Homemade Generator Silencer

Everybody will appreciate your efforts to muffle your gas generator.

If you are a hunter or a nature enthusiast, you might often find yourself in outdoor settings that require temporary lodging. You might encounter situations where you need a generator for electricity, but you might be reluctant to use one because of the noise pollution they create. Outdoors enthusiasts in such a situation can be a little quieter by following a few simple techniques that will damp the roar of an electrical generator and restore the peace and quiet everyone relishes.

Things You'll Need

• 2 twin egg crate mattresses
• Utility knife
• 4 door hinges
• 8 Phillips-head wood screws and screwdriver, 1 inch long
• 2 plywood or particle board sheets
• Saw
• Glue
• Paintbrush
• Permanent marker

Instructions

1. 

   Be careful when cutting, and remember what's underneath to prevent unwanted damage.

   Saw each 8-foot plywood or particle board sheet into 4-foot-by-4-foot pieces. Next fold the egg crate mattress in half and mark each mattress in the middle, at the top and bottom, using a permanent marker. Cut the mattresses in half using the utility knife.

2. 

   Brass screws will never rust.

   Screw two hinges with wood screws at the edge of the board. Set the screws at either 6 inches from the ends of the boards or approximately 24 inches apart from center. Screw the other half of the exposed hinges to the other cut half of the board. Repeat with the other 2 boards.

3. 

   Be generous with the glue, it will help protect the wood.

   Lay the boards on a flat surface, or stand them against a solid structure. Pour glue on one side of the board, then spread the glue with a paint brush to cover uniformly.

4. 

   Drying time may depend on the glue type. Sleeping on it never hurts.

   Center the egg crate material in the center of the board and allow the glue to dry overnight. Repeat steps 2 and 3 on the other two halves.

5. For aesthetic purposes, or for camouflage, you can paint the outsides of the shroud an earth tone, like green or brown. For a military look you can use both colors and black in a splotch or striping pattern. After the paint dries, the hinged panels are ready for transport. Fold them together, then place them into the back of your truck or SUV or strap them onto the roof of the car. Once you have reached your destination, unfold your panels and place them at 90 degree angles on both sides of your generator. This will provide a 4-foot-square damper to silence the noisy motor.

Tips & Warnings

• Use all-weather paint and treated wood to extend the life of your silencer.

• Do not use this plan on large generators or leave the silencer unattended; doing so will create a fire hazard. Wildlife and inclement weather may also create hazards.

References

• Danny Poore: Master Carpenter; Kingsport, Tennessee