my generator with the back of it near a tree when camping. I thought having the exhaust aimed at the tree would help block some of the noise. It was about a foot away and still the carbon monoxide sensor shut the generator off.
Good, helpful content on a subject that is important to dispersed campers who are forced to park 1 car length from the road in some state and federal parks which tends to result in campers crowding each other and causing stress over generator noise. This idea may have limited effect, but it is far, far less expensive and space saving than buying and lugging around solar panels, inverter-chargers and very expensive LiFeO4 batteries.
You've given me ideas for sure. Love the portability. IMHO it still seems a bit loud so I'm going to have to research some. But you are out there testing and building and doing. That is more than I have done on sound reduction. Excellent build. Creative.
Thanks for checking out the videos, my newest design is testing very well. Our initial test is a reduction of a decibels. Here is that video.th-cam.com/video/erA944a9Bvc/w-d-xo.htmlsi=giahoGQUStGaVbnA
And dogs! Those are the best when they bark at everyone who walks by and the children throwing temper-tantrums because mommy won't let them have another twinkie! Or bubba playing his boombox at full blast with Kid Rock, yeah... good times! Just shoot me now!
Excellent video. I would use some sort of soft matting perhaps insulation board to absorb the sound vs. reflect it. The one side left open, I would put another slanted wall but open to the sky. The box would be more of a upside down right angle trapezoid. All the sound would go up and dissipate vs going out. 🤔
I wonder how much a simple large cardboard moving box would compare, maybe even just set it down in a large box to see any difference. Other things to try could be set the generator up in a bowl with 45 degree angled sides so noise is reflected up. Heat would rise easily too.
For a pool pump, maybe you could do something out of wood and make it smaller. Perhaps something like the one in this video but without the fan.th-cam.com/video/Wn_GF1RQoow/w-d-xo.htmlsi=On7VKGOQH856Rso2
get a small car muffler and engineer a quick disconnect on your genset with flexible exhaust pipe to the muffler. you seem to be mechanically inclined so it shouldn't be a big deal. it will be much quieter and take up less room. i've done this with an 11hp kohler cast iron engine on a homebrew log splitter and it is unbelievably quiet
If you really want to make effective sound dampening, you should used a mixture of materials. Different densities of material will block different frequencies. If you line that with something like scrap carpet, it be more effective. I've got three materials for my compressor box.
I was thinking go over the outside with plywood, put a hole in the back with a fan and put a couple smaller holes in the front so the air can flow Also, maybe put like a vent cover over the two holes maybe make the plywood box a little bit bigger and then you could have the vent holes not in line so it kinda keeps the sound in that way does it make sense?
Thanks for your video. Would this work for a bigger generator, like my Champion 3550/4450 watt? Obviously I would have to make it bigger. How much clearance should it have?
I would recommend something more in line with my newest design and I allowed about 5 inches between the generator and box. Here’s the build video ➡️Generator Quiet Box 2023 th-cam.com/video/erA944a9Bvc/w-d-xo.html
Betting the fully enclosed foam box with the exhaust fan will win in all categories. Military used to put their 3.5kw set in a dug out hole at least a foot below surface. A pain to get on generator detail.all the noise and heat went straight up. Best that could be done in a tactical fld back in 80s. Been considering one of the kiddie tents. Cut out bottom. All of them are free standing with flex poles doing from corner to corner. Mostly interested in keeping out of rain. Have the genset on pavers plop the tent over it stake the 4 corners. And stores in a roll next to generator. Can see a need for the box though in camping ground situations.
The only potential issue I see is with the generator overheating since it is air cooled. You may be able to further reduce the sound with egg crate or other wool sound proofing inside the shed (would need to make it large to accomodate), or you can drape a heavy wool blanket over the top to further muffle the sound? Good luck on your quest and thanks for sharing. You already tackled some of the problem with generators with buying an inverter type that is probably 20-30 Dbs quieter than a standard generator.
I love your idea and simplicity, especially for when OTR. How about using a wide strip of painters tape for easy release rather than the metal. Maybe placing a board on the top to prevent the wind from moving it around. GREAT VIDEO! THANKS!
