I built a generator box and mounted it to the tongue of my camp trailer on one of those racks that sits above the propane tanks. It worked great except for one trip the temps were triple digits and the box was in direct sunlight. Needless to say the generator had shut down and I had to take the generator out of the box and take it to some shade. I am running a 4500 watt generator with a 760 CFM fan. Apparently, that was not enough for that hot day.
First plans I seen was two sound sheds facing each other one on top of the other. Never tried to make one, they used heavy one inch compressed board. Your way is the closes I've seen. I thought it would get to hot, you proved it might work using your design. Cool oil temp gauge!
Excellent video! Your attention to detail and simplistic explanation coupled with the sound proofing video are simply fantastic. Thanks for your excellent presentation.
Thought this video was going to suck. You did great work on testing this and thank you for including the second base-line test after running all day. First time watcher...now subscriber!
Thanks for sharing! This is giving me some ideas on the fundamentals. I was concerned about your sound shed's airflow, but I get the trade off of muffling the sound and directing it away. Was there any reason you put the reflective side facing inwards? I would be curious in a hotter environment (or summer) if the reflective layer facing out would help. The comment earlier about styrofoam in sun, and using some kind of batt insulation as well to muffle things further seems valid. This does seem like a fun experiment to figure out how to build what's most feasible - be it for an RV, or for your home if you've got a generator as a backup.
Thank for taking the time to comment. My thoughts on the foil was that it might be protective for the foam against heat from the generator. I recently made another version with soundproofing. You can watch it here ▶️ua-cam.com/video/IZw-N7zx6Gc/v-deo.html
It’s difficult to explain here in text. The vent was not the problem. I broke the vent when I installed it and the rain cap portion was no longer connected to the pipe. This allowed heat to linger under the rain cap without metal against the foam. I would use the same exhaust vent again. We like to use the “shed” box the most. Sorry for rambling!
Great job of thermal testing. I would like to disagree, but I can't! But this is an air cooled engine...are you pushing all that cylinder heat out in the exhaust gasses?
Air cooled small engines like this one dissipate heat through the exhaust and air fins. It really is amazing that they are able too cool themselves! Thanks for watching!
Heat Heat Heat that is my biggest problem. I have no clue how your box was so close to ambient temperature. Have you measured the actual temperature inside the box. Here is what I built for my 12,000 watt duromax running on propane for 9,000 watt output. Yes I am in Texas so it is Hot here but today I measured ambient temperature at 82 degrees F. I built my enclosure out of the following foam board, (FOAMULAR 150 1 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. R-5 Scored Square Edge Rigid Foam Board Insulation Sheathing) It is braced with 1/2 x 3 inch for assembly purposes. I added a section of hard board for the area where the exhaust creates too much heat for the foam board. The inside is covered with the following sound panels from amazon, (24 Pack-12 x 12 x 2 Inches Pyramid Designed Acoustic Foam Panels, Sound Proof Foam Panels Black, High Density and Fire Resistant Acoustic Panels,) The air outlet is through two 9 inch diameter stove pipes which feed to a vertical baffle box which is unobstructed, but it does have baffles. I purchased a 1800 cubic feet per minute louvered ventilation fan and had it blowing into the box. from amazon ( KEN BROWN 12 Inch Variable Shutter Exhaust Fan Wall Mounted With Speed Controller 1800CFM For Garages And Shops,Greenhouse,Attic Ventilation) The box is very quiet yet after running for a few minutes an instant read meat thermometer placed on top of the fuel tank read 135 degrees. Yikes! If I removed the top cover completely the temperature went down to the mid 90's. sound reduction is only about 1/3 of having the top cover sealed and on. I think that is far too high a temperature for the generator to actually run in so I am considering a few modifications such as making the fan blow outward instead and removing the twin 9inch stove pipes to a wide open 2ft X 9inch opening. I will post an update when I try the design change but any ideas will be appreciated. Texas ambient temperatures run in the low 100's during the summer months so sound quiet box may not be doable during those times. UPDATE> I removed the exhaust panel box completely and I put a 20 inch box fan blowing inward. I reversed the 12 inch 1800 cfm fan to blow out and positioned it on the top instead of the bottom. Today was cooler mid 70's and the temperature at the center of the exhaust fan was running about 100 degrees. The thermometer sitting atop the generator gas tank is now reading about 85 degrees. The noise level is slightly increased due to the new open areas but it is still very quiet compared to without the quiet box. I think the box is a no go in Texas summer heat conditions because I don't think that running it in a 120 plus degree box air is going to fry something. I do think it will be beneficial during the rest of the year. We mostly get issues both spring storms and fall storms. anyway. It is rare to lose power in the summer hot days. I it goes out I will run the generator outside the box in the shade with a fan to keep that air as cool as possible.
Here in Maine some people leave a light bulb on in the generator shed. There is also a cylinder head bolt heater, attaches to any engine with 1 bolt, and plugs in to keep it warm.
