Paddock Etiquette - Generators

Discussion in 'STT Northern' started by kisertn, Jan 17, 2017.

  1. kisertn

    kisertn What's an apex?

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    I currently have that smallish Yamaha generator, the quiet one, that I use for trackdays. Last year I used it when tent-camping overnight at the track but, unsure of the proper etiquette, I always turned it off at some point before turning in. But, I am now looking at purchasing an enclosed trailer to carry bike and sleep in at night. I am imagining putting an AC unit on the roof and getting more generator power. But, thinking about all this made me realize that I need to resolve this question of running generators at night. What is the expectation? Those of you who have mobile rigs or trailers, do you run generators at night? If not, what's the proper turn-off-time? I'd just like to know before I make my purchases and then later realize I might have made different decisions if only I'd known in advance.

    Thank you for any insights you can provide.
     
  2. TheRabbit

    TheRabbit STT Staff
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    quiet ones run it all night if you like... but be mindful to try and keep them as respectful as possible.. even when I run my 4500w run a decently long cord... I face the exhaust port away from anyone else.. as much as possible and so on...

    when I had my old no one ever likes you genny I shut it off the second the track was cold lol
     
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  3. R/T Performance

    R/T Performance found track bike
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    Really depends on the overnight temperature . normally I turn my off around 11. but if it's really cold or extremely hot I have ran mine all night a couple times.
     
  4. tnskydivr

    tnskydivr Shut up and Jump!
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    as long as it's one of the quite ones, nobody's gonna give you any grief about it. Just be as respectful as possible.
     
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  5. TLR67

    TLR67 Cheers!
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    It is a racetrack..... RV's. and Generators are to be expected.... Even the loud ones... If one is keeping you up at night simply park a car or move a trash can in front of it... It will block the sound big time... I did it for over 10 years sleeping in the back of my truck at the track... If you have a loud one take 4 sheets of 3 x 3 Plywood, notch them and build a box for it.... Seen that done many times and it works...
     
  6. aubreyr6

    aubreyr6 Rides with no training wheels

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    Personally, if you have a loud generator, it should be shut off by 11 so others may have the ability to sleep. I've knocked on doors in the past in the middle of the night and then thanked by others in the morning...
     
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  7. TheRabbit

    TheRabbit STT Staff
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    I give zero issues about loud genny during the day... its a race track I get that... I also get not everyone can afford a nice quiet genny... that being said that person (and even I did it for years when I had a loud one) should make every effort to be respectful of others around during the day and shut that SOB off at night.... its quiet hrs for a reason.. do you really want the dude that is exhausted from not sleeping because some one elses loud genny ran all night. riding with you the next day possibly making bad or slow decisions because they are tired but paid for the day? HELL do YOU want to be exhausted and not getting the most out of your day because some jack o left their 5000w commercial genny at 140db running all night 10 foot from your tent or trailer???


    my quiet one runs non stop for 48-72 hrs at the track I have dogs in my hauler that need to stay warm or cold... or the humidity off but the thing at full song is a quaint 60db and I can have a full conversation with some one right next to it...

    so think. just a second before you run it all night if its loud .. and please practice safe generating :p
     
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  8. kisertn

    kisertn What's an apex?

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    Thanks everyone for responses. I do have a 'quiet' generator at 60dB max, and if I go forward I will get a second one to pair with it. Also, I'm happy to park away from folks if that helps (for nighttime I mean). My problem is that in those trailers if you're not running the ac it can get hot quickly. So, if I knew that running generators all night was a no-no, then I'd instead pass on the ac, get a smaller trailer, and instead plan to tent-camp as the evening breeze would likely be enough. If getting a 60dB or less generator is the key then I'm ok I gather? BTW, I get what those concerned are saying. I was in a tent last year, ran the generator all night (no one was near me) but it was only 10 feet from my tent and I could not sleep until I eventually got up and cut it off at 1 am. But, those with trailers and RVs have thicker walls than a tent of course and so I presume 60dB generators are likely no issue.
     
