Camping is an extremely popular outdoor activity which is enjoyed by many adventurers young and old all over the world. People simply love getting out and exploring the great outdoors and seeing what the wildlife has to offer them. Eating and sleeping out there can be really fun and exciting, and staying in a new location each time can be a thrilling experience!
Nowadays, however, it seems pretty much impossible to go anywhere without having power. Cell phones needing charging, flashlights that may need some energy and it’s nice to have lighting in your tent or stove power so you can cook a tasty meal.
Therefore, a simple remedy is a generator, which many people believe is a camping necessity. Most generators, however, forget to comply with one little rule – noise. So, you may be wondering, how to make a generator quiet for camping.
When it comes to camping, most people like to have peace and quiet, and they go specifically to get away from it all, so having a buzzing generator humming in the background can quickly start to become annoying.
Not only this, sometimes it can happen that you are camping in an area where the slightest disturbance isn’t permitted, and therefore will not want to attract any wrong attention during the night. This is why it is important to come up with a solution so that you can sleep better, and enjoy the camping experience without any extra problems arising!
In this article, we cover four ways you can quieten your camping generator so that you and your friends or family can enjoy your next camping trip in peace!
Considerations
Before learning the tips to quieten a generator, first take a look at these considerations. The amount of sound that is produced by generators can depend on a few different factors, including,
- Its location
- Soundproofing
- Generator’s energy levels
- Technology
Location
Where you place the generator will, of course, have an effect on the noise that comes out of it. If you place it really close to the tent, then obviously it will be louder than if placing it a few meters away. Placing it on certain platforms can also determine the level of loudness it provides; for example, a shallow or shaky surface may possibly amplify the noise, making it noisier, and increase any vibrations.
Soundproofing
If you have tried to soundproof your generator in advance, then it is likely to produce a different level of sound in comparison to a generator without anything. Using rubber material or soundproof casings to reduce the noise and vibration will all determine the final noise it makes.
Generator’s energy levels
Generators which provide higher energy levels are said to be louder than the lower energy providing ones. This can mean a 4000-watt generator will definitely produce more than say, a 1000-watt generator.
However, it can also be possible to get a high energy generator which is a little more silent, and this all depends on the technology, the design of the product, and brand. Therefore, it is important to purchase a generator which only provides the right amount of energy you need if you don’t want to put up with unnecessary noise!
Technology
Similar to energy levels, technology also plays a part in how noisy a generator can be. Inverter technology generators are more known to be quieter than conventional ones. This is due to the fact that inverter generators produce around 300 dine waves each time their engines rotate. These types of inverter generators also feature a compact design due to their small engines.
4 Ways to Quiet a generator
After taking the considerations into thought, it is now time to see just exactly how you can quieten your generator, and get rid of the noise for good.
Use or make a shelter box
One of the simplest ways of quieting a generator is by enclosing it in a shelter. These quiet generator boxes have been specially designed to block out any noise and can help sort out a noisy generator by confining all the noise inside.
If you are crafty, then perhaps you try to make your own homemade style using a few cheap tools from a local DIY store. Otherwise, you can easily purchase one online for not too much more.
Use Water
Strange as it seems, water can help to quieten a noisy generator. How? By simply connecting a hosepipe to the generator’s exhaust, and dipping the loose end into a bucket of shallow water, this dampens the overall sound produced from the exhaust, reducing overall noise from the generator itself.
Change the position of exhaust pipes
A simple change in the position of the exhaust pipes can also have an effect on the level of sound the generator makes. The pipes are usually in an outward position which is the culprit of the loud noise as the sound waves stream outwards. By moving the pipes into a vertical position instead, this allows the sound waves to be directed upwards rather than outwards, which greatly decreases the sound.
Purchase a ‘Quiet generator’
As the more standard, larger generators are designed for construction use where noise is not an issue, if you prefer an alternative rather than going the extra mile to fix their sound issues, then there is such a thing as a quiet generator.
These are likely to serve you best as don’t require any ‘fixing’ prior to your camping trip. The only difference is they are usually a little costlier, but it depends on what you are capable of doing, as well as your budget.
In order to get the best results possible, make sure to consider every aspect of your specific generator. Whether you use cheap tools and basic materials to fix your generator’s sound or decide to purchase a quiet generator, you can easily be on your way to a more relaxing and peaceful camping session in no time. Hopefully, these tips will help you to get a better night’s rest on your next camping trip.