How To Make a Generator Quiet for Camping: 9 Best Ways

You will certainly be needing a continuous source of power if your stay is more than a couple of days. Being dependent upon the minivan’s battery would be the dumbest decision because you wouldn’t want to run out of your car’s battery power in the middle of nowhere.

Especially when you have kids with you, the need for a generator becomes quadruple. There are many other apparent reasons people carry generators with them.

Now what makes them terrible during the camping is their loud noise and droning. Because you have planned camping to gain peace of mind, to absorb the serenity of nature, to feel calmness and quietness, that is why you have come far away from the noise of your crowded city.

But imagine if your power system! Generator! The purpose of camping has already gone.

But worry not. You have got the solution.

In this article, you will get a detailed guide on How To Make a Generator Quiet for Camping. Even if you are not technically skilled, you can do these tricks yourself. You need to be a little creative for that, but if you are high on the budget, you can get ready-made stuff from the market to make your life easier and your generator quietest.

1- Distance

Suppose you are camping with a noisy generator and forgot to bring any accessories to silence your generator.

In that case, you can try this fundamental trick: “Distant your generator from camping site,” at least 20-25 feet away.

It will reduce the sharpness of noise coming to your camp to some bearable extent. But for this, you need to make sure you have enough extension cord and plugin options to cope with the distance.

But if you already have done the research and brought along so many resources, this method still is beneficial for you.

You can couple this trick with other procedures like baffle box or soundproof box that I have discussed ahead in detail. 

No hard and fast rule is required for this setup. Keep your noisy beast at a distance. This way, fewer sound waves will reach your ears, and when you put your generator in a soundproof box, you will get zero to no noisy waves—an intelligent way to make your generator the quietest generator.

Additionally, you can change the angle of the exhaust to see where it lessens the noise.

As you know, the generator’s noise is exhausted through its exhaust; when you change the dimension of the exhaust and set it away from you, you can pretty much save yourself from the whirring.

2- Use Mat or Rubber Feet

We all have experienced that when we place a heavy vibrating object on the ground, its vibration multiplies to several numbers; this happens when you place your generator right on top of the hard ground or wooden ground.

One thing is clear you can always lessen the vibration and hence the noise coming out of the exhaust of your generator by simply changing its ground.

Yes, you got me right. You can put some anti-vibrator or soundproof system to it. The simple way is to place your generator on a rubber mat or attach rubber feet to its stand.

You can also use rubber pads for this purpose. This tip will surely help solve the noise problem of your generator. If it doesn’t completely mitigate the creepy noise, then it will soften its loudness to some level. 

More so, you can ground your generator on a comparatively softer surface, and this is also an effective method to make your generator quieter.

We know that Soft grounds absorb the thrilling vibrations and loud noise of the generator just as harder surface, making the noise louder.

3- Generator Silencer

Installing a generator silencer can also help reduce the noise. There are specific generator silencers that are designed for portable generators. You can attach it with your generator and all set.

 Generators make noise when the engine starts running, which means the combustion process has been created, and when a silencer is attached to them, it reduces the noise produced during the process.

Generator silencers work the same way as mufflers do. Sometimes they are assumed as the same. But there is a difference; generator silencers are specific to reduce the noise produced due to combustion.

Whereas mufflers reduce noise for automotive generates. Generator silencers are best to attach with your home generator.

4- Generator Mufflers

You can put a muffler to your generator to muffle its popping noise. A muffler is an essential component of the generator that will help reduce the noise of the generator.

There are several brands available in the market, but you should go for well-rated muffler-producing brands when it comes to the quality of mufflers.

Moreover, you need to make sure whatever muffler you are buying for your generator is compatible with it. Here are the three most commonly used mufflers:

1- Camco Gen-Turi RV Generator Exhaust Venting System

2- Thrush Turbo Muffler

3- Walker Economy Pro-Fit Universal Muffler

Among other mufflers, Camco Gen-Turi RV Generator Exhaust Venting System is one of the best options. It works with the generator’s exhaust system and doesn’t require any separate power source.

The best thing about this muffler is that it dampens the noise and absorbs harmful gases emitted in its fumes like carbon monoxide. Consequently, the air around your generator’s exhaust is less noisy and less polluted if you use this muffler.

Thrush Turbo Muffler is a good option for those who want an automotive muffler and are technically skilled.

The reason why I said technically competent is that it requires technical skills to install this muffler properly.

