Any suggestions for this picky problem

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41Woodie

Any suggestions for this picky problem

Post by 41Woodie »

I usually don't sweat little things but this is really bugging me. The hour monitor for the generator is mounted on the front of the cabinets by the kitchen sink in our 24' RB and the thing is driving us nuts. It reminds me of the cartoons in the 50's of the water dripping into the sink that becomes bombs dropping one by one.
I don't want to disable the meter but is there a reasonable way to get the clicking noise stopped? My hearing is pretty poor but I would think that the sound would really be annoying for someone that hears well. Any suggestions appreciated.
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whemme
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Joined: Mon Aug 15, 2005 8:05 pm

Post by whemme »

Normally, since the hour meter for the generator only runs when the generator is running, the sound level of the generator normally drowns out the clicking noise of the hour meter unless your sitting real close to it. If the hour meter clicking is really loud, I would say that it is probably defective and a new replacement meter would be quieter.
Bill Hemme - Spencer, Iowa
E-mail: whemme@earthlink.net
2002 Born Free (Ford E-450 V10) 26' RSB
2016 VW Golf GTI - toad
41Woodie

Post by 41Woodie »

Well Sam, I guess this is the second best news I could get, if there's not a fix at least it's comforting to know I'm not suffering alone.
John S.
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Joined: Fri Sep 08, 2006 9:01 pm

Post by John S. »

I hear the click too and think there goes 30 cents and again and again. It is ok I can sleep with it and the generator is a nice noise that will lull me to sleep. I will admit it is noisier than I expected it too be but it does give the power we need. I will say that if I am using the genset it is because I am using the AC so that does drown out the noise eventually.
2015 Royal Splendor on Ford 550 none slide version
Former owner 2007 24foot rear bath painted and 2006 22 foot built for two
Former owner 1994 34 foot 2000 36 foot and 2001 42 foot FORETRAVEL's.
41Woodie

Post by 41Woodie »

I always sleep with a fan running for white noise so sleeping with the generator running is do-able but the clicking makes me nuts. Seems like it would have been just as easy to put the meter on the generator where it wouldn't matter if it played the trumpet. If I'm in the coach and can't figure out that the generator is running I have no business driving on public roads.
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BornFree_n_Now
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Joined: Sat Aug 13, 2005 9:28 pm

Reduction of external noise INCLUDING generator

Post by BornFree_n_Now »

For TEMPERATURE control & NOISE control (won’t help with regard to clicking of the hour counter BUT does wonders for the generator), we placed FATMAT http://fatmat.com/ on the inside of each of our outer storage access doors, around our generator compartment, and all along the bottom of our chassis heat shield (the metal portion which is mounted with an inch of airspace below the floor).

Then we cut Foil Bubble Radiant Barrier Insulation (Double Bubble), panels which fit inside of each of our outside storage access doors ~ these just stand up by themselves immediately inside of the doors, and we simply move them out of the way when we want to place or retrieve items in/from the storage areas.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Foil-Bubble-Radiant ... 2a0234b004

The end result is truly amazing both with regard to noise level and temperature control ~ with regard to road noise, it produces a difference similar to that between a normal and luxury vehicle. Generator sound is reduced by a guesstimate of 50% when inside the coach.
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Larry & Sharon
2002 26' RSB
Suzuki X90 4x4 Toad
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Dallas Baillio
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Joined: Sun Jul 02, 2006 10:52 pm

Post by Dallas Baillio »

I can put up with the generator noise and even sleep with it running, but what keeps me from getting a good night's sleep is the vibration. It is really distracting in the cab over or on the couch in my 26RSB. The rear bed, farther away from the generator, is not nearly so bad. We've had no choice but to use the generator on hot and humid nights as the lesser of two evils. Progress being what it is, someday current air conditioning will be replaced by a simple, uncomplicated, quiet, vibration free heat removal system. Science will find a way, but not in my lifetime!
Dallas Baillio
2001 26RSB
Born Free Leap'n Lions RV Club Member
41Woodie

