Spend the money on more solar and it will be completely silent (and you won't need the hole either)
Cheers,
Peter
vince56 said
05:01 PM Nov 22, 2019
I wouldn't direct the exhaust into a hole, you are redirecting the gasses and they will no longer be dispersed by the exh. pipe, you could inadvertently cause the gasses to hang around the area. Carbon Monoxide not to be messed with.....
Whenarewethere said
05:10 PM Nov 22, 2019
Here is a thread on car acoustic insulation, I have added more since.
My thoughts, if you use a metal box line the inside with butyl https://www.carbuilders.com.au/sounddeadener
Then at least 1 thickness of van liner https://www.carbuilders.com.au/van-liner I have used some in the car & I think this would be better than the Stage 2.
If you make a timber box my gut feel is 19mm thickness minimum, screw & use acrylic sealer in all joins, & line with 2 layers of van-liner.
Make a baffle around the air intake & some sort of baffle around the exhaust that won't burn, you don't want any line of sight air gaps to inside the box.
Mount the generator on rubber blocks to isolate it from the box.
I have used 3mm & 6mm on the metal B&D roller door, it has quietened the street noise a reasonable amount.
You can hardly hear a little Honda generator running. I wouldnt be worried about it. Just make sure its only used in reasonable hours in places youre allowed to use it. The people that complain about generators usually make more noise than the generator itself Regards Pete. Edited to fix a spelling mistake!!!
-- Edited by PetenSue on Friday 22nd of November 2019 06:11:24 PM
-- Edited by PetenSue on Friday 22nd of November 2019 06:13:08 PM
LLD said
06:16 PM Nov 22, 2019
PetenSue wrote:
You can hardly heat a little Honda generator running. I wouldnt be worried about it. Just make sure its only used in reasonable hours in places youre allowed to use it. The people that complain about generators usually make more noise than the generator itself Regards Pete. Edited to fix a spelling mistake!!!
-- Edited by PetenSue on Friday 22nd of November 2019 06:11:24 PM
Spot on. Honda & Yamaha and lots of other stuff under 2KVA (maybe 2.4KVA) do not need to be put in n insulated box. Just follow etiquette or campground rules. On a clear night you can hear anything running regardless how much effort is put into silencing it.
Dougwe said
06:40 PM Nov 22, 2019
The best time to use a generator is 2.00am because everyone is asleep and won't hear it.
boab said
07:43 PM Nov 22, 2019
i like the way you think dougwe
PetenSue said
07:56 PM Nov 22, 2019
Sound thinking there Doug. Love your style. Wink wink.
PetenSue said
08:13 PM Nov 22, 2019
Sound thinking there Doug. Love your style. Wink wink.
Whenarewethere said
08:37 PM Nov 22, 2019
A pair of Uvex XV 37db earmuffs stop just about anything.
When you sit on a D8 or D9 for 12 to 14 hours per day a pair of skull screws are the only way to go. No idea what the northern beachs man has suggested with his 37db earmuffs but skull screws are the only way to stop yourself from getting industrial deafness. Google skull screws. Regards Pete.
DMaxer said
07:46 AM Nov 23, 2019
I think a good idea would be to dig the three foot hole, put the generator and any recordings of rap, hip hop or country music in the hole and cover, preferably with cement.
Both yourself and those around you will be happy for evermore, trust me.
Dougwe said
08:17 AM Nov 23, 2019
PetenSue wrote:
When you sit on a D8 or D9 for 12 to 14 hours per day a pair of skull screws are the only way to go. No idea what the northern beachs man has suggested with his 37db earmuffs but skull screws are the only way to stop yourself from getting industrial deafness. Google skull screws. Regards Pete.
I just asked my good mate Mr Google about those and I reckon ya hearing would be pretty screwed if ya used those things and I tell you that for free.
Dougwe said
08:18 AM Nov 23, 2019
DMaxer wrote:
I think a good idea would be to dig the three foot hole, put the generator and any recordings of rap, hip hop or country music in the hole and cover, preferably with cement.
Both yourself and those around you will be happy for evermore, trust me.
Sounds a good idea BigD.
DMaxer said
11:17 AM Nov 23, 2019
I would even mix the cement Doug and then say a few words during the interment.
PS. Off topic, hope you are on the road to recovery. Now back on topic.
Mike Harding said
12:13 PM Nov 23, 2019
The Honda generator is air cooled; how are your going to ensure it gets enough air to cool it? How will you know how much that is and its flow rate? How will you measure the gens temperature to ensure its not overheating? You must also ensure your airflow is sufficient for 40C (or whatever) days.
Apart from the engine temperature an inverter generator has a bunch of semiconductors working very hard to provide an output - semiconductors *really* do not like running too hot, Google thermal runaway.
You will not know it's running too hot until it fails.
I wouldn't do it.
JeffRae said
03:15 PM Nov 23, 2019
Got me wondering.........
Generator, weighs around 21kg 2 batteries and solar panel weighs around 76kg
Considering the concern for weight of rig, may be better to carry a generator
yobarr said
04:04 PM Nov 23, 2019
JeffRae wrote:
Got me wondering.........