Both plywood and Styrofoam are somewhat rigid and can act as a sounding board. Something soft like fiberglass batting should transfer sound energy into kinetic energy. As you saw, you gotta be careful with Styrofoam as it doesn't like heat or solvents like gasoline.
I still would run a portable generator in a box. If I did I would have a 12-inch fan blowing on one end at a minimum. I still say don't do it if you want to keep your equipment long-term. I have a 5500-watt generator that's 22 years old and it's run day and night at least 18 times for 3 to four days at a time to this very day. Religious oil changes is how it's still going on for so long with no motor or carb work.
At 25 feet this was about 45 dB...people speaking to each other at conversational distances create more sound. So, if you think a generator is too loud, please never bring your kids or dogs or play music on outdoor speakers, they're MUCH noisier.
1) Very inconsistent... **********your winner box is not what you presented in the build video...is it missing a side? Let me guess - for air cooling? **********your baseline should be done first. If its "baseline" - I'd like you to reassure me that 30min of baseline was enough to cool itself to normal operating 2) What is the test trying to prove? **********Decibel reduction? - obviously not, we're missing a panel; **********Cool temps? - not really... Looks to me we're running hotter, possibly even hotter than what "baseline" is **********Efficiency? - I am pretty sure the run time drops significantly under load **********Prolonged lifespan? - Nope, I don't think so; not when you run hotter... My advice to you.... Do some research for yourself, before you influence people trying to do research
Too hot? Let me know your thoughts. Which sound box do you like? 🟣Follow me on Instagram: instagram.com/mrfredsdiy/
What caused the melting of the styrofoam around the dryer vent? Was it the heat or some kind of glue? Great video and very helpful!
@@rrgrantham it was the metal vent. Part of the inner lining was missing allowing the heat to have contact with the foam. Thanks for watching!
I built a generator box and mounted it to the tongue of my camp trailer on one of those racks that sits above the propane tanks. It worked great except for one trip the temps were triple digits and the box was in direct sunlight. Needless to say the generator had shut down and I had to take the generator out of the box and take it to some shade. I am running a 4500 watt generator with a 760 CFM fan. Apparently, that was not enough for that hot day.
First plans I seen was two sound sheds facing each other one on top of the other. Never tried to make one, they used heavy one inch compressed board. Your way is the closes I've seen. I thought it would get to hot, you proved it might work using your design. Cool oil temp gauge!
Thanks for watching! Fred Jr actually made the oil thermometer. He’s pretty handy to have around!
Good job,you convinced me it won't overheat. I also use full synthetic oil in everything I own and consider it cheap insurance. Thanks Much
Excellent video! Your attention to detail and simplistic explanation coupled with the sound proofing video are simply fantastic. Thanks for your excellent presentation.
Thanks for your remarks & thanks for watching!
Nice Video! Very interesting results! Keep up the good work!
Thanks for watching the video! Lots of data points for sure!
Thought this video was going to suck. You did great work on testing this and thank you for including the second base-line test after running all day. First time watcher...now subscriber!
Thanks for commenting!
What happens if you build a sound suppressor for your sound suppressor.
Just say a second layer with air gap might help even more .
Thanks for sharing! This is giving me some ideas on the fundamentals. I was concerned about your sound shed's airflow, but I get the trade off of muffling the sound and directing it away. Was there any reason you put the reflective side facing inwards? I would be curious in a hotter environment (or summer) if the reflective layer facing out would help. The comment earlier about styrofoam in sun, and using some kind of batt insulation as well to muffle things further seems valid. This does seem like a fun experiment to figure out how to build what's most feasible - be it for an RV, or for your home if you've got a generator as a backup.
Thank for taking the time to comment. My thoughts on the foil was that it might be protective for the foam against heat from the generator. I recently made another version with soundproofing. You can watch it here ▶️ua-cam.com/video/IZw-N7zx6Gc/v-deo.html
What would you do differently for an exhaust vent?
It’s difficult to explain here in text. The vent was not the problem. I broke the vent when I installed it and the rain cap portion was no longer connected to the pipe. This allowed heat to linger under the rain cap without metal against the foam. I would use the same exhaust vent again.
We like to use the “shed” box the most. Sorry for rambling!
Great job of thermal testing. I would like to disagree, but I can't!
But this is an air cooled engine...are you pushing all that cylinder heat out in the exhaust gasses?
Air cooled small engines like this one dissipate heat through the exhaust and air fins. It really is amazing that they are able too cool themselves! Thanks for watching!
