Odd Buzzing need help

[jrjorin]

I am having a major problem and need some help. I have an odd buzzing thru my internal speakers but it doesnt happen when I am useing the stereo it happens when I turn on certain lights in my trailer.
The thing that worries me most is I have recently started useing my heater and now the buzzing wont stop and all the lights flash if the heater fan is running while the lights are on.
If the lights arent on the heater fan makes this surging action.
It acts like its not getting full power.
I suppect the converter is the issue but I am unsure.

[OneRVer]

You may have a ground problem some where. Check you electrical panel and make sure all of your nuts, bolts and screws are tight. Grounds are a nightmare. Good luck.

[jrjorin]

I opened the panel where my electrical stuff is and I can smell it burning. I am guessing the converter is going out. Maybe I have to much stuff plugged in and it cant support the load? By the way I have been plugged into power for 3 months and this is something new that just started. Also if I unplug everything and just run the heater it still does it.

[jrjorin]

Just an Update
I think I got it fixed. I was useing my trailer without a battery. So today I went and bought one and unplugged from shore power and ran the heater on battery power and it worked fine. So I plug back into shore power and it seems to be working fine now. I will cross my fingers and hope it last.
Thanks for all the advice.

[OneRVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrjorin Just an Update I think I got it fixed. I was useing my trailer without a battery. So today I went and bought one and unplugged from shore power and ran the heater on battery power and it worked fine. So I plug back into shore power and it seems to be working fine now. I will cross my fingers and hope it last. Thanks for all the advice.

Alright, yep what you had with out the battery ground was a floating ground. Your trailer grounds are tied to the frame, so it needs the ground on the battery. You are/or should be grounded with the shore power but the trailer doesn't always see it that way.

Glad you found the solution.

[Randy the sly old fox]

Electrical problems are usually the hardest item to track down esp grounding issues. It sounds like you have one of the converter/chargers that charge the battery to run the 12V circuits - without the battery there is not enough power to actually run the lights, fans, etc. The noise is probably AC ripple that would normally be taken care of by the battery.

[OneRVer]

Would you mind removing your battery and seeing what kind of voltage the converter is putting out. Just go across the battery cables with a volt meter. I am wondering if the converter might be going bad and the battery is just helping it out.

Just a thought.

[jrjorin]

Interesting thought about testing the voltage. I might try that next time I have my cover off.

[OneRVer]

Randy has a good point also. The battery could be acting as a big capacitor. Would be interesting to find out.

[Ray,IN]

Low-end converters use the battery as a filter to remove the "ripples" and supply reliable consistent 12V power. Without the battery your converter was blind and running the charging circuitry full power =burning smell. Time to have your converter checked out by a qualified technician.