Living with a generator

[Chris Boyce]

Does anyone have tips as how to reduce the noise or better deal with the noise production of a generator while cruising? I am about to set off cruising and have estimated a daily requirement of 3-4 hours generator run time, per day - mainly due to the factory fitted AC Watermaker. I am trying to minimise the noise of the (Northern Lights 6KW) generator by mounting blocks and insulation, but still predict a high noise level while running - If only I had bought a Fisher Panda instead! Please help…

 

[Bradley Cavedo]

Get used to it

Sorry, but that is the answer. Its not so bad from the cockpit. You can run it while you are motoring, when you will have noise anyway. That will help some. You will not be able to silence it any better short of buying the manufacturer's sound shield or a custom made sound shield. For our Kohler 9kw, the Kohler sound shield was nearly $3000 extra, if I am remembering right. But it wouldnt fit in our space anyway. So we just got used to the noise, and its not so bad! You may be over estimating the time required too. We budget 2 hours a day with 2 8Ds and a Heart 2000. But that anticipates and occasional plug-in for a full charge.

 

[Michael Cohn]

This worked for me

Presumably your genset lives inside a fiberglass case designed to deaden noise, right?The genset should be mounted inside the case on shock mounts. What you need to do, in addition to that, is place shock mounts between the case itself and the boat. Also, try to make sure the case does not touch the hull or any other part of the boat directly.An alternative to this is to use a sound deadening mat under the case, but I think the mounts work better...MC

 

[LaDonna Bubak - Planet Catalina]

Solar panels

They're about as quiet as you can get. Sorry I can't help with the genset question but if you're going somewhere sunny, try looking into a solar setup. It may not work for your needs but it's worth a shot. No fuel consumption, no smell & no noise!LaDonna

 

[Steve Watford]

St. Pete Boatshow

Hello Chris,I wonder if you are the gentleman I met at the St.Pete show last week? If you were the gent I saw at the show would you please offer your email address as I had a couple of questions for you. My email is stevew@aui.com. You made a comment to me that I should look you up if buying a Hunter because you could save me some money. Hope you are the same Chris.Thanks,Steve Watford

 

[Bob Bass]

Noise

On my 450 I added some extra sound shield (lead impregnated rubber stuff) around the unit and stopped up some of the cracks left open around the box by the factory. It is a shame that you (and I) didn't get the Panda. Also a shame that you did not get the Spectra water maker. I have one and they are 12v with only 1 amp/gph. Try a CD walkman with earphones!