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coairstream · 06-13-2009, 11:29 PM

I think its the original and it seems to works good, but humms loud. I have a 1972 Trade Wind. I pulled it out because I'm redoing the bathroom, but don't want to reinstall it if its a concern. A local repair shop said humming is common, but the more opinions the better.

Inland RV Center, In · 06-14-2009, 01:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coairstream

I think its the original and it seems to works good, but humms loud. I have a 1972 Trade Wind. I pulled it out because I'm redoing the bathroom, but don't want to reinstall it if its a concern. A local repair shop said humming is common, but the more opinions the better.

The humming, is caused by loose laminations in the transformer, that's in the Univolt.

If you have plenty of time, you can repot the transformer, which will cure the hum.

If you want to know how to repot it, let me know.

Andy

wahoonc · 06-14-2009, 04:02 AM

Yup...humming is common, so common in fact many people installed switches to turn them off at night

Unless you are bent on a perfect restoration I would consider an upgrade to something like the Intelipower. Technology marches on and the Uni-volt is one piece of old technology I can do with out.

The newer ones are solid state, quieter and are better for your batteries.

Aaron

jdalrymple · 06-14-2009, 07:07 AM

They hum, and boil batteries dry, if your not careful and watch the water level in the battery. We opted for an upgrade to a modern charger/converter and found it worth the expense.

coairstream · 06-14-2009, 09:15 AM

Thanks Andy I would be curious about the repot. Please let me know.

Cody

coairstream · 06-14-2009, 09:19 AM

Aaron,
Thanks I'll look into the intelipower. I did by a new better battery so thats a concern as well.

TheBigRedTruck · 06-14-2009, 11:48 AM

The truth of Its, I have been staying In my 73 a lot after the fire In the 91.. I have come to the conclusion I missss that buzzzing on my afternoon naps especial In a noise campgrounds!! In the 91 I always have music or a fan on for background noise all the time. In the 73 no need It has Its own (BUZZ)!!!!
DIMMER

Mike Leary · 06-14-2009, 01:38 PM

Mine hums, never trashed a battery since I went to sealed ones. I just shut down the GFI when we hit the hay.

Inland RV Center, In · 06-14-2009, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coairstream

Thanks Andy I would be curious about the repot. Please let me know.

Cody

Cody.

Remove the transformer.

Soak it for a couple of days, and rotate it every few hours.

The liguid is simple varnish.

After acouple of days, remove the transformer and let it air dry for a couple of days.

Then reinstall it.

The hum will be gone.

And it's a lot cheaper than a new Univolt, regardless of brand.

Andy

coairstream · 06-16-2009, 10:02 AM

Andy THANKS I'll do that... Which one is the transformer? What should I soak it in?

Inland RV Center, In · 06-16-2009, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coairstream

Andy THANKS I'll do that... Which one is the transformer? What should I soak it in?

Take the cover off the univilt.

You will see the transformer.

Write down which wire goes to whatever.

Check post #10 above for instructions as to how to do it.

VARNISH is the potting material.

Andy

coairstream · 06-29-2009, 01:45 PM

Andy,
I went to take the Univolt apart this weekend and noticed the cover was riveted together. Should I just drill them out?

Inland RV Center, In · 06-29-2009, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coairstream

Andy,
I went to take the Univolt apart this weekend and noticed the cover was riveted together. Should I just drill them out?

Just drill them out and remove the cover.

There is nothing you can hurt by doing that.

Andy

coairstream · 06-29-2009, 02:45 PM

Sounds good and thanks again for the help. I'll do it and take a picture before I start pulling wires. I'll post the pics by the end of the day tomorrow.

coairstream · 06-29-2009, 06:57 PM

Ok so I romoved the cover. This thing looks old, but Im up to giving it a shot. Now which on(s) is the transformer? Most of it is saudered together.

coairstream · 06-29-2009, 07:10 PM

Ok Andy so I took off the cover and this thing looks OLD!!! But Im up to giving this a shot. Now which one is the transformer or transformers. Most of it is saudered together.

Inland RV Center, In · 06-29-2009, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coairstream

Ok Andy so I took off the cover and this thing looks OLD!!! But Im up to giving this a shot. Now which one is the transformer or transformers. Most of it is saudered together.

The part that is at the very left of your photo, is the transformer, that may be in a box.

Andy

coairstream · 06-30-2009, 01:05 PM

Andy,
It looks almost impossible to remove without taking the entire thing apart and even then I think it might be adhered to to cover in some way as I think it was originally like that because of the heat factor. What if I were to do this? I can leave it assembled and stand it upright in a bucket with the transformer at the bottom. I can then fill the bucket with varnish to the point on it being emerged without getting to the other components. Leave it that way for several days then let it dry out. I wont be able to rotate it, but if it is completely emerged and soaking for a few days maybe it will get there. Ill also let it dry for a few weeks and keep it in the sun so it will evaporate as much as possible. One other question. With varnish being flammable and an inverter getting hot should I be concerned for on down the road when its hooked up?

Inland RV Center, In · 06-30-2009, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by coairstream

Andy,
It looks almost impossible to remove without taking the entire thing apart and even then I think it might be adhered to to cover in some way as I think it was originally like that because of the heat factor. What if I were to do this? I can leave it assembled and stand it upright in a bucket with the transformer at the bottom. I can then fill the bucket with varnish to the point on it being emerged without getting to the other components. Leave it that way for several days then let it dry out. I wont be able to rotate it, but if it is completely emerged and soaking for a few days maybe it will get there. Ill also let it dry for a few weeks and keep it in the sun so it will evaporate as much as possible. One other question. With varnish being flammable and an inverter getting hot should I be concerned for on down the road when its hooked up?

Your transformer is already potted and encased.

The repotting can only take place with the actual transformer, without any covers or encasing.

Varnish has been used to pot transformers, for as long as varnish has been around.

I don't have any other suggestions for you to try, other than creating a sound barrier.

Andy

coairstream · 06-30-2009, 04:17 PM

Andy,
Thanks again for the help. I just went back into the garage and looked at it again the tan stuff in the picture above almost like stiro-foam is literally glued to the metal box around it. The only way I see to get it off is to chisel at it which probably is not a good idea. Maybe its best to leave it alone if my idea would not work, or buy a new one.