Thanks for taking the time to comment! I have another version that attaches in a more simplest way. Here is the video for that.▶️th-cam.com/video/IZw-N7zx6Gc/w-d-xo.html
I use cinder blocks. A pallet underneath with a steel shed door i was going to scrap. Both ends open noisy end pointing away from the house. And i have to open a window to tell if its still running. Cos its only for the fridge and freezer in power outages predator 6500
This design has an “open end” to let heat escape and tested good for us. Here is my newest design ▶️th-cam.com/video/Wn_GF1RQoow/w-d-xo.htmlsi=jTapQltlbTGGXZAh
Pretty big difference when in close quarters. I heard a small Cummins inverter/gen running a few weeks ago and you could barley tell it was on even walking right by it. We've used our Champion 3400 watt inverter / gen more this year than ever going to horse shows and found that there is a huge difference in sound level even as simple as making sure the gen is on the grass versus gravel roads.
2" pink fiberglass is the best noise supressor. Funny no one seems to know. I used a cardbord box lined with it as a test box for my reloads. No need for ear muffs. Styrofoam on it's own is the worst.
The only improvement I did was I used U channel at Lowe’s and permanently attached it to all sides. So then all I had to do was “slide” all the pieces in place to assemble and disassemble was just as easy. No bolts no washers just easy Peezy :)
I'm not worried about sound since I only use my generator for a minute or two at a time. But I am wondering if this design would work for easy on off protection from the elements if I add a 4th wall and a pallet underneath. Like being under a giant cheap cooler.
Great idea! I just use spray foam and squirted it all over my generator until it was about 3 or 4 inches thick. Only downside is sometimes I forget to turn it off because you can’t hear it. I use it mostly at MAGA rallies to run my hotdog stand.
Kudos for the simplicity of design and build but if you would do a little research you will find that material density is the key to sound isolation, and rigid foam is very low in density. Think of sound waves as vibration and rigid foam easily transmits vibration, very poor at absorbing it. Thump a piece of rigid foam with your finger and note how it will transmit the sound. Thump a piece of OSB or better yet, a piece of rubber mat and you will hear a dull thud because those materials are better at absorbing sound rather than transmitting it. A generator box constructed of proper materials would easily cut your dB readings down by 30 to 50%. Your box could easily be made more effective by attaching loaded vinyl or rubber mat to it.
As a actually engineer for generator enclosures. Like runs hospitals and city blocks. Air floor and exhaust is the the most important thing. Be wise of heat too. Your exhaust will get hot! Trust me. I know. Best thing if you are gonna be outdoors in quiet areas is to NOT run those things.
I used chest freezer which died and when I put it on its side, I could fit my Champion 2200W inverter with the exhaust to the outside. It worked fine but my wife said it looks ghetto like and I had to remove it
You can find high heat MLV (mass loaded vinyl and stick it to any metal that vibrates around the motor. This will really dampen some of the noise as well. Like what they do with Fancy cars to reduce road noise.
The only way to attenuate sound is through mass. Thickness of insulation is a lost cause. It will and does have some affect. But mass is the key. If one can't 9and doesn't want to carry super heavy sheets of dense objects to absorb sound? One can learn to deflect sound. It's a sort of trickery, but it works. For instance, you could have more sheets of insulation with foam in between the 0 measuring point and the 25 yard point that deflect (and absorb a small amount of) sound. You can have more behind the open end that are angled such that they deflect the sound down in a 45 degree manner. All that will add up. But ultimately, these generators aren't that loud. So do some stuff and enjoy!
I would think the open end would just direct the sound out into some one else’s direction, which might annoy your camping neighbors. Did you take any sound measurements from that end to compare differences?
I was surprised when we made the heat testing video! Oil temperatures stayed pretty normal. Here’s the video.th-cam.com/video/Ty8aJ2Eh_WI/w-d-xo.htmlsi=N5AiC7wq_tFMGYb7
Thanks for commenting! Here’s a video that we made testing the temperatures. Fred Jr made a really cool dipstick thermometer for this video ▶️th-cam.com/video/Ty8aJ2Eh_WI/w-d-xo.htmlsi=BDkA3BOHZyTteP8I
Good idea but there air cooled and this almost cuts any circulation off they in freezing winter probably ok but in 80+ degrees I might want to put a opening on the other end and maybe even a small fan...