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  9. Woofentino Pugrossi

    Woofentino Pugrossi What's an apex?

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    Try being 30 feet from a converted semi running its on board. Yeah it cant be heard inside the RV built from a semi, but outside it echo's like mad.

    Whats even worse than gennies running at night? Idiots on pit vehicles being stupid at all hours. Yeah the sound of a unmuffled Spree at 3am is wonderful.
     
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  10. TLR67

    TLR67 Cheers!
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    Had ne of those at Jennings may years ago... I rolled my TLR to their Pit the next AM at 7AM and put bot cans 5 inches from their tent... Proceeded to start the bike.... Wait... Warm it up.... Wait...... then roll on out slowly.... It was classic seeing the guy and his Girl stumble out like WTF... And of course they weren't even riding that weekend.... Asshats...
     
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  11. tnskydivr

    tnskydivr Shut up and Jump!
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    Hint: always bring a spare set of soft earplugs to sleep with...
     
  12. 196paul

    196paul Track Day Junkie

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    Just my .02... Quiet time is a standard wether you're camping out at the track or an RV park. Totally understand that you have your RV for comfort but there are rules and they should be respected so as not to offend your fellow riders/campers who don't have the luxury. Daytime, run them all you want but after 11:00pm, if it's not a low decibel generator, please shut it down. Thanks from someone who has suffered the wrath of inconsiderate "I'll run my genny all night" campers with obnoxiously loud generators...
     
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  13. R/T Performance

    R/T Performance found track bike
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    If you at least insulate the ceiling and get it cool inside the trailer hold temperature quite well even with my wife and I with our Min pin.
    Once the sun comes out it's time to fire the genny.(note this is been my experience mainly in the north)
     
  14. Woofentino Pugrossi

    Woofentino Pugrossi What's an apex?

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    Should had video'd it. LOL.
     
  15. K3

    K3 What's an apex?

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    What I love is the guy who brings a loud generator and a 50 foot cord, puts the generator by someone else so he doesn't have to listen to it and goes on about his day, or night. I have happily carried generators right back to where their power cords led and placed them under the canopy for the owners to find when they got back from a session. Hey, it's your noise, you deal with it. In truth, anyone who can afford a loud generator can afford a quiet generator, at least an off-brand one. It costs twice as much as a loud one and if you skip ONE trackday, you have the other half of the money. Or hey, don't run warmers until you can afford a socially acceptable generator. Use street tires and ride accordingly. Making everyone around you miserable so you could save maybe $300 just shouldn't be something you do.
    (Just my own personal opinion)
     
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  16. Woofentino Pugrossi

    Woofentino Pugrossi What's an apex?

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    Then theres the nimwits who, at BHF T4 area, that run an extention cord ACROSS the road for their gennie. Really no reason to have extention cords running across a road. Put the gennie against the fence if you are on the track side, near the woods on the other.

    And while on the subject of things in the road, KEEP YOUR DAMN CANOPIES off the paddock roads. Really stupid when people have canopies set up 6' into the road. Think about the crash truck driver having to navigate around them. Bikes should be paddocked off the road also. A pair of 2'x2' 1/2" ply (or semi mud flaps) will support a bike on stands in the grass.
     
  17. sbk1198

    sbk1198 What's an apex?

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    Skip one track day?? On purpose?? I don't understand this concept! :D
     
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  18. j_fuggin_t

    j_fuggin_t Track Addict

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    I run mine for my camper pretty much from friday evening until sunday when i pack up, it never turns off. That being said, even though its a quiet yamaha i still do my best to direct the exhaust from everyone and keep it from others pit spots. I also understand that not everyone can afford or want to buy the quiet models, but be mindful and keep it away from people, but use a 8 or 10 gauge cord :)
     
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  19. Nick.Desautels

    Nick.Desautels Rides with no training wheels
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    That's a good way to get either the spark plug wire cut and / or the gas siphoned out of it.
     
  20. mutineer

    mutineer wanderer

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    There is a Sixth circle of hell is reserved for anyone who runs a goddamn job site genny after the track has gone cold
     

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