How To Quiet A Generator
Trying to learn how to quiet a generator? Learn 8 great tips that will each lower the decibel level of a noisy generator.
Generators can be an absolutely essential part of camping out of your travel trailer or RV.
Whether you use your generator for smaller things such as charging your cell phone or something larger like powering appliances, they can come in very handy while enjoying the great outdoors.
The downside of using a generator to include these creature comforts on your camping trip is, of course, the noise it makes.
If you’ve ever wondered ‘how to quiet a generator‘ then you’re in the right place. We’re going to break down the top 8 tips for how to quiet a generator so you can have a more peaceful camping trip without losing out on the essentials.
Browse any of these top tips to learn how to quiet a generator by clicking on the below links:
1. Purchase a Generator That Fits Your Needs
Something to keep in mind even before you purchase a generator is to know what your power needs are. If you know what you’re power needs are before buying, then you may avoid the noisy generator situation altogether.
It’s pretty simple. The more power your generator can put out, the more noise it’s going to make. You should weigh the amount of power you need, the amount of noise you’re okay with, and how much you’re willing to spend on a generator.
Some people only require enough electricity while camping to charge their phones, tablets, and essentials. If you’re only looking to power smaller devices like this, then you can get away with a smaller and less powerful generator. Generators that put out a few hundred watts can handle these smaller tasks.
If you’re looking to power larger appliances like your camper’s refrigerator, microwave, or A/C unit, then you’ll need a generator with a higher wattage output. Generators that can handle these larger items have an output of 2,000 – 5,000 watts.
Some generators are specifically designed to have a higher wattage output while being quieter than other models. These generators are generally more expensive due to having the best of both worlds.
2. Face The Exhaust Pipes Up or Away From You
The first thing to keep in mind when you use your generator while camping, is the position of the generator itself. In particular the exhaust end of the generator. You should always place this side of the generator facing away from your campsite.
With some models of generators, it’s also possible to point the exhaust pipes upward toward the sky.
Either of these positions will direct the noise created directly from the exhaust away from you.
3. Move Your Generator Further Away
The next thing to keep in mind when you’re considering how to quiet a generator is the distance you place it from your campsite. This is one of the most important factors in making sure your campsite stays quieter while using a generator.
Now the distance that you’re able to place your generator from your campsite, will depend on a few different factors. Whether you’re camping on a campground with specific campsites or on open land while boondocking is the first thing to consider.
For example, if you’re camping at a campground that offers smaller sized camping spots, then obviously you need to keep your neighbors in mind. You don’t want to bother your fellow campers with the noise from your generator by placing it closer to their campsite.
If you’re camping in a place with no other people around then the biggest factor to consider is the length of your extension cords and how much you like to walk. The further away you place your generator from your campsite, the quieter it’s going to get.
Most generator brands will show what the decibel rating of that particular model is. These decibel ratings are measured at about 7 meters out from the operating generator in most cases. So a good rule of thumb is to keep your generator at least 20 feet away from your campsite if you want to operate in that decibel range.
If you have the space and lack of camping neighbors then investing in some heavy-duty extra-long extension cords will allow you to place your generator as far away as you’d like.
By keeping your generator at least 20 or more feet away from your campsite, you can vastly cut down on the noise and focus on enjoying the outdoors.
4. Place The Generator On a Soft Surface
Another important factor to consider when figuring out how to quiet a generator is the surface that you leave it on while it’s running. Once you’ve found a good distance to place your generator, you need to make sure to place it on a surface that will dampen the noise instead of amplifying it.
It’s best that you avoid all hard surfaces. So don’t place the generator on concrete, wood, or asphalt as these surfaces will only increase the noise.
Usually, if you’re camping, the best and only options to set your generator on are simply dirt or grass. These are both great solutions as a surface to place your generator on. Both of these will absorb and dampen the sound created from the rumbling generator.
Say you’re in a situation where you don’t have softer ground to place your generator on. Anti-vibration mats are a great solution here. Anti-vibration mats are generally made of rubber and help to soften the vibration and noise that comes from household appliances.
You can place one of these mats underneath your generator and it will help to quiet the noise caused by the vibrations.
5. Use Sound Deflectors To Quiet Your Generator
photo credit: sixtyfiveford
Now that you have your generator placed on a soft surface, far away from your campsite, the next best thing you can do to quiet it further is to use sound deflectors.
