2006-11-13 18:16:11 · 6 answers · asked by POBOY 1 in Cars & Transportation ➔ Maintenance & Repairs
Portable generators are noisy. If you have neighbors nearby or the noise is unbearable in your house here are some ideas.
- Choose an operating location as far away as possible. Note that a larger gauge wire is needed to reduce voltage drop as line length increases. Reducing line loss is required to minimize power loss and to ensure maximum power is available to the house. Lights will flicker less when heavy loads are attached.
- Change the exhaust system. Noise from the portable generator systems comes primarily from two sources, the engine block and the exhaust system.. With an air cooled engine there is little you can do about block noise. Some engines can have a larger muffler attached or make other changes to the exhaust system. Merely mounting exhaust pipe vertically will noticeably reduce noise.
- Build a noise shielding enclosure. This could be as simple as a piece of plywood to reflect sound away from the house to a separate shed to hold the generator. Design your enclosure with safety in mind. Provide adequate air circulation and ventilation to prevent heat buildup and to remove carbon monoxide.
- If the noise bothers your neighbors, invite them over for coffee or offer to run line to their home to power the freezer or a few lights. Talk to them before starting the engine, ask they let you know if the noise is bothersome before they phone the police or harbor any resentment. A little diplomacy can go a long way.
- Last resort, shut off the engine or buy a quiet generator.
2006-11-14 10:36:40 · answer #1 · answered by Warren914 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you mean a "whining" alternator, then there's not much you can do about it, other than changing it for another one. However, if it's electrical interference, then you will need to install a capacitor somewhere in line in your stereo's power cord. As for the Whirring noise, this could be an indication of a bearing going bad inside the body of the alternator, and it should be replaced as soon as possible. You can always go to the nearest alternator/battery service place and ask their lead mechanic about the problem. They're always happy to help in the hope that they will get to do the work on the vehicle...By the way, if you have a pre-1999 Saturn, then you do, indeed, have a generator, instead of an alternator...Had one. Was surprised when I had to get it replaced. Nobody but Saturn had one for the '96 SL-1...LOL
2006-11-14 03:02:23 · answer #2 · answered by Roosterkroozer 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
If it's a small mains generator for powering a caravan then your stuck as it is a compromise with generators and their technology,cost, size and motor noise..
First get the exhaust of the of the motor checked for any damage or if the silencer material in the exhaust is blocked up with exhaust deposits..
There's a fine line between altering the motor and overheating it. My suggestion is to get a few extra yards of power cable so you can move it a bit further away and make up a 4 foot by 4 foot panel with soundproof tiles on it and just position it near the generator so it sucks up any direct noise going straight to the caravan.
2006-11-14 02:35:35 · answer #3 · answered by erg322 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where did you get a generator. Cars haven't had generator for a long time. If you are talking about a alternator, pleas tell us on what car it is on. Is it wining, if so the nose bearing is most likly going and wining.
2006-11-14 02:22:26 · answer #4 · answered by goldwing127959 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Put a small car muffler on it.
You could wear ear plugs too.
2006-11-14 03:06:31 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
The answer is EASY! just install it next to your neighbors house and you will hardly hear it
2006-11-14 07:40:27 · answer #6 · answered by Lots of money but no sense 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