Upgraded Converter/Charger Hums Annoyingly

[duckdave]

I recently upgraded my MagneTec/Parallax 7355 converter charger with the Progressive Dynamics PD4655VL upgrade kit. I used some really excellent posts to this forum by member Snowy to assist with the upgrade here.

In general, the operation was successful and I am very pleased with the way the charger babies my battery. However, the day after buttoning things up I returned to find there was a very noticeable hum coming from the unit. All loads (that I know of) were off, the battery seemed fully charged, and the pendant was blinking in a "flash about every 6 sec" mode, which means the charger is in storage or maintenance mode. The hum was sufficiently loud to be annoying and could be heard from outside my Interstate. I took the cover off and inspected the fans, could find no evidence of fan movement. I turned on the overhead (incandescent, for now) lighting and the hum immediately went away (?). Light off, hum back. I tried some of the LED lights I had converted: 1 LED—hum decreased, 2 LEDs—decreased some more, 3 LEDs—could not detect hum. Hmmmm (no pun intended). I put everything back in full hum mode, and went and switched the LPG switch—hum gone. Next, I called Randy! He said this is a fairly common problem that usually goes away with use, just to go about using my system as I normally would, and if it doesn't go away, or at least become a non-issue, to get back with him.

The hum does not occur, as far as I can tell, when unplugged from shore power. And it does not occur when some power is being used—as I said, it takes 3 LEDs to silence it. So, conceivably I could learn to live with the hum. I expect when camping and power is available, I'll be hooked up. But I tend to want to turn things off—I might want to turn everything off (gas relay, all lights), in which case the hum would definitely bother me.

It's been a couple of weeks. Most of the time my Interstate has been plugged into shore power in storage, merrily humming away. We did do a weekend trip, and I turned the gas relay on for the weekend. So, before I get back with Randy, I have a few questions to ask other members. Has anyone else encountered this problem? What is the cause (can it be fixed)? Would it likely be fixed if I returned the unit and got a new one? Or should I learn to live with it?

[davloose]

I just made the same switch, but in a 2008 International 25FB. I haven't camped in it, but spent some time in it doing other maintenance (in a fairly quiet location), and haven't noticed a hum. I'll sure be looking for it now, though!

That would sure be annoying at night... when you do have everything turned off!

[cwf]

Contact PD. A 60cycle hum will come from defective transformer... or can be caused if the power cables are in a torsioned State ...

[Malia20]

Recently I had the same hum from my newly installed PD4655VL. I contacted PD customer support and they said it is a know issue. They sent me a new unit with a return shipping label for the defective unit. For the repair, I only replace the charger unit, not circuit board. All is well now.
Good luck!

[Rzrbrn]

" can be caused if the power cables are in a torsioned State ..."

What does this mean?

Thanks

[55AS]

Originally Posted by Malia20

Recently I had the same hum from my newly installed PD4655VL. I contacted PD customer support and they said it is a know issue. They sent me a new unit with a return shipping label for the defective unit. For the repair, I only replace the charger unit, not circuit board. All is well now.
Good luck!

I had the same experience. Made the swap and returned the Hummer to PD. Problem solved.

[Pragnar2]

We had the exact same thing happen. Progressive customer service was great. They bench tested a new unit and sent it our way. After swapping it out, there has been no noise for the last 3 weeks. I did have to cover the shipping cost of the defective unit back to them though.

[duckdave]

Thanks all for your responses. I am very encouraged to learn that others have had similar problems, and were easily able to find solutions.

However, I did call Progressive Dynamics and was told that I would have to go through my supplier since my unit was under one year old (3 months old, in fact). So it sounds like it will be a bit more of a hassle. We shall see.

I'll keep you posted.

[duckdave]

Wow, quick turn around THANKS to Randy at bestconverter.com...

When I called to inform him that I had been instructed to return my PD4655VL to Best Converter, he explained that the PD folks must have forgotten they were supposed to fix this particular problem by providing a new unit to be exchanged for the problem unit, with the exchange being initiated by PD. He said to expect a call from them today.

Progressive Dynamics just called and arranged to ship me a replacement unit. I will replace and send them back the hummer! With shipping their dime!