While it sounds technical this is actually a very simple thing to execute. It can go a long away if you’re trying to understand how to quiet a generator as much as possible.
The only things you’ll need are 4 sheets of plywood and a sheet of non-flammable material. Drywall is a good material for this as it is relatively fire-resistant. Each of the pieces should be around 4 feet wide and 3 feet tall.
You can prop each of these pieces up against the generator at specific angles. Be sure to use the piece of drywall for the side of the generator that houses the exhaust. You don’t want your deflectors catching fire!
Take a look at the above image, to get a better visual idea of how you should prop these woods sheets around your generator.
By placing these pieces of wood around the generator at an angle, you leave room for airflow while deflecting the sound waves down into the earth. You can immediately lower the decibels that your generator is putting out without affecting performance in a negative way.
For a full walkthrough on how to place these deflectors to quiet a generator, check out this video.
6. Build An Acoustic Enclosure or Baffle Box
photo credit: Zach Bier
Another idea similar to creating deflectors is to build an acoustic enclosure or baffle box.
The reason this solution works is the same reason that deflectors work well. The enclosure will contain the sound waves and drastically lower the noise decibels coming from the generator.
The best part about an acoustic enclosure or baffle box is that it’s much more compact then lugging around 5 panels of plywood in your trailer or RV. The other nice thing is that you can purchase a baffle box or simply make your own.
How To Build a Baffle Box To Quiet a Generator
If you do decide to build your own baffle box, it’s a fairly easy process. To build a baffle box you’ll only need a few things:
- Wood 2×4’s
- L-brackets
- Quiet board
- Foam sealer
Check out this video for a quick walkthrough:
Something to keep in mind if you do plan on using a homemade baffle box is that you need to include holes for airflow.
This is very important because if there isn’t significant airflow in the baffle box enclosure, the heat will damage the generator. Cut holes in the side of the box where the generator’s exhaust is located.
7. Replace Your Generator’s Muffler
photo credit: Precision Moto
One of the most popular strategies people use to quiet a generator is to install a larger replacement muffler. A muffler’s job is to, you guessed it, muffle the sound coming out of the exhaust pipes attached to the motor of the generator.
Inside the muffler are perforated tubes that are designed to deflect the sound waves from the engine to lower the noise that eventually exits the exhaust pipe(s).
The exhaust pipes are one of the loudest parts on the generator, second only to the engine itself. By improving the quality of the muffler, you can expect to quiet down the generator around 10-12 decibels.
Finding A Muffler That Fits Your Generator
Keep in mind that while replacing the muffler on your car or truck may be easy, finding a muffler that will fit your generator may be difficult. This is because there are so many types of generators with different sized exhaust pipes on the market.
Finding a specific muffler that will fit your generator out of the box most likely won’t be an option.
Your best option is to speak with a specialized mechanic or small engines repairman. They’ll have a better idea of what choices you have in replacing your generator’s muffler.
You’ll most likely need a customized solution to fit an after-market generator with a muffler. To get an idea of what this may look like, check out the video below.
8. Use Water As Your Generator Muffler
If going to the work of installing a replacement muffler sounds like too much you can try water instead. There is still a bit of customization that you’ll need to do for this.
All you’ll need for this are a 5-gallon bucket of water, a hose, and clamp to secure the hose to the exhaust pipe. Be sure to place the generator at higher ground than the bucket of water.
You don’t want the water flowing backward into your generator’s exhaust pipe. You can also poke a few small holes in the hose if you want to be extra careful to not allow a backflow of water.
The setup is fairly simple. Connect the hose to the exhaust pipe using your clamp. Then place the other side of the hose into the bucket of water. The water will act a muffler to the exhaust noise coming from the generator.
By using this water muffler method, you can expect to quiet down the generator around 5-7 decibels.
How To Quiet a Generator Conclusion
By combining each of these 8 tips on how to quiet a generator, you can really lower the overall noise level of your generator and by extension your camping site.
After all, isn’t the point of camping to get away from the city noise and appreciate the great outdoors?
We hope that this article will help you in keeping your camping spot a bit more peaceful. Happy camping!
Let us know what you thought of this guide by leaving a comment or a star rating below.