So what are you guys think? Is this box worth the effort? Let me know your thoughts. ▶️Here is my newest generator sound box design th-cam.com/video/Wn_GF1RQoow/w-d-xo.htmlsi=3QVhW5V_QWGCH1Pn
No, it does not work - it just looks good. I typically never use a gen in the nice conditions you had... I want to see the test in a storm, 60mph wind gusts, for about 6hrs. Let me know if the box is still there and if the generator is still cool to operate..
@@MrFredsDIY you have a small generator. I’ve tried this before and my generator nearly burned the engine. It overheated. Your oil will break down fast and need of changing it often. You need good ventilation or a fan inside. My generator is twice the size of yours and was advised not to do it without an internal fan for airflow. Good design though.
Thanks for commenting! What size is your generator? We did a pretty thorough testing video with a thermometer in the oil and the temperature ran normal.
@@MrFredsDIY or...buy a Honda. Always point the exhaust away from others
Where did you get the material that you did the build with, the r-tech premium engineered insulation that is.
Small tip from my experience. Make sure not only the engine can breathe but the generator also needs to breathe. I learned the hard way.
When we sat up generators years ago in the military, we used sand bags, the sound barrier should be built like the letter "G" and the top open. The opening should be facing towards any breeze that might be available. The sides should be slightly taller than the generator. This emits noise upward which makes it quieter. Heat is death for generators. If the generator doesn't have a sound barrier built around it, it is because it needs air. Just simply placing a barrier between you and the generator will cut the noise quite a bit. The materials that you used are excellent.
I see it now. ISIS stumbled into your camp because it was so quiet. They didn't know you were there. 👍
Good info by the way.
That really made a difference? Sand bags? Letter g? Hmm
@@Eazye442 of course the military had a lot of sand bags. And it seems we were always training in sandy areas. Overkill, but was efficient
I was suprised to learn simple 4x8 sheet rock panels installed around a generator MASSIVELY reduced the sound!!!
Simply lay the panels, one end on the ground, the other end on the generator.
4 panels takes care of almost ALL the noise.
Cheap, solid fix!
Uhhh... Aren't these AIR cooled ?
@@reuven2010exactly
Just make sure to plug in a fan at both inlet and outlet
What if it's pouring rain?
If I tracked your numbers, the difference was generally about 2-3db reduction. While most people will be able to hear a difference of 3db, it is very near the limit of discernment for most. No one will consider a dramatic reduction. Still, i love the effort and plan on watching your earlier versions.
I dig your design. I built one almost exactly like yours. Being in broadcasting all my life I have heard what a difference sound-deading material can make. I lined the inside of mine with a product called sonex sound dampening panels used in radio station control studios. I had saved a bunch of scrap Sonex from a studio build. I had no idea at the time what I would use it for. glad I did. It works extremely well to dampen my RV generator. The only problem I ran into was the CO detector on the generator was very sensitive and would kill the engine if the wind was just right. I did a little tweaking with the box installing a small fan. Flat surfaces reflect sound in a big way. The Sonex (with a massive surface area) absorbs it like crazy. Thanks for sharing & Cheers from Louisiana.
Thanks for sharing your story! Your improvements to the design sound great!
You can only build a box one way. Lol
Hey Rick, would egg cartons work as makeshift sound baffles?
@@thenoneckpeoplerepresentat8074 Absolutely. The cardboard type has more surface area than the styrofoam egg cartons. I have used them many times. And way less expensive than Sonex.
@@radioace318la Thank you, I appreciate the reply. I’m going to give them a try this summer at my camp.
I'm more concerned with heat buildup. Cooking the generator is a big risk. Before I'd do this, I'd check temps at key point before and after putting this cover on.
Heat with generators is a concern. I did a thorough heat testing video for sound boxes. ➡️th-cam.com/video/Ty8aJ2Eh_WI/w-d-xo.html
Add a box fan
Add a thermal disc inside connected to the kill wire,
Yeah it is an issue, My friend made one of these last summer used it on one of the hottest days of the summer to run his AC for an hour and it got so hot it swelled the gas tank and over heated the motor. Once it all cooled down he tried a box fan and it still was getting too hot and it really didnt help with sound all that much, he just ended up getting a much quieter inverter generator.
@@Spoons89631 Buy a 50 meter power cable, total silence guaranteed...😁
We go dirt biking riding a lot, in the Mohave deset.
Big group of people.
I have a gennie that I bought at a garage sale...30 years ago.
