In the past, camping used to be a vacation amidst nature, away from the mechanical life of the cities. People used to leave everything behind to enjoy the mesmerizing scenery. But, while they are away from their practical life, they still want a piece of their social life. They bring power generators to their campsites so their social media devices run effectively. But they can’t pick any generator for camping.
Related: Best Camping Generators
What if it makes a lot of sound? And that sound affects not only their holiday but others on that campsite. It will also create a lot of noise pollution and interfere with the natural ecosystem, which is only a recreational site for humans but is a permanent home of some of the most precious species on earth.
So, in this article, we will give you some valuable suggestions to help you buy the portable quietest generator. Additionally, If you already have a generator that makes a lot of noise and wants some tips to make it quieter because you are not in the mood to buy a new generator, you have come to the right place.
What Type of Generator is The Quietest?
In the market, you would find two types of generators; Open-framed and closed-framed. Open-framed generators are usually big commercial generators that are used on construction sites. Due to their open frame, they make a lot of noise. Their giant size and noisy nature make them unfit for a camping site.
Closed-framed generators, as the name suggests, are more covered. Their compact size makes them ideal for a campsite as they produce very little noise. Here is the list of the best quietest generators for camping.
- WEN 56203i Inverter Generator
WEN 56203i Inverter Generator - Jackery Portable Explorer 240
- WEN 56200i Generator
Another bonus is that they are eco-friendly, which means they would not cause any disturbance for the humans enjoying nature and would be harmless to the ecosystem.
Features of The Quietest Generator
Any generator which has the following features will be an ideal generator for camping.
Sine Wave Inverter
Inverters are like a new trend. Everyone is rushing to buy an electronic device that runs on inverter technology. It is eco-friendly, which means it makes sure that a minimum amount of fuel is used to run a machine.
The sine wave technology on a generator ensures that it produces electromagnetic waves at a lower frequency which would not sound too loud for the ear.
Minimal Noise Output
If your generator is blasting on a camping site, that would effectively kill the soul of camping. So, make sure when you buy a generator, you check what its noise output is. Noise output refers to the sound it is going to make when its engine is run.
An ideal generator would not create a sound that is greater than 52 dB. Anything higher than this would be a nuisance not only for you but for your neighboring campers as well.
Eco Throttle Setting
Every camper needs a generator that is energy efficient. Most generators these days have eco-throttle settings. This implies that the generator will only generate the energy which is required.
For instance, if you are charging just your phone with the generator, it will only generate sufficient power to charge a phone. This way, the generator is not running at its full capacity all the time and will produce much lesser noise.
Four-stroke Engine
A generator with a four-stroke engine will make less noise than a generator that has a two-stroke engine. The scientific reasoning behind this is that the cylinders of a four-stroke engine will fire once after two rotations, while cylinders in a two-stroke engine fire after every rotation.
So, there will be a few rotations in a four-stroke engine, and you will have a quieter camping experience.
Double Layer Sound-proof Construction
We all know that if a product has more layers, its sound will be muffled. So, another important feature of a quieter generator is that it should have a double layer on its outer lining so the sound produced by its engine does not reach the human air at its total capacity.
A Big-sized Engine
Let’s imagine a generator that has an engine of a larger size. The rotation, which starts from one point, will take longer to reach the other end; this process will reduce the sound as the distance increases and the rotation becomes longer.
A compressed engine, on the other hand, would complete the rotations faster and would produce a louder noise.
Propane-run Generator
Many would prefer a gasoline-run generator because it’s cheaper but makes more noise because of more combustion. On the other hand, a propane-run generator is a bit expensive but quieter.
Because propane is a cleaner fuel, and when it burns, it does not release the same amount of pollutants in the air as gasoline. Due to less combustion, it creates lesser sound.
Tips to Make a Generator Quiet
If you have purchased a quiet generator but still think it’s a bit too loud for your liking, here are some tips which you can follow to make it more peaceful.
Move The Generator Further Away
Sometimes the problem can be solved by the most straightforward method. One of the reasons for your generator to be too loud can be that it’s too close to your tent or RV.
You can use a longer cord to place it at least 20 feet away. This way, the noise will take some time to reach you and lose some decibels.
Get a Generator Cover
Some companies in the market provide cover for the generator to protect it from rain and storm. You can use one of those to muffle the sound of your generator.
You could make one yourself if you can’t get your hands on one. All you need is a soundproof material like plywood or foam, some glue, and you can make a box with the exact same dimensions.
