[A/S] More on Generators

[Jerry Flanders <jeflanders@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

At a local farmer supply store yesterday I noticed  Coleman Powermate 5KW 
generators for only $469. Nice 7 gallon gas tank, 6KW surge capacity, 10 HP 
engine, nice tubular frame surrounding it. Lots of raw capacity and 
possibilities for little money.

BUT - I would bet it is as noisy as they get!

Didn't notice what model it was - probably this one: 
http://www.colemanpowermate.com/generators/pm0545003.shtml

I had a look at the muffler arrangement and discovered it used the old 
"pipe-thread" coupling for a muffler. A DIY'er should be able to make up a 
large muffler starting with common pipe fittings that could totally 
silenced the loud POPPOPPOP engines of this type usually make. I remember 
as a kid making a quieter muffler for my Cushman Motorscooter in just this way.

With a quieter muffler and with muffling panels bolted to that open tubular 
framework (while providing for cooling ventilation as necessary), seems 
like that generator might give a lot of service at modest cost.

Weight shouldn't be a problem if it is simply bolted into the pickup bed on 
a rubber mat and never moved around by hand.

Anybody been down this road before? Comments?

Jerry 4404