Starts first pull, even now!!
But it sounds like a cement mixer!
A few years ago, two families with high end RVs,
had gen trouble.
We ran about a quarter mile of ext cords to my old gennie, and powered 3 RVs with it.
It sat out on the desert for 5 days...making a ton of noise..and it saved that trip.
Took it 200 yards away and leaned a camp table against it as a sound wall.
Still have it. 50 plus years old now. Still fires first pull. And is noisy as hell.
But we still count on it.
(7 horse Tecumseh engine.) Bullettproof!!!
We have used the th-cam.com/users/postUgkxOTeIs0vv4_9B5hsmnLsk9r930uDQLu_Y for probably 30 hours with our camper and it’s been great! The noise level is really only noticeable when running the AC and other appliances like the microwave, hair dryer, or coffee pot. It’s not huge like other ones and it has wheels so even at 90lbs, I can move it!
adding a slight angle to the walls so the sound bounces down into the earth will help reduce the sound, you could also add in triangle sheaths onto the walls with your left over wastage, this will absorb more sound than just having flat walls.
Thanks for watching! A few months back I made a design with a slanted roof, this video hereth-cam.com/video/IZw-N7zx6Gc/w-d-xo.html
A couple comments from my experience living on generators 24/7 for years.
Lift the sound deflector an .5 to 1 inch off the ground to allow cool in hot out the top. Will not change your sound.
Line the inside with carpet or welding cloth or "bag of rags". 100% coverage not required.
Run a flexable exhaust line as far from camp as possible (up high in a tree or along the ground). Moving exhaust (and intake if possible) makes a HUGE difference. On some units it more than the sound box.
During our last major hurricane when I had to use a generator I used a wall from a plastic shed that had blown in from someone else’s yard. I put it between the generator and our living area of the house and just adding one wall between us and the generator made it a lot quieter.
Avoid flat panels that reflect sound.
Avoid square corners
Avoid parallel surfaces
Utilize baffles and sound absorbing materials. A small amount of sound absorbent in a resonate spot can make a huge difference.
And direction change of the exhaust makes a big difference too. Can use pieces of that flashing to do that.
Lol...maybe a dome shape?
Most newer generators have a Carbon Monoxide detection feature that shuts down the generator if Carbon Monoxide builds up, such as running it indoors. You may need to ventilate this "enclosure" to defeat this automated shut down feature.
I love TH-cam... I was just thinking "I have to be able to build some simple box out of foam and wood to make this generator even quieter" and then bang here you are ;) Thanks for helping us out with this video, brother!
A backup generator is music. It’s a blessing to have along with gas to power it. Let it sing
This man is insane
Why do I never read about the best place for noise reduction and that is underground. However, you must pay attention to air supply and exhaust and the exhaust can be connected to a long pipe. My father had this with a generator and you had to do your best to hear something in the distance. Note: if you have a high groundwater level, I would not do this. It is possible, but it may be too complex
Sir that foam board has a sound reflective coating , seams like if you wanted to reduce sound you might try something that absorbs it instead of redirecting it like fiberglass insulation or rock wool , heck that fiberglass insulation board used for air condition ducks would be a better choice with the aluminum foil on the outside But you are on the right track.
How about just two 3'x3' sheets of 1\4 plywood, hinged at the top and the interior covered with sound deadening material, like a pup tent. Sound would still exit the ends but so would the heat and it would fold flat and provide some weather protection. Thanks for sharing.
Better make some tie down options bc I can see me chasing that thing all over the RV park at the NASCAR track on a windy day. lol.. :-)
Very nice construction on your boxes. I used a cardboard box once during a snow storm to keep snow off my generator while hunting once and I was surprise how much the noise was reduce by the box and snow storm.
If you want to reduce sound further maybe staple or hot glue in some egg shell foam (or even cheap egg cartons on the inside to create some baffling.
Seems like you've got the tools to actually test the volume pretty decently.
Nice video. The respirator cartridges you had on there were for particulates. You need organic vapor cartridges.
Try using a sound absorbing material that is non-flammable like fiberglass insulation or rockwool. A lot of the materials you used can reflect and conduct sound pretty well
This looks great when tested for 15min in a nice day.... Now picture the grid power is out, 60mph wind gusts 5-8 hrs of run time needed in the middle of the night....
