Picture this: It’s autumn, and you’re feeling a little restless, so you load up the RV and hit the road. After a smooth road trip, you reach your destination and start setting up camp. Once that’s all done, it’s time to relax. Finally, some peace and quiet.

Oh, what’s that? Someone's generator is too loud and drowning out conversation?

This frustration could be avoided. You see, not all RV generators are created equally, and the more you understand about RV generators and how they work, you'll be prepared to find a quiet generator that will deliver the power you need without the (literal) headache.

This guide will help you understand how to reduce generator noise without sacrificing any power or comfort. We’ll cover:

• The main types of RV generators
• How to estimate your power needs
• How to find the right generator for you
• How to understand generator noise levels and ratings
• The issues that contribute to excessive generator noise
• Some DIY fixes to reduce a generator’s noise level

Portable vs. fixed-mount generators

RV generators can be either fixed or portable. Once installed, a fixed-mount generator benefits from increased noise insulation (a relief both within the coach and for any neighbors).

Since it runs outside the RV, a portable generator will be louder—but that can be mitigated by moving the generator further from your site, or applying some of the ideas detailed in this post.

Understanding your power needs

One way to reduce generator noise is to choose the right generator for your specific power needs. It may sound like a good idea to go all-out and choose a generator that promises maximum power—but if you don’t need that much power, you’ll just be wasting fuel and creating more noise than is necessary. 

How is a generator’s power output measured? To understand a generator’s power output, note its advertised amps and watts. In short, amps refers to amperage - the amount of electrical current being drawn, and watts is the measure of power produced by the current. Amps is the easier unit to measure, and then multiplying the amps by voltage gives the value of watts. 

It’s important to know what your power needs will be so you can choose the right generator. If your generator doesn’t have enough power, it may have a shortened lifespan because it is too stressed. A generator with too much power will operate just fine, but you’re using more fuel than is necessary, and more powerful generators tend to be louder.

What size generator do I need to run my RV?

Before shopping for a generator, try to estimate your power needs. Here’s a basic process for a ballpark estimate:

First, list everything you intend for the generator to power. For wattage estimates, you can either look at individual appliances’ requirements, or search for a wattage chart online. Prioritize the most critical power needs, and those items that will require the most power—an air conditioning unit, for example. To give you an idea of some power requirements, here are some common ranges for running watts:

Note that many appliances and other devices may have two different wattage indicators: running watts and starting watts. True to their names, running watts are the consistent power needed for operation, and starting watts are the extra watts needed, just for the first few seconds of use, to get an appliance started and running. For example, an RV air conditioner might need a constant supply of 1,500 watts to operate, but more like 2,200 watts for initial startup.

This means when you estimate your maximum expected power load, you should account for starting as well as running watts. The last thing you want is for everything to be working smoothly, until the AC needs to kick on.

Once you’ve crunched the numbers, it’s best to choose a generator that is slightly bigger than you need. You never know what new appliances or gadgets you may want to add to the mix later (or just didn’t think to account for when estimating the needed power), so it’s best to have some flexibility.

Also, running a generator at its full-load capacity, especially over extended periods of time, is not only louder—it’s also likely to shorten its lifespan. As it wears down, you’ll probably start noticing it get louder and louder, practically begging you to upgrade it to a newer model.

30-amp vs. 50-amp RV generators

In the RV world, a higher amperage indicates more electricity. The most common RV electrical service capacities are 30-amp and 50-amp, with the 50-amp capable of handling more power than its 30-amp counterpart. Multiplying amperage by voltage (most RV-appropriate appliances operate at 120 volts) gives the available wattage power.
 

• What size generator do I need for a 30-amp camper? For a 30-amp RV with an AC unit, a 2,500-2,800 watt generator is a good minimum threshold to look for.

• What size generator is needed for a 50-amp RV? An RV with a 50-amp shore power connection will usually have two separate 50-amp feeds (unlike a 30-amp camper, which only has one). This requires more power—at minimum, you will need a 5,500 watt generator, going all the way up to 12,500 watts.
   

Read more about finding the right-sized generator for your RV
 

Understanding generator noise levels

Once you have a good idea of what size generator is going to work for you, you’re ready to start comparing your options. This is when a decent understanding of generator noise levels will come in handy.

Generator noise levels

In order to understand how loud a generator is going to be, you’ll need a basic understanding of how noise levels are measured. While most measurements are made on a linear scale, sound (in decibels, or dB) is measured according to a logarithmic (or exponential) scale with a base of 10. That means that if Generator A outputs 70 dB of sound, and Generator B outputs 80 dB, then Generator B is actually going to sound twice as loud. (Note that this is just a basic explanation; for a more in-depth explanation of how to convert decibels to sound intensities, we found a good guide.)

What is a normal Generator noise level?

Because they create electrical energy through an engine, even the most sophisticated generators are going to create noise. As you would expect, though, some portable generators are quieter than others. 

Generator noise levels can be measured and understood in a number of ways, so to really understand what a generator’s decibel levels mean, it’s important to compare apples to apples. Online calculators like this simple one enable you to better understand the level of noise to expect. Once you’ve determined the decibel level, you might start thinking about noise reduction measures—or you might be pleasantly surprised by the generator’s relative quietness. 

For another frame of reference, the National Park Service has set a noise restriction requirement (for motorized equipment) of 60 dB at 50 feet. While 60 dB may seem low for a generator, it’s worth noting that the 60 dB threshold is for 50 feet away. Obviously, if you’re trying to relax right next to the generator, it will sound considerably louder than it would from 50 feet away. At 10 feet away, that 60 dB turns into 74 dB.

