What resources to look at for building a quiet generator compartment?

richard5933 · March 11, 2021, 12:36:52 PM

There are alternatives to the lead lining, such as the super dense vinyl layer sandwiched between the two foam layers that I've got in my generator bay. The stuff was put there in 1974 by Custom Coach, and I replaced some of it a couple of years ago. My biggest aggravation is the vibration, and for that I probably should have used air bags when I replaced the mounts.

niles500 · March 11, 2021, 12:48:54 PM

Belfort, check out Acoustiblok in Tampa, I've known Lonnie for 40 plus years, he's an expert on sound attenuation and has a few products that could do the job, HTH

chessie4905 · March 11, 2021, 01:09:55 PM

Im intrigued by the circular cast iron enclosure, Prevost Marathon has used at the exhaust manifold outlet to absorb exhaust noise.

Busted Knuckle · March 11, 2021, 01:12:57 PM

Brian as far as getting a look at the sound deadening on a light tower just go to the rental place that has everything and talk to them about renting a forklift for the day (tell them realistically it will be a week, 2 weeks a month whatever) and then while you are still getting info on the rental, delivery & p/u fees say "Hey before I leave could I have a look inside of one of the light towers to see how they make them so quiet?"
Most likely if you time your visit right where they are not swamped with customers they will gladly have a "yard hand" or mechanic walk you out to one and open it up for you!
At least ALL the rental places down here would!

BK

chessie4905 · March 11, 2021, 05:52:06 PM

Easier than that, stop at a construction site with light towers operating. Put on a hard hat and carry a clipboard, maybe with check off form. Look it over close, make a mark on clip board once in a while.😁

luvrbus · March 11, 2021, 07:39:09 PM

Quote from: chessie4905 on March 11, 2021, 01:09:55 PM
Im intrigued by the circular cast iron enclosure, Prevost Marathon has used at the exhaust manifold outlet to absorb exhaust noise.

Are you talking about the manifold on the marine generators Marathon used for awhile ? .Exhaust is the easy part of the noise to control.The generator in my Eagle was quite as any around with no muffler I just made the exhaust pipe longer and used a trick from Cat they called a ribbon all it was is a piece of flat bar twisted in a spiral inside the exhaust pipe

richard5933 · March 12, 2021, 04:04:24 AM

Custom Coach installed marine exhaust manifolds on the generators they installed as well. I assumed it was to keep the heat in the bay down since the marine manifold had a water jacket which was cooled by the radiator.

luvrbus · March 12, 2021, 04:19:24 AM

Quote from: richard5933 on March 12, 2021, 04:04:24 AM
Custom Coach installed marine exhaust manifolds on the generators they installed as well. I assumed it was to keep the heat in the bay down since the marine manifold had a water jacket which was cooled by the radiator.

I saw a lot of marine generators in buses I owned a 12.5 in the Eagle but never saw the manifold tied into the cooling system on the generator ,mine came with instructions on how to plug it off for universal use like in a RV

richard5933 · March 12, 2021, 04:54:20 AM

Quote from: luvrbus on March 12, 2021, 04:19:24 AM

I saw a lot of marine generators in buses I owned a 12.5 in the Eagle but never saw the manifold tied into the cooling system on the generator ,mine came with instructions on how to plug it off for universal use like in a RV

On mine the coolant definitely runs through the exhaust manifold.

chessie4905 · March 12, 2021, 05:28:25 AM

This looked to be about 12 to 14 inches in diameter and about 3 inches thick. Appeared to be attached to manifold at engine.

luvrbus · March 12, 2021, 05:38:36 AM

Quote from: chessie4905 on March 12, 2021, 05:28:25 AM
This looked to be about 12 to 14 inches in diameter and about 3 inches thick. Appeared to be attached to manifold at engine.
[/quote

Never saw that one, Marathon uses turbo generators engines now they are real quite mounted on the gel bags

chessie4905 · March 12, 2021, 12:14:17 PM

I'm sure there have been considerable improvements since this one, that is a 92 model. It has airbags for mounts.Even technology used in 70's and80's would be outdated now. More expertise now on dealing with various noise and vibration frequencies. Even the way they have quieted the diesel clatter now is amazing.

luvrbus · March 12, 2021, 12:43:15 PM

Quote from: chessie4905 on March 12, 2021, 12:14:17 PM
I'm sure there have been considerable improvements since this one, that is a 92 model. It has airbags for mounts.Even technology used in 70's and80's would be outdated now. More expertise now on dealing with various noise and vibration frequencies. Even the way they have quieted the diesel clatter now is amazing.

Really is amazing Joe has a new Chevy pickup with the inline 6 you cannot hear it running,plus a full size 4 door pickup getting 35 to 40 mpg

DoubleEagle · March 12, 2021, 08:29:00 PM

Quote from: richard5933 on March 12, 2021, 04:54:20 AM
On mine the coolant definitely runs through the exhaust manifold.

Slightly different layout, but my Martin Diesel 12.5 has the same water jacketed exhaust manifold.

richard5933 · March 13, 2021, 03:49:01 AM

Quote from: DoubleEagle on March 12, 2021, 08:29:00 PM
Slightly different layout, but my Martin Diesel 12.5 has the same water jacketed exhaust manifold.

I don't know that it does anything for noise reduction, but since the generator bay is just below the bedroom (mistake, I know) it does help keep the heat from building and coming up into the bedroom. Even with the air circulation in the generator bay, having the exhaust manifold cooled has got to help keep temps down in there.