You are looking for a silent generator set, a diesel generator that does not make noise, but usually, you come across websites that present them as silent, but then they really are not. You can even find rankings:
“8 quietest generators on the market”
“9 best silent power generators”.
However, by visiting some websites, you realize that they are the usual “neighborhood stall” generators. This is perhaps the most common experience on the web.
To understand how to recognize a silenced generator set, you can download our free guide.
First, though, let me tell you why Silengen is really the best choice you can make if you’re looking for a silent genset.
Small spoiler: I’m not going to tell you that you should choose Silengen for “the quality…”, and not because there is no quality, but because quality cannot simply be told, rather it is perceived when it becomes the answer to a problem, in this case, noise is the problem and silence with Silengen is the solution.
On the market of gensets you will not easily find standard solutions for ultra-silent gensets but only customized proposals. Do you know what “customized” means? It means that in order to do what we do every day with a Silengen, someone must completely design a genset for you, with all the aggravations that entail, and you may be left with the uncertainty of having purchased a sort of prototype. Would you perhaps want to be someone’s guinea pig?
If you are lucky, you will be provided with the generator designed sometime before for someone else who had different needs from yours.
Silengen is a unique product. On the web, you will find similar products, even with the same color, but you should know that they are just a bad copy of the original. Silengen is imitated because it is the top.
Silengen is used in villas and hotels to provide plenty of energy and little noise.
Silengen is used in the historic centers of Italian cities.
Silengen is used in film sets, even in the forests to not scare animals during video shoots.
All Silengen ultra-silent gensets are tested at maximum power, and their noise level is measured before delivery. The device is delivered only if the obtained sound level complies with the Silengen standard.
In recent times many have ventured into the production of gensets that claim to be super silent or even ultra-silenced, but in fact, just look at the pictures to see that the quality and type of materials are not of high level.
During the past year, we have had the opportunity to distribute my book, “The Silentest Generating Sets,” through various channels, and at the end of the year, we noticed that about 30% of the books distributed ended up in the hands of my “competitors.” Interesting?
What does the book contain that is so useful?
For example, in one of the chapters, I explain how a generator should be positioned and installed to optimize its acoustic performance. In another chapter, I describe the noise reduction system inside the Silengen.
In this article, we want to focus on how to check the noise of a generator set. You will find that it is not as simple as it sounds.
1. Standard measurements.
Generating sets, like other machinery, are suited for measurements in an approved location. That is a location that reflects certain parameters and that, by carrying out measurements that respect precise indications, allows to determine the noise level of the generating set.
2. Measurements with apps on smartphones and tablets.
Using the built-in microphone of our phones, it is possible to perform quite inaccurate phonometric measurements. Apparently, by comparison, they seem to return reliable results, but in reality, they have a measurement sensitivity that cannot be determined with certainty. It seems absurd, but they are more reliable when used to measure noises over 70db than noises under 60db.
3. Load noise measurement
The generator set running while supplying an electrical load is always noisier. It increases motor noise, air velocity, vibration.
Generator sets should always be ventilated at 75% of their rated output or at least with a load applied.
But why should you measure the noise of your generator?
The reasons can be various, from simple curiosity to the verification of correct positioning.
Reading the points above, you will have realized that the measurement of noise does not really qualify for DIY, so even if equipped with the best tools, the noise will never be the real one if it is not measured in a suitable environment. A reflective surface would be enough to distort the measurement by a few db.
Remember: If you don’t hear it, it’s a Silengen.