Posted: 12/21/2008 6:51:07 PM EDT
| Unfortunately I live in a subdivision. A subdivision that isn't without crime. We're going to get a back up generator after some bad outtages. My thing is they're LOUD. Has any one tried or successfully muffled their generator. I thought possibly a cheap motorcycle or car muffler rigged to the existing muffler might do it, but I don't want to create too much back pressure, but I don't want to advertise we have something worth stealing |
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There are a lot of threads in the archives about this.
Basically, if it is a smaller portable generator your best bet is a small, insulated building. You can make it out of plywood and spray-foam, but it needs to be able to vent and not to get too hot. You may be able to get a larger muffler but it may increase temperatures of the engine and decrease performance (and increase fuel use). |
| Lights at night will be advertisement enough,keep locked in garage when not home(frig & freezer will stay cold if not opening), get a "krytonite( I think)" cable lock or square linked chain(expensive but hard to cut) to use when home. If using a stand by, you'll need to bolt to concrete w/ red heads or tapcons, I'm sure somebody makes a security version. Alarm signs and a big dog will help to discourage them. |
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Quoted:
Start off with a quiet generator - like a Honda or Yamaha inverter model. If I have mine running on my deck in back you cannot hear it on the street. I live in a regular city house - 30 feet from the road EU6500iSA * 6500 watts, 120/240V * Perfect for home back up power, RV's, outdoor events, job sites, and more * Super quiet * Fuel efficient - up to 14 hrs on 4.5 gals of gas * Convenient electric start * Inverter - stable power for computers and more * 250 lbs dry weight 
MSRP $3,999.95* 
That's an awful lot of money to just get 6500 "quiet" watts. My generator, a coleman with robin sub engine, "6250 watts" (yes I am stating surge, but so is honda) can be made quiet with a insulated box for a hell of a lot less. I purchased the generator, brand spanking new, from home depot for $359. I purchased this muffler from TSC and welded a flange to the spark arrestor screen that screws to the existing muffler. I hook the two up using a flexible exhaust pipe. I drilled two holes in the muffler at the very end of the exhaust pipe and attached a chain. I hang the chain on one of those shepard hook shaped plant hangers, thus directing the exhaust sound up. I run my generator behind my locked wooden privacy fence and you cannot hear it in the front of the house. You could hear it before I did the muffler, (the sound would bounce off the fence and echo) but I discovered that directing the exhaust straight up made the biggest difference. Also my generator only weighs 159lbs dry. Here is a link to the one I have, You can find them on ebay for a lot less money. Something else that makes a noise difference on mine is running it on propane. I purchased the tri fuel kit and installed it. When I tuned it up on the propane I noticed that is was quieter. |