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Bah hum bug - new Victron inverter noisy at idle...is this normal?

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sunsurfer

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I just got my first mulitplus II and got it hooked up. 24v 3000kva. It has a load 60hz hum/buzz at idle and under load. Is this normal for this inverter? I have other transformer inverters and they are silent at idle but can buzz/hum under load. I haven't checked idle current yet. It does work but I don't have a scope to look at the output. Runs stuff just fine.

Thanks for any input.
 
I'm getting the same one but the 24v 2000 version. Hoping this is not normal. Is it something you can hear inside the house space or just when you're next to it?
 
Allistah said:
I'm getting the same one but the 24v 2000 version. Hoping this is not normal. Is it something you can hear inside the house space or just when you're next to it?
Click to expand...
Where are you purchasing from? I would avoid Amazon. Its loud enough to hear across a room easily. I also noticed the fan has a bad bearing. I got in on Amazon and it had signs of previous install. It may have been a used returned item.
 
sunsurfer said:
Where are you purchasing from? I would avoid Amazon. Its loud enough to hear across a room easily. I also noticed the fan has a bad bearing. I got in on Amazon and it had signs of previous install. It may have been a used returned item.
Click to expand...
Need to be careful which dealer you are buying from even though it may be shipping from Amazon. Some of the pooled inventory can be problematic. I would suggest Current Connected, Pike or Inverts r Us as reputable authorized dealers. Sounds like you need to return for full refund?
 
There's various options to reduce the buzz, mounting on some rubber backed isolation material to try and decouple from the wall, front panel can have a resonance you may be able to dampen etc.
 
Brucey said:
There's various options to reduce the buzz, mounting on some rubber backed isolation material to try and decouple from the wall, front panel can have a resonance you may be able to dampen etc.
Click to expand...
If its normal, I'm fine with that. It isn't in a living area but in a shed. I just want to make sure there isn't a failure going on creating some harmonic or such thing...I'm use to a Magna-sine that is quiet unless under load.
 
sunsurfer said:
If its normal, I'm fine with that. It isn't in a living area but in a shed. I just want to make sure there isn't a failure going on creating some harmonic or such thing...I'm use to a Magna-sine that is quiet unless under load.
Click to expand...
Yes some hum is normal and more so as they get to their rated output (and beyond). The fan fix is related to an issue where a fan was causing a droning type noise I think.
 
When I got my Victron Phoenix I was surprised at how noisy it was. I went and listened to a few other Victron Multiplus units and they were all just as noisy. Got spoilt by having a Sunny Island first.
 
Brucey said:
Yes some hum is normal and more so as they get to their rated output (and beyond). The fan fix is related to an issue where a fan was causing a droning type noise I think.
Click to expand...
Sounds about right on the fan noise. Like a bad bearing but I could see PWM issues causing it as per the service bulletin. Thats a bummer about the hum noise but its not an issue for me since its remote. Might not be good for others. I'm surprised I have not heard about it on this forum.

On a side note, I had a 24v 1200kva pheonix (mini) inverter and it was quite at idle.
 
I recently upgraded to a MultiPlus-II 24V/5KV Inverter/Charger and while it is a great unit, it is incredibly noisy.

Mine is in a free standing shed, so the noise isn't a problem, but if it were indoors (or in a boat, RV, etc) it would be intolerable.
The worst of it is that the noise constantly changes and it grumbles away whether it has a load or not.
It sounds as if it has some AC load which was drifting in and out of synchronization.

One day soon I'll pull off the lid and see if there are some bolts through the transformer which could be tightened up.
 
I have three MultiPlus-II units, bought at the same time from the same place. One of them has more idle hum than the others. It's a bummer but I'm not bothered by it enough to go through the hassle of trying to get it replaced on warranty.
 
I bought my 24/3k MP II (single 120v) from current connected in April, they did the firmware updates.

At idle it’s silent unless you put your ear right up to it. With a 1500w load (coffee pot or heat gun) it does hum enough to hear it from 5-10 feet and after 1-2 min the fans come on and fans are about the same loudness, so it’s kinda a wash. Idle consumption via my smart shunt is around 13w.

The average load on the unit will be under 500w so the hum under load didn’t concern me.
 
Brucey said:
This may be of interest, depending on what the build date is of your replacement inverter:

Dropbox

www.dropbox.com www.dropbox.com
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This is dated Feb 2023, id have to assume a units purchased in 2024 would already have the retrofit right?

What about the serial numbers listed “All”, hmmmm.
 
740GLE said:
This is dated Feb 2023, id have to assume a units purchased in 2024 would already have the retrofit right?

What about the serial numbers listed “All”, hmmmm.
Click to expand...
Just need to check the date code. You could well end up with one of those even if buying in 2024 if there's a bunch of inventory in stock.
 
740GLE said:
I bought my 24/3k MP II (single 120v) from current connected in April, they did the firmware updates.

At idle it’s silent unless you put your ear right up to it. With a 1500w load (coffee pot or heat gun) it does hum enough to hear it from 5-