There is nothing worse than a loud generator running all day and night, ruining the sound of quiet. Maybe it’s your neighbor, but maybe it’s you. So how do you quiet your RV generator? Here are some quick, easy tricks to quiet your RV generator by 50%.
Remember, not all generators are of the same quality and are built with the same purpose in mind. Aspects like noise level, physical size for maximum portability, wattage requirements, fuel type, etc. matter, so if this interests you, read here for how to determine the best RV generator for your camping needs.
The Plywood Method: The Science Behind How It Works
You can almost effortlessly reduce the noise footprint of your existing RV generator with the proper placement of a few sheets of cheap plywood. (Or make your existing cheap generator work like a thousand dollar one!) Additionally, with a little extra effort, you can apply tar to the inner side of the wood to reduce the noise even further.
The plywood method works because you can deaden sound in one of 3 ways:
- Deflection of sound
- Absorption of sound
- A combination of sound reflection and absorption
Deflection will direct sound waves such that they cancel each other out, e.g. what a muffler does.
Noise absorption is a process by which an object takes in sound energy, reducing the perceived noise; the byproduct of this is heat. A good example would be the sound in a room with carpet vs. one without – the carpeted room will absorb the sound (e.g., conversations, music) whereas sound will be reflected in the other and quickly amplify such that you need to scream to be heard.
And finally, you can redirect sound so that an object absorbs it. In the video, the sound is redirected from the sheets of plywood towards the ground, which absorbs the noise and quiets the generator by 10dB.
If you only read this article, you’ll likely still have doubts, but when you watch the below video and see for yourself the readout on the sound meter (from ~80dB to ~70dB), you’ll be convinced.
The Video: 4x Quieter in 10 Seconds
Additional Methods to Quiet Your RV Generator
If the above method doesn’t suit you, I’ll list a few alternatives below. I’ll add though that the above method in my experience is the easiest, most straight-forward, and most effective at reducing noise.
Attach a Muffler to Reduce the Noise
Mufflers are ubiquitous so there’s no doubt you can find one for practically any model of generator. The problem is that they don’t generally reduce the sound enough to make it worth the effort and resources needed to install it
This process requires some tool skills, which you indeed may have, but it’s not for everyone because of this. If you either don’t have tools lying around or the skill to do the job, you’ll need to hire a handyman, which may increase the cost significantly.
Be advised that a muffler for a generator can cost several hundred dollars – for equipment and installation.
Watch This Guy Connect a Muffler to His Generator (Which Surprisingly Reduces Its Noise by Almost 10Db)
Use a Baffle Box (Also Known as a Noise Reduction Box) to “Soundproof ” Your RV Generator
In short, baffle boxes are containers that fit over your generator to soundproof it. They’re typically constructed from more expensive materials, e.g. fiberboard, noise-reducing foam, but are just as easily broken down into a transportable medium as a few sheets of plywood would be
If you’re interested in learning more about baffle boxes or even constructing your own, take a read here. Just remember that the most important part concerning any container that covers your generator is that it be allowed to
In our experience, a baffle box will set you back upwards of $150 dollars depending on the cost and quality of the materials you use.
If you’re interested in the various options available, review the following soundproofing materials, which vary greatly, from foams to various acoustic coatings.
Buy a New, More Quiet Generator
The examples in this article showcased generators running at 80dB, which is fairly standard. There are newer, more modern, dare I say intelligent, generators available that adjust their output (and thus their noise level) on the requirements of the devices plugged into them.
Conclusion
Why is it that the best solutions in life are almost always the simplest ones? When I saw the above plywood video, I was truly blown away by how effective something so simple could be. It’s so cheap and easy.
If you’re new to the idea of staying at a campground, do realize that it’s not likely you’d be allowed to run your generator. It’s just too noisy, even using the above methods.
The good news is there are quieter alternatives, like an electric hookup! The last thing you want in a peaceful, serene space is the sound of a generator interfering with a relaxing fireside chat or even a good nap.
I hope this information helps make
