Sprout
On noise levels... and while I understand cost is always
Mon Sep 18, 2017 2:36pm
192.86.118.14

a factor, we have a setup we use for austere environment work that includes a couple of 60kw generators for power made by a company called WhisperWatt. Even those big diesel 60KW units are so quiet you can stand next to them running, under load, and have a basically normal conversation. Once you walk inside a structure and close the door you really can't even hear them at all.

They aren't exactly dirt cheap. One of the size you are talking about is about the smallest they make and would cost in the neighborhood of 8 thousand dollars or so.

The ones we use will run about 2.5 days on the fuel in their onboard tanks but I can't speak for the run times or fuel demands for their smaller units. Just that they are impressively quiet.

  • Ahh, our generator is 6500 Honda. It's LOUD. Gas powered — Sia☺giah, Mon Sep 18 2:23pm
    it powers up about half of the house in a power outage. The major systems: heat, well water pump, laundry room, overhead fans, entire kitchen, only one full bath (others are dark, lit with battery... more
    • I cannot tolerate noise for very long. — PH👀EY, Mon Sep 18 8:38pm
      But this little generator is so quiet. And no need for a behemoth. I have two 1000s, one 2,000, and a Homelite 2500 (noisy). But I only use the 1000. It is way more than enough to operate my lights,... more
    • On noise levels... and while I understand cost is always — Sprout, Mon Sep 18 2:36pm
      • Yes, thank you for the info. — PH👀EY, Sun Sep 24 8:33pm
        But without any wiring, there is no way..... My little Honda is so quiet I forget it is running.
        • I have heard that Honda has come a long way in creating — Sprout, Mon Sep 25 11:17am
          some very quiet small generators. They seem to be gaining a significant market share as power packs installed in semi-trucks to reduce the cost of idling to run air conditioners and such.... I don't... more
          • The little 1,000 is an amazing — PH👍🏿👍🏿EY, Wed Sep 27 8:57am
            little machine. All I do is change the oil and add fuel. It just keeps on giving. It runs my kitchen lamp, my two living room lamps, my stereo and TV/tuner. Mostly though it is not used except in the ... more
      • Do they run on diesel? Weird because diesel motors in cars — Sia☺giah, Tue Sep 19 12:05am
        and trucks are LOUDER. I'm not big on mechanics, so don't know why or how diesel tends to be such loud motors but find that amazing they've created a diesel generator that is super quiet. Well worth... more
        • Yes... most heavy equipment runs on diesel... — Sprout, Tue Sep 19 9:20am
          But diesel technology has come a long way. I suspect it is a matter of balancing power to weight in various applications... Volkswagon made some small diesel sedans that were impressively quiet. A... more