Generator, weighs around 21kg 2 batteries and solar panel weighs around 76kg
Considering the concern for weight of rig, may be better to carry a generator
Hmmm....what about the weight of the cans of petrol you need to carry,and the associated dangers? Then there's the noise,and the hassle of refuelling the generator,and then having to refill those cans. And how much space do those cans of petrol occupy? Two 90ah Lithium and 380 watts solar weigh under 60kg.It's a non-event,and never will you run out of the sunlight needed to generate solar power.My whole van roof is covered in solar panels,which keep the van heaps cooler. Cheers
Whenarewethere said
04:53 PM Nov 23, 2019
You hear on a fairly regular basis of gas bottle accidents.
The last time I heard of a petrol accident the person was trying to breath fire...... idiot!
Mike Harding said
05:03 PM Nov 23, 2019
yobarr wrote:My whole van roof is covered in solar panels,which keep the van heaps cooler.
Well... they keep it cooler than if you didn't have any panels and parked in the sun but the van will be hotter than if you didn't have panels and parked in the shade.
Mike Harding said
05:08 PM Nov 23, 2019
JeffRae wrote:
Got me wondering.........
Generator, weighs around 21kg 2 batteries and solar panel weighs around 76kg
Considering the concern for weight of rig, may be better to carry a generator
It's not a simple "Which is better? Solar or gen?".
It differs for everyone and depends upon many factors including your style and general location for camping. eg. Solar panels are not worth a damn when camping in the Vic High Country in winter; similarly generators are not permitted in National Parks.
The best thing is to do a two column positive and negative for both for your particular needs.
BW said
05:34 PM Nov 23, 2019
Maybe the government will pay you for putting carbon in the ground .
i am planning to build a soundproof box with fan for cooling, insulation and direct the exhaust to a 2 inch hole in the ground 3ft deep.
any comments please.
Cheers,
Peter
Here is a thread on car acoustic insulation, I have added more since.
https://thegreynomads.activeboard.com/t65443581/car-acoustic-insulation/
My thoughts, if you use a metal box line the inside with butyl https://www.carbuilders.com.au/sounddeadener
Then at least 1 thickness of van liner https://www.carbuilders.com.au/van-liner I have used some in the car & I think this would be better than the Stage 2.
If you make a timber box my gut feel is 19mm thickness minimum, screw & use acrylic sealer in all joins, & line with 2 layers of van-liner.
Make a baffle around the air intake & some sort of baffle around the exhaust that won't burn, you don't want any line of sight air gaps to inside the box.
Mount the generator on rubber blocks to isolate it from the box.
I have used 3mm & 6mm on the metal B&D roller door, it has quietened the street noise a reasonable amount.
Below is 3mm, 6mm, 10mm Stage 2 & 10mm Van Liner
You can hardly hear a little Honda generator running. I wouldnt be worried about it. Just make sure its only used in reasonable hours in places youre allowed to use it. The people that complain about generators usually make more noise than the generator itself Regards Pete. Edited to fix a spelling mistake!!!
-- Edited by PetenSue on Friday 22nd of November 2019 06:11:24 PM
-- Edited by PetenSue on Friday 22nd of November 2019 06:13:08 PM
Spot on. Honda & Yamaha and lots of other stuff under 2KVA (maybe 2.4KVA) do not need to be put in n insulated box. Just follow etiquette or campground rules. On a clear night you can hear anything running regardless how much effort is put into silencing it.
A pair of Uvex XV 37db earmuffs stop just about anything.
https://www.visualworkwear.com.au/products/uvex-xv-earmuffs-luminous-effect-earmuffs
I think a good idea would be to dig the three foot hole, put the generator and any recordings of rap, hip hop or country music in the hole and cover, preferably with cement.
Both yourself and those around you will be happy for evermore, trust me.
I just asked my good mate Mr Google about those and I reckon ya hearing would be pretty screwed if ya used those things and I tell you that for free.
Sounds a good idea BigD.
I would even mix the cement Doug and then say a few words during the interment.
PS. Off topic, hope you are on the road to recovery. Now back on topic.
The Honda generator is air cooled; how are your going to ensure it gets enough air to cool it? How will you know how much that is and its flow rate? How will you measure the gens temperature to ensure its not overheating? You must also ensure your airflow is sufficient for 40C (or whatever) days.
Apart from the engine temperature an inverter generator has a bunch of semiconductors working very hard to provide an output - semiconductors *really* do not like running too hot, Google thermal runaway.
You will not know it's running too hot until it fails.
I wouldn't do it.
Got me wondering.........
Generator, weighs around 21kg
2 batteries and solar panel weighs around 76kg
Considering the concern for weight of rig, may be better to carry a generator
Hmmm....what about the weight of the cans of petrol you need to carry,and the associated dangers? Then there's the noise,and the hassle of refuelling the generator,and then having to refill those cans. And how much space do those cans of petrol occupy? Two 90ah Lithium and 380 watts solar weigh under 60kg.It's a non-event,and never will you run out of the sunlight needed to generate solar power.My whole van roof is covered in solar panels,which keep the van heaps cooler. Cheers
You hear on a fairly regular basis of gas bottle accidents.
The last time I heard of a petrol accident the person was trying to breath fire...... idiot!
Well... they keep it cooler than if you didn't have any panels and parked in the sun but the van will be hotter than if you didn't have panels and parked in the shade.
It's not a simple "Which is better? Solar or gen?".
It differs for everyone and depends upon many factors including your style and general location for camping. eg. Solar panels are not worth a damn when camping in the Vic High Country in winter; similarly generators are not permitted in National Parks.
The best thing is to do a two column positive and negative for both for your particular needs.
If you can't use a generator, use the engine.