Here's hoping I'm just 4 wires and 8 screws 'till the end of this journey.

[wvstreamer]

I'm looking at Boondocker 1260 as replacement in my 03 classic. It now has 7455 paralax. Any reason you have chosen the 4655 upgrade instead. I have not spoken with Best yet but ready to order.

[rmkrum]

Originally Posted by Rzrbrn

" can be caused if the power cables are in a torsioned State ..."

What does this mean?

Thanks

I would guess "twisted and under tension" from the context...

[cwf]

Originally Posted by Rzrbrn

" can be caused if the power cables are in a torsioned State ..."

What does this mean?

Thanks

Ooooops. Sorry. I meant a state of tension. If wires do not “lay” in such a way they can be secured without twist, they may be torsioned.. or torqued. This stress on the device can cause it to twist.. just enough.. that the 60 cycle vibrations are not isolated.

[duckdave]

Originally Posted by wvstreamer

I'm looking at Boondocker 1260 as replacement in my 03 classic. It now has 7455 paralax. Any reason you have chosen the 4655 upgrade instead. I have not spoken with Best yet but ready to order.

I changed b/c my Parallax converter charger was murdering batteries. I had previously replaced the UniVolt in my 1979 AS with a Progressive Dynamics unit that solved the boiling-batteries-dry problem and I now have much better battery life. So I already had good experience with the PD products. The PD4655VL is a true multistage charger w/ converter. It has a dongle remote that blinks to tell you what charging state the charger is in, and allows you to specify the charging state. In addition, it is an upgrade path that fits into the original Parallax chassis, including the 6355, 7355 (mine), 7155 and the WRC) 8955. Finally, it is suitable for Li batteries. I currently have an AGM battery, but perhaps the Li upgrade path might be desirable in the future

The Boondocker 1260 is a deck mount converter, so it would be a better configuration to replace the 7400 Series Parallax than the upgrade kit I have. Plug and play. I am not very familiar with the Boondocker, but IIRC many folks like them and they are supposed to be superior units. If it is as described (4 stage) it would be an great improvement over the 7400 series.

Randy at Best Converter is very knowledgable. He won't push anything on you, and if you let him, he will tell you what he thinks is the best for your application.

[Mike1997]

Duck Dave...glad to hear they replaced your unit. I had to replace mine 2 years ago because of a low voltage problem that also blew up my TV and microwave. New unit has worked great and only hum we hear is when the fan comes on under a load or sometimes when boondocking. Otherwise its great and works like a charm.

Keep us updated.

[SilverHouseDreams]

Mine hums if there isn't "load" on it too, I hadn't thought of calling PD about it. I guess I'll test it again when I get it out of storage and give them a call, I wonder if it was a "known issue" on the earliest models or if its a game of lottery and failed QA before they are shipped.

[duckdave]

Originally Posted by SilverHouseDreams

Mine hums if there isn't "load" on it too, I hadn't thought of calling PD about it. I guess I'll test it again when I get it out of storage and give them a call, I wonder if it was a "known issue" on the earliest models or if its a game of lottery and failed QA before they are shipped.

It seems to be a known issue for which there was a specific response. However, it also seems like the bulk of the issues have gone through the specified response and now they may need to be reminded about the “known issue” status. If you purchased through bestconverters.com Randy will help ensure you get the most convenient warranty response, but even without the special attention the company stands behind their products. Just remind them this is a known issue.

[duckdave]

Originally Posted by duckdave

Progressive Dynamics just called and arranged to ship me a replacement unit. I will replace and send them back the hummer! With shipping their dime!

Here's hoping I'm just 4 wires and 8 screws 'till the end of this journey.

Well, here's the outcome. Progressive Dynamics sent me a new PD4355. It took me about 30 min to swap the converter/charger out. I was wrong about the number of screw and wires: 4 screws for the cover, 2 screws for the AC center cover, 4 screws for the converter/charger chassis. 3 wires to the AC side, 2 wires to the DC side.

Testing over weekend...the hum has left the building!

Done and done. Packed up the warranty unit and shipped it back FedEx (prepaid) today!

Kudos to Progressive Dynamics for excellent warranty service, and to Randy at bestconverter.com for excellent advice, service and handholding!