Flavia Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 Have just bought an Autocruise Pace, when its on hook up/ charging the leisure battery buzzes. It is charging and on site we use the isolater swith to turn off charging. Is this buzzing usual for this model? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 I would think it unusual. I would also think it is likely to be from the charger, possibly from a transformer in the charger, as these can vibrate. However, if that is the problem, it should not be doing it, so it should be investigated. It may help someone with knowledge of the van if you say what year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Iain Strachan Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 Hi and welcome to this forum. As brian has said without more details, its difficult to help much. There are some knowledgable folks on here, so let us know the age of the van. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will86 Posted July 22, 2015 Share Posted July 22, 2015 If it continues and you are capable ... and most important if its willing ... remove it and mount it on a moveable base ... the poor thing is doing its best to increase its sound output with the base its fixed to as an amplifier ... if it is fixed in such a way that it can be moved. Will Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flavia Posted July 23, 2015 Author Share Posted July 23, 2015 Its a 2009 Pace. We did mention the buzzing when we took the van back to the dealers with a few problems....tried to be clever etc etc( can you tell not impressed with dealers attitude) but we have classic cars that have to go on charge and a buzzing means a problem . If any one has any ideas my Hubby should be able to take a look and hopefully sort.Our instinct is that this is not normal despite what the dealer said! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 Flavia - 2015-07-22 8:44 AM Have just bought an Autocruise Pace, when its on hook up/ charging the leisure battery buzzes. It is charging and on site we use the isolater swith to turn off charging. Is this buzzing usual for this model? I've never heard of this before, but I've only been Motorhoming for 50 years! Try a different battery and if that buzzes too there is obviously a problem with the system and if it doesn't that suggests a problem with the battery and on a 6 year old van it may well be due for a new leisure battery anyway as so many are when they are sold! Dealers tend to put then on charge just before you arrive to collect to 'prove' that the battery is charged but this proves nothing as you might well discover if you leave the battery to stand off charge for a few days or camp off mains for a day or two! Do you have a digital voltmeter to check the battery voltage? Check it when fully charged and expect to see around 12.8 volts and again after a few days and expect to see around 12.6 volts for a decent battery. Something like this - widely available either online or locally - http://www.amazon.co.uk/DIGIFLEX-Testing-Digital-Multimeter-Voltmeter/dp/B003NEGZLS Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sshortcircuit Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 The buzzing suggests that the transformer is not ridgedly secured or the laminations are not tight. Having a quick look Sargent supplied chargers fitted to Autocruise. I have contacted their technical support in the past and they are very good so worth a call. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest frankie640 Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 I agree with the above post. Laminations will vibrate if not packed really tight. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gocro Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 It is probably the metal laminated core in the charger's transformer, it is possible, but not guaranteed to remedy, by soaking the whole thing in thin varnish and then allowing to thoroughly dry, or drip superglue over the metal parts. Both of these fixes would require some dismantling and an awareness of electrical safety. I tried this method with some success with one of my vans, the problem returned after a few months and I ended up buying a new charger, Given that you have just purchased the van I think it should be the dealers responsibility to remedy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tracker Posted July 23, 2015 Share Posted July 23, 2015 Perhaps some clarification would be in order? The OP stated that the battery buzzes, not the charger? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flavia Posted July 24, 2015 Author Share Posted July 24, 2015 The charger is an Amperor mv3205c, if that means anything to anyone.Dealers are saying it has a fan and thats what is making the noise. Would this be possible? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sshortcircuit Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Looking on the Amperor site. http://www.amperorassociates.co.uk/c-battery_chargers/BatteryC-3_25A.html The chargers have " intelligent cooling fan" which may well be the noise you are hearing. If you have a computer with a cooling fan it will be the same noise, more a whirr rather than a buzz. :-D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flavia Posted July 24, 2015 Author Share Posted July 24, 2015 Thanks for that, will investigate the fan issue.Not too worried about the noise as we turn off the isolater when on hook up, just dont want to go up in flames. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Will86 Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Tracker - 2015-07-23 8:50 PM The OP stated that the battery buzzes, not the charger? Seems like I and many failed to read what was said ! ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sshortcircuit Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Having never heard a battery buzzing, or it being possible, it was a fair assumption that it would be the charger. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 If the smoothing capacitors have gone on the charger it wil feed rough DC to the battery and you might hear it buzzing. When capacitors are faulty they tend to expand and sometimes the top cracks open. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sshortcircuit Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Charles - 2015-07-24 2:56 PM If the smoothing capacitors have gone on the charger it wil feed rough DC to the battery and you might hear it buzzing. When capacitors are faulty they tend to expand and sometimes the top cracks open. What will buzz? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charles Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Probably the charger but you might hear it at the battery too. Thinking about it the battery would act like a capacitor and smooth out the dc also. The capatitors are worth checking anyway they get a rough life inside chargers and power supplies and are prone to failiure after a few years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sshortcircuit Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Really intrigued here, a buzzing battery. The only noise a battery would make is if it is faulty and is being overcharged with bubble of gas being released and bursting. Buzzing, tell us more? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pipmk Posted July 24, 2015 Share Posted July 24, 2015 Rule 1 Always do the simple things first. Can you put your hand on the charger and can you feel vibration? Are the securing screws tight,if so loosen them a turn,if not tighten them. Can you access the fan or the vents where it draws air? After a number of years it mat well be sitting in a pile of dust etc ,just like computer vents and fans.Get a vac or a air pump on it. WD40 might also be your friend. Try all these things before going down any expensive routes. Sound travels,I cannot image how a battery could buzz,its only plates in liquid so there is nothing to move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flavia Posted July 27, 2015 Author Share Posted July 27, 2015 Thanks to everyone....fairly sure its the charger so going down the simple method first....bit like keeping our old MGA on the road..apparently! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flavia Posted July 29, 2015 Author Share Posted July 29, 2015 An update, Contacted a very nice man at Amperor who suggested a few things, one being test the output, result being output14.46, well over what it should be.So back to the dealers with this info and a new charger is on its way.But why does it have to be a battle. We mentioned the buzz a couple of days after picking up the van to be told ' they all buzz'. Also issues with fresh water outlet tap leaking , so much we were having to top the tank up every other day, to be told ' We tried to fix but they dont make those taps anymore' , hmmmm one now on its way from Swift.A gas ring had to be fixed....they have done that but now have a feeling probably not properly.The van has been back to the dealers once already and we have only had it 2 months.Surely if you are spending over £ 30,000 then its fair to expect to at least be able to use it. Aaaagh rant over. But thanks again to everyone for the advice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pipmk Posted July 30, 2015 Share Posted July 30, 2015 Glad it is (slowly) getting fixed. Sometimes with dealers its like wading through treacle to get them to adhere to their contract. Price has little to do with it,the jobbing builder down the road can give excellent service whereas as I know a £70000 purchase at the main Mercedes dealer doesn't guarantee service. Some people still stick to good service some wouldn't if you put 50000 volts through them, to quote Monty Python Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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