After owning my Breakaway four years and putting up with what sounds like a whistling teakettle between the speeds of 35-55 mph, I found a mechanic who identified the problem. The grill whistles! Can I block it entirely or should I try to dampen the fins so that air still gets through. My kohler genset has a 2 cylinder air cooled propane engine and if you look at the front of the coach, it's so high off the ground that it must get at least some air from below the bumper.

Rick

Try blocking it to see if the noise goes away. The Kohler has forced air cooling, so it should be OK...however, the hot air exits below, so blocking the grill could cause the hot air to recirculate when the coach is stationary.

The noise does go away if you place cardboard over the grill. I don't want to cook the generator. I'd rather use ear plugs and put up with the whistle.

I suspect the genset would get enough cooling when underway; you could just open the grille when parked.

This sounds like a perfect reason to invest in a custom made bra. The side benefit is keeping the front clean and bug and knick free. You might even be able to get one made with a removable panel for the grill when sitting still running the genny.

Home Despot or Lowes screen kit. It will change the flow and velocity but not restrict the amount of air needed for the genny. Try just the screen with zip ties prior to investing in the kit.

our breakaway grill is factory blocked.

quote:

Originally posted by Gary Carter:
our breakaway grill is factory blocked.

What kind of generator do you have? Does it run cool enough?

Goes to show ya, no two Breakaways are alike! Mine is not blocked and I have the Dometic 3 cylinder Kwyatt 7.0 propane gen set.

Virtually all of the gen set's air is drawn in from the bottom driver's side and exited out the bottom on and passenger's side.

Don't know what the original was, but probably Kohler propane. It had a 4kw Honda when I bought it.

Contrary to popular belief the Honda is noisey. They installed it in a steel box with no sound deading. I have now ordered sound deading material to line the box.

Mine has the factory made bra all the time.

quote:

Originally posted by Gary Carter:
Don't know what the original was, but probably Kohler propane. It had a 4kw Honda when I bought it.

Contrary to popular belief the Honda is noisey. They installed it in a steel box with no sound deading. I have now ordered sound deading material to line the box.

Having had both the Kohler and now the Honda, I can agree that the Honda isn't as quiet as some gensets, but it's considerably quieter than the Kohler, and the noise is less irritating.

quote:

Originally posted by Raymag:
Mine has the factory made bra all the time.

Do you mean the whole front is covered with a bra? Is that the red on front in your sig? how do you access the grill? what type of snaps are used? i have some minor paint chipping and this could be my answer.

As you can see in my signature picture, the bra covers from just below the windshield all the way down to the bumper. It is made from a heavy leatherette backed with a soft material. It's attached with 1/2" snaps every 8 inches or so. I leave it on all the time and remove it when I wash the RV.
I've yet to see another Barth either live or on a picture with the original Barth bra. This one even has the Barth signature name on it.

As any boby ever seen another Barth with the original bra?

Here is a member who removed his front grill.



Check with Tom K. for additional info on his mod.