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Old 02-02-2013, 17:57   #1
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A Quieter Honda 2000

When we got our Honda 2000 we were excited to put the thing to use. On our boat, a Lagoon 410 catamaran, we placed the Honda on the deck, over the port side forward cabin. Even though the exhaust was fairly quite the resonance inside the hull was really loud, too loud in fact. Then I noticed the feet were leaving black marks on the deck. That's when I placed the Honda on a carpet sample to protect the deck. I instantly noticed the whole boat seemed a little quieter when the Honda was running. It was the carpet. Now I figured if maybe the genny was on something a little thicker then the carpet it would be quieter still. I found some leftover styrofoam packing from a new vhf radio. I placed that under the genny and wow, a huge difference in sound both inside and out. Now you could actually spend time in the port hull when the Honda was running. However, when filling the genny up, the gasoline that dribbled over the side was eating the styrofoam up. Had to come up with another material not so solvent in the presence of gas. Here's the styrofoam blocks...


I then tried a pool noodle. I took the noodle and cut it into 12 inch sections. Took those sections and cut them in half lengthwise. Placed 2 sections under the Honda and fired her up. Again, wow, what a difference! The whole boat got quieter still and you could barely feel the Honda running even when standing right next to it. I believe with the genny isolated from the hull the boat stopped acting like a huge resonance chamber. I could probably nap in the port hull now. Try it and see if this works for you if you have a genny you run on deck. Heck the noodles are cheap and you probably have one laying around.

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Old 02-02-2013, 18:13   #2
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Re: A Quieter Honda 2000

Thanks for the tip. I will try that.
Sitting listening to my honda humming away in the cockpit right now in fact. And sneak peak at my wife's computer screen, as she photoshopping photos of girls in bikinis...

Seen people building vented noise cancelling boxes. Cant find the link right now..

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Old 02-02-2013, 18:13   #3
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Re: A Quieter Honda 2000

Sid:

Thanks for posting. One of my projects is a platform for my Honda 2000 to install it off the stern of my boat. I was looking into making some type of vibration mount for it. but, your noodle idea may work just as well . I'm going to try it. Thanks.
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Old 02-02-2013, 18:34   #4
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Re: A Quieter Honda 2000

Ok. find the one I was thinking about.
generator soundproof box

Also been thinking about building a box like this on my future swim platform, in the steep or so. Just going to be a pain to change the oil.


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Old 02-02-2013, 20:51   #5
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We set ours on cutout piece of anti fatigue floormat. Works purrfect. Dont think id set it in a box if theres a good chance of overheat. Its already pretty quiet
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Old 02-02-2013, 20:57   #6
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Re: A Quieter Honda 2000

Nice idea. Are they fastened to the Honda or is it just sitting on them?

I think the foam used to make those noodles is Ethafoam made by Dow. It is available in planks and makes great flotation for small boats.
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Old 03-02-2013, 06:28   #7
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Re: A Quieter Honda 2000

The Honda is just sitting on them right now. First I tried the whole piece but the genny was not stable, as it tended to roll back and forth. That's why I cut the pieces in half. I'm think now I may cut holes for the small feet on the Honda to fit into. This may clean up the look. I revisited the port cabin this morning with the genny running to make sure I wasn't overstating the results. Before you could not stay in that cabin or most of the port hull for that matter, it was just like a giant echo chamber. Now, quiet,quiet,quiet.....
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Old 03-02-2013, 06:34   #8
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Re: A Quieter Honda 2000

Not sure about the box idea. It may work for rv'ers, but it a salt environment, not sure. With the genny on the noodle we literally sit 8 feet from it in the salon with open hatches and it does not bother us. It's running right now and I barely here it.
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Old 03-02-2013, 07:33   #9
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Re: A Quieter Honda 2000

You could try hanging the thing from your davits or boom. No vibration at all.
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Old 03-02-2013, 07:42   #10
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Re: A Quieter Honda 2000

What might work well is the foam/sheet rubber/mylar used as noise insulation in engine spaces. I would put a thin sheet of plywood over the top of the foam so the feet of the generator do not sink into the foam and the generator is more stable. I think that very little vibration will transfer through the two layers of foam and one layer of rubber. You could even spray the sides with vinyl spray paint to keep the foam from absorbing water.

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Old 05-02-2013, 10:07   #11
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Re: A Quieter Honda 2000

There are also sound-deadening paints available. If the "cool intake"/"baffled but cool exhaust" thing can be designed for, I like the idea of a soundproofed deck box a great deal.
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Old 05-02-2013, 10:16   #12
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Re: A Quieter Honda 2000

We've always placed ours on a closed cell foam pad. We've got lots of them for kneeling on when scrubbing the deck. Just fits right.
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Old 05-02-2013, 10:46   #13
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Re: A Quieter Honda 2000

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vasco View Post
We've always placed ours on a closed cell foam pad. We've got lots of them for kneeling on when scrubbing the deck. Just fits right.
Hmmm another good idea!
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Old 06-02-2013, 21:44   #14
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Re: A Quieter Honda 2000

I would keep gasoline away from styrofoam in general, isn't it HIGHLY flammable? Like practically napalm?
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