Decreasing generator noise

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MrsRobinson

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1995 Sea Ray 330DA with a Kohler 6.5 genny that sits on the starboard stern corner.

The genny is pretty loud in the cabin when running. It's even pretty loud when sitting outside. Is there something after market we can purchase to wrap around itsurround it to decrease the noise level?

Thanks,
 
There are "quiet boxes" for many models, but it makes servicing the units a big pain. Noise is vibration traveling through one or more mediums... check out carefully the mounting to see if it is properly isolated from the stringers (that will carry noise all over the boat!) and see if there is sound insulation under the sole above the genny and in the compartment walls - this can quiet it down considerably (but the marine grade sound insulation boards are not cheap!)

Delaware Jim
 
I have a Kohler 6.5 with a noise box around it, and it deadens the sound considerably. The box splits in half sideways and is fairly easy to remove and put back togeather. My genny sits in the center just in front of my engines so access is not a problem.
 
Construction generators will be noisy. The HOnda and Yamaha genny's are quite a bit more quiet.
 
well, he's talking about a marine unit.. not a construction generator!

some are louder than others... i had a gas westebeke 7.5 on my previous boat, no sound box, the ER blower was louder...

check if you can get a sound box for your kohler and if you can fit it, that shoudl help.
 
I also have a sound shield(OEM)on my Kohler 6.5KW. It also sits in front center of engines. Between sound shield and sound insulation on engine hatches & cockpit floor; we barely hear genny inside cabin. Only slightly louder outside where one hears exhaust.
 
Can't remember the manufacturer other than they are in FL, but I have a soft sided sound shield fitted over a frame. Panels have opening velcro panels to access routine inspection points. Each one has panels custom placed for the make & model of genny. Each entire side attaches by velcro to the next so that a whole side can be removed for genny service.
 
We have a new Kohler 9kw with a matching sound shield (shield = approx. $1,200 installed). The sound shield is worth every penny and we can remove any of the individual panels to access the genset.

Still a bit loud in the salon and cockpit, but just a slight hum everywhere else. We're considering adding sound conditioning material to the underside of the sole and hatch covers for further sound dampening.
 
Greg,

You have one of the small lawn tractor type engines on your genny??? Honda perhaps?

If so, I'm surprised it didn't come with an enclosure.

Jonathan
 
Greg, I have the same year and size Kohler genset. It's pretty loud with the sound shield off and gets quiet with the shield on. You should be able to buy one somewhere once you get over the sticker shock!
 
I have a westerbeke 4.5 on my 2700scr....no sound box...and it just hums and gurgles from the water exhaust....awesome unit...
 
arent' the Kohlers 3600 rpm units vs 1800 for the wstbk ? i think that's the key here...
 
Must be - I have the '97 model of the same boat and the standard that year was he Westerbeke 4.5. Very quiet in the cabin.
 
I'd love to find out more about the soft enclosure veebyes describes. Much as I'd like to add a rigid sound shied, I don't have room for one around my genny.
 
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