The only thing I dont like about the generator is the noise which would bother not only bother me and the neighbors but what about the wildlife. I would prefer solar.
Agreed. If the last thing you want to hear during a peaceful camping trip is a loud generator then solar is a great solution! Maybe we’ll have to write a post about that. 😉
Solar will not run your AC and microwave
What brands make a 32 decibal generator?
Hey Connie! We don’t know of any generators that operate at that low of a decibel range, but the Honda EU2200i Portable Inverter Generator operates at 53-59 decibels.
What kind of hose works on exhaust with the heat
Definitely DO NOT run your generator on a dirt surface. Taking up dust into the unit will destroy it and void your warranty.
I sit mine on a crate with a piece of mat or carpet on it.
And a matt will help quieten down vibration noises too. 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
I bought a silent generator but when I switch it on it makes noise and when I follow on the steps from the manual book it still continues with the sound. Please help
There’s no such thing as a silent generator that uses a combustion engine. The term silent generally means that at 7m the dB noise level is less than 60-70db. The generator will have its typical db level on the case or in the manual.
Awesome article, Thanks for sharing!
Thanks for reading Gopi! Hope these tips helped you to quiet your own generator while out camping.
Generator temperature is will be high when muffler install
Yes installing a muffler can raise the temperature of the generator. Best to test out each of these tips to see what works best for your personal set up.
I have seen on some rev the exhaust is extended up above roof. Can this be bought
Technically loud sound generators should be resolved by help of silencer, aways are not so easy for everyone of costume
You probably meant conclusion, didn’t you?
Haha yes, we did. Weird that spell check didn’t catch that. Thanks David! 🙂
I have an off grid cabin. We use a 4,000 watt generator. I am trying to do a hybrid by introducing solar. I will still need to run the generator but mayless often. I have gone propane on fridge, stove, and on demand hot water heater. The water pump is gonna be the big issue I think. I can install a small expandable solar kit for the price of my generator.
wildlife really them animals don’t give a damn about y’all they will attack you while your dumb ass sleep at night
Kyle, thanks for this. I’m getting a 7500W portable gen for power outages at home. I love the idea of lessening the noise with the plywood and sheetrock, but can I safely leave the gen on the ground, instead of my cement patio? I mean, if on cement, there won’t be much deadening, but can the gen be on wet ground for an extended period of time, if stormy? Thanks!
Hey Kate,
Glad you enjoyed this post. Yes, the generator should be able to sit on wet ground (grass, dirt, etc..) and be operated for long periods of time. You shouldn’t have anything to worry about.
Door rubber mat maybe an option for cusioning the generator
Hello Kate, I’m electrician and when we set all kind of transformers, we don’t set them on concrete what we do is put heavy duty anti-vibration isolation pads they are 4″ x 4″ x 7/8″ and anchor those pads on concrete and set the transformers on it, I’m this will help with the noise as well.
Have a brand new ryobi generator. Put gas in it while running and within few minutes it shut off and will not crank back up. Do you know what the problem could be?. It has only been ran one time for about 4 hours then gassed up getting ready for bed and it shut off.
You don’t gas a generator up while uts running. You stop it and then gas it up. Maybe you forgot to add oil to it. It may have seized otherwise tge gas may have had water or dirt in it. No warranty on either.
What kind of hose work best with the heat from the exhaust.
I have an old smoke house where I run my standby generator. I am still going to try some of these ideas. At my old house I made a” Table “ shelter out of a piece of old plywood and 2×4 legs just tall enough to cover the generator. With a couple concrete blocks for hold down during wind and rain. It worked well for weather protection. The temporary sides or the box would work but I would be concerned about heat buildup since most small portable generators are air cooled Perhaps use a box fan opposite the exhaust side
RD MsX NC.
After looking into a few of the blog articles on your web
site, I honestly appreciate your technique of blogging.
I find it helpful to know that making an acoustic enclosure for my generator would quiet it down since the enclosure would contain the sound waves coming from the equipment. My husband and I plan on buying a diesel generator for a new countryside home soon. I’ll share what you said with my husband tonight and ask him to build a baffle box for our new generator. Thanks.
Very helpful and easy to understand. Perhaps you could give an idea of how much each of these methods would actually lower the decimals. Thanks for giving us this great info.
