On 11/14/2011 1:27 AM, John Davis wrote:

I saw a demo of a Yahama EU-2400i one day (This is a true 2,000 watt
inverter generator 2000 continous and 2400 peak) This was at a rally so
there was rather a lot of crowd noise to deal with but.

Though I could hear the thing at idle... the salesman could not (The
1200-i I could not hear at idle) as you might safely assume, Many Ham
radio operators are used to "listening through noise" add to that 25
years on the police dispatch desk.

At half load we did not have to raise our voices

At full load, With one foot literally on top of the generator, it got
loud enough that we had to speak up.

Think about this "noise" level.. And recall we were close enough to FEEL
the exhaust.. I've not done this kind of test with the HONDA but the
spec sheet puts them ONE DB louder.... Just one.

Please pass along any URL's that show side-by-side comparisons of the
sound output of the various generators in the "5KW" class. I'd also like
to see a chart that compares sound levels with common sources: "quiet as
a church mouse" up to "Chain saw", and four or five steps in between.

For some reason, I get the impression that generators are either super
quiet or unbelievably noisy, with no middle ground. I'd like to see if
my perceptions match reality.

TIA.

Bill, W1AC

--
Bill Horne
(Remove QRM from my address to write to me directly)

On 11/15/2011 10:20 PM, Bill Horne wrote:
Please pass along any URL's that show side-by-side comparisons of the
sound output of the various generators in the "5KW" class. I'd also like
to see a chart that compares sound levels with common sources: "quiet as
a church mouse" up to "Chain saw", and four or five steps in between.

For some reason, I get the impression that generators are either super
quiet or unbelievably noisy, with no middle ground. I'd like to see if
my perceptions match reality.

TIA.

http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/products/Generators/

Check out the tools and resources sidebar.

Also, the infamous sales brochure. But still a good deal
of comparison information.

http://www.hondapowerequipment.com/pdf/Brochures/generator_brochure.pdf

No, I don't work for Honda. Yes, I'm quite pleased with the
Honda stuff I own.

Jeff-1.0
wa6fwi

--
"Everything from Crackers to Coffins"

On 11/16/2011 04 20, Bill Horne wrote:

Please pass along any URL's that show side-by-side comparisons of the
sound output of the various generators in the "5KW" class. I'd also like
to see a chart that compares sound levels with common sources: "quiet as
a church mouse" up to "Chain saw", and four or five steps in between.

For some reason, I get the impression that generators are either super
quiet or unbelievably noisy, with no middle ground. I'd like to see if
my perceptions match reality.

Here's my unscientific response:

We've used N8NN's little 1 KW Honda for a number of Field Day
operations. At 100 feet away, it is difficult to hear at a half load.

The 3 KW generator I used to own had a Briggs and Stratton engine. It
was very, very loud.

My current generator is a 4 KW Craftsman/Generac. It is less than half
as loud as the Briggs.

73,

Dave Heil K8MN

On 11/15/2011 11:20 PM, Bill Horne wrote:

For some reason, I get the impression that generators are either super
quiet or unbelievably noisy, with no middle ground. I'd like to see if
my perceptions match reality.

Fairly close.. I have stood near a 5KW honda inverter type and it was,
like most all inverter types, fairly quiet

I've been near some fully enclosed jobs including Military types (and in
your size class that might be the way to go) that were not bad.. Flat
head 4 cylinder engine and enclosed generator makes for fairly soft
sound with a good muffler.

I've had a fully enclosed 1KW "Traditional" generator that when it comes
to nearly all specs save power out matched a Honda EU-2000i, This was a
true Killowatt generator (1,000 watts constant) sound level was close to
the Honda at full load (I think -59 DB) fuel consumption and weight all
close to the Honda 2000.

And of course "Contractor" models, which should come with ear plugs.

--
Nothing adds Excitement like something that is none of your business.

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On 11/22/2011 12:38 PM, John Davis wrote:
On 11/15/2011 11:20 PM, Bill Horne wrote:

For some reason, I get the impression that generators are either super
quiet or unbelievably noisy, with no middle ground. I'd like to see if
my perceptions match reality.

Fairly close.. I have stood near a 5KW honda inverter type and it was,
like most all inverter types, fairly quiet

I've been near some fully enclosed jobs including Military types (and in
your size class that might be the way to go) that were not bad.. Flat
head 4 cylinder engine and enclosed generator makes for fairly soft
sound with a good muffler.

I've had a fully enclosed 1KW "Traditional" generator that when it comes
to nearly all specs save power out matched a Honda EU-2000i, This was a
true Killowatt generator (1,000 watts constant) sound level was close to
the Honda at full load (I think -59 DB) fuel consumption and weight all
close to the Honda 2000.

And of course "Contractor" models, which should come with ear plugs.

It pays to check: I looked at a Briggs and Stratton 7KW unit that runs
on propane, and was astonished to see a noise rating of 72 db. The unit
is completely enclosed, and is intended for permanent installation, so
it boggles my mind that anyone would buy one unless they intend to have
a sound-dampening enclosure built around it after the installation.

Of course, noise is always a factor: even on outings like Field Day,
which is, after all, intended to simulate emergency conditions, it can
cause operator fatigue and errors. I once attended a Field Day in
California, and the noise from one of the generators was so intense that
the hams needed headphones just to hear the rigs.

