Forum Discussion
My back yard. 23' measured distance. Ambient noise <50 dba (lowest meter went). Radio shack digital db meter. Meter mounted level on tripod about 5' high, facing generators. Dead grass yard (snow just melted last week). I took the lowest 'steady' reading since birds were chirping, dogs were barking and kids were yelling in the neighborhood.
All 4 sides were measured. Using the honda as example, standing over it looking down, side A 0deg was the elect panel, B 90deg would be right side were recoil handle comes out, etc. All were measured with this rotation (A side was recoil side of crankshaft).
The etq800 has had the panels removed and a couple cans of undercoating applied to the inside of the case which droped by a couple db on my last test.
The AllPower also has undercoat inside, and still has a plastic case rattle on top. So would prob be a little quieter if I can get rid of the rattle.
FME, champ, honda, etq1800 are all stock out of the box.
The FME is the one that's also sold under Magna, Lifan, Ramsond, Powerhouse. (Fully enclosed, electric/remote start.)
*EDIT*
Just some more notes.
-I was tempted to add the Champ 2k inv to the test, found one at pawn shop for $449, but as it stands now, I have 3 gensets to sell, didn't want to make that 4 lol
-the 500w load was a single halogen lamp that measured about 525w on house outlet
-etq800 not tested at 500w load because it would trip overload from the inrush surge
-the LOW labeling, is ECON mode ON, or low rpm. High would be with that ECO off, high rpm
-you can see the etq1800 and FME 3300 were pretty close in results, but the 3.3kwh 'sounds' much better.. lower rpm deep tone. The etq had a 'tinny' sound to the exh note. On a similar note, the etq800 has low numbers, but is much more 'annoying' because of the tone and rpm.
-the (fact spec) column is the db numbers I found listed on the boxes or factory webpage. And yes, I did find 3 different numbers on the etq website.
For the record, I'll probably be keeping the FME 3.3kw for use with the trailer AC, and anytime lugging the large gen around isn't an issue. And I'll keep the etq1800 for when I need something smaller with no need to run AC. It think I'm going to do the undercoating on the inside of the etq shell since it worked good on the smaller one. I might try some of the sticky mat instead though, like is used in auto sound systems.