3000W Chinese Gensets Info.

bill h wrote:

professor95 wrote:

bill h wrote:


I have never measured a 3500 watt open frame generator that even came close to NPS noise standards. Not Chinese or Honda or any others.

You might want to check calibration of your meter. ;)

OW!

My meter is a Radio Shack digital. It is checked more or less once a year against lab calibrated and certified meters at work, and is always within one db in the 50 to 80 db range. These are not scientific checks, just holding them side by side and comparing. Since I retired, I have to rely on others to do the test, as Homeland Security won't let me in the hangar any more. :(

Camping life did a comparison test a while back, and their meter readings were the same as mine for an EU2000i, as were the numbers by a very controlled test done by the University of Alabama acoustics department. It has also agreed with a couple of other posts on RV.net, which were under more controlled conditions than mine.

All tests were made with an RV close by, so there could have been some reflection. I purposely do not take readings where RVs are close together to avoid inconsistencies.

My tests are not terribly scientific, but just readings taken in the field on dog walks or whatever, but they seem to be consistent.

My readings are usually on rocky desert, so it is pretty much comparing apples to apples. Is it possible that your readings were taken in a more absorbent environment which would make the readings lower? I get lower readings on grass, but my notes don't have any numbers on that.

Somehow, there is a beautiful symmetry in using a Chinese meter to measure a Chinese generator.

However, since you bring it up, (if my son ever returns it), I will have it checked again. It is probably about time, anyway.

If I decide to let him keep it, do you have any suggestions for a new purchase?

NPS is 60 db @ 50', 67 db @ 23', and/or 74 db @ 10' as measured on the A weighting scale. Even under load the 3,000 watt class of GX-200 Chinese generators with the large oval muffler meet that standard.

In all fairness, I did not note whether the mufflers of the Champions, Colemans, etc I measured were oval or not.

I measured a new Gentron 3500 at 75dbA operating a TV.

A Honda EM3500SX at 77dbA

A generic open generator with a Honda “Harmony” engine open frame charging batts at 74 db measured 90 deg from exhaust

A Champion 3500 at 76 dbw/AC on.

A Champion 6.5 hp at 74 dbA charging batts only

A Champion 3500 at 74 db at 20 ft. .

Another one (3500/4450) measured 76 dbA powering AC, 72 w/AC off.

We had a Champion next to us a while back, and it measured 74 DbA at 23 ft with a light (presumably charging) load, measured from the end opposite the muffler. I measured it there because that is what was pointed at our patio area. It really barked when their microwave kicked in, but I didn't measure the increase.

A poster on this forum, jauguston reported watching a state park ranger measure a Champion 6000 at 84 dbA @21 ft with a 25% load.

I have not measured a Honda EM2500, but they say it is 76 dbA at 7 meters.

And so forth.

I have also measured a new Kipor IG3000 at 68dbA on eco charging, 76 non eco, charging. It winter, so I did not measure it with air conditioning running. Their site says 62 no load and 67 db full load @ 23' (7m)

I have measured a number of built-in older Onans and Kohlers that are just under or just over the 67 db limit.

My Kohler 7kw was 68 db with an open grill, 63dbA w/cardboard in grill opening, 61dbA with a good 1 inch thick composite foam/loaded vinyl/foam plug in the grille opening, 60dbA with a 3 X 5 ft carpet mat hung rubber side in to cover the gen bay and touching the ground, and 56dbA with carpet side in. The rubber backing was pretty dense, so it gave a good STC effect while the carpet did the NRC thing.

I have not measured our open Honda EM1600 rattletrap, but it is loud.

There is absolutely no reason to run a 3,000 watt generator so one can watch TV or make coffee. With the exception of escaping oppressive heat or recharging battery banks a generator need not be used.

Well, I would certainly agree with that, but Susan needs the microwave now and then. We are, however, getting a bigger FSW inverter pretty soon, so that is covered.

Unfortunately, too many folks run their generators simply because they have them, not because they need them.

Yeah. That is what I observe a lot, too. And, if the TV is loud enough, it can't be heard inside.

Times change, some facts remain the same! Most gens need help to be more silent and for RV'ing used less. Sure had fun in the old days of no gens. Could hear all the natural sounds, even the 'no see em's' in Alaska as a kid. Or you can sing 'take be back to ol' VA.' de home of our Prof'

O&S