Home-made spark arrester for genny?

[Mex-Busnut]

Dear friends,

I know spark arresters are required on gennys when camping in national and state parks. Here is a picture of my genny. Does it look like it already has one? If not, how can I make one?

Also, the manual says the noise level is 75 dB. Is that tollerable? My muffler guy wants to add an elbow after the genny's muffler, and run it through the floor, and then through another muffler.

Thanks in advance!

[demodriver]

I am wanting to do the same thing as you, except the arrestor. I have read in a few places that more exhaust on certain engines burn them up so you might want to do some research on your particular model.

Eric

[bevans6]

That muffler is also a spark arrestor.  75 db is not tolerable to me, it is bloody loud and I wouldn't put up with it, but thousands do so don't listen to me.  My generator is around the 55 db range.  Perceived volume of sound, or loudness, doubles every 10 db, so your  generator will sound 4 times as loud as mine.  Adding mufflers will help only marginally, the engine itself radiates significant sound from the cylinder block.  I have packed up and left where I was camped to get away from that kind of generator noise, but it all depends on how and when you plan to run it.

Brian

[luvrbus]

Steve, how many feet is the DBA reading the National parks if a generator is permitted it is 60 DBA at 50 feet that pretty loud,you will find all parks in the US will have different rules for generators.
I have never had a Park Ranger check for a spark arrester no place where generators were allowed all do say no generators after 10 pm or before 6 am even in the desert the coyotes need sleep


good luck

[thomasinnv]

you will not make many friends with that generator.

[Lin]

In the National Parks I have been in recently, quiet hours and generator hours are different.  They gave wanted the generators off by 7-8 pm.  Actually, it seemed rare that anyone would run the generators even that late.  It is really a drag for someone to have a loud generator in those settings even during the day.  Maybe, if you must use that type of generator, you could build some sort of sound box for it aside from muffling it.

By the way, you mention running the exhaust through the floor so it would seem that you want to install it in a bay or something.  I realize that you can probably get away with all sorts of things in Mexico, but it would be just as unsafe there as it is here.

Clifford--merely because they do not check for spark arresters does not mean we should do without them.  The consequences of ignoring relatively easy safety issues could be catastrophic.

[luvrbus]

Lin the USDA parks are the only one's requiring arrester you will never see that in corps park or the other no Rv with a diesel generator come with a spark arrester 

good luck

[Lin]

Clifford--I suppose USDA refers to the Forest Service parks, which are quite plentiful.  Even it there is only a minimal risk in operating without the spark arrestor (if required), I would hate to be responsible for a fire, even if I wasn't caught.  The funny thing is that I am comfortable with allowing gray water to drain into nearby bushes, while you made a point that you are strongly against it.  To each his own infractions, I guess.

[Lin]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-14658489

[Busted Knuckle]

I wouldn't think it was a danger while rolling down the road.
And for parking I would build a stack for it that way it gets noise, fumes, & heat up and away d from the ground level around the coach. Also with a stack I would think sparks would dissipate before making it to the top of the stack.
Just my opinion which might buy you a cup of coffee if you add $2 TO IT!
  BK 

[Mex-Busnut]

I am certainly grateful for all of you taking the time to reply. However, I cannot believe some of the posts here.

USDA? Though we will probably eat some beef and chicken on the way, I am not planning to be parking in any cattle farms.



Somebody suggested I build a sound box. Please read my other post about my generator bay. SOUND PROOF AND HEAT PROOF.

And how many do NOT mount their gennys in a bay? Everybody does it. Why is it so dangerous, if properly insulated, exhausted and ventilated?



This genny is NOT the obnoxious loud machine some are imagining. We have a 7.5-KW Coleman machine in our office. Now THAT is an obnoxiously loud machine! This Honda also has an automatic throttle that cuts back the RPM's when less load is drawn, reducing noise and fuel consumption.

The primary purpose is powering my two AC units going down the road. I am glad it DOES have a spark arrester already. And we ARE planning the extended muffler/silencer to bring the noise down even more. We MAY have a stop at some point in a national park. I just wanted to be ready if we did.

And I am still curious about what a spark arrestor is and how it works. Is it just a screen?

Thanks to all. Be happy and blessed.

[luvrbus]

Catalytic converters are a higher risk of starting a fire than a non arrester equipped generator we are required to have a converter on our autos or pickups not the US Forest Service lol.
Lin the agencies I can think of that run or park system are the US Forest Service, BLM, Corps of Engineers, USDA and others the rules are different for each you know a government deal 
Where fire danger is high is the primitive areas and I am not one for riding a donkey for 15 miles to sleep on the ground  
You just posted what causes most forest fires careless people and mother nature with her light show in all my years never heard of a generator starting a fire in park,it maybe the Forest Service that wants to have a arrester  just go Steve we have a law and regulation for everything in the US LOL 

good luck 

[Van]

I agree with BK put a stack on it
BAES V8 Generator

[robertglines1]

off subject: Cat converters get so hot Admanda drove out to visit her dad during corn harvest in field in ford pick up got out looked back to late. Set field and truck on fire. triva I know but beware of them in dry grass on your vehicle.   Bob

[robertglines1]

Steve: your doing a good job with what you have. I know if you are the one working the switches there prob would never be a problem. but add our friend MURPHY in there. I still use the plug from one source to the other. I just use shore and Gen set. so I don't have the options you need to deal with.  Nice clean work!  KISS  keep it simple stupid   is my way of life.   Bob  ps sorry about the thread drift