Generator dB rating
Is there anywhere that shows a comparison of the quietest generators and their dB rating? I want Honda quiet, but not with Honda money.
Forum Discussion
wing_zealot wrote:
I'd also like to mention, that i thought dB measurenments for portable generators was always at 7 meters, at 1/4 load. That's the only dB ratings i ever recall seeing.
I've seen a variety of test conditions and many that just list a dB with no test conditions specified.
Even if you are right and it's always at 1/4 load, that can be misleading:
- 1/4 of of 4500w generator would be 1250w...in the ballpark of what you would be drawing with the air/con running.
- 1/4 of a 2000w generator would be 500w...you aren't running the air/con with 500w, so reality when running the air/con will be more like 2/3 load and typically much louder than the 1/4 load rating.
We found this to be very true when we switched from a 2400w Yamaha to 4500w Champion. At idle, the Yamaha sounds quieter but kick on the air/con and the Champion is clearly quieter. Also, there's no question it will kick the air/con compressor over with the bigger generator.
