Community Forums

rodrickc · 09-28-2020, 11:59 AM

I am new to RV'ing. I heard this random noise a couple times. One time with my bathroom lights on they flickered when I heard the noise. By luck I located it to moving one of the two wires going into the top of my inverter. I thought it was the fans, but way too loud. It is not the buzzing sound everyone says.When I move the wire to the right spot I can get it to make this loud what sounds like arcing or solenoid noise. Anyone experience this?
Thanks in advance

HarryStone · 09-28-2020, 12:19 PM

Sounds like you need to immediately stop using the inverter. Sounds like you have a loose wire, and that can cause heat, which can lead to a fire. Remove all power to the inverter, including battery power, shore power and generator power. Make sure the rig engine is off. Remove the access cover to the wiring input on the inverter and locate the loose wire. Using the proper tool, tighten all the connections, but don't overtighten them, as that can lead to connection failure. Once that is done, put the cover back on and reconnect power.

rodrickc · 09-28-2020, 01:12 PM

Thanks for quick reply. I would assume turning off inverter and flipping breaker will do all that. It looks like the large 2 power lines go in the top. Not sure if the whole inverter comes off of just front panel? And there is a special tool to tighten? Thanks again.

mchero · 09-28-2020, 01:17 PM

What inverter model. Don't suggest you remove any covers.

rodrickc · 09-28-2020, 01:38 PM

It appears to be one of the early ME series.. Back 2003? I don't have the panel label in front of me. It's on a 2011 42' Tuscany.

astrocamper · 09-28-2020, 04:44 PM

2003? Probably best to consider buying a new pure sine wave inverter. I wouldn't trust a 2003 model making arcing noises.

chiefneon · 09-28-2020, 05:45 PM

Howdy!

We had a sim problem a couple of years ago and it turned out to be the transfer switch. We lost proper and ended up having it replaced along with the outside 50amp plug on the RV and the 50amp power cord. As stated start losing for bad connections from the power cord on.

“Happy Trails”
Chiefneon

HarryStone · 09-28-2020, 08:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chiefneon

Howdy!

We had a sim problem a couple of years ago and it turned out to be the transfer switch. We lost proper and ended up having it replaced along with the outside 50amp plug on the RV and the 50amp power cord. As stated start losing for bad connections from the power cord on.

“Happy Trails”
Chiefneon

He did state in his first post that he can wiggle one of the large wires going into the inverter and it stops.

mchero · 09-28-2020, 10:40 PM

Could be a bad or dirty connection.

rodrickc · 10-01-2020, 01:38 PM

Here is the sound it makes over the top of the 3 fans in the compartment. You can at the 11 seconds to go... the green light on the exactly at the same time the light goes out... the loudest click? I powered off at the breaker today and now all is quiet. But it will come back? Here is a link to a video file. Moving the wire in... has no effect. It was just coincidence.
Thanks

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1N5o...yuuw4MCFD/view

mchero · 10-01-2020, 06:05 PM

That white connection on the left, where the white and black wires connect, has those connections been tightened (with 12vdc and 120vac powered off of course)?

rodrickc · 10-12-2020, 05:48 AM

Thanks everyone for your comments. Just a follow up to my noise. I narrowed it down to being able to wiggle either of the RJ-11 connectors and it would make the board have a chattering noise. I thought by disconnecting my remote on it fixed it until I fix the big problem. I guess I was just coincidence that it didn't make a noise until it was repair. Had a local RV specialist order a new inverter and installed it. Everything is good now and no problems. Now on to my next mystery problem
Thanks