Community Forums

NCNewbie · 08-06-2017, 08:43 PM

Hi fellow camper folks, I have an electrical question.

My husband and I are new to camper life, and bought a 2003 Holiday Rambler Alumascape fifth wheel two months ago. We have been living in it full time. From the beginning, we've noticed a high pitched frequency when lights are turned on. This happens both when using only battery power and when plugged up to a generator. Sometimes the frequency occurs when there are no lights on but the generator is providing power. We have also experimented plugging directly to shore power and the frequency still exists.

Anyone know what could be causing this? It's really aggravating, but we're also concerned that it could be pointing to a deeper issue with the power inverter.

Thanks!

coachmanjay · 08-06-2017, 09:00 PM

Could be the converter

JFXG · 08-07-2017, 09:24 AM

It is not uncommon to get a fairly soft but high pitched tone coming from the ballast unit in an aging fluorescent light fixture.

Another irritating sound you may encounter in an older coach is a constant faint buzzing (or sometimes a tone) from some appliance or other. This is usually coming from the old transformer inside the device. Annoying.

**CountryFit** · 08-07-2017, 09:27 AM

it might be a light transformer if you are still using florescent tube lights. you can verify it by -
while power is on and the sound exists, remove the light cover, one at a time. you will tell the one with louder sound. turn off or disconnect the positive line should stop the sound

in the future, consider converting to led strips which does not use transformer.

NCNewbie · 08-08-2017, 08:48 AM

We have switched some of our lights to LED. We can also specifically hear the frequency directly from the inverter, which leads me to other questions. I don't totally understand what the power ineverter does, and also need recommendations on newer ones that we could maybe replace this one with. Not sure if that would even help.

RockyMtnRide · 08-08-2017, 09:59 AM

The inverter changes 12 vdc battery power to 120 vac for your electrical outlets within the coach. Your lights most likely are all 12 vdc and do not need this inverted power.