How To Make A Generator Quiet For Camping: 5 Practical Ways

Generators! A necessity and a headache both. A generator will help you light up as many lights as you want during a trip. It’s a requirement when we are with a large community and we need to light up a large area around the campsite. It can be a headache because it makes so much noise, and the sound can be annoying sometimes.

Well, a generator is a must nowadays due to the severe weather change and it ensures the availability of electricity, which is also very important.

The main source of noise in the generator is the exhaust pipes attached to the motor. It also produces vibrations and due to that, some noise is produced because of the friction between the surface it is kept and the generator itself.

The straight question why don’t we switch to solar energy when we can? This is a misconception that solar energy can replace generators. Solar energy is completely dependant on the sun, what if you went out in winters or it’s just a gloomy day.

Also, the amount of solar energy produced is way less than the generators, and solar requires more equipment and space than a generator.

We have the answer to How To Make A Generator Quiet For Camping, and some tips to use a generator on a camp.

Let’s get started, shall we?

5 Ways To Keep Generator Quiet While Camping.

How annoying or noisy can generators be? Let’s say our normal routine conversations in a home is about 50 dBA. If a generator is marked between 50-60 dBA, it is fairly quiet. Anything above that will sound annoying.

Well, if you are thinking of solving this problem by inventing a quiet generator, then my friend I should tell you that you are quite late to take the credit.

The market already has a ton of quiet generators but of course, they are costly. Companies like Honda have succeeded in making a quiet generator and save you from all the hassle. The list of such generators is here.

You would still need these ways because why spend a fortune when you have some hacks?

Also, if your old noisy generator is still in working condition then there is no need to replace it, just fix it.

1. Use A Automobile Muffler

This is one of the commonest strategies to make your generator quiet. You can use this muffler for many other appliances other than a generator to silent loud appliances.

The job of an automobile muffler is to muffle the sound coming out from the exhaust pipes of the generators. Some generators already come with the muffler but you require to replace them from time to time. Not all generators have this, you can install these yourself.

They have perforated tubes inside them, which are used to deflect the sound waves from the generators. You can use it to muffle the noise of your portable generator.

This method is very effective if done properly. It is also very important to find the right fitting mufflers for your exhaust pipes. The wrong fittings would leak the noise from your generators, this cancels the complete point of installing mufflers.

You can achieve around 10-15 decibel or more reduction in noise.

2. Keep Generators Away

Distance is a factor when it comes to getting away from the noise. If you want to keep your generator quiet then you also might think about keeping the generator away from the campsite.

The distance of how far you want to keep the generator depends upon what type of caping and where you go. If you are at a national park or campsite then you are restricted to use a certain space and also you are sharing the space with other people.

Your distance from the generator can be a source of annoyance to them. Take care of where you are keeping your generator and if it is disturbing someone else.

If you are planning to go boondocking or dry camping then you have a large space for yourself. You are not sharing the area with any other humans other than your companions. You can decide to keep the generator as per the length of the chord/wires or how much you want to walk.

Most generator brands will show the decibel rating of that particular model on it. These decibel ratings are measured at about 7 meters out from the operating generator in most cases.

So the thumb rule can be to keep your generator at least 20 feet away from your campsite if you want to operate in that decibel range.

3. Place On A Soft Surface

The basic principle behind this is soft surfaces are not sonorous. If you keep your generator on concrete ground or wood, the friction between the ground and the generator will add up to the noise of the generator.

It is better to avoid keeping your generator on a hard surface. Keeping it on soil or grass will be a better option if you want to decrease the extra noise.

Anti- vibrational mats are very handy in avoiding this situation. They are made of rubber and help in keeping the vibrations low. Speaking of rubber you can also just get the rubber pads for the base/legs of the generator.

4. Build An Soundproof Enclosure

An enclosure is a box to store your appliances and keep them safe from the outer atmosphere and the damage from the exposed climate. But we can make them soundproof and use it to our benefit of reducing noise.

The best thing about building your enclosure is that you can make it according to your convenience and it can be used for other loud appliances as well.

How to build a soundproof enclosure for a generator.

• Take proper measurements of the generator and adjust it according to your needs. Make it big enough to fit the generator. Don’t leave any holes or the noise will leak out of it.
• Leave enough space for sound insulation and ventilation equipment.
• Cut out MDX(Medium-Density Flipboard) as per your measurements.
• Once you are done cutting these mark these with a pencil so that you won’t confuse them with the other pieces.
• Attach the first layer of MLV (mass loaded vinyl) using a green glue noise proofing compound.
• Once the first layer dries, you can add the other layer to it.
• Assemble the enclosure and you are good to go.

5. Use a Zombie Box Generator Silent Enclosure

This a special product which is designed to be soundproofing the noisy generator. This is a soundproof enclosure that is weatherproof and portable as well.

A zombie box will make your generator quieter. The website claims that it can reduce up to 99% of the noise. The design is collapsable as well for easy storage.

Things To Keep In Mind While Using A Generator While Camping

FAQs

Conclusion

Electronics and appliances can be a bit of a task to handle while camping. But you don’t have to worry about it with all these tried and tested ways to keep the generator quiet and some tips on how to use the generator while camping.

I hope these ideas helped you in any way. I would prefer building an enclosure or installing the automobile muffler.

If you have some suggestions or new ideas, you are welcome to use the comment section here. We would love to hear those.

Check out other guides on our website.

Until then happy camping!