Well it is that time of year again. We were evacuated a couple weeks ago for a local fire that was able to be gotten under control due to the winds staying down. With the expectation of high winds last night at 10:08 pm the power was shut off for a safety shutdown by the utility. It is expected to be turned back on in a couple days. I installed a generator this spring for these eventualities and last night with the shut down the generator fired up and continues to run. It was 103* here yesterday so rather than rough it we are imposing on the neighbor with the generator noise. We get along and I would like to do something to reduce the sound footprint of the generator. It is pad mounted about 5' off the wall of an outbuilding. Much obliged for any suggestions.
Sound barriers
- Thread starter Jackfre
- Start date
kd3pc
Well-known member
most manufacturers offer a noise hood/system for their generators. You can make your own with 2" rigid insulation panels. Leave clearance around the unit and vents and holes for the exhaust, etc - your manual will give you these details.
240sxguy
Well-known member
Honestly if it's just for a few days and you're an otherwise courteous neighbor I would just leave it as is. Maybe a case of beer for a thank you/apology if you're really feeling guilty.
Ilikeike
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Is it a loud construction type generator ? most of the home units have sound covers on them.
Build a pony wall around it and add some type outdoor foam insulation maybe ?
Build a pony wall around it and add some type outdoor foam insulation maybe ?
e36jon
Well-known member
Here's a Google result that could help, including one that is just sheets of plywood leaning on the unit, so a sub-one-minute hack:
https://bb-rv.com/how-to-quiet-a-generator/
Lots of other links with a simple search as there are a number of other groups that want similar results; campers, the RV crowd, and homeowners like you.
Hope you stay safe with all the crazy fires.
Jon
https://bb-rv.com/how-to-quiet-a-generator/
Lots of other links with a simple search as there are a number of other groups that want similar results; campers, the RV crowd, and homeowners like you.
Hope you stay safe with all the crazy fires.
Jon
Kaizen
Well-known member
Offer to let him run a cord for his vitals. Just putting some plywood leaned against it with top open will reduce the sound. Surprisingly even with a car muffler installed in mine it’s still loud. Noise from crankcase is surprising
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nadogail
Well-known member
IMHO, Both of the earlier posts have merit. #5 & 6, a neighbor who is getting power he would not otherwise have should have no reason to complain about a little noise.
He will certainly appreciate your sharing with him during the outage.
It may be impossible for you to get drywall or plywood, but maybe you and your neighbor who is getting power can improvise.
He will certainly appreciate your sharing with him during the outage.
It may be impossible for you to get drywall or plywood, but maybe you and your neighbor who is getting power can improvise.
Since you're in Cali and have these rolling black outs, I think I would start trying to think of something a bit more permanent. Like a fenced in area surrounded by some shubbery and a lockable gate. Probably ant to include a steel loop set in concrete for securing the generator so it doesn't "walk away."
Kaizen
Well-known member
If I was there I’d be cashing in some 401k money for panels and power wall. This trend is only going to get worse in that area.
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CJ7VFR
Well-known member
I agree. This is what I would do.
So in parts of CA they shut your power off so you no longer get electricity when there are high wind warnings because of the chance of starting a fire.
So then, in order to get power to the house, people without solar panels will be setting up their portable generators, which use gasoline, and get very hot, and can easily start fires if not set up properly, and this is a better solution during high wind advisories for avoiding fires?
It seems kind of counter-intuitive. To avoid fires they shut down the electricity so people will now use gasoline to power their homes.
Jim
A more logical plan would be to cash out some 401k to get the heck out of California.
Well, I have the grid tied solar system I installed this spring. I have zeroed my bill and then some. PG&E has a program where if you live in a fire area, are on a well and had power outages, we were out for 155 hrs last year, you can apply for free PW. It is hopelessly oversubscribed but I am in the que. My solar controller is a hybrid in that it can run grid tied & run the batteries. PW's are quite costly and with the generator I just have to look at the operating costs this season and make a decision somewhere down the road
Ilikeike
ALLIANCE MEMBER
Kaizen
Well-known member
Good luck. Can’t believe they are allowed to do this.
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CN Spots
Well-known member
Well, that would solve the neighbor's noise issue.
chris142
Well-known member
Offer to power the neighbors swamp cooler in exchange for the noise.
chris142
Well-known member
Our Governor is a Class A Idiot!
jkeyser14
Well-known member
It isn't just the governor, it is your lawmakers too.
CraigStu
Well-known member
If you diy this sound proofing just be sure you allow for cooling the engine.
Hey it’s dumb California I stop trying to figure out why they do things a long time ago. Remember you can’t fix stupid. I unfortunately live in California but luckily in central ca so the fires so far for the most part and a little always from me. But yeah they **** my power off once in a blue moon because of fire potential because of pg&e old equipment likes to explode in high winds from brush being blown around d and hitting it. Now where I live no one has any generators some have solar but no battery back ups. But the. Again power has only been out for a few hours from time to time nothing long enough to need to worries about powering things up my self. Still looking for a good deal on one just to have but not in a rush
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