As far as yourself and your friends or family, keep in mind that prolonged exposure to noise of 85 dB and above can begin to cause permanent hearing damage. This underscores the importance of acquiring and maintaining a quiet RV generator. To put 85 dB in context, that’s around the same volume as a gas-powered lawnmower (and slightly quieter than a motorcycle), when you’re right next to it.

So, what is “quiet” for a generator? While there is no such thing as a silent generator, the next best thing would be what’s considered a "whisper-quiet” generator. The quietest generators on the market come with a noise rating right around 63 dB at 10 feet away (which is not literally whisper quiet, as whispering is around 30 dB).

The sound also depends on whether you have a portable generator (set outside with no noise attenuation) or an installed generator (often installed in a compartment on the RV). A portable might sound better inside your coach, but much worse to your neighbors. And an installed generator may have a dB rating that is higher than what it would actually be once it is installed in your RV.

Issues that may be causing generator noise

Some generators are just louder than others, but if you think your generator isn’t as quiet as it once was, you might be right. Some additional issues that might be causing a generator to create more noise than normal include:

Design

Not all generators can be top of the line. It’s important to research your generator options in advance, including reading third-party reviews when possible. Some generators could be manufactured with less-durable components, and may omit noise-reducing features that add expense like rubber pads, a quality muffler, or other soundproofing material.

A bad muffler

A generator may have been manufactured with a less-effective muffler, or it could just be time to replace an older model’s muffler. Ideally, mufflers are replaced every couple years—meaning you could be overdue for a replacement.

Vibration

Over time, a generator’s constant vibrations may loosen some of the engine’s fasteners and other components, adding additional noise to the mix.

How to make a generator quieter

While you can’t really change the amount of noise a generator is going to produce, even during normal operation, there are a number of things you can do to dampen the noise level that reaches you. Can you soundproof a generator, though?

We’ll break these tips into three sections:

• Soundproofing a built-in RV generator
• Quieting a portable generator
• Routine maintenance to extend generator life

Soundproofing a built-in RV generator

Even the best built-in RV generator is going to make noise—and even the best may be susceptible to wear and tear over time, or other issues that could increase the generator’s noise output.

Depending on where the generator’s noise is originating from, there are ways to address the issue and reduce the noise.

• If the exhaust system is producing excessive noise, there could be a couple different issues to troubleshoot. Check the exhaust mounts first, as worn or displaced mounting systems can become “grounded” to the RV’s structure. Replacing, repairing, or realigning the mounts should reduce the noise.
• You don’t want the exhaust pipe in direct contact with the RV. Also make sure the exhaust pipe extends beyond the end of the passenger compartment.

How to quiet a portable or inverter generator

Similar to built-in RV generators, even the best portable generator or best inverter generator is going to make some noise, typically between 70 dB and 100 dB (from 23 feet away). As mentioned before, inverter generators are quieter than other options, usually producing as little as 50-60 dB.

There are a number of ways to reduce the noise, though. Here are a few tips to try—no expertise required:

Experiment with placement. Where you place the generator matters. As common sense would imply, the further away you are from the running generator, the less loud it will seem. (When camping, you have to be careful about this, though. It’s simply poor etiquette to move your generator further from you and closer to another campsite, essentially making your generator’s noise your neighbor's problem.) Invest in a long, heavy-duty extension cord so you can experiment with where you place your generator.

Consider the potential for excessive vibration. While you might be tempted to sit your generator on flat, solid ground, note that surfaces like concrete, wood, or asphalt will actually increase the noise level. Softer surfaces, like dirt and grass, work much better. For situations where placing the generator on a softer surface isn’t possible, consider buying an anti-vibration mat or pads. This doesn’t need to be a pricey modification: virtually any soft layer between the generator and hard ground will pay off.

Tighten things up. Another type of vibration-related noise originates from parts loosening over time. Generators constantly vibrate, to some extent, which can slowly loosen nuts and bolts, for example. As part of your noise troubleshooting, double-check that everything is correctly and tightly connected.

Address the exhaust. You can reduce a generator’s noise volume by adjusting the exhaust pipes. Simply point them upward, or away from your site for some relief.

Experiment with sound deflectors. Sound deflectors are the epitome of DIY. Here’s how they work. A slanted plywood surface between you and the generator effectively deflects sound downward, reducing how loud the generator sounds to you. 

Keep in mind, though, that this accomplishes sound deflection, not reduction. If you have neighbors, they might be the unfortunate beneficiaries of your generator’s deflected sound.

Routine maintenance

You can extend the life of your generator, keeping it quieter for longer, by following your generator’s maintenance guide. 

• Keep an eye on the oil level. If you check the oil, and the level is beneath the line, top it off. This reduces friction in the engine and moving parts, preventing avoidable wear and tear.
• Make sure the generator is level when in use, and ideally not on a smooth hard surface (like tile or concrete). Dirt or grass will absorb vibration and sound, making them the better placement options.
• Follow recommended service intervals to keep everything running smoothly and prevent major issues from developing.

Know when it’s time to replace

While there will always be ways to try and modify an older generator to make it quieter, at a certain point it may be a better idea to replace your generator. Newer generators may offer features that weren’t available when you last shopped the market.

Signs that it may be time to replace your generator

If you have to pay attention to what appliances and devices are running at once, because you keep reaching the generator’s power limit, it might be time for an upgrade. In this case, you’ll be better off with a more powerful generator—running an older generator at full power may accelerate wear and tear.

Even the most well-maintained generators can wear out over time. These are a few signs that your generator is wearing down, operating less efficiently, and potentially ready for replacement:

• You’re having to refuel more often than you used to. 
• The generator seems to take more effort to start than it used to. 
• You’re experiencing inconsistent performance.
• You’re constantly needing to make repairs.

Ultimately, if you take care of your generator, you can extend its life. When it’s time to replace your generator, that’s not all bad—newer generators are likely to be more efficient and quieter.