Generators -- Relative loudness

[Robert]

Ten years ago I bought a Coleman Powermate with a 10HP Tecumseh
engine. Alleged output is 5000 watts, but I'm pretty skeptical there.

The problem I have is almost universal with these units: Noise. We
just had a 2-day outage south of Chicago, and I was unwilling to run
the thing more than an hour or two at a time. I just couldn't put up
with the racket, and that's with the exhaust fed to an automotive
muffler and then up & out a chimney. The near-deafening racket I hear
is almost entirely mechanical in origin. It's almost unbelievably
loud, and I really feel guilty about inflicting this on my neighbors.
I'm also not thrilled with the output grunt, but that's much less
important to me.

My question is: How much quieter would a Honda-powered 13HP generator
be versus this machine? The 389cc OHV Honda engine seems pretty
common, and the output ratings vary a bit, but are roughly 7000 watts.
I don't have a make / model of generator defined yet, but it's the
engine I'm looking at.

I want to purchase a replacement, probably something used, but I'm
concerned I'd just be spending money on something that's just
incrementally quieter. Opinions?

 

[vaughn]

I want to purchase a replacement, probably something used, but I'm
concerned I'd just be spending money on something that's just
incrementally quieter. Opinions?

All 3600 RPM generators will be louder than you like. That said, some are
louder than others. The sound level, expressed in decibels, is often in the
specifications. Less noise will almost always = more money.

The best route to less noise is an "inverter" generator. This relatively new
technology throttles the engine down to match the load. You can actually have a
comfortable conversation standing right over one of these units. The best known
of these is made by Honda. (Google "EU-2000") (Look in recent threads of this
group for some cheaper alternatives to Honda). Another advantage of inverter
technology is greatly superior fuel efficiency. For long power outages, this
can be important enough to actually pay for the unit!

Another possibility is to buy an 1800 RPM generator. These tend to be much less
portable than 3600 RPM units, but last a lot longer. You can sometimes buy them
cheap out of junked campers if you are mechanically savvy.

Vaughn

 

[[email protected]]

Like Vauhn was saying even a nice honda engine running at the constant
high rpm 3600 will be louder than you'd like.

I have a 6500W Yamaha that's substantially quieter than the usual
generators that size. It has a large muffler, and a "smoother" sound
that one would expect. Doesn't have the mechanical clatter of some
others, and I can imagine it being run in a suburban backyard without
much complaint from the neighbors. When it idles it's even quieter,
but definitely has some clatter in that mode, probably because it's
old and the balancer shaft or drive is loose. It was pricey
originally, not the kind of thing I'd normally buy considering how
little I use it, but I got it on trade. Pic of it on a custom easy
one-man loading cart. http://www.citlink.net/~wmbjk/generatorcarts.htm
I would caution readers though, noise can be a subjective thing. Find
a way to try before you buy if you can.

The honda might be a
little more quiet but you really need to look for an inverter type gen,
where it can throttle down to meet the load. They're not cheap though
(as a rule)

They are amazingly quiet, use less gas and give (usually) very high
quality electricity

Yup. I've used a friend's EU2000 a fair bit. What a slick rig. Worth
reminding readers that at full load, any quietness advantage of an
inverter generator will be because of good design rather than the
inverter feature.

Wayne

 

[vaughn]

Worth reminding readers that at full load, any quietness advantage of an
inverter generator will be because of good design rather than the
inverter feature.

Yes. Not only is that true, but the fuel economy advantage of an inverter
generator also gradually goes away as you increase load. That said, few of us
operate our generators at a constant full load.


Vaughn

 

[(PeteCresswell)]

Per Robert:

It's almost unbelievably
loud, and I really feel guilty about inflicting this on my neighbors.
I'm also not thrilled with the output grunt, but that's much less
important to me.

I want to purchase a replacement, probably something used, but I'm
concerned I'd just be spending money on something that's just
incrementally quieter. Opinions?

This is from a noob who doesn't know much, but my reaction would
be multiple Honda 2000's. Two can be run in parallel for 4,000
peak/3,600 continuous.

Advantages:

1) Silence: We live in a suburban (quiet) area
and it's really hard to tell a generator is running from more
than about 25 feet away.

2) Economy: only fire up as many gennies as you need for
immediate needs. Obtaining gas during an outage can
be problematic, so lower consumption is better.

3) Portability: An EU2000 can be easily picket up/carried by
most people with one hand - giving you the option of being
a hero to some nearby family friend/member when thier power
goes out and either yours doesn't or you have a unit to spare.




Disadvantages:

1) Maintainence: multiple engines

2) Theft: The flip side of portability.... and
they're definately a commodity among tradesmen.

 

[Robert]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I seriously considered the little Hondas (the EU2000i) but decided
that a bit more punch was called for, so I opted for the Yamaha
EF2400iS. I'm sure it will be a bit more than I need, which is
probably exactly what was called for. Nice & quiet, too! The little
bit of sound it does make is actually pretty pleasant & smooth to
listen to.

I picked up mine used for $800, with something like 120 hours on it.
(No hourmeter, so the previous owner guestimated it...). One year
old, so it still has a year of warranty.

Thanks again.