What I want is a tri-fuel unit that will run on propane, diesel, or gas,
which has a sound rating below 60 db, which runs eight hours between
refuelings, and which costs less than $700. It's like the old joke from
the System Administrators: "'No bugs', 'Meets spec', 'On deadline': pick
two".

73,

Bill, W1AC

--
Bill Horne
(Remove QRM from my address to write to me directly)

On 11/26/2011 12:09 AM, Bill Horne wrote:
On 11/22/2011 12:38 PM, John Davis wrote:
On 11/15/2011 11:20 PM, Bill Horne wrote:

For some reason, I get the impression that generators are either super
quiet or unbelievably noisy, with no middle ground. I'd like to see if
my perceptions match reality.

Fairly close.. I have stood near a 5KW honda inverter type and it was,
like most all inverter types, fairly quiet

I've been near some fully enclosed jobs including Military types (and in
your size class that might be the way to go) that were not bad.. Flat
head 4 cylinder engine and enclosed generator makes for fairly soft
sound with a good muffler.

I've had a fully enclosed 1KW "Traditional" generator that when it comes
to nearly all specs save power out matched a Honda EU-2000i, This was a
true Killowatt generator (1,000 watts constant) sound level was close to
the Honda at full load (I think -59 DB) fuel consumption and weight all
close to the Honda 2000.

And of course "Contractor" models, which should come with ear plugs.

It pays to check: I looked at a Briggs and Stratton 7KW unit that runs
on propane, and was astonished to see a noise rating of 72 db. The unit
is completely enclosed, and is intended for permanent installation, so
it boggles my mind that anyone would buy one unless they intend to have
a sound-dampening enclosure built around it after the installation.

Of course, noise is always a factor: even on outings like Field Day,
which is, after all, intended to simulate emergency conditions, it can
cause operator fatigue and errors. I once attended a Field Day in
California, and the noise from one of the generators was so intense that
the hams needed headphones just to hear the rigs.

What I want is a tri-fuel unit that will run on propane, diesel, or gas,
which has a sound rating below 60 db, which runs eight hours between
refuelings, and which costs less than $700. It's like the old joke from
the System Administrators: "'No bugs', 'Meets spec', 'On deadline': pick
two".


As a "for instance", I just looked at the specs of a B&S
Model 40248 that I saw on epay -

Output Sound Level . .81 dB(A) at 23 ft. (7 m) at full load

Which is, of course, of great concern. My advice is to assume that
you'll need to pay for additional sound dampening no matter what
generator you choose unless you have personal experience with the model
you're buying.

73,

Bill, W1AC


--
Bill Horne
(Remove QRM from my address to write to me directly)

On 11/25/2011 11:09 PM, Bill Horne wrote:
It pays to check: I looked at a Briggs and Stratton 7KW unit that runs
on propane, and was astonished to see a noise rating of 72 db. The unit
is completely enclosed, and is intended for permanent installation, so
it boggles my mind that anyone would buy one unless they intend to have
a sound-dampening enclosure built around it after the installation.

Yuppers, remember when I said build a fake BBQ unit to enclose things?

Again, the Honda EX4500S I have is rated at less than 52 dB. That's
moderately quiet and I find it easy to ignore.

Roughly, the Empire 12 KW genset with the Wisconsin VF4D engine was
not much noisier with an automotive muffler attached to it.

Jeff-1.0
wa6fwi

--
"Everything from Crackers to Coffins"

On 11/26/2011 12:09 AM, Bill Horne wrote:

What I want is a tri-fuel unit that will run on propane, diesel, or gas,
which has a sound rating below 60 db, which runs eight hours between
refuelings, and which costs less than $700. It's like the old joke from
the System Administrators: "'No bugs', 'Meets spec', 'On deadline': pick
two".

73,

Bill, W1AC


Finding one that runs on Gas, Diesel or Propane is going to be a
problem. Gas/Propane yes, Those/Diesel, not so easy.
--
Nothing adds Excitement like something that is none of your business.

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Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 2012.0.1873 / Virus Database: 2102/4647 - Release Date: 11/29/11

On 11/29/2011 7:51 PM, John Davis wrote:
On 11/26/2011 12:09 AM, Bill Horne wrote:

What I want is a tri-fuel unit that will run on propane, diesel, or gas,
which has a sound rating below 60 db, which runs eight hours between
refuelings, and which costs less than $700. It's like the old joke from
the System Administrators: "'No bugs', 'Meets spec', 'On deadline': pick
two".

Finding one that runs on Gas, Diesel or Propane is going to be a
problem. Gas/Propane yes, Those/Diesel, not so easy.

Right now, I'd settle for any genset that won't break my budget and will
serve the purpose for three years. I was, of course, joking, but it
really does seem to be "Pick two": reliability and price come at the
expense of noise, etc.

For now, I'm looking around and hoping for an overstock sale that gets
me past my point of pain.

Bill, W1AC

--
Bill Horne
(Remove QRM from my address to write to me directly)

On 11/29/2011 9:27 PM, Bill Horne wrote:

Right now, I'd settle for any genset that won't break my budget
and will serve the purpose for three years.

I would suggest the Honda "really quiet" series and then size it
at the minimum requirement for the heaviest load (by itself) then
select what runs at any given time instead of that.

(This is based on the serious bugaboo of cost/hour for fuel.)

Jeff

--
"Everything from Crackers to Coffins"