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Inverter Noise

Seán Kerr

Seán Kerr

VIP Member
Messages
154
Location
Dunblane
Vehicle
T6 Ocean 204 4Motion
Do other people get a noise from their inverter when they plug something into it?

I’ve had my Cali for a short time and just prepping for my first trips. I will be wild camping nearly all of the time and will need the power inverter mainly for charging my laptop (MacBook powered by USB-C), as it charges it far faster than the cigar lighter socket with a USB-C adapter (2 hours vs 10+ hours). However, my inverter socket makes a fairly loud hum / buzz when I plug a 2 pin plug / cable into it, which is amplified further when I plug my Anker USB / USB-C wall charger, which is silent when plugged into the 3 pin socket on hook up.

I’m aware that many commercially available inverters suffer from noise, generally if they deliberately produce a square wave or perform poorly in producing the intended pure or modified sine wave. I’m just trying to establish if all Cali inverters are noisy or if there’s a problem with mine.
 
I hear a buzz from mine (both our last van and current van.)
 
Neither sound very power efficient, what about a proper dc-dc adapter for the charging?
 
Neither sound very power efficient, what about a proper dc-dc adapter for the charging?
Do you mean a fast charger for my MacBook with a 12V DC cigar plug on one end and a USB-C plug on the other? If so, I can’t find any. I had one for my last MacBook, which used the MagSafe connector for charging. If not, what’s your thinking?

EDIT: Just saw your helpful reply and link on the T6 forum. That looks like it will do the job. Many thanks. https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01N0REYQ6/?tag=eliteelect-21.
 
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Do you mean a fast charger for my MacBook with a 12V DC cigar plug on one end and a USB-C plug on the other? If so, I can’t find any. I had one for my last MacBook, which used the MagSafe connector for charging. If not, what’s your thinking?

I haven't seen any 12V to USB-C chargers that are much over 30 Watts, but they do exist. Presumably your MacBook charger is 60 W or 80 W, so 30 W will still be slower than plugging in to the inverter.

I have not used these, but I have seen MagSafe to USB-C adapters. If you still have your old 12 DC MagSafe charger, you could try one of those adapters. Otherwise, I guess that we will start to see high power 12 V USB-C chargers in time.

Note: I'm very particular about the make and source of phone and computer power supplies. There are some dreadful death traps for sale at prices that are ludicrously low. Get a good brand, from a reputable source. An Apple charger plugged into the inverter might be less efficient, but it is a pretty safe option.
 
I haven't seen any 12V to USB-C chargers that are much over 30 Watts, but they do exist. Presumably your MacBook charger is 60 W or 80 W, so 30 W will still be slower than plugging in to the inverter.

I have not used these, but I have seen MagSafe to USB-C adapters. If you still have your old 12 DC MagSafe charger, you could try one of those adapters. Otherwise, I guess that we will start to see high power 12 V USB-C chargers in time.

Note: I'm very particular about the make and source of phone and computer power supplies. There are some dreadful death traps for sale at prices that are ludicrously low. Get a good brand, from a reputable source. An Apple charger plugged into the inverter might be less efficient, but it is a pretty safe option.
You make some excellent points. The charger in the link above is only 36W, whereas the Apple charger is 87W and the 12V DC MagSafe charger is 85W, albeit an aftermarket charger.

I agree about types of chargers and I do try to do a bit of due diligence on them. It’s definitely a risk with the mega cheap ones. I’m happy that the Anker charger I have is of high enough quality (https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01C89H12K/?tag=eliteelect-21) but another option, as you say, is to use the Apple charger in the inverter, which just means getting a 2 pin Apple plug for it. Regardless, I’m trying to establish if I’m going to have to put up with the hum/buzz from the inverter if I go down that route. Failing that, it’s a MagSafe to USB C adapter or wait for a good quality and fast 12V DC to USB C charger. Thanks for your help.
 
I've never noticed any noise from the inverter in my 2012 Cali. I use it for charging cameras, phones and a bluetooth speaker. There is an intermittent hum when a MacBook charger is plugged into it, but it's comes from the charger itself.
 
I would also be concerned that the cali inverter is smooth enough, as some laptop chargers dont like modified sine-wave inverters as it makes them overheat. If you do this alot perhaps a better quality pure sine-wave inverter fitted under the seat with its own dedicated feed from the battery would be better.
 
I would also be concerned that the cali inverter is smooth enough, as some laptop chargers dont like modified sine-wave inverters as it makes them overheat. If you do this alot perhaps a better quality pure sine-wave inverter fitted under the seat with its own dedicated feed from the battery would be better.
Thanks Loz. Are you confirming that the VW installed inverter is a square wave type?
 
Thanks Loz. Are you confirming that the VW installed inverter is a square wave type?
I've never had an oscilloscope on it to check but its more likely to be a modified sine-wave as the pure sine wave units are more expensive and we know VW are not going to pay any more than they have to for the part.
I'll have a look at the workshop manual in case there is any spec on it.
 
Hi Sean. Did you ever get to the bottom of this one? Mine started buzzing today and has never done it before so freaked me out a bit as I thought it might set on fire or something.

Cheers
Rich
 
Hi Sean. Did you ever get to the bottom of this one? Mine started buzzing today and has never done it before so freaked me out a bit as I thought it might set on fire or something.

Cheers
Rich
Hi Rich

No, never fixed. I took it to the repair centre in Edinburgh and their Cali specialist was scratching his head. He reported it to VW and they said it was a known issue without a solution. Haven't heard anything since. Not great really.
 
Im fitting a seperate Victron 500VA pure sine inverter to the Cali although I may buy a second smaller one - hefty bit of kit.

I currently have it plumbed in my X3 as its used to power some delicate industrial equipment. Its my intention to make it possible to swap it between the two vehicles with an Anderson connector. I can confirm its quiet although a fan does kick in at higher current draw. I might buy a second and wire it in to the existing inverter socket.

I dont think the VW is physically big enough to contain the components to produce a pure sine wave its almost certainly a modified sine wave not ideal for electronics. I suspect the noise will be the transformer core vibrating and will vary depending on how well the plates are fixed together hence why some are better than others.
 
Hi Rich

No, never fixed. I took it to the repair centre in Edinburgh and their Cali specialist was scratching his head. He reported it to VW and they said it was a known issue without a solution. Haven't heard anything since. Not great really.
Not great at all. I’ll take mine in to get checked out as I find it a bit unnerving. Thanks for getting back to me.
 
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