Vehicle Decibel Meter - Anyone have one?

[R400PM]

Morning all,

I need to get the Caterham noise level tested as I would like to book a few trackdays (but don't want to book them unless I know that it will pass the strict noise limits imposed by some circuits).

Does anyone in the Thames Valley area have a vehicle decibel meter that they would be kind enough to help me take some readings?

I can offer a case of your selected tinned hop based beverage and also a spin (as a passenger) in the R400 for your assistance!

Many thanks in advance!

Paul

[shimmey69]

I dont have one, but have thought about borrowing/buying one to test my pug. I soon came to tge realisation that it don't matter what your meter at home reads as it's the one at tge track that counts!

Unless of course someone has one that reads the same at home as the track ones!!

How far away is your nearest track as it can be worth heading down when there a track day on and getting it sound checked!!

[Stig]

You can pick them up from Maplins for £20

[RemainAllHoof]

Stig said:

You can pick them up from Maplins for £20

Was gonna say - for the price of petrol etc, you might as well buy one.

[R400PM]

I didn't realise they were so cheap!

[MadMacMcMad]

I got one. It needs batteries.
I am in Wokingham. You are welcome to borrow it. My neighbours won't thank me if you test at my house, so you will have to collect and drop of when finished.
PM me if you want to use it.
Andy

[nonuts]

I've got one too if you get stuck, however you need to check how they actually do it at the track you're worried about, is it 1m @45degrees and at what revs etc. and which weighting do they use if you're worried about getting on a track as those can make a huge difference.

[R400PM]

MadMacMcMad said:

I got one. It needs batteries.
I am in Wokingham. You are welcome to borrow it. My neighbours won't thank me if you test at my house, so you will have to collect and drop of when finished.
PM me if you want to use it.
Andy

YHM

[R400PM]

nonuts said:

I've got one too if you get stuck, however you need to check how they actually do it at the track you're worried about, is it 1m @45degrees and at what revs etc. and which weighting do they use if you're worried about getting on a track as those can make a huge difference.

I have just bought one on ebay, but as with many things I purchase, I am not quite sure how to use it!

Do you know the exact way of taking the readings?

[nonuts]

That was my point, it depends on the track. I believe the 'standard' is 3/4 max revs 1 meter from the exhaust at 45 degrees from the exhaust tip, in addition most of the meters should have a or c weighting (it's to do with frequency range) so it would also be nice to know what the track uses (or just try both and go off the loudest).

[wackojacko]

apparently the iPhone 'sound level' app is relatively accurate to give you a rough idea ..........

[twiglove]

wackojacko said:

apparently the iPhone 'sound level' app is relatively accurate to give you a rough idea ..........

Unfortunately the one on the Iphone crashes at any more than about 105db (although it is supposed to go up to 120db!!)

[R400PM]

twiglove said:

Unfortunately the one on the Iphone crashes at any more than about 105db (although it is supposed to go up to 120db!!)

I have already tried the iphone app but it seemed pretty inaccurate as the reading fluctuated so much?!!

[wackojacko]

R400PM said:

I have already tried the iphone app but it seemed pretty inaccurate as the reading fluctuated so much?!!

Mine takes an average of the DB's.

As mentioned above maplins sell DB meters .......