Heat Heat Heat that is my biggest problem. I have no clue how your box was so close to ambient temperature. Have you measured the actual temperature inside the box. Here is what I built for my 12,000 watt duromax running on propane for 9,000 watt output. Yes I am in Texas so it is Hot here but today I measured ambient temperature at 82 degrees F. I built my enclosure out of the following foam board, (FOAMULAR 150 1 in. x 4 ft. x 8 ft. R-5 Scored Square Edge Rigid Foam Board Insulation Sheathing) It is braced with 1/2 x 3 inch for assembly purposes. I added a section of hard board for the area where the exhaust creates too much heat for the foam board. The inside is covered with the following sound panels from amazon, (24 Pack-12 x 12 x 2 Inches Pyramid Designed Acoustic Foam Panels, Sound Proof Foam Panels Black, High Density and Fire Resistant Acoustic Panels,)
The air outlet is through two 9 inch diameter stove pipes which feed to a vertical baffle box which is unobstructed, but it does have baffles.
I purchased a 1800 cubic feet per minute louvered ventilation fan and had it blowing into the box. from amazon ( KEN BROWN 12 Inch Variable Shutter Exhaust Fan Wall Mounted With Speed Controller 1800CFM For Garages And Shops,Greenhouse,Attic Ventilation)
The box is very quiet yet after running for a few minutes an instant read meat thermometer placed on top of the fuel tank read 135 degrees. Yikes! If I removed the top cover completely the temperature went down to the mid 90's. sound reduction is only about 1/3 of having the top cover sealed and on.
I think that is far too high a temperature for the generator to actually run in so I am considering a few modifications such as making the fan blow outward instead and removing the twin 9inch stove pipes to a wide open 2ft X 9inch opening.
I will post an update when I try the design change but any ideas will be appreciated.
Texas ambient temperatures run in the low 100's during the summer months so sound quiet box may not be doable during those times.
UPDATE> I removed the exhaust panel box completely and I put a 20 inch box fan blowing inward. I reversed the 12 inch 1800 cfm fan to blow out and positioned it on the top instead of the bottom. Today was cooler mid 70's and the temperature at the center of the exhaust fan was running about 100 degrees. The thermometer sitting atop the generator gas tank is now reading about 85 degrees. The noise level is slightly increased due to the new open areas but it is still very quiet compared to without the quiet box. I think the box is a no go in Texas summer heat conditions because I don't think that running it in a 120 plus degree box air is going to fry something. I do think it will be beneficial during the rest of the year. We mostly get issues both spring storms and fall storms. anyway. It is rare to lose power in the summer hot days. I it goes out I will run the generator outside the box in the shade with a fan to keep that air as cool as possible.
I need the gen to stay warmer at 32°f & below, -50.
Here in Maine some people leave a light bulb on in the generator shed. There is also a cylinder head bolt heater, attaches to any engine with 1 bolt, and plugs in to keep it warm.
Can you do a generator oil block heater? Thanks
All equipment runs smoother with the smoke still inside. Once you let let the smoke out it gets expensive 😂
Both plywood and Styrofoam are somewhat rigid and can act as a sounding board. Something soft like fiberglass batting should transfer sound energy into kinetic energy. As you saw, you gotta be careful with Styrofoam as it doesn't like heat or solvents like gasoline.
I still would run a portable generator in a box. If I did I would have a 12-inch fan blowing on one end at a minimum. I still say don't do it if you want to keep your equipment long-term. I have a 5500-watt generator that's 22 years old and it's run day and night at least 18 times for 3 to four days at a time to this very day. Religious oil changes is how it's still going on for so long with no motor or carb work.
Thanks for sharing your experience and checking out the video! Here is our newest design ▶️ua-cam.com/video/erA944a9Bvc/v-deo.htmlsi=2oc0oztxMzr24KZo
What was the humidity?
It was about 75% that whole weekend. We were dodging raindrops during monsoon rains here in Nevada. Thanks for watching!
Out of basic respect for other campers around you, don’t be that person who was using a generator! Even if you are a hundred yards away.
At 25 feet this was about 45 dB...people speaking to each other at conversational distances create more sound. So, if you think a generator is too loud, please never bring your kids or dogs or play music on outdoor speakers, they're MUCH noisier.
As long as the campground permits a generator, I'll be using one. Don't like it? Camp somewhere else! Respectfully.
Also Styrofoam is far from uv stable. Sunlight will turn it to chalk in no time.
1) Very inconsistent...
**********your winner box is not what you presented in the build video...is it missing a side? Let me guess - for air cooling?
**********your baseline should be done first. If its "baseline" - I'd like you to reassure me that 30min of baseline was enough to cool itself to normal operating
2) What is the test trying to prove?
**********Decibel reduction? - obviously not, we're missing a panel;
**********Cool temps? - not really... Looks to me we're running hotter, possibly even hotter than what "baseline" is
**********Efficiency? - I am pretty sure the run time drops significantly under load
**********Prolonged lifespan? - Nope, I don't think so; not when you run hotter...
My advice to you.... Do some research for yourself, before you influence people trying to do research
I would probably be using royal purple HPS 20 W 50 just to be safe or mobile1 15 W 50 if you want to save some money