Generator quieting

Might be tuff. I thought the Honda 3000 is one of the quietest generators available?
Maybe an insulated box?

AFHauler wrote:
I have a Honda 3000 EU, I am looking for some ideas to quiet it down. Anyone had success with this, want to share some ideas?

Here in Canada there are two Honda 3K models, one known as the EU3000iS which is the class leader in "quiet" inverter gensets and the EU3000iK (known as the Handi in the US) which isn't the same at all and is significantly noisier. If yours is the latter I can understand why you'd want to quiet it down, the former not so much. I built a Generator Quiet Box for my own EU2000i but for a 3K genset it would have to be quite a bit larger and I suspect a handful to move around. Although I fashioned my own exhaust bezel you'd certainly find it easier to design a box by first replacing the 3K's exhaust bezel with this one from Generator Line. For lining the interior of the box I used Reflectix for economic reasons but you'd achieve far better results using a noise control barrier such as this from West Marine. Done correctly, to achieve maximum results, this won't be inexpensive. ;)

Mine is an older EU 3000, non inverter style. Constant RPM noisy.

I cannot find a HOnda EU 3000 non inverter generator. If it is an older construction type generator it is going to be very difficult to quiet down.

Doable, but I would not bother trying. Jim

AFHauler wrote:
Mine is an older EU 3000, non inverter style. Constant RPM noisy.

Then I doubt it's an EU series genset as that's the designation Honda uses for their variable speed inverter series. With an open frame synchronous genset such as you describe about the best you could do to control the racket is mount it in a box, preferably lined with noise control barrier, and equipped with a large cooling fan that will move a lot of air across the engine and force it out through a large vent on the opposite side. These are pretty elementary designs, plenty of which can be found with a Google search.

You are correct, it is a EM 3000. I thought that if someone had some success, they might share. I could and most likely will google but I thought my chances were better on this form.

We have a Honda 2000 -- it is quiet but not silent. When we are boondocking, we add an extra extension cord so that the generator is as far from us as possible, preferably behind a big rock.

The other possibility is if you have two batteries, take one and the generator and put them out in the forest, far away from you.

In a campground, these options would not work as well.

profdant139 wrote:
We have a Honda 2000 -- it is quiet but not silent. When we are boondocking, we add an extra extension cord so that the generator is as far from us as possible, preferably behind a big rock.

It's certainly possible to quiet an EU2000i to the point where it's barely audible 20' away. I based my own EU Quiet Box on one built for an EU1000i by rv.net forum member jauguston ... his pics are here for anyone interested. However, a major issue became abundantly clear in building my quiet box - "quiet" is directly related to how much you're willing to spend. :W After calculating I'd be in for hundreds $$$ to duplicate jauguston's box for my own EU2000i I looked for alternatives that wouldn't break the bank and although what I came up with certainly works quite well I have no doubt the results would have been even better had I been willing to spend more - lots more. I wasn't so it is what it is BUT with the box sitting the back of my Avalanche and the cargo lids in place my EU2000i running full tilt is barely audible 20' away. :B

I would look at some type of a muffler retro fit to start with...maybe something from Tractor Supply or the internet that either attaches to your current muffler or replaces your current muffler. There is bound to be something made for ATV or other vehicles that can be retrofitted to the em3000.

I have a Honda EX 1000 that is a constant RPM genset. Getting it quieter really depends on deflecting the noise. I used 3/4" pvc pipe and fittings to make 2 frames that fold together. I used tie wraps to fasten carpet squares inside the frames. The frames unfold and are free standing so I can put them between the RV and the generator or the generator and the neighbour depending on the situation. The best carpet to use is a heavy rubber backed door mat and according to my dB meter it lowers the volume by 3 to 4 dB at 10 ft. It only works in the direction of the carpet but at least your neighbour can see your trying.
And it folds almost flat for transport and there are no cooling issues.
Oh and to fasten them together you can do it with pvc fittings or just use a couple hose clamps.