Community Forums

ldb187 · 08-24-2015, 09:54 AM

Thinking about building a 3 sided box w/top to set over my generator to help with the noise at night. Just wondering if anyone has ever done this and how it worked out. Wife uses CPAP so a gen is a must, at least for now. May have to do some modifications to TT later on.

BFlinn181 · 08-24-2015, 12:07 PM

Folks have done it, you still need tolerant neighbors though. Make sure the box has a 120 v fan to keep generator cool.

You might also look to a 12 v CPAP machine and add an extra battery just for it. Much quieter than a generator and more efficient than using an inverter to change 12 v DC to 120 v AC. Many CPAP machines operate on 12 v but use a built in transformer/inverter to operate on 120 v AC.

1bigmess · 08-24-2015, 03:30 PM

Seriously, investigate the 12v route for the machine, Modern CPAP machines can easily run all night and a little more on a good deep cycle battery. There may be no need to run a gennie for this anymore

NITEHAWK · 08-24-2015, 03:39 PM

The two suggestions above are best.
A three sided box would only direct sound away in one direction( and probably really irritate your neighbors).
The composition material and material thickness needed to reduce the acoustics caused by vibration are important. Also, every change in direction of the sound has a big reduction in the sound level--as much as 50% per change, so a simple three sided box wouldn't do much.

okcnewbie · 08-24-2015, 03:45 PM

If your CPAP is anything like ours it may take as little as 30 amp/hrs for the whole night. If that's the case it would be a shame to run the generator just for that. Your current battery setup would take care of that.
Your alternator could probably replace that in 1 hr or less during the daylight.

datrbone8 · 08-24-2015, 07:58 PM

Those Honda generators are so quiet you almost can't hear them from 10 feet away.

BFlinn181 · 08-24-2015, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by datrbone8

Those Honda generators are so quiet you almost can't hear them from 10 feet away.

I saw no mention of brand, just the OP wanted to enclose so he could run it all night.

Luv2go · 08-24-2015, 08:15 PM

For $24 we bought a 12V adapter cable for DW's CPAP, now we don't have to run the inverter or generator all night just for that (we already had the extra batteries).

George Schweikle · 08-24-2015, 09:23 PM

Since the original question is about a box, it's obvious the generator isn't mounted in the RV. I kinda think the generator in question is one of the low cost, very noisy, versions. A box would certainly reduce the noise, but not much. Hopefully the OP can use the information regarding battery powered CPAP devices but give him credit anyway for the intent to reduce noise.

Quote:

Originally Posted by datrbone8

Those Honda generators are so quiet you almost can't hear them from 10 feet away.

datrbone8 · 08-25-2015, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by George Schweikle

Since the original question is about a box, it's obvious the generator isn't mounted in the RV. I kinda think the generator in question is one of the low cost, very noisy, versions. A box would certainly reduce the noise, but not much. Hopefully the OP can use the information regarding battery powered CPAP devices but give him credit anyway for the intent to reduce noise.

That was my impression as well. Just suggesting he might consider one of those small Honda units as an alternative. Then there is no worry about excessive noise. It's horrible to be next to or near someone running a generator that was intended for a construction site, not a campground. A box surround won't help those things.

But if all he needs it for is to run something that's available in 12v that is an even better solution

1bigmess · 08-25-2015, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by datrbone8

It's horrible to be next to or near someone running a generator that was intended for a construction site, not a campground.

And if this is the case, if it's just to run a little CPAP machine, it's overkill on so many levels.

**pasdad1** · 08-25-2015, 08:25 AM

Just get a dedicated battery like this to run the CPAP. GET THE 12 volt adapter like others have suggested. Then just recharge this battery every day. Easy.

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Arizona · 08-25-2015, 08:39 AM

You could get one of those small plastic dog houses, take the floor out and set it over the gen. Keeps the rain off too. Don't expect to have friendly neighbors unless you have a quiet Honda or Yamaha.

Zac808 · 08-25-2015, 09:21 AM

I was thinking of a quiet box as well. I have two hondas that I run in parallel for a morning cup of Joe. They are not that quiet at full throttle on a cold brisk morning in the mountains. I was thinking about building the walls with the same wood used for speaker boxes. Then wrap or spray the interior with sound deadening material.