Re: Reduction of external noise INCLUDING generator

Post by 41Woodie »

Looks like a great idea, did you cover the grill in the door covering the generator? Dynamat gets a lot of use from the hot rod crowd, really helps with noise and heat transfer

BornFree_n_Now wrote:For TEMPERATURE control & NOISE control (won’t help with regard to clicking of the hour counter BUT does wonders for the generator), we placed FATMAT http://fatmat.com/ on the inside of each of our outer storage access doors, around our generator compartment, and all along the bottom of our chassis heat shield (the metal portion which is mounted with an inch of airspace below the floor).

Then we cut Foil Bubble Radiant Barrier Insulation (Double Bubble), panels which fit inside of each of our outside storage access doors ~ these just stand up by themselves immediately inside of the doors, and we simply move them out of the way when we want to place or retrieve items in/from the storage areas.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Foil-Bubble-Radiant ... 2a0234b004

The end result is truly amazing both with regard to noise level and temperature control ~ with regard to road noise, it produces a difference similar to that between a normal and luxury vehicle. Generator sound is reduced by a guesstimate of 50% when inside the coach.
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BornFree_n_Now
Posts: 168
Joined: Sat Aug 13, 2005 9:28 pm

Re: Reduction of external noise INCLUDING generator

Post by BornFree_n_Now »

41Woodie wrote:Looks like a great idea, did you cover the grill in the door covering the generator?
No, left the screen open but lined all of the surfaces which could be reached inside of the enclosure ~ there is actually so much room to the front of the generator that it acts like an echo chamber of sorts and the FATMAT really cuts down on the incursion of sound from that effect. Note, we also attached (zip tied), a large computer case fan to the inside of the generator door screen with a switch inside of the door. In hot weather, this seems to help considerably in getting airflow over the generator and making its life a bit easier and seemingly more productive.

With regard to the vibration, the FATMAT also seems to attenuate same, though not to the same extent of the interior noise reduction.
Last edited by BornFree_n_Now on Mon May 10, 2010 9:56 am, edited 1 time in total.
Larry & Sharon
2002 26' RSB
Suzuki X90 4x4 Toad
41Woodie

Post by 41Woodie »

Larry I have several Hot Rod buddies that have been quite pleased with Dyna-mat. There is also a product called Lizard-Skin that can be sprayed on virtually any surface and has the same effect. One of the advantages of Lizard Skin is that it can be sprayed inside doors and body panels that might be difficult to apply a sheet product. All good information, now if I could figure out how to silence that pesky hour meter (short of a hammer) I'd be ready to go.
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BornFree_n_Now
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Post by BornFree_n_Now »

41Woodie wrote: now if I could figure out how to silence that pesky hour meter (short of a hammer) I'd be ready to go.
Humm, may consider imbibing a shot of your favorite libation at each click until you "forget" about the issue :>)
Larry & Sharon
2002 26' RSB
Suzuki X90 4x4 Toad
41Woodie

Post by 41Woodie »

Wouldn't take many clicks to get the job done nowadays! Thanks
BornFree_n_Now wrote:
41Woodie wrote: now if I could figure out how to silence that pesky hour meter (short of a hammer) I'd be ready to go.
Humm, may consider imbibing a shot of your favorite libation at each click until you "forget" about the issue :>)
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bcope01
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Post by bcope01 »

Woodie, why not replace it with a digital hour meter, such as this:

http://www.alpharubicon.com/altenergy/g ... nytoyz.htm



Bill
Barb & Bill
2004 Born Free 22' Built for Two (Sold)
no longer towing a 2008 Smart ForTwo

Escondido, CA
41Woodie

Post by 41Woodie »

Now we're talking, thanks Bill
bcope01 wrote:Woodie, why not replace it with a digital hour meter, such as this:

http://www.alpharubicon.com/altenergy/g ... nytoyz.htm



Bill
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