Soundproofing Portable Generators--Building 12 volt generator

[Fearnoevil]

Akrvbob, got 16'-10" by 7'-6" so roughly 126 sq ft to work with (doesn't include the drivers cab area). And I've got it all down on paper, but some of those measurements are "ideal" and just hope the appliances I end up with fit the bill, that said there's still some wiggle room. Of course the best laid plans and all that, lol, so we shall see if it translates into reality. I don't have a scanner and haven't learned to use that Google program (on the list of TTD) so I'll have to take my sketch to the office supply and scan it there, then I'll post it for everyone's critic ;?).

Fresh water holding tanks will go under the bed and hoping to find the right size black and grey water tanks online that will fit underneath or something to convert to that purpose. I'm planning on a 24" or 36" "porch" attached in back so if I go with a regular gen-set with the soundproof housing, that's prolly where it'll have to live. I have thought about building a deck up top on the back half (solar panels on the front half) and then sticking it up there, heh, but I imagine the interior noise factor would increase considerably and there's the drag/fuel efficiency hit to consider, so probably not, just leave that space for the hot tub (just kidding, lol).
That said, I am seriously considering picking up one of those really nice/affordable inverter/generators from Costco, small enough and quiet enough that I could probably fit it under the bus as well. Budget just went up another $300, lol.

Other than that, I'm not planning to make this into a space to entertain, that's for sure, so no large galley area, just the table/bench seats behind the drivers seat, and a small kitchen. Stackable slim design washer/dryers have a 24"x28" footprint so just gotta find a used one (most new ones seem to be in the $1000+ range, ouch). But GOTTA be able to do my laundry inside cuz I CAN'T STAND LAUNDROMATS!!! Most are real armpits and if you don't watch your **** like a hawk some low-life will take your clothes at some point, or you'll get grease or gum on them in the dryer cuz some neanderthal previously washed his greasy rags in it (our family actually owned a chain of laundromats up in Alaska for about 15 years and I've seen it all, lol).

Oh yeah, I picked up a small gas stove/oven from the local Restore, $25, whoohooo, really clean, just going to have to spring for an LP conversion kit. Oh yeah and a REALLY COOL LG 900 watt microwave with, get this, a built in TOASTER (as in toasted bread toaster)!!! Paid $25 for that too and it seriously looks almost new, really clean and just had to get it cuz of that strange combo. PLUS got an instant on gas water heater that some guy had just brought in, said it wasn't big enough for his house, but it is certainly big enough, or maybe TOO big, for my needs, but got it for just $45, whoot! so I figure even if it won't work in my rig I can use it for my own little house as my water heater is really old.

Oh yeah, I'm hoping to find a gas dryer, and I'm planning on dual propane tanks, either stored under the bus, or more likely on the back porch, cuz I don't think they'll fit (really need to get underneath and map out exactly how much space there is, probably this weekend).
;?D

---

If push comes to shove, and I can't generate enough juice to run the washer/dryer, then I can always hook up to shore power once every 7-10 days, or find a stream and pound em on a rock like our ancestors did, lol.

 

[Optimistic Paranoid]

Russ,

Re: water tanks the right size, check out:

http://www.plastic-mart.com

Or

http://www.tank-depot.com

Regards
John

 

[akrvbob]

I all sounds doable! You're going to have a great rolling little home when you're done!!

Take lots of pictures as you go along!
Bob

 

[Donedirtcheap]

I had a trailer with the water tank under the bed but the only problem was that they placed the water pump under there too. When the wife was still in bed and I was up early the water pump was hammering away. I agree on the laundry mat and figured I'd at least like to have a washing machine even if we had to hang the clothes to dry.

 

[grummy]

I recall it being mentioned that you wouldn't mind building a generator to have something... even a little bit of charging when the sun is not shining. Well, it can be done, ... certainly can be done as a far better option than anything you would be able to purchase as well. But, it would not necessarily be cheaper, not with the advent of some of these small units like the smarter tools generator. Seems people have responded with good reviews so far.

I'm definitely the builder/inventor type and over the years I have made things the way I wanted them just because I could. Though currently I did cave in and buy an Eu2000, I still do intend to build my own generator for my Truck... someday. The main reason is that I can not purchase what I want or need. The closest thing that fits the bill is one of the power pack style all in one frame mount units that a lot of higher end Class 8 trucks use. These provide power, heat, hot water, air conditioning and even compressed air from one stand alone cabinet with an engine inside. Rather large money involved unfortunately, but in my case, I need something far more compact.

This would be my future goal: A reliable industrial engine, a "Starter/Generator" so it is electric start, a water heat exchanger on the exhaust to provide hot water and hot water heat, and finally, an adequate generator. (adequate is yet to be defined). Finally, a fully automated "System" that starts and stops on demand when required (as long as the master switch is on). This is something the frame mounts do not even do.

There is no reason you can not have a fully automatic system like this today. There are plenty of 12v PLC or even 12 v Digital Relays that can be used to monitor, start and stop the system when required. One may want to incorporate or use the output of a high end battery monitor to avoid premature charge events, and on the other side of things, a traditional charge controller to provide indication when a proper charge has been done. All of these components are available today.

Ideally, a liquid cooled engine would be beneficial as you could also capture heat from the cooling system along with the exhaust, AND enjoy substantially quieter operation. I had a Kawasaki liquid cooled 22 hp V-twin engine on the bench for a while, and it sure was a quiet running engine. Certainly would make for a good candidate. It would not really be all that large until you actually added a generator. The radiator and cooling system was for the most part "built in". Ideally, if it had a built in alternator capable of 20 amps, it would be excellent, but alas, it was only 10 amps. If you have a large battery setup, 10 amp isn't much.

