Archived from the Tools In Action forum (Test & Measurement). This thread is read-only.
In my mind, my recent purchase and usage of my high-end and VERY powerful Echo PB-9010 Backpack Blower initiated a new and ongoing conflict between me and my next door neighbor. My speculation is this conflict will exist until one of us is planted into the ground in a box, or relocates to a different home.
The operational audible noise from this blower is VERY loud and the husband immediately started complaining about the noise, suggesting I locate / install a different muffler or operate the machine at idle instead of full throttle. I offered to purchase them earmuff-style or earplug-style hearing protection, but was rebuffed. My operation uses earmuff-style hearing protection and I don’t perceive any issue to my hearing.
If course he has ZERO issue about audible noise from ANY of the crews HE hires that operate loud power equipment around HIS property.
As-expected the City has VERY clear ordinances about audible noise so that demarked rules already exist about this type of conflict. In this case my noise is allowed as the City permits “temporary operation” of equipment for “normal maintenance”. Otherwise the City allows 60dB(A) (human ear weighting) or 65dB(C) (machinery weighting) from 7AM to 11PM. Those thresholds are verbal conversation at normal volume. The City regulates the area to be quiet.
The manufacturer rates the machine to create 80dB(A) audible noise per ANSI B175.2-2012. I’m NOT purchasing that spec for $180.
wingless being wingless, I purchased an audible noise meter to quantify to issue from my new blower.
My meter measured my new backpack blower at: 85dB(A) / 90dB(C) at idle and 104dB(A) / 116dB(C) at full throttle, measured 1 meter away. My speculation is that the ANSI specification referenced by Echo defines measurement at a greater distance away from the source. My seat-of-pants was that this new backpack blower was waaay louder than my partially broken and now-retired inexpensive Chinese backpack blower.
The meter is VERY good. It is EASY to toggle from measuring in dB(A) to dB(C). It retains and displays the maximum (or minimum) measured noise levels. It is EASY to toggle from fast or slow (averaged) measurements. It permits toggling the display backlighting on or off.
The only possible improvement on the meter I see would be the addition of a standard threaded insert, to permit mounting on a tripod. I would like a nice storage case, but the box is fine.
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