neighbor complaining about generator noise.?

Question

5000KW generator in my Sub cellar, I've used properer hook-up and venting procedures and all electrical is to code. Power went out the other night and she called the police and complained the noise from the unit was too loud and kept her awake. What to do, vent the exhaust out 
another place in the cellar? Doesn't matter where I vent it, the sound will still reflect off the other buildings. The other solution is to vent it out to the  front of the building facing the sidewalk and main street. Problem is the amount of exhaust pipe I will have to add and I'm not rich enough to install the amount of pipe needed. I'm available vent it on my property along the side of the house to make it safe for people Passenger along the sidewalk. I really think this woman has a problem that she was without power for many hours and I had the  generator to run  all my lighting, refrigeration, and most appliances. I learned last year when we had the bad ice storm and lost power for over 24 hours, most of my food spoiled, and I decided to install a back-up electrical generation system..
She is probably pissed off  because I have power when she doesn't. I also invested in a back-up power system. I like her but she left a nasty phone message on my phone about the generator noise. I will do my best to correct this situation since I like her and she Is a fairly nice person. The only thing that really pissed me off is that that she was going to call the police if I didn't  shut it down. I didn't shut it down until I had the main house wiring  (minimum) completed and the police said since it was temporary no complaint could be filed befpre 10:00 PM, She is a ***** now and she can shovel her own sidewalk. It would be nice if she cleaned up the front of her house and toook out her garbage, She will shovel the snow herself from now on. She Knows my screen name and a apology is the oly accceptable reccompence,

Warren914 · Accepted Answer

Here are some pointers from my generator page.
http://members.rennlist.org/warren/generator.html

Portable generators are noisy. If you have neighbors nearby or the noise is unbearable in your house here are some ideas.

Choose an operating location as far away as possible. Note that a larger gauge wire is needed to reduce voltage drop as line length increases. Reducing line loss is required to minimize power loss and to ensure maximum power is available to the house. Lights will flicker less when heavy loads are attached.

Change the exhaust system. Noise from the portable generator systems comes primarily from two sources, the engine block and the exhaust system. With an air cooled engine there is little you can do about block noise. Some engines can have a larger muffler attached or make other changes to the exhaust system. Merely mounting exhaust pipe vertically will noticeably reduce noise.

Build a noise shielding enclosure. This could be as simple as a piece of plywood to reflect sound away from the house to a separate shed to hold the generator. Design your enclosure with safety in mind. Provide adequate air circulation and ventilation to prevent heat buildup and to remove carbon monoxide.

If the noise bothers your neighbors, invite them over for coffee or offer to run line to their home to power the freezer or a few lights. Talk to them before starting the engine, ask they let you know if the noise is bothersome before they phone the police or harbor any resentment. A little diplomacy can go a long way.

Last resort, shut off the engine or buy a quiet generator.

Adding a better muffler or running an extension cord to her house might be your best options.

Anonymous · Answer

Well it does cost more to constantly run the generator you are right there, unless it is on natural gas then probably not. What has happened is the electric company probably won't let him have service again because he owes them money for the unpaid bills, and he will have to pay the owed money plus late fees to get the power back on. So in his feeble mind he thinks running the generator is sticking it to the man so to say, when really he is only costing himself more money in the end and annoying the neighbors in the process. Sorry but if the HOA or town has no rules on owning and operating a generator there might not be much you can do. He is operating it within what I would call respectable time frames. I am not in support of him running it all the time but it is what it is. You could call the police and see if they could do something but don't expect it to be much.

gregory_dittman · Answer

Try cork.  She is complaining about the noise, not the fumes.

Patrick · Answer

pour cooking oil inside  gas chamber  before they start the damn noisy thing. it will send the generator engine to its grave.

neighbor complaining about generator noise.?

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