I'd pick my 3/4 treated plywood box, with angled roof(shingles on top), reinforced with 4x4 in corners, 2x6" duct fans for exhaust and 1x6" duct fan for intake(cold air). The box has soundproofing on the outside..
I can go to sleep, knowing the wind wont blow it, the gen will stay cool - that one was tested also:)
Suggestion: Layer the inside of the box with egg cartons or sound deadening foam. (I work in a recording studio - it's all about the acoustics...) Also, my Dad built one of these in the 70s and used egg cartons on the inside. Thanks for the video and how you assembled yours.
Brilliant. My only modification would be to design a bit of an angle on the roof so it would shed water when it is raining.
The 2 things that kill gasoline motors are heat and vibration. I used 2 10” 12v radiator fans pushing air across. I checked temperatures before and after and it was better than open air. Heat rises but I didn’t want to open the top so I blew it from once side out the other. Worked like a charm.
Dear Sir, I learned how to soundproof generator sets for the film industry. Your soundproof design is what I call, flat plane muffling. I built a generator, (120 kiloWatts, thats a turbo charged Cummins 6ctg, if I remember corrct), Mounted on a brand new truck, spankin' from the showroom, that on its first movie, was boomed up the side, by the fussy sound guys, microphone 3 feet away from the skin, with sensitive dialogue as they walked. The movie was Grampire, I don't know the local name to you but it was with Al Lewis as the Vampire. Al Lewis, such a cool guy, not that I'm insinuating a closeness. One day he talked about the car crash on car 54 with Fred Gwynne. That's all. I had always had an image of his credit on The Munsters. That crooked swerve of a signature. I got to work on a movie with him. He was the Best. Al Lewis is cool.
I only do dispersed/boondock camping and have quiet Honda gen.
I park my truck opposite the living side of my fiver. I then position my generator on the opposite side of my truck near a tire and point the exhaust away (very important!)
Cheap, easy and greater decibel reduction than you’re getting without obstructing air flow or creating heat build up.
Of course it helps being old-age hard of hearing 🤣
Some other comments saw the design flaw as well. With an open end you will get redirected sound waves coming back as they bounce off everything. If you're making this for home use try adding a layer of reflectix barrier inside. I have it and its works great.
Good start. Add thick layer of mass loaded vinyl and retest. Look forward to results.
I live off grid. I use generators when the sun dont shine (i am mainly solar). I put it in a trailer with wood sides. Trailer isnt safe fir the road anymore. I put a camper shell on top suspended by 2x4's. that was my solution.
@@rodx5571 how well did that work?
@@Khlandestine it works well. It's well ventilated as camper is suspended on 2x4's. The camper shell back window is easy access to fill generator. The back of the bed is wood, and is easily removed for service..it also works as a sound damper.
I had the loudest generator on earth, it was a Coleman. I too tried to make a sound barrier, I rigged up a car muffler to it and it was still so loud it drove us insane. My solution? I bought a Honda. Was it expensive? You bet. Was it worth it. YES! It was so quiet, we were sitting outside of the camper and some asked if the generator died, we all looked around, we then noticed all the lights were still on. There is an old saying that I go by, "Buy once, cry once"
Every time the exhaust sound changes direction it gets quieter. A few baffles that zig zag the exhaust made a big difference in the Noise level.
Seen a few like these where they added a fan and an exhaust outlet. Seemed to work well too
I love the fact that so many people who own generators are going to do this and FRY THEIR MACHINES!!!
Why it looks like it gets enough air circulation ? space on the sides and the back.
Instead of metal corners you could drill the styrofoam and glue in pvc sleeves for the bolts, and use bigger fender washers. That would be a lighter way.
As some others have hinted, maybe line the inner side of each wall with 1" rockwool.
Thanks for you videos 👍
I did the same thing years ago. I neglected to make a video for it though. I built mine out of fire retardant drywall, and then put a thin layer of paneling on the outside for weather protection. The main reason I did drywall, is so the shed wouldn’t catch on fire. I initially built one out of wood like you did, but it didn’t seem to insulate the sound as well. I never tried foam though. Great idea!
Sheeit. I built one of them generator noise reduction sheds back in 1976 using bales of hay. Didn't take long and I smelled grass burning. Yup, set the bales of hay of fire but was able to rescue the generator.
Yeah, let's use kindling!
