How To Make Your Generator Quiet As A Cricket (2021 Update)

A generator is a machine that produces electricity to either store in a battery or supply directly to home appliances. It can be useful in case of blackouts or other similar emergencies. This researched and curated guide will help you learn 7 effective ways on how to make your generator quiet as a cricket

The only
disadvantage is their sound. Generators create a loud noise, which can be
really irritating for the people around or even inside their home. The loud
noise is enough to ruin your camping trips as well as your peaceful weekends at
home. 

There are easy and affordable ways that can
quiet a generator. Before looking into these solutions, you should know what
causes the loud noise of a generator. 

Why Generators are so Loud? 

The sound
of a generator has six main sources. Engine, induction, cooling fan, engine
exhaust, mechanical operations, and alternator are responsible for the loud
annoying noise. What noise it makes depends on what type of generator you have.
The main reason for Portable generators’ loud sound is its engine and exhaust.

A
generator producing a high level of energy is louder than the one with
low-level production. The power creates heat, which can lead to overheating. To
prevent it, generators come with cooling systems. There are two types of
cooling systems: 

• Air-cooled: These are less effective and louder but not
  much expensive.
• Liquid-cooled: They are efficient and less noisy, but also
  pricey and require regular maintenance.

Placing the generator in the right place is also important. The surface should be soft and stable. 

Reasons why your generator is loud 

Most
people don’t understand why their generators produce a loud noise. Here are a
couple of common reasons for loud noise by your generator:

Wrong Location  

Placing
your generator at the wrong place is one of the biggest reasons for high noise
levels. You need to check what type of floor material your generator is on.
Keeping it on a metal surface will cause loud noise. Place it on soft surfaces
to keep the sound at minimum levels.   

Hard
surface, like concrete, wooden, metal, and asphalt, is unstable and increases the
vibrations, resulting in loud noise. On the other hand, soft surfaces are
stable and absorb the generator’s vibrations, and the sound will
decrease. 

Energy Level 

As
mentioned-above, generators become loud if they produce more power. If the
power output of your generator is high, it will make louder noises and vice
versa. 

Make sure
that your generator produces the optimal amount of power you want. Before
buying one, think about how much power you need. Some people buy only for
camping needs, like charging a phone. For such requirements, buy smaller and
less powerful generators that make a minimum amount of noise. 

Technology Used For Manufacturing 

The
generator might have grown old, and that is why it is making loud noises.
Modern generators are quieter than the older ones. Some of them even have sound
deflectors installed.  

Old
generators are no match with new and upgraded ones. They are large and not
eco-friendly at all. So, only buy the generators that are durable and give you
maximum benefits.  

How to Quiet your Generator? 

The sound
level of a generator ranges from 60 to 100 decibels. However, some generators
can work at the quietest level of 49 decibels. They are quite expensive,
though. So, if you cannot afford them, read the following methods below: 
 

1.    Get bigger Mufflers

A muffler
helps in suppressing the vibrations created by the generator. The larger a
muffler, the more effectively it represses. If your generator has a smaller
one, you can buy a spare and attach it to the exhaust pipe. 

Mufflers
cannot completely quiet generators, but they reduce the sound to a significant
extent.   

2.    Use Sound Deflectors

Sound
deflectors, as the name suggests, deflects the direction of sound away from the
earshot. They don’t stop or reduce the noise but sends it elsewhere so you
cannot hear it. 

You can
easily find sound deflectors on the internet. However, they are not a permanent
solution. For the longer run, you can use them simultaneously with other
solutions. Use plywood sheets for better diversion. 

3.    Try Rubber Feet

Rubber
feet can reduce vibrations of a generator or any other electrical appliance,
for that matter. Install them on each of the lower four corners to stabilize
the generator. They won’t eliminate the noise entirely but can lower it down to
a nearly inaudible level.

4.    Change Generator Exhaust’s angle

Sound
waves will travel in the direction the exhaust is facing. So, you can change
its angle and turn it away. It will result in noise reduction for sure. 

While
camping, make sure the exhaust’ angle is in the opposite direction to enjoy
peacefully. Some generators even allow you to turn the exhaust upwards. Up or
opposite, both directions will work fine to divert the sound waves. 

5.    Enclose the Generator in Soundproof Box

It is one
of the best and permanent methods to shut your generator up. Enclosing your
generator in a soundproof cage or box is a highly effective and efficient
method. You can make your own with a ventilation duct, medium-density
fiberglass, MLV, mats, and acoustic caulk. 

Once the
generator is inside the soundproof box, the noise will diminish to
inaudibility. However, the box might make the generator hard to handle as it
will increase its weight. 

6.    Place the Generator Far Away from your Home

If you
keep the generator away from the building, the noise will, of course, be faint.
So, keep it as far away as possible from your home. Even if you are camping,
try to distance yourself from the generator. 20-feet is an ideal distance while
camping. 

An
overlong extension cord can help you keep the generator at a farther distance.
Try using this method with others to get way better results. For example, as
you place your generator away, move the exhaust pipe in the opposite direction.
You can even use rubber feet and sound deflectors.   

7.    Soundproof Your Home and Camping Tent

It is
another permanent solution for the loud generator noise. Find weak points on
your walls and try to soundproof them. For camping tents, you can install
acoustic barriers or hang soundproof curtains to restrict the noise. 

Remember to keep the generator in an open space. If it doesn’t get the right amount of airflow, it will catch fire. So, do not keep it in an entirely closed box or area.    

Why Honda Generators are the best? 

If the
above solutions don’t work, the only solution would be buying a new one, which
is much quieter. Honda makes the best inverter generators by using modern and
innovative technology. Their generators produce an optimum amount of
energy. 

The
in-built mufflers dampen the noise, making it quieter and peaceful for you. It
is an eco-friendly generator that saves fuel and lasts long. Its price may be
high, but the benefits can make up for that.    

Endnotes

Any of the
above solutions will work out for you. Since generators are useful in many
ways, you should know how to maintain them. The machine might be making noise
due to some mechanical issue. In this case, these methods will not work. 

Finding
the best generators can give you a headache as it involves many factors. The
power, noise level, budget, and other things are crucial to keep in mind while
buying one. So, it’s better to try every method. Try combining two or three of
them for maximum efficiency and better results.