It involves welding and bending pipes, leakage-proof setup, and many other things to make it operational and gain the best results. However, there are simple attachment options available, but effectiveness is not guaranteed.

Walker Economy Pro-Fit Universal Muffler is a simple aluminium muffler but has pro features like compatibility, durability, anti-corrosive body, and reduction of the noise of a generator.

Comparative to other options, it’s a cost-effective option and doesn’t require that much modification and installment procedure.

5- Deflect The Sound To Bounce It Off

How about creating a barrier between your living space and noise-creating machine?

Sounds great! Yes, this is one of the fantastic ideas; you can create hindrance by placing pieces of plywood in between your living space and the area where you have set the generator. It will work as a deflector and deflect the sound waves to where they are coming from.

No doubt, a sound deflector works excellent when it comes to deflecting the noise. They bounce back the noise, and your living space is prevented from your generator’s loud noise.

These devices can easily be installed with your generator, and you can carry them to those areas where you are planning to camp and don’t want to hear generator noise.

More so, you can create a separation between the generator area and your living area by placing a fence around it. Anti-vibrator and insulated fence will serve the purpose, though it won’t wholly nullify the noise but will do wonders.

6- Make Your Generator a Baffle Box

What do you call a box with four walls that pack your generator up and make it soundproof? 

A magical cage, maybe? Whatever you call it, you have got an idea of what I am talking about. You can buy or make a baffle box for your generator to damp its noise.

Because its internal walls are insulated, it will help to minimize the sound wave passage from it.

When you are building a soundproof box for your generator, consider some important things; one of them is adding extra layers of vinyl to ensure you’re reducing noise effectively and your box serves the purpose. 

The second is to seal the edges of the box to make it airtight, with caulk or foil tape.

The third is to add some sound absorption material as Mega Zorba. Because if air can pass through the walls, it will keep transporting those sound waves and drop them to your ear canals.

Contrary to this, if your box is airtight and soundproof, you can reduce the noise by 20-25 decibels. 

7- Soundproof Box For Your Generator

If you are a DIY lover and enjoy making creative things out, I recommend you make a soundproof box for your generator yourself and save your dollars.

The soundproof box is a box made from an insulating material, preferably vinyl, correctly; it allows the box to dampen the sound waves and absorb the vibration.

You can also buy a readymade soundproof box to silence your generator’s noise, and there are several soundproof boxes available in the market.

8- Portable Inverter Generator

If none of the above tricks works for you and you are looking forward to another solution, you need to know about the portable Inverter generator.

There are a lot of portable generators available out there in the market. Still, I suggest you buy Champion Portable Inverter or Honda EU generator because of their durability, quality, and usefulness.

I am referring to them because I have done thorough research to gather factual data to save you from hassle.

Of course, both offer what you are looking for; extremely quiet, light-weighted, and portable. If you talk about the performance, Portable Inverter Generator is super-efficient, uses less gasoline, and provides your appliances power for about 8 to 9 hours.

Both are 2000 watt generators, and this is what would be enough for you usually.

It would cost you around $600. But if you are looking for a higher watt generator, then go for Briggs & Stratton’s 3000-watt generator or Yamaha’s EF2400iS, which is 2400 watt and costs you around $800.

You can quickly run appliances like portable air-conditioners or mini microwaves on it. 

9- Super Quiet Portable Gas Generator

Portable gas generator runs on gas and offers efficient fuel consumption offering an extended running duration of up to 16 hours on a quarter load and up to 12 hours on half load with 3.5 gallons of fuel.

It is super quiet, making it a perfect choice for recreational activities and neighbourhoods alike.

It can generate 4500 peak watts and 3700 running watts, which is a considerable amount to fulfil all kinds of power requirements.

Thus, it is a perfect solution for backup power in case of power outages. It is light and compact. Coupled with a built-in telescoping handle and two convenient top carrying handles, it allows for the ultimate hassle-free portability.

Since you have got a detailed list of how to make a generator quiet for camping, you need to start implementing them. You can try out whatever option suits you, even at home because you don’t want to destroy the peace of mind of your neighbors too.

Stressing about how do I store my food, kitchen gear, and clothes? How do I stay organized while camping? Where do I pack my tent? What are the best camping storage ideas?

Then read through this detailed article by camper panda, it just needs 5 minutes to blow your mind.

Happy Camping!