@@JetFire9 that's what living is; learning. It's when you keep losing the wars you start that a problem needs to be recognized.
This is a great idea, I put mine in an old little tikes play house. Covered it but seemed to amplify the noise
If u want really kill sound u need dense product everyone agrees Sheetrock is great for this also have a box then a second box with some spacers strips giving 1 1/2” 2” gap between 2
I put my generator with the back of it near a tree when camping. I thought having the exhaust aimed at the tree would help block some of the noise. It was about a foot away and still the carbon monoxide sensor shut the generator off.
Good, helpful content on a subject that is important to dispersed campers who are forced to park 1 car length from the road in some state and federal parks which tends to result in campers crowding each other and causing stress over generator noise.
This idea may have limited effect, but it is far, far less expensive and space saving than buying and lugging around solar panels, inverter-chargers and very expensive LiFeO4 batteries.
Love the nichrome 'saw'. Nice neat cuts.
Thanks.
Thanks for watching and commenting!
You've given me ideas for sure. Love the portability. IMHO it still seems a bit loud so I'm going to have to research some. But you are out there testing and building and doing. That is more than I have done on sound reduction. Excellent build. Creative.
I am working on a slightly new design and will have a video soon! Thanks for watching!
Decibel is a logarithmic scale. He made a solid improvement.
Lots of builds with MINIMAL sound reduction?? Good job!
Thanks for checking out the videos, my newest design is testing very well. Our initial test is a reduction of a decibels. Here is that video.th-cam.com/video/erA944a9Bvc/w-d-xo.htmlsi=giahoGQUStGaVbnA
Great job Fred- this was on my to-do list this made it a lil easier thx
Can i get a like for how awesome it is when you go camping and the generators are brought along.....its such a lovely nature sound
I especially love that one guy who insists on running the generator throughout the night, keeping everyone else awake. That's why I go camping.
And dogs! Those are the best when they bark at everyone who walks by and the children throwing temper-tantrums because mommy won't let them have another twinkie! Or bubba playing his boombox at full blast with Kid Rock, yeah... good times! Just shoot me now!
You gotta have the four drunk
Guys arguing about the same
Girl that they all dated in highschool till three am. Now
That's camping 😅
Great idea, I’m going to make something similar but with hinges so it folds flat when not in use
Good luck with your build! Here are some ideas th-cam.com/video/erA944a9Bvc/w-d-xo.htmlsi=D8pZnVw6BqHpbedp
Thank you for making this video now I know I can definitely make this a DIY 👍🏽👍🏽
Excellent video. I would use some sort of soft matting perhaps insulation board to absorb the sound vs. reflect it. The one side left open, I would put another slanted wall but open to the sky. The box would be more of a upside down right angle trapezoid. All the sound would go up and dissipate vs going out. 🤔
excellent job with presentation and simplicity plus instruction
Thanks for watching the video!
Love the walmart tools and the harbor frieght clamps 🫡
Do you make one of these that can cover something very noisy thats 5'2" 115 lbs ?
9mm plug works sometimes you might need few more plugs before you put it in a 📦 it will be super silent! 🤫
I wonder how much a simple large cardboard moving box would compare, maybe even just set it down in a large box to see any difference. Other things to try could be set the generator up in a bowl with 45 degree angled sides so noise is reflected up. Heat would rise easily too.
Try rubber sheets from McMaster in hardnesses then vent the cover both sides with intake and exhaust. Great ones on yours
I may try this to quiet down a somewhat noisy pool pump... any thought on doing this?
For a pool pump, maybe you could do something out of wood and make it smaller. Perhaps something like the one in this video but without the fan.th-cam.com/video/Wn_GF1RQoow/w-d-xo.htmlsi=On7VKGOQH856Rso2
Thanks you have giving me some ideas on helping me reduce my noise issues.
Making it collapsible and with roof edging was a great idea! The camo color is super cool!
get a small car muffler and engineer a quick disconnect on your genset with flexible exhaust pipe to the muffler. you seem to be mechanically inclined so it shouldn't be a big deal. it will be much quieter and take up less room. i've done this with an 11hp kohler cast iron engine on a homebrew log splitter and it is unbelievably quiet
If you really want to make effective sound dampening, you should used a mixture of materials. Different densities of material will block different frequencies. If you line that with something like scrap carpet, it be more effective. I've got three materials for my compressor box.
