Portable Genset noise

[Dkevdog]

We have been finding ourselves dry camping frequently, as I figured we would and am considering the purchase of a Generator. (After all, since we really don't have a power problem after all, it should be easy to pick one up cheap after all the retailers ordered too many!!)



My problem/question is the ones I have seen. . er rather have heard have been obnoxiously loud. I know that the Onan units are really good, fairly quiet and cost WAY MORE MONEY THAN I WANT TO SPEND!! So leave them out of the discussion.



It seems to me, that in my research I have found that there are no industry standards (Gee real shock here) on measuring noise in Db. Some, probably the louder ones choose to measure noise from the next county so they can claim low noise, others measure it a few feet! Anyone that close to the generator would probably be eaten by the dogs anyway



Are there any portable units I can throw in the back of the truck that don't cost more than the truck that have reasonable noise levels?? What should I look for to ensure a less noisy unit?



Kev

 

[JohnB]

How big a unit do you need? Honda makes the EU series that are quiet!!! For limited size the 600 is about 25 lbs and 50dba at 10 feet. The 600's will also run in series if you want two units or 1200 watts. I have a EU 3000, same noise level but will run my Duo Therm Brisk air and weighs in at 140 lbs. Stand 20 feet away from truck and it almost can't be heard. The 3000 costs between 1800 and 2000 depending where you purchase. There are other quiet brands in the small sizes but not much in the larger units.

 

[Dkevdog]

John (And others) I am looking for a units to be able to run the AC and microwave on, and charge the rig when running. If my calcs are correct, I have a 30 amp trailer cord so I would figure somewhere near 3000 watts would be sufficient.



Kev

 

[SnoKing]

www.hondashop.com These guys are really good. EU1000 $648, New EU2000 $890 and EU3000 $1650. I bought the EU1000 and love it. Really quiet. Runs all day on 1/4 gal. 28. 6Lb Charges Batteries at around 35 amps with Todd 40 amp converter. I have it wired so that my Heart Freedom 10 inverter will run the microwave or hair dryer while Todd is pumping amphrs back in. Snow King

 

[Alan Reagan]

Dkevdog, I don't remember if it's Generac or who builds them, but I saw some units a couple of years ago running a small compound of four trailers down in Savannah during an oil spill cleanup that I couldn't even tell were running when I stood next to them. They were diesel driven units and only had slight vibration (like a cooling fan would produce) when I put my hand on the case. Nice units. Probably expensive, too. Cummins South carries the Onan and they are nice. Haven't heard one run, but the parts guy said they were quiet. Diesel, too.

 

[Partyat33]

I wanted the EU but bought a standard generator as I needed it for construction (primarily). It would have to be a might lonely campground to run the thing, noisy !!!!!!! But it you put a board in front of it, watch for clearance, the noise is diminished.



So if you really want it for camping, cough up the $$$$$ and get the Honda

 

[Dkevdog]

Thanks Guys- Looks like the Hondas are the way to go for noise. Can I run 13,500 btu air unit on a eu2000 or is that stretching it??



Kev

 

[RAMalama]

My money says 2000 watts are not enough for a 13,500btu A/C. Typically, a 13. 5 a/c pulls 15amps at 115v. That works out to 1725 watts. (P=IxE) Thats too close for a 2K genset. Check to see what the SUSTAINED load rating is.



I know it's more money but I'd get at a minimum, 2. 5k. 3k if I could afford it...



my . 02

 

[Mac]

My EU2000 will run my 13500 AC on low. It ran it on Mid but it wouldn't restart. I tried it on my friends 13500 unit and it would not start it even on low. Don't know what the difference in the units is other than the age, mine is a 1985 model ,his is a 1996.

To be on the safe side I think you need 3000 watts.

 

[JFitzgerald]

I'd agree with Mac, you would want 3000 watts minimum. I have a Honda EW171 welder/generator which is rated at 4000 watts. It has run two 13,500 BTU A/C units on campers, but if the A/C units cycle at the same time, it just about kills the 11 HP engine. I would say a 2000 is too small for a single air unit. You have to figure the surge current it takes to start the compressor in the A/C unit, and/or any other motors you need to run. The generator dealer should be able to help figure this.



On the subject of noise, I have not heard one quieter than the Hondas. Also, I bought this unit used and it looks like it had a hard life, but the price was right. It can sit for months and start on the first pull. Not one complaint, I love it. When we camp in the summer, we do not hear the generator when we are in the camper with the A/C on. Now, my friend has a cheap, Briggs powered generator that is very loud and can be heard very welll over the A/C. (that's why we tried running both our A/C's on mine)



Good luck.

 

[QRTRHRS]

Originally posted by JFitzgerald

I have a Honda EW171 welder/generator which is rated at 4000 watts.

