Loud noise from converter

[Patricia720]

Hi everyone,
I have friends in town with their newish (2013?) Safari and they are preparing for a 2 week side trip. When they plugged the trailer into AC power (using an adapter from 30 amp to a standard 3 prong plug) a new, loud noise started coming from under their refrigerator, where their converter resides. The noise is clearly louder than the hum that usually comes when the converter is working. I've checked other threads and came upon a post about loose components on the circuit board. The advice there was that it will only get worse and that the component or entire board should be replaced. Since they are hoping to hit the road on Monday (it is Saturday night now), I am wondering if others agree with the circuit board problem or if you might have other ideas. As it is the noise is so loud and irritating that they would have trouble sleeping in the trailer. Thoughts?

[SilverGate]

Loud noises near the refrigerator are sometimes caused by the refrigerator fan:

Refrig fan noise FIXED... really

[Patricia720]

Yes, but the refrigerator fan in their unit is above the refrigerator and the noise, sadly is below...

[Phoenix]

The converter also has a cooling fan inside the unit. If their batteries are not fully charged, and they are using a lot of 12-volt lights, etc., the cooling fan could be running (normally, it's off in cool weather and when there's no significant 12-volt load).

Also, there could be some debris or loose wires that are blocking or rubbing on the fan blades.

Does it sound like fan noise? Can you describe what is heard?

Also, there are cooling vents and removable covers in that area. You might be able to take a flashlight and look around inside to locate the source of the noise.

CAUTION: The converter contains 120 VAC inside; use appropriate caution to avoid electrocution. For example, don't go poking around with a screwdriver, wire coat hanger, or even your finger. If you do any poking, use a wooden or plastic stick, ruler, etc., or a drinking straw, or other non-conductive probe.

[Msmoto]

Good advice so far, and maybe a vacuum, plastic nozzle, could be used to remove some debris which is hitting the fan. If the noise is a vibration, careful inspection, pushing on stuff with a non conductive stick may find the source. It may be simply something like a wire vibrating against sheet metal or other resonating part.

The important thing to remember is be very cautious.


Ms Tommie Lauer
Greensboro, NC
2015 Serenity 30 RB / 2008 Dodge Cummins 4 X 4
WBCCI #4165 AIR #31871

[Patricia720]

Excellent suggestions! We will proceed as you suggest.

[Trailer]

We are getting factory replacement for our converter that sounds like a '57 Volkswagen

[jcanavera]

Sounds like the fan within the converter. I wonder if the bearings on the fan have gone bad? I'm not sure how the fan works on this vintage trailer, but mine is temperature activated. So when you first plug the trailer into shore power, the converter is pretty much silent. Only after a significant 12 volt power draw, or warm inside temps does it come on.

If it's coming on as soon as shore power plugs in, I'd look at the fridge fan first. It would be pretty easy to diagnose by keeping the fridge off when plugging into shore power.

Jack