Generator dB rating

swimmer_spe wrote:

Boon Docker wrote:

swimmer_spe wrote:

jjrbus wrote:
I find the dB ratings to be misleading, not useless. Some sounds within a rating can be more annoying. Then "quiet" generator is relative, A quiet Honda generator is quiet compared to an open frame construction generator. But hardly quiet.

What I speak of is that.... You can carry on a conversation around the Honda ones.Good luck doing that to a Champion.

That's funny and doubtful.

Honda 2000 - 57db
Champion 2000- 53 db

How can the Honda be quieter with a higher db rating?

I have never seen any of the quiet Champion ones.

Then you need to, before passing judgement.

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.

swimmer_spe wrote:

jjrbus wrote:
I find the dB ratings to be misleading, not useless. Some sounds within a rating can be more annoying. Then "quiet" generator is relative, A quiet Honda generator is quiet compared to an open frame construction generator. But hardly quiet.

o

What I speak of is that.... You can carry on a conversation around the Honda ones.Good luck doing that to a Champion.

Which Champion generator are you referring to? Open frame contractor-style or inverter generator?
Nearly every owner of a Champion inverter generator, that I've seen post on various RV forums, loves their Champion.

swimmer_spe wrote:

wing_zealot wrote:
I don't know what you mean by "Honda Quiet". Since Honda doesn't make a 3500 W generator, there is nothing to compare it to. So how many dB's do you consider to be "Honda Quiet"?

Secondly, are you looking for 3500 W surge or continuous?

At least for me, It's hard to be helpful when the parameters seem to be rather vague.

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.

What I want is 30A available at all times. That is the rating of my trailer. So, as I understand that works out to be about 3500-3800W

Even at full load, the smaller 3000W ones seem to be quiet in comparison to most others.

The db rating for the Honda 3000 is pretty good.

Swimmer_spe

look for 80% of 30 amps for the continuous load. i.d. 24 amps.

For surge use a 'load support' inverter charger. I recommend Victron

wing_zealot wrote:
I don't know what you mean by "Honda Quiet". Since Honda doesn't make a 3500 W generator, there is nothing to compare it to. So how many dB's do you consider to be "Honda Quiet"?

Secondly, are you looking for 3500 W surge or continuous?

At least for me, It's hard to be helpful when the parameters seem to be rather vague.

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.

What I want is 30A available at all times. That is the rating of my trailer. So, as I understand that works out to be about 3500-3800W

Even at full load, the smaller 3000W ones seem to be quiet in comparison to most others.

Boon Docker wrote:

swimmer_spe wrote:

jjrbus wrote:
I find the dB ratings to be misleading, not useless. Some sounds within a rating can be more annoying. Then "quiet" generator is relative, A quiet Honda generator is quiet compared to an open frame construction generator. But hardly quiet.

What I speak of is that.... You can carry on a conversation around the Honda ones.Good luck doing that to a Champion.

That's funny and doubtful.

Honda 2000 - 57db
Champion 2000- 53 db

How can the Honda be quieter with a higher db rating?

I have never seen any of the quiet Champion ones.

Latner wrote:

Boon Docker wrote:

swimmer_spe wrote:

jjrbus wrote:
I find the dB ratings to be misleading, not useless. Some sounds within a rating can be more annoying. Then "quiet" generator is relative, A quiet Honda generator is quiet compared to an open frame construction generator. But hardly quiet.

What I speak of is that.... You can carry on a conversation around the Honda ones.Good luck doing that to a Champion.

That's funny and doubtful.

Honda 2000 - 57db
Champion 2000- 53 db

How can the Honda be quieter with a higher db rating?

Honda @ rated load is 57, 1/4 load is 53. Champion only claims 53, probably 1/4 load but don't give @ rated load db.

Yep, the 53db is more than likely at 1/4 load. So they both have the same rating.

Boon Docker wrote:

swimmer_spe wrote:

jjrbus wrote:
I find the dB ratings to be misleading, not useless. Some sounds within a rating can be more annoying. Then "quiet" generator is relative, A quiet Honda generator is quiet compared to an open frame construction generator. But hardly quiet.

What I speak of is that.... You can carry on a conversation around the Honda ones.Good luck doing that to a Champion.

That's funny and doubtful.

Honda 2000 - 57db
Champion 2000- 53 db

How can the Honda be quieter with a higher db rating?

Honda @ rated load is 57, 1/4 load is 53. Champion only claims 53, probably 1/4 load but don't give @ rated load db.

I don't know what you mean by "Honda Quiet". Since Honda doesn't make a 3500 W generator, there is nothing to compare it to. So how many dB's do you consider to be "Honda Quiet"?

Secondly, are you looking for 3500 W surge or continuous?

At least for me, It's hard to be helpful when the parameters seem to be rather vague.

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.