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)