Buzzing from Power Supply with no Load

[SS-Houston]

I looked around for a similar issue on the forum, but I couldn't find it - happy to read up elsewhere if someone can point me in the right direction.

I frequently, but not always, have a loud humming sound from the electrical box/power supply when no draw is on the system. As soon as I turn on a light - 110v or 12v - it goes silent. Is this normal? Is it OK? Or is some component about to die?

Thanks so much - Steve

[Glenritas]

You most likely have the Univolt transformer a.k.a. The battery boiler .

It is just a transformer. It drops the voltage from 120v to 14v . When unloaded it hums .

The best thing to do it replace it with a smart charger .

[SS-Houston]

Good info: is there a smart charger you would recommend?

[uncle_bob]

Hi

2011 is a bit late for a Univolt. They typically went away in the last century. That said, indeed converter / chargers do go bad. Humming is not typically the way they die. Whatever you buy, get it from somebody you can talk to on the phone. Buying it on Amazon with "who knows who" at the other end is *not* a good way to go.

Bob

[glcmranger]

Talk to Randy at Best Converter....

[Wetfeet]

Buy a Progressive Dynamics charger/converter. I replaced my OEM charger/converter in my 2015 FC20 with a PD9260C charger/converter. I recommend buying from www.etrailer.com.

PS: also get the PD92201 remote pendant for $13 more. It tells you what the charger/converter is doing.

[SS-Houston]

A corollary question: do I need to be in a hurry to replace this unit? What's the downside when it dies? Will I be stuck in a tight spot? Is it likely to damage any equipment? We're almost always camping on shore power.

[uncle_bob]

Originally Posted by SS-Houston

A corollary question: do I need to be in a hurry to replace this unit? What's the downside when it dies? Will I be stuck in a tight spot? Is it likely to damage any equipment? We're almost always camping on shore power.

Hi

Well, when the converter / charger supplied by a vendor mentioned in an earlier post failed after 3 weeks of use, it took a bunch of LED lights with it. Still waiting for a replacement or refund. It's only been 4 years so I'm sure it just hung up somewhere .....

Bob

[SS-Houston]

Originally Posted by uncle_bob

Hi

Well, when the converter / charger supplied by a vendor mentioned in an earlier post failed after 3 weeks of use, it took a bunch of LED lights with it. Still waiting for a replacement or refund. It's only been 4 years so I'm sure it just hung up somewhere .....

Bob

I'm sure they were just trailblazing our current Covid supply chain issues...give it another week...