Forum Discussion

aztecaa's avatar
aztecaa
Explorer
Dec 05, 2013

Buzzing from Power Transformer /Converter Charger!

It has been 6 years since i have been connected to shore power. I have been running off solar and using the generator off and on for the past 6 years.
I recently plugged into shore power 30 Amp service.
My converter is buzzing quite loudly... it has been doing so for some time. Is the converter actually going bad? It seems to be louder than I remember 6 years ago, though that may just be in my head. Regardless, it doesn't sound "normal" Any suggestions would be great. thanks!

Additional Details

1. The Power Transformer is behind the bottom kitchen drawer and I can hear it buzzing.
2. The Converter Charger 50 Amp is behind the circuit breakers under the Refrigerator and i can also hear it buzzing.
Not sure if they are both buzzing or one in vibrating through the floor to the other.
  • Does it buzz when using generator.......shore power/generator power same 120V AC power.

    So if noise is only when on shore power and not also when on gen power than buzz may be coming from transfer switch
  • Hi,

    I hate the hum and the fan too. The "bright" folks who designed mine put the converter under the master bed. GRRRRRRRR.

    You mention a transformer--do you mean a transfer switch?

    I'm curious--how many watts of solar do you happen to have?

    In my previous rv (1987) the Magnatec converter had a relay that disconnected the alternator charging circuit from the battery bank when shore power was being used. It hummed like mad--but at least it was under the dinette seat.

    I too, would suggest upgrading to a better converter. The "big three" are Progressive Dynamics, Iota, and Power Max. All of them are good and all of them will blow away the older converter you currently have.
  • Could be normal- especially since it's so long since you've had to listen to it.

    I've noticed the same thing- I'm so used to the dead quiet of boondocking that on the few occasions when I actually "camp" with hookups the converter's hum drives me crazy. But it's a normal sound, at least in my case.
  • Make and model, and likely you should replace it as it is likely a single stage converter i.e. Magnetek/Parallax which if you want/need a converter should be replaced with a Progressive Dynamics. You have a good bit invested in keeping batteries happy!
  • wa8yxm's avatar
    wa8yxm
    Explorer III
    Well it hums cause it done forgot the lyrics.

    Seriously,, COnverters come in two basic types, Transformer and Switching. Some are good, some not (And it does not matter which of those two types, what matters is what follows the transformer if it has one).

    Transformers are made by winding two or more coils of wire over a common iron core.. This core is made up not of one solid hunk of iron but of many iron leaves, each leaf is varnished before assembly.

    Over time the varnish dries, hardens and flakes away.

    This allows the leaves to move, releative to each other, Which they do big time when subjected to an alternating magnetic field, as they are in a transformer.

    There are basically three things you can do.

    1: Ignore it (or figure out a way to muffle it)

    2: Replace the transformer

    3: Upgrade the converter to a switching converter.