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I have no other place to put my 7500 portable generator but on concrete. How can I quitting it ? How type of pad would help under the generator ? Thanks for your help
Nice post! The underlying fact is that, on a mass basis, nearly all the power infrastructure on the Moon will be batteries or some other kind of storage.
I really like your blog, very interesting. These small things for home generators are really great and very effective. Thanks for sharing the blog.
Very useful information. Thanks a lot.
You can get a bad car tyre and place your generator on it….that works perfect for me.
Thats a car tyre without the rim inside of it just the rubber part of it….tubeless tyres…
Can a calibrator on a generator face up are can it face down
I have found that the earth is the very best at noise reduction. Simply dig a 4 ft x 4 ft square hole at 5 feet deep. Place the genset in it. Lay four 2 x 4’s over the hole then a cover the entire hole with at least half inch plywood. Lay something heavy on top. It’s a great idea to place a small fan in the hole running off the genset. The 2 x 4’s will create just the right amount of space for proper venting. This is not meant to be a long term solution. Works great during a storm, camping in rural area’s etc. No sound box I have ever seen matches the noise reduction of solid earth. Note: Be certain to elevate the genset inside the hole using bricks or something similar to prevent water damage due to possible seepage.
I think this is the best idea ive heard yet..
Here in the UK I’ve built a baffle box to go over a 6Kw Hyundai domestic generator. I’ve mounted the generator on an earth base with a 6 inch layer of old rubber tyre chippings (Ebay) on top. Scraping away 4 foot x 2 foot x 6 inches of earth is no big job and it works well.
Love your thoughts share more amazing blogs like this
Thank you for all your help. Your service was excellent and very FAST. Many thanks for you kind and efficient service. I have already and will definitely continue to recommend your services to others in the future.
Outstanding.. your outlook on this is amazing
Very interesting stuff to read.
Thanks for sharing these tips on how to make your generator quieter! If a vibration mat is also not available, can we use a regular mat instead? Will that help soften the vibration?
Thanks for these awesome tips. These small things for home generators are really great and very effective.
Balance your genset on top of an old tire to reduce vibrations and lessen the noise.
Amazing Post and great content. Thanks for sharing this article.Thanks Again!
You might also check soundproofwarehouse.com.au to soundproof your generator. I bought an acoustic bracket from them.
Has anyone tried tip #8. The water method….
very clear and good article easy to understand. Thank you
Will these tips work on an industrial motor as well?
Outside kitchen
I Am looking into making mine quiter. I have 7kw and it’s noisy.
Got a wood crate and will put some sound damping sheets in it .
Going to try it.
I am.from South Africa and load sheading is normal by us..
Can I attach car silencer to my generator to reduce the noice.
This is very helpful post for me! Thanks a lot for sharing this.
Thank you for sharing this valuable information. Your blog content is awesome.
This an extremely useful article for anyone looking to reduce the noise level of their generator.
Packed with practical tips and expert advice, this guide is a must-read for anyone looking for a more peaceful and quiet outdoor power solution.
I can assure you that making your generator quieter is much appreciated. I know I enjoy ours being more quiet now. Thanks for the blog!
Amazing information. Thanks for sharing this content
I’ll share this to my uncle, thanks for article. I hope it work
Overall, there are several ways to quiet a generator, including choosing a quiet model, using an enclosure, installing a muffler, placing the generator on a sound-absorbing surface, building a sound barrier, and limiting usage during quiet hours. By implementing these tips, you can reduce noise levels and help maintain good relationships with your neighbors.
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Wohh, that is very impressive. Thank you for this amazing guide.
Thanks for sharing this article
I really like your blog, very interesting. These small things for home generators are really great and very effective. Thanks for sharing this blog post.
Nice post, it is useful for me. It is very informative.
Informative blog, thank you for this. I am excited to go camping this weekend with my family.
This blog is very interesting and helpful.
I appreciate your clear explanations and the emphasis on safety throughout the process.
It’s evident that you care about your readers’ well-being and want us to tackle these issues safely and effectively.
Your blog has become my go-to resource for appliance-related issues,
and I’ll be sure to share it with friends and family who might face similar problems with their appliances.
Keep up the fantastic work!
Thank you for the thorough guide on choosing a generator. I appreciate how you addressed critical safety concerns like installing a proper transfer switch. It’s clear you prioritize readers’ well-being.
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