Nowadays, everything is portable, almost noiseless, and highly advanced. Technology has reached far beyond our expectations and evolved into something so huge, fascinating, and worldwide that it has become impossible to contain the benefits and advances reaped from its spreading out. It is no secret that we have come far from the old days of very noisy and big machines and appliances. The same rule applies to generators, a basic need of today’s daily life.
A generator is a machine used in emergencies as an alternative power supply. Due to a rapid increase in electricity consumption, it has been proved that generators are a very important source of fuel-dependent backup power which can be used in camping, power outages, emergencies, homes, offices, and various outdoor activities. The presence of some extra power will give you peace of mind, but the buzzing and irritating noise of a generator is anything but peaceful. The continuous sound can cause noise pollution and can cause negative effects on the device as well as the people surrounding it.
Now with exceptional technology, more and more features and specs are added day by day. Today our basic concern is the noise issue. There is no such thing as a noiseless generator, but it is also true that new technology is released which manages to suppress a lot of noise pollution. It is also encouraging that some generators are manufactured in such a way that they automatically reduce the ear-piercing, perforated sound produced by generators. So today a basic concept that we will be discussing is “how to make your generator quiet as a cricket”.
How To Make Your Generator Quiet As A Cricket?
Place It On A Sound Absorbing Mat
The first and foremost simplest and best way to reduce your generator sounds is by using a sound-absorbing mat. It does not require any kind of installation or labor. You simply need to put the mat under the generator to reduce or absorb the buzzing or vibrations of the generator. The mat can be made up of various materials including foam rubbers, blankets or even thick carpets can be used. You can also buy a store-made sound-absorbing mat that is specifically designed for this very purpose. A mat is also portable so it can easily be used in different locations and situations.
Use Rubber Feet
Similar to the above option using specific rubber feet for your generator is also a good idea. Usually, if a generator is not properly tightened on its legs then it moves about more than needed, and also increased vibrations are produced. This causes the generator to make more noise which can cause havoc for you and your neighbors. This can easily be remedied by using rubber feet for each generator leg. As rubber is considered one of the best materials for absorbing and reducing movements and noises.
Face The Exhaust Angle Away From The Generator
It is common knowledge that most of the noise that a generator produces is emitted through its exhaust pipes. By changing the direction of the respective exhaust pipes you can make the generator a tad bit quieter. Simply change the direction of the exhaust pipe/tube away from the house or campsite either vertically or horizontally. This is one of the simplest and obvious solutions to the noise problem of a generator, but not many people know about it.
Set The Generator Away From The House
Again one of the most obvious and simple methods is to simply put/place your generator at a safe and reasonable distance from your house or campsite. This will also save you from a noise-induced headache or nuisance.
Use A Bigger Or Better Exhaust Muffler
A muffler is a device used to muffle/reduce the sound of the system. It is almost similar to a car muffler. If your generator does not have a muffler then installing one will largely reduce the noise produced by your generator. Secondly, if your generator does have a muffler then you will need a bigger and more modern muffler to properly muffle the noises of your generator.
Buy Or Build A Soundproof Generator Box
One of the most effective options is to use a soundproof generator box. These boxes are pretty and should only be used if your generator is in a permanent spot and you don’t move it then this option is very effective for you, but if you are considering camping then seek other options respectively. You can either buy a ready-made soundproof generator box or you can also DIY a soundproof box with some effort. It is almost similar to a baffle box. If you are making one yourself then use the same materials used in a baffle box. But for your ease and further information, the basic materials that you require are; foam mats, acoustic caulk, MLV (mass loaded vinyl), green glue, vent duct, and MDF(medium-density fiberboard). It also requires almost the same procedure to build.
Make A Baffle Box
It is also similar to a soundproof generator box in the procedure as well as the materials that you use. It is ideal for people who cannot afford the budget of a soundproof box and also love to work their way into DIYs like these.
To make a baffle box first m\take measurements of your generator. Make sure to leave space for lining material on all four sides of the generator. Also, leave ventilation space or you can simply put holes in the walls for ventilation. Make a box-like structure with crates or any solid material you like. Stick the mass-loaded vinyl on all the inner side walls of the box to absorb the noise and vibrations. And lastly, put it over the generator for reducing noise pollution.
Use Water For Exhaust Noise
This will seem like a bizarre and dangerous way of reducing noise but it is one of the effective ways of reducing generator noise. The water very effectively absorbs the noise of the generator. It is a very cheap and effective way of suppressing noise. The procedure is also very simple and only two materials are required that are; a bucket for water and a hose pipe.
The procedure goes like this; join the end of the exhaust pipe to one end of the hose. Lastly, put the other end of the hose pipe in the water bucket. Simple!
Install Sound Deflectors
As reflected in the name they are used to deflect sound from the consumer. This means it will not reduce your generator noise it will simply stop it from reaching you. This is at best a temporary solution to this problem. A sound deflector can easily be found in the market at a very reasonable price.
Buy A Generator Silencer
The last option that we present you with is the use of a Generator Silencer. Why not use something that is specifically made for this exact purpose. This reduces the annoying noise produced by your generator exceptionally. Making it a good option to be considered.
Conclusion
Above we have provided you with the 10 best and most widely and commonly used options which you can use to reduce the noise produced by your generator. We have answered the dilemma of today “How to make your generator quiet as a cricket”. It is proven that you can never stop your generator completely from making any kind of noise, but you can minimize the noise to your liking and make your life a bit more peaceful.
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