Just picked the Bounder up yesterday. Please, no comments regarding choice, we were severely limited with our choices. 1990 bounder 40'Generator hasn't been perfect since we picked it up but it's running smoother as we use it. It has developed a few issues:1 a slight hum when I turn on the microwave at the breaker box2 a buzz sound when turning on and a buzz sound when turning off. It doesn't last long (2 to 4 seconds) but I want to know if anyone has experienced it and what it might be

Might be loose wire and/or defective breaker. Have you measured the voltage put out by the generator?

I just worked on one ina 90 Fleetwood where the fuel pump made a loud buzzing noise. It's right at the front of the gen and will be easy to discern if it's the source.

ksg5000 wrote:Might be loose wire and/or defective breaker. Have you measured the voltage put out by the generator?Not yet. I need a lesson on using my multimeter. I just bought a fairly decent one a few weeks ago..I don't want to do anything wrong and fry somethingThe buzz didn't happen a little while ago but I am still getting the "hum" sound unless I turn of the microwave OR the refrigerator at the breaker box while the gene is running.

Is the hum at the breakers and not anywhere else? try cycling the breakers 4 or 5 times with all 120 volt power disconnected. It may be the main breaker, or loose connections in the breaker box, or the transfer switch. If you are not comfortable with 120 volt AC, get some guidance from someone you may know. Things are tight to get to the transfer switch, if you have one.

A simple suggestion regarding fridgePut the fridge on LPChoose LP from the button options on the controlChoose gas manual, not automaticThis way you remove one possible problem sourceWhile trouble shooting the generatorThis way fridge will stay on LP, all the time until you change it back to automatic mode

1990 bounder turning gene on and off i hear buzz sound

RLS7201
Explorer II
Nov 11, 2018
Just curious, is your Bounder one of those rare 40' gas coaches?
If so, when posting questions please note that it's gas and weather Ford or Chevy. Most RVers think 40' means diesel.

Richard
chuckbear
Explorer
Nov 11, 2018
My generator makes a "buzzing sound when turning it off every time. My tech tells me this is common and nothing to worry about. I recently found a "buzzing" sound at the circuit breaker panel that I traced to a faulty transfer switch relay. It is sticking. I plan to replace it immediately. It only happens on the generator. Chuck
kimberlysmoore
Explorer
Nov 11, 2018
update: problem comes back intermittently. if i hit the off button for the gene but dont actually hold it to turn gene completely off, buzz goes away.
wildmanbaker
Explorer
May 11, 2018
Electrical problems usually do not fix themselves. They just go dormant for a while and then seem to come back to bit you. As for your oven hum, not knowing the electrical layout, I would not even guess.
doxiemom11
Explorer II
May 05, 2018
When we first turn power on, my microwave/convection hums for about 30 seconds, then the digital display comes on and the hum stops. It has done this for 7 years since we got it. Seems to be a normal operation with power up.
kimberlysmoore
Explorer
May 04, 2018
Thanks for everyones help.
Problem stopped on its own.
MrWizard
Moderator
Oct 31, 2017
Probably mislabeled
Do them one at a time see which one turns off MW
But you said turning off that breaker stops the hum
So you need to track down what is on that breaker

I'm gonna guess the hum is from the power converter that chargers your batteries

Could be a loose transformer winding in the converter, no danger just annoying
Or bad batteries causing converter strain, that is problem
If they are bad the need to be replaced
kimberlysmoore
Explorer
Oct 31, 2017
Found out today that when microwave breaker switch is OFF, microwave still works
kimberlysmoore
Explorer
Oct 30, 2017
wildmanbaker wrote:
Is the hum at the breakers and not anywhere else? try cycling the breakers 4 or 5 times with all 120 volt power disconnected. It may be the main breaker, or loose connections in the breaker box, or the transfer switch. If you are not comfortable with 120 volt AC, get some guidance from someone you may know. Things are tight to get to the transfer switch, if you have one.

Hum is at the breaker box.
Buzz was at the dash or front end of the gene (unsure). Haven't heard buzz since yesterday.
If I turn off the microwave at the breaker box, him stops. If I turn on the microwave but turn off the other appliances, hum gets smaller.
Without microwave breaker on, no bedroom power.

To answer someone else's statement: refrigerator is small house refrigerator, no LP.
We want to put in a side by side double door 3-way eventually, but this is all weve got for now.
MrWizard
Moderator
Oct 30, 2017
A simple suggestion regarding fridge
Put the fridge on LP
Choose LP from the button options on the control
Choose gas manual, not automatic
This way you remove one possible problem source
While trouble shooting the generator
This way fridge will stay on LP, all the time until you change it back to automatic mode

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1990 bounder turning gene on and off i hear buzz sound

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