Better yet though is to use a generator head that can put out perhaps 30 volts and let a charge controller do what it was designed to do. When the battery is charged, the controller can signal the main control that the engine can shut down. With a 20hp twin, you undoubtedly could run the engine perhaps just up off of idle and provide at least 20 amps because there would be no shortage of horsepower. And, understand that this part does not have to be overly expensive... not if you use a used vertical shaft engine as they are often found for half the price of a horizontal shaft engine. Even brand new they are considerably less expensive to purchase.

Love to do it, but no time ... not right now !!!! So, my Eu2000 fills the bill for now, rope start and all. Ugh.

Thats my 2 cents.

 

[LeeRevell]

Regarding water/holding tanks, why not mount them under the floor alongside the frame rails? The heavy duty frame (deep vertically) and good ground clearance of a shuttle bus means a LOT of room under there, which frees up that underbed space for other things.

 

[highdesertranger]

lee the reasoning for putting the tanks under the bed and not outside. is for protection from freezing. the living quarters are usually above freezing or close enough not to freeze. grummy go on the trucking forums and see what those class 8 drivers are saying about the stand alone systems. lots of problems. highdesertranger

 

[Fearnoevil]

I had a trailer with the water tank under the bed but the only problem was that they placed the water pump under there too. When the wife was still in bed and I was up early the water pump was hammering away. I agree on the laundry mat and figured I'd at least like to have a washing machine even if we had to hang the clothes to dry.

Good point Donedirtcheap, guess I'll be looking to put that noise-maker somewhere else, or at least using a little of the soundproofing materials to quite it down. While I'll be riding solo (for now) one never knows when you might have "company", heheh, and have to be a considerate host:angel:

I recall it being mentioned that you wouldn't mind building a generator to have something... even a little bit of charging when the sun is not shining. Well, it can be done, ... certainly can be done as a far better option than anything you would be able to purchase as well. But, it would not necessarily be cheaper, not with the advent of some of these small units like the smarter tools generator. Seems people have responded with good reviews so far.

I'm definitely the builder/inventor type and over the years I have made things the way I wanted them just because I could. Though currently I did cave in and buy an Eu2000, I still do intend to build my own generator for my Truck... someday. The main reason is that I can not purchase what I want or need. The closest thing that fits the bill is one of the power pack style all in one frame mount units that a lot of higher end Class 8 trucks use. These provide power, heat, hot water, air conditioning and even compressed air from one stand alone cabinet with an engine inside. Rather large money involved unfortunately, but in my case, I need something far more compact.

This would be my future goal: A reliable industrial engine, a "Starter/Generator" so it is electric start, a water heat exchanger on the exhaust to provide hot water and hot water heat, and finally, an adequate generator. (adequate is yet to be defined). Finally, a fully automated "System" that starts and stops on demand when required (as long as the master switch is on). This is something the frame mounts do not even do.

There is no reason you can not have a fully automatic system like this today. There are plenty of 12v PLC or even 12 v Digital Relays that can be used to monitor, start and stop the system when required. One may want to incorporate or use the output of a high end battery monitor to avoid premature charge events, and on the other side of things, a traditional charge controller to provide indication when a proper charge has been done. All of these components are available today.

Ideally, a liquid cooled engine would be beneficial as you could also capture heat from the cooling system along with the exhaust, AND enjoy substantially quieter operation. I had a Kawasaki liquid cooled 22 hp V-twin engine on the bench for a while, and it sure was a quiet running engine. Certainly would make for a good candidate. It would not really be all that large until you actually added a generator. The radiator and cooling system was for the most part "built in". Ideally, if it had a built in alternator capable of 20 amps, it would be excellent, but alas, it was only 10 amps. If you have a large battery setup, 10 amp isn't much.

Better yet though is to use a generator head that can put out perhaps 30 volts and let a charge controller do what it was designed to do. When the battery is charged, the controller can signal the main control that the engine can shut down. With a 20hp twin, you undoubtedly could run the engine perhaps just up off of idle and provide at least 20 amps because there would be no shortage of horsepower. And, understand that this part does not have to be overly expensive... not if you use a used vertical shaft engine as they are often found for half the price of a horizontal shaft engine. Even brand new they are considerably less expensive to purchase.

Love to do it, but no time ... not right now !!!! So, my Eu2000 fills the bill for now, rope start and all. Ugh.

Thats my 2 cents.

Wow Gummy sounds like you've got a great idea, I'd love to see it laid out on paper (cuz I can't quite picture how it all ties together ;?) or post some pic if you ever get it built! Also I hear you about the rope pull thing, UGH is an understatement, lol. Have you ever thought of doing a popular modification and getting rid of the pull start and rigging it with a portable drill fitting? Seen several on Youtube and it sure as hell beats pulling on a rope ;?D

Regarding water/holding tanks, why not mount them under the floor alongside the frame rails? The heavy duty frame (deep vertically) and good ground clearance of a shuttle bus means a LOT of room under there, which frees up that underbed space for other things.

Yep, like Highdesert said, gotta keep it from freezing, plus while a lot of that space under the bed can be used for other storage, some of it is pretty hard to get to (especially with my planned layout) so it's ideal for a 60 gal water tank. I do plan on putting a 40 gal grey and 20 gal black water tanks under the bus, as well as a small soundproofed generator hold and possibly a battery bank if I can fit it.
;?D