battery humming - Hi-Lo camper travel trailer forum

betty stevens · 07-29-2014, 08:50 PM

We have a 91 is it normal to hear a humming noise all the time from the ??? fuse box /converter?

Castbulletman · 07-29-2014, 10:45 PM

The converter can make a humming noise whenever it is plugged in

RichR · 07-30-2014, 03:04 PM

That is probably the transformer in the converter making the noise. The plates may be a bit loose allowing them to vibrate.

Luckydog671 · 07-30-2014, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichR

That is probably the transformer in the converter making the noise. The plates may be a bit loose allowing them to vibrate.

And here I thought the converter was just a bad singer . . .

betty stevens · 07-30-2014, 09:39 PM

It has made this sound since we purchased it 3 years ago, is it possible to tighten this myself? Thank you

RichR · 07-31-2014, 07:41 AM

I can't say that you can fix it. The coil windings are actually what vibrate because of the changing magnetic field from AC current which in turn cause the plates to vibrate. Transformers years ago had the plates bolted together and could be tightened, but they now could use some type of adhesive to keep them together. You may also want to see if the transformer is tightly mounted to the chassis and if there is something against it that could be vibrating with it. As transformers age the materials they are made from dry out and make things not as tight as when new thus allowing things to vibrate. The cost to replace the transformer, if you could find one, would probably approach the cost of a new converter.

Luckydog671 · 07-31-2014, 08:46 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichR

I can't say that you can fix it. The coil windings are actually what vibrate because of the changing magnetic field from AC current which in turn cause the plates to vibrate. Transformers years ago had the plates bolted together and could be tightened, but they now could use some type of adhesive to keep them together. You may also want to see if the transformer is tightly mounted to the chassis and if there is something against it that could be vibrating with it. As transformers age the materials they are made from dry out and make things not as tight as when new thus allowing things to vibrate. The cost to replace the transformer, if you could find one, would probably approach the cost of a new converter.

Remember safety though any time you work around electrical components!

Norton Rider · 07-31-2014, 09:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luckydog671

Remember safety though any time you work around electrical components!

Agreed, before you start opening up the converter, make sure that the trailer is not connected to AC power. Also, disconnect the batteries.

If the noise is truly a hum and not a rattle, you may not be able to do anything about it because some transformers make noise no matter how tight they are. Do not use any type of adhesives, tapes, etc. Transformers get hot and this may melt or catch fire.

A simple fix may be to support the outer case of the whole converter better. In other words, make it more rigid. With the converter connected and making the noise, press on the front, sides, etc, to see if the noise decreases. If it does, you can use some wood blocking to make it more rigid. But you need to make sure that you don't violate any installation clearance requirements that the converter may have (check the converter manual for this).

Lastly, you may be able to glue some noise deadening material to the outer case (again, check for clearance requirements). Do a web search for, automotive sound deadening. You will find a number of materials that you can use, some have an adhesive backing already.

Good luck.

RichR · 07-31-2014, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norton Rider

Agreed, before you start opening up the converter, make sure that the trailer is not connected to AC power. Also, disconnect the batteries.

If the noise is truly a hum and not a rattle, you may not be able to do anything about it because some transformers make noise no matter how tight they are. Do not use any type of adhesives, tapes, etc. Transformers get hot and this may melt or catch fire.

A simple fix may be to support the outer case of the whole converter better. In other words, make it more rigid. With the converter connected and making the noise, press on the front, sides, etc, to see if the noise decreases. If it does, you can use some wood blocking to make it more rigid. But you need to make sure that you don't violate any installation clearance requirements that the converter may have (check the converter manual for this).

Lastly, you may be able to glue some noise deadening material to the outer case (again, check for clearance requirements). Do a web search for, automotive sound deadening. You will find a number of materials that you can use, some have an adhesive backing already.

Good luck.

Yes to all of the above.

Luckydog671 · 07-31-2014, 09:50 AM

Now ya'll got me curious as to the architecture of a converter-charger. Is the charger portion a separate component inside the converter box that can be replaced or is it just a board? Could it be the charger making the hum?

RichR · 07-31-2014, 10:25 AM

I believe it is all one unit in most cases.

This is an example: http://www.pplmotorhomes.com/parts/r...rs/55-8805.htm

If I was to replace the converter in the Hilo this would be the one to get.

retiredcamper47 · 07-31-2014, 03:34 PM

If you glued or attached noise deadening material to the outer cover, wouldn't this tend to cause the converter to overheat and create other problems? Just wondering...................

Bob

Luckydog671 · 07-31-2014, 04:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retiredcamper47

If you glued or attached noise deadening material to the outer cover, wouldn't this tend to cause the converter to overheat and create other problems? Just wondering...................

Bob

Good point. On my model the converter is under the rear dinette bench seat. There is an air intake screen in the front which I placed a red label reminding myself not to block it.

Norton Rider · 07-31-2014, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by retiredcamper47

If you glued or attached noise deadening material to the outer cover, wouldn't this tend to cause the converter to overheat and create other problems? Just wondering...................

Bob

It depends on the converter. Some of the standalone ones have fins for cooling on the outside and those should not be blocked, have stuff glued on, etc. Others use a fan or convection to circulate air through the inside via vents on the front, rear, etc. In these it may be OK to add something to the outer surface, provided any clearance requirements listed in the installation manual aren't violated.