I just saw that Honda welder/generator the other day. Do you weld with it at all? If so, does it work okay for welding?



I agree with the other comments on generator size. Don't try to save a few bucks by buying small.

 

[JFitzgerald]

Originally posted by QRTRHRS





I just saw that Honda welder/generator the other day. Do you weld with it at all? If so, does it work okay for welding?

I have not used it for welding yet, just as a generator, but I got it from my friends' father who welds for a living and had it for welding where he had no power. He was happy with the way it welds, he was just done with a particular project he needed it for.



I bought it for the generator part, and in case I break my Jeep during our off road trips, but so far, I haven't needed it.

 

[jgil104]

Originally posted by Dkevdog

We have been finding ourselves dry camping frequently, as I figured we would and am considering the purchase of a Generator. (After all, since we really don't have a power problem after all, it should be easy to pick one up cheap after all the retailers ordered too many!!)



My problem/question is the ones I have seen. . er rather have heard have been obnoxiously loud. I know that the Onan units are really good, fairly quiet and cost WAY MORE MONEY THAN I WANT TO SPEND!! So leave them out of the discussion.



It seems to me, that in my research I have found that there are no industry standards (Gee real shock here) on measuring noise in Db. Some, probably the louder ones choose to measure noise from the next county so they can claim low noise, others measure it a few feet! Anyone that close to the generator would probably be eaten by the dogs anyway



Are there any portable units I can throw in the back of the truck that don't cost more than the truck that have reasonable noise levels?? What should I look for to ensure a less noisy unit?



Kev

check out honda

 

[jgil104]

Re: Re: Portable Genset noise

Originally posted by jgil104

check out honda

www.hondapowerequipment.com/home

 

[wyosteve]

You might check out e-bay. Some good buys generally. I got a good used 5000 watt Honda for $840. 00 plus shipping.

 

[Dkevdog]

I'll keep my eyes peeled for a good deal on a 3000 watt unit then. My wolf politely reminded me that we are still paying for the DTT upgrades and we... ... make that I... ... must wait a few.



Darn Credit cards!! They always seem to haunt you!!



Kev

 

[SnoKing]

Take her down to a honda dealer and have them run a EU3000 for her. Electric start and everything. Then go home and she will tell you that you should call the people at www.hondashop.com and get her one. It will be on your porch in a couple days. They service and test it, then drain the gas and oil, and shipping is free. You have to remember to put oil in it when you receive it. Snow King

 

[Okie-Go]

I don't know much about the power but the Honda's are exztremely quiet. I have people tell me they can sleep with it running by the side of the trailer. Just hear-say not first hand knowledge.

 

[BK]

Dont make the mistake.......

Kev,



To let you know, the light weight hondas are about the best as far noise is concerned. I've been looking for a small Gen set...

I own a larger Generac set and owned an even larger Hobart gen set.

The very quite Hondas are not your typical generator. They use a solid state inverter and electronic control to govern engine speed Vs load to dramaticly reduce niose and weight.



But your AC unit is not as easy to power as it may seem.

The motor is a high PF load needing LARGE peak currents to get the compressor kick over.



I have a very good Generac 4500watt 5200 peak power gen set.

It's on wheels and a two man carry. My old 16Kw towable did a 1/2way decent job of kicking my AC over.



My 4500w coughs and puffs and bearly gets my AC going when the compressor cycles. The electric motor starting current is high , due to head pressure in the compressor. The hotter the freon temps the worse it is. With a very low impedance AC source, the compressor motor draws the large current spike during starting for a short duration. But the gen sets in the 4500watt size dont have very low impedance output and arent ment to power high PF loads.

These generators are not ideal for this use. If I continue to use my 4500watt gen set to run my AC I will ruin the AC compressor motor. Since the output drops to about 90Vac during start up cycles and since the motor is inductive, the currents are worse at the lower AC voltages, hence the disappation internaly is higher... all spelling motor burn out...

My best advice, if your not going to a 10Kw + set or so, forget about running your AC... get a nice 1Kw - 2Kw quite Honda to run the TV and microwave... charge your batteries... .

If you have a 600w Microwave, chances are you'll be fine with a 1Kw genset. The honda's with the electronic inverters at 30lbs is real light... . but not cheap. The others without the inverters are as noisey as the other "quite" standard generators.

If your looking for a bit noiser, but more power and less $$$, coleman has a 1850watt for 400 bucks thats approved for campgrounds. It's about 68db at 20 feet , which is about the same as a normal adult conversation.



My $. 02



Bob

 

[SnoKing]

BK, very good info except for the very end. I had a Coleman 1850 and it was very noisy and does not meet Forest Service standards for camp ground noise. I repeat. I LOVE MY HONDA EU1000. Snow King