I was thinking go over the outside with plywood, put a hole in the back with a fan and put a couple smaller holes in the front so the air can flow Also, maybe put like a vent cover over the two holes maybe make the plywood box a little bit bigger and then you could have the vent holes not in line so it kinda keeps the sound in that way does it make sense?
Thanks for commenting! I recently finished a design similar to what you are describing. You can find that video series on my TH-cam channel.
Thanks for your video. Would this work for a bigger generator, like my Champion 3550/4450 watt? Obviously I would have to make it bigger. How much clearance should it have?
I would recommend something more in line with my newest design and I allowed about 5 inches between the generator and box. Here’s the build video ➡️Generator Quiet Box 2023
th-cam.com/video/erA944a9Bvc/w-d-xo.html
Why didn't you use sound shield? You cut them to size and have an adhesive back. Worked great for my outboard engine inside the cowling.
Betting the fully enclosed foam box with the exhaust fan will win in all categories. Military used to put their 3.5kw set in a dug out hole at least a foot below surface. A pain to get on generator detail.all the noise and heat went straight up. Best that could be done in a tactical fld back in 80s. Been considering one of the kiddie tents. Cut out bottom. All of them are free standing with flex poles doing from corner to corner. Mostly interested in keeping out of rain.
Have the genset on pavers plop the tent over it stake the 4 corners. And stores in a roll next to generator. Can see a need for the box though in camping ground situations.
Interesting idea!
The end of the video sums up my life at this point. Retake....sigh....retake hahahaha
Got my new generator noise reductor about a month ago , it’s called an Anker .
The only potential issue I see is with the generator overheating since it is air cooled. You may be able to further reduce the sound with egg crate or other wool sound proofing inside the shed (would need to make it large to accomodate), or you can drape a heavy wool blanket over the top to further muffle the sound? Good luck on your quest and thanks for sharing. You already tackled some of the problem with generators with buying an inverter type that is probably 20-30 Dbs quieter than a standard generator.
yeah, no active ventilation (fan or something) which would help evacuate heat and provide fresh air to the intake...this is like creating an oven.
I just bought a Honda pretty quiet all by itself
With a 2x-3x premium.
I love your idea and simplicity, especially for when OTR.
How about using a wide strip of painters tape for easy release rather than the metal. Maybe placing a board on the top to prevent the wind from moving it around. GREAT VIDEO! THANKS!
Thanks for taking the time to comment! I have another version that attaches in a more simplest way. Here is the video for that.▶️th-cam.com/video/IZw-N7zx6Gc/w-d-xo.html
I use cinder blocks. A pallet underneath with a steel shed door i was going to scrap. Both ends open noisy end pointing away from the house. And i have to open a window to tell if its still running. Cos its only for the fridge and freezer in power outages predator 6500
Is it waterproof? yes? BUT DOES IT HAVE A VENT to rid exhaust out? Plus does it build heat inside that could damage the generator?
This design has an “open end” to let heat escape and tested good for us. Here is my newest design ▶️th-cam.com/video/Wn_GF1RQoow/w-d-xo.htmlsi=jTapQltlbTGGXZAh
Well done Good Sir
Pretty big difference when in close quarters. I heard a small Cummins inverter/gen running a few weeks ago and you could barley tell it was on even walking right by it. We've used our Champion 3400 watt inverter / gen more this year than ever going to horse shows and found that there is a huge difference in sound level even as simple as making sure the gen is on the grass versus gravel roads.
2" pink fiberglass is the best noise supressor. Funny no one seems to know. I used a cardbord box lined with it as a test box for my reloads. No need for ear muffs. Styrofoam on it's own is the worst.
The only improvement I did was I used U channel at Lowe’s and permanently attached it to all sides. So then all I had to do was “slide” all the pieces in place to assemble and disassemble was just as easy. No bolts no washers just easy Peezy :)
Throw a mover's cloth over it, or a sound proof cloth over it to dampen the sound ever more I think. Great video.
This video saved my business! We are food vendors on the powwow trail and they require a baffled generator. Chi Miigwetch for sharing this design!!
I’m so glad it helped you!
A triangular design where just 2 pieces join together over it like a high roof might be a better option so to let air get in more efficiently
I'm not worried about sound since I only use my generator for a minute or two at a time. But I am wondering if this design would work for easy on off protection from the elements if I add a 4th wall and a pallet underneath. Like being under a giant cheap cooler.