All you need to consider is the ventilation of the generator. Do not cover any of the pipes or fans to avoid any accidents.
Make a Temporary Hut For Your Generator
If you can’t find a cover for your generator and do not feel crafty enough to make one yourself, we have got you covered. Next time you go camping, take three pieces of plywood with you, place your generator at a distance, and make a small hut on it using those planks. Avoid the exhaustion areas, which could help reduce the generator’s sound by 10dB.
Reduce The Vibrations
Sometimes your generator makes more sound than usual when it’s placed on a concrete surface. Its vibrations are reverberated, and an additional nuisance is caused. This can be prevented by using anti-vibrational pads.
If you can’t find these anywhere, don’t fret. You can place four small pieces of rubber under each side of the generator. This will stop the generator from moving and reduce the vibrations.
Change The Generator’s Surface
Mother Earth tends to absorb sound. So, if your generator is creating havoc on your ears, just put it on sand or on grass. These natural elements would immediately absorb some of the sounds. They can reduce the sound up to 10dB.
Choose a Compact Option
Usually, first-time campers, in their excitement, buy a generator bigger than what they need. When they finally reach the camping site, their big bulky, noisy generators disturb their and others’ peace.
What better way to quiet a generator than to buy the needed wattage? An average-sized family can do well with a 2000-watt generator. It’s compact, it’s less noisy, and it’s enough to survive in the wild.
Change The Exhaustion Pipes Direction
The exhaust pipes are supposed to be positioned away from you. If the pipes are in our direction, they will bring more sound and smoke. Move the pipes away, or change the size of pipes to make them longer so they are further away from your camp.
Another possible solution is that your pipes face the sky, not the Earth. This way, the air in the atmosphere will help subdue the sound.
Take Help From Water
You could also use water to minimize the sound of a generator. While camping, you would have a sufficient water supply and a bucket. All you need to do is take at least five gallons of water and place it in a bucket.
Now take a pipe, place one end of it in the bucket and the other in the generator’s exhaust pipe. Make sure the generator is placed on a higher surface like a table or something, and the bucket is on the ground so no amount of water enters the exhaust pipe. This will help the water molecule absorb the sound.
Use a Silencer
A silencer or a muffler can also be used to reduce the noise of a generator. Add a muffler to the exhaust pipes, which will help reduce the sound significantly.
If you can’t handle this, take the help of a professional because one wrong move could either cause an accident or could curtail your generator’s output.
FAQs
Which Decibels Are Considered Quietest For Camping Generators?
To understand sounds in decibels, first, we need to understand what decibels our everyday sounds are.
What is Decibel? In layperson’s terms, whenever a machine makes a sound, it is recorded on a meter, and the data suggests how high or low the sound is. You know, like temperature is recorded on a thermometer. The higher the decibel, the more sound it will be.
Soft music, the sound of rustling leaves, and whispers are 30 dB sounds. Average house noises are a 40 dB sound. When we are having a normal conversation, or there is music playing in the background that is a 60 dB sound.
An outdoor noise or a car going at 60mph makes an excellent equivalent to 70 dB if someone uses a vacuum cleaner or plays something on a radio that is 80 dB sound.
For a camping site, any generator that produces a sound between 40-60 dB is the quietest option. Any generator which exceeds 65 dB would not be recommended. Anything louder than 80dB is hazardous for ear health and should be avoided at all costs.
What Size Generator is Best For Camping?
A generator somewhere between 2000-4000 watts is ideal for camping.
How Many Watts is a Good Camping Generator?
If you need to charge only your electronic devices during camping, a 2000-watt generator could fill your needs. However, if you need to use other electronic machines like an air conditioner or a microwave, we recommend a 3500-watt generator.
Is 70dB Loud For a Generator?
Scientists suggest that 80dB is a damaging decibel for hearing. Anything under that is acceptable. So, 70dB is not too loud for a generator.
How Loud is a 69 Decibels Generator?
In everyday usage, 69dB is equivalent to noise from a food place full of people or a hair drier.
Is 80dB Louder Than 70dB?
Yes, an 80dB sound is tenfold louder than a 70dB sound.
How Loud is 120 Decibels?
A 120dB sound is like an excavator digging the ground. It can also be equated with a music concert.
Summary
You can simultaneously use one or many of these tips to make your generator quieter. After reading the features of a quiet generator and tips on how to make a loud generator quieter, you can make an informed decision about choosing a generator the next time you go camping.