Using a car muffler to quiet down a noisy generator

It was really hard to capture the difference in the volume of noise coming from the stock muffler vs the car muffler. There is definitely a noticeable difference though (it just doesn't come through very well on the recording). The sound is different now as well. It is not as harsh and you can hear the engine mechanicals instead of horrendous exhaust. Also, the new muffler has cut down on some of the pulsing the engine was making.

You can view the project on my website:
www.lightweightmiata.com/projects/generator

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• generator
• muffler
• diy

[rmcelwee]

I have a Geo Metro with a 50 MPG bumper sticker. I thought it would be funny to put a 5 MPG bumper sticker on my 350HP LS1 Miata.

[buzz60016]

The car muffler helps, but not much, The engine housing emitts a lot of noise. An enclosure would help, if you can avoid heat build up. Anyone know how to attach an extention to the vibrating muffer to vent the exhaust ?

[u2ooberboober]

Definitely coming from the motor itself as its not built to be quiet. I tried the same jig on an old gen of mine and the sound was coming from the motor and generator.

[Max1Chase1]

It's not the muffler it is the Generator spinning and the motor noise, all you can do is build a drop over enclosure for it, cause it's still loud, do the enclosure you will see the difference.

[rajimaji]

I actually couldn't tell the difference between to two. Sounded very loud both ways.

[wind4watts]

I did this on my old Onan Generator used a GM Muffler-Silencer, I have found that narrowing the pipe bore down a lot works really well, as 2" or so pipe can handle a 2 Litre or bigger engine, you should only need around 10-20% of that area, I put tightly rolled fine mesh in before the box even better. A large nut or plate with 1/2 inch hole may be about right, but you can experiment maybe.

[flir67]

use synthetic oil it lowers the decimals a few but not much.. your muffler only direct the sound away from the camera making sound lower.. direct the sound UP, so its pointing up... I'm trying to do the same for my generator,...

[rochha]

thanks, I think its just as loud but the frequency changes that's all.

[videman21]

lol car says 5 MPG

[ajbh333]

Doesn't sound any quieter. Maybe a decibel meter would show the difference?