Great idea! I just use spray foam and squirted it all over my generator until it was about 3 or 4 inches thick. Only downside is sometimes I forget to turn it off because you can’t hear it. I use it mostly at MAGA rallies to run my hotdog stand.
Super
Kudos for the simplicity of design and build but if you would do a little research you will find that material density is the key to sound isolation, and rigid foam is very low in density. Think of sound waves as vibration and rigid foam easily transmits vibration, very poor at absorbing it. Thump a piece of rigid foam with your finger and note how it will transmit the sound. Thump a piece of OSB or better yet, a piece of rubber mat and you will hear a dull thud because those materials are better at absorbing sound rather than transmitting it. A generator box constructed of proper materials would easily cut your dB readings down by 30 to 50%. Your box could easily be made more effective by attaching loaded vinyl or rubber mat to it.
EXCELLENT directions / instructions
As a actually engineer for generator enclosures. Like runs hospitals and city blocks. Air floor and exhaust is the the most important thing. Be wise of heat too. Your exhaust will get hot! Trust me. I know. Best thing if you are gonna be outdoors in quiet areas is to NOT run those things.
Generator manuals say to keep 3 ft on every side. Doesn't this risk overheating or melting?
Wait, you read them all? In other comments, he said he did a heat testing video.
It might be a bit expensive, depending on the thickness, but I believe one of the best materials is Cork sheets. Have to try it.
Styrofoam isn't for sound absorption, it reflects and conducts sound. What you need is rockwool.
Angling the sides so that the noise generated is directed into the ground seems to be the key.
I used chest freezer which died and when I put it on its side, I could fit my Champion 2200W inverter with the exhaust to the outside. It worked fine but my wife said it looks ghetto like and I had to remove it
You can find high heat MLV (mass loaded vinyl and stick it to any metal that vibrates around the motor. This will really dampen some of the noise as well. Like what they do with Fancy cars to reduce road noise.
Nice Box! Dude is that my stepladder in the garage I loaned you 3 years ago? Lol!
The only way to attenuate sound is through mass. Thickness of insulation is a lost cause. It will and does have some affect. But mass is the key. If one can't 9and doesn't want to carry super heavy sheets of dense objects to absorb sound? One can learn to deflect sound. It's a sort of trickery, but it works. For instance, you could have more sheets of insulation with foam in between the 0 measuring point and the 25 yard point that deflect (and absorb a small amount of) sound. You can have more behind the open end that are angled such that they deflect the sound down in a 45 degree manner.
All that will add up. But ultimately, these generators aren't that loud. So do some stuff and enjoy!
I would think the open end would just direct the sound out into some one else’s direction, which might annoy your camping neighbors. Did you take any sound measurements from that end to compare differences?
sound vs heat....putting the generator in a Styrofoam box traps heat does it not?
I was surprised when we made the heat testing video! Oil temperatures stayed pretty normal. Here’s the video.th-cam.com/video/Ty8aJ2Eh_WI/w-d-xo.htmlsi=N5AiC7wq_tFMGYb7
I bet sound dampening panels would be even better
How do I bypass predator 1800watt CO shut off system ? I am using it completely outdoors but in a 3 sided shelter and it keeps shutting off. Thanks 👊
Our model doesn’t have that sensor. I’m sue there is a way to unplug the sensor and put a jumper in.
what about the live of the generator running hotter ? than it was built for
maybe ger some spray foam thd coat the whole thing with that stuff
Can you check temperatures, box on box off. Inverter type generators and air cooled engines are sensitive to high temperatures. Thanks🌵
Thanks for commenting! Here’s a video that we made testing the temperatures. Fred Jr made a really cool dipstick thermometer for this video ▶️th-cam.com/video/Ty8aJ2Eh_WI/w-d-xo.htmlsi=BDkA3BOHZyTteP8I
Good idea but there air cooled and this almost cuts any circulation off they in freezing winter probably ok but in 80+ degrees I might want to put a opening on the other end and maybe even a small fan...
My latest design has a few of the features that you mentioned. Thanks for commenting! th-cam.com/video/Wn_GF1RQoow/w-d-xo.htmlsi=DPaKRWx1tvagn57P