A generator is an essential source of power during emergencies. It can help you at home, when you have no electric power, or when camping. Despite their usefulness, the noise that comes with using generators is annoying.
The buzzing noise causes noise pollution, and it can be harmful to your health [1]. When the generator is on, the background noise causes an uncomfortable environment that can be harmful to kids and the elderly.
However, we still need the generator in our homes to come in handy during blackouts. You do not have to keep up with the noise to enjoy the generator’s benefits because there are some solutions for you.
Here are some of the techniques on how to make your generator quiet as a cricket.
12 Ways Of How To Make Your Generator Quiet as a Cricket
These are 11 ways that you can do to make your generator as quiet as possible. You can’t get the noise level as low as 0 decibels, but it’s better than doing nothing about it.
Use of Rubber Feet
When the generator is on the floor, and you turn it on, it vibrates. Vibration is one of the primary sources of noise from a generator [2].
Reducing vibration will reduce the amount of noise coming from the generator.
When you install rubber feet on your generator, the generator will stand firmly on the ground, reducing vibration that causes noise.
Click here for the rubber feet that I recommend.
Place It in a Soundproof Generator Box
One of the permanent methods of making your generator as quiet as cricket is placing it in a soundproof generator box.
However, this method is effective when using the generator at home. The generator box will make it heavier, and this makes this method ineffective when camping.
You can get the soundproof generator box in the market or make it on your own. However, making your generator box is way cheaper than buying.
How To Make a Soundproof Generator box
Here’s the step by step of how to DIY your soundproof generator box:
- Have the measurements of your generator
- Get a wooden box with matching sizes as your generator
- Make ventilation holes, preferably on each corner of the box, and measure the diameters
- Using the measurements of the ventilation hole, get the correct size of ventilation holes
- Using Styrofoam, insulate the box
- Put a layer of foam mats. This will help in sound reflection
- Glue the box down with an adhesive, preferably Styrofoam adhesive
- For soundproofing put Dynamat over the Styrofoam
- Also, add the Dynamat to the box lid, and drill in holes
- Attach the lid with hinges for easy access to the generator when it is inside the box
- Finally, using green glue, seal all the edges
- Your soundproof generator box is now ready for use
To get the best results from the generator box, ensure it has a good air supply to prevent overheating. Remember, the more ventilation ducts you have, the better for your generator.
Watch these cool videos to get some ideas!
Put the Generator Far From Your House
The far you place your generator from your house, the lesser the distraction from its noise.
Where applicable, put your generator at least twenty meters away from your home, then use a long extension cord to get the power. This will keep you and your family comfortable and free from noise when sleeping.
This can also work when you are using the generator during camping; ensure the generator is far from where you are holding your camping activities. However, this method can only work when you stay in an open place.
In cases where you stay in an area where houses are close to each other, or you stay in an apartment, it might be hard for you to place the generator far from your home.
Put the Exhaust Pipes in Water
This method might look dangerous, but it effectively makes your generator as quiet as a cricket. It would help if you had a bucket of water and a hosepipe to get this working.
First, connect the hosepipe to the generator’s exhaust end, then place the other end of the hosepipe in the bucket of water.
The water will wrap up the sound and reduce noise pollution from the generator.
To prevent water from getting into the generator, make a hole in the hosepipe to avoid the increase of pressure.
Use Sound Deflectors
Sound deflectors are an effective way of making your generator quiet if it is placed in an enclosed place like a shed.
Sound deflectors do not work by soundproofing; they change the sound’s direction, preventing it from reaching you.
The materials used as sound deflectors are available in the market, and they can offer a temporary solution in reducing noise.
However, it would be best to combine sound deflectors with other methods of making your generator quiet if you want a permanent solution.
Make a Generator Baffle Box
A generator baffle box functions like a soundproof generator box discussed earlier. The baffle box reduces noise pollution by trapping the sound.
While constructing the generator baffle box, ensure you have the correct measurements of your generator.
Having suitable sizes will enable you to have enough space for placing sound insulation and ventilation ducts.
The sound insulation will function as sound barriers, while the ventilation ducts will prevent the generator’s overheating. Also, attach mass-loaded vinyl to the walls of the box using green glue.
Mass-loaded vinyl is a good soundproofing material, and when you use it, there will be a noticeable difference in the amount of noise coming from your generator when it is inside the baffle box.
Change the Direction of the Exhaust
This is an easy method of preventing noise pollution from your generator. The exhaust is the primary source of buzzing, and the noise goes directly to where it is facing.
If the generator’s exhaust faces your house, you will be uncomfortable when doing your daily activities, and sleeping will be hard for you and your family.
Changing the direction of the exhaust will help.
Ensure your exhaust faces away from your home or your campsite, and you will notice a reduction in the amount of noise coming from your generator.
Increase the Size or Buy a New Muffler
A muffler is a soundproofing device found inside your generator. The mufflers reduce the amount of vibration and the noise that comes from the valves and pistons.
When your generator produces extraordinary noise, you are advised to consult a mechanic. If your generator is ancient, you might realize an increased amount of noise due failure of the muffler. In such a case, it would be best if you get a new muffler.
If the muffler is small, getting a bigger one will cause a significant reduction in the amount of noise pollution.
Getting a more oversized muffler will not do away with the noise completely, but combining it with other methods of reducing noise will make your generator operate quietly.
Put The Generator in a Hole
This technique is effective during camping, and the military mainly uses it.
The method works well when there is no rain because when there are floods, the hole might fail to prevent water from getting into the generator.
When using this technique, be very careful to avoid destroying your generator.
Related: Can A Generator Run in The Rain?
How To Ground Your generator
- Measure the size of your generator
- Dig a hole that is five feet long
- Place your generator inside the hole
- Put cellulose bags over the generator; they will help in blocking the sound
Buy Generator Silencers
Like mufflers, generator silencers work as soundproofs. They mainly reduce sound caused due to the combustion process.
Having a unique silencer, or more than one silencer, will give you a significant decrease in the amount of noise pollution caused by your generator.
You can find the generators silencers in the market, and as soon as you start using them, you will have a healthy environment while using your generator.
Use a Sound Absorbing Matt
Before placing your generator on the ground, place a sound-absorbing matt on the floor fast.
The sound-absorbing matt will help to reduce vibration, hence reduce the noise that comes from the generator.
The sound-absorbing matt is made of fabric that helps absorb sound, and you can get it in the form of carpets, foam matt, rubber matt, rugs, or thick blankets. Their functioning is similar to that of rubber feet.
Check The Rate of Power Consumption
Another method on how to make your generator as quiet as cricket is regulating the power consumption rate.
If your generator has increased sound production levels, take an obligation to check the amount of power it is consuming.
Reduce the power to a lower level but ensure it is still working. With a reduced rate of power consumption, you will have reduced levels of noise pollution.
Wrap Up
If you are working on making your generator as quiet as a cricket, then those are some of the options you have.
Each method can decrease the amount of noise, but you will have your generator operating without making noise when you combine all of them.
Although you might not do away with the noise altogether, you will be able to reduce the amount of noise to insignificant levels, and you can operate without being distracted by the noise.
High-quality generators produce less noise as compared to low-quality generators. Therefore, consider your generator’s quality, do some research, and buy it from the best sellers.
