hummmmm from the inverter/battery charger?

[Anna]

Is this normal or is this a sign that it needs to be fixed or replaced?
Thanks,
Anna

[overlander64]

Greetings Anna and Greg!

That hum is the sound of your Univolt going about its duties. Even the new replacement Univolts recommended by Airstream dealers have a hum - - not as loud as the Vintage units but it is still there. I just connected my Minuet to shore-power for the first time this evening after having a new Univolt installed by my Airstream dealer and it hums but is much quieter than the original. I know that the Univolts of the 1960s had the reputation of overcharging batteries and boiling them dry - - many owners installed switches that would allow them to turn of the 120-volt shore power to the Univolt once the battery charge was restored - - the switch is also used by some to turn the Univolt off during sleep hours to do away with its noise.

Kevin

[Dbraw]

Our 71 Safari converter humms when attached to shore power also. Finally, I figured out how to stop it. Just unplug it at night and use the batteries for the ocassional light or pump that is needed. Then plug it in again in the morning. Life can be so simple.
Dan

[pjtaia]

Our 1975 Overlander has a switch at the head of the bed that cuts the power to the Univolt. The silence is one of the most pleasant things I have ever experienced!!! We shut it off at night after the lights are out and turn it on again in the morning. We've never experienced a problem except when we forget to turn it on again!!

[Dbraw]

Phil,
The switch is a great idea. Is it factory or did you install it? I wish we had one.
Dan

[pjtaia]

Dan:
It's factory. It controls a standard duplex outlet in the converter compartment. It is "half-hot", in that the switch controls one of the two outlets. We just had to move the converter plug to the outlet that was switched, and Voila!

It also helps that the converter compartment is right at the head of the bed. I think this is a great feature. I have heard of other years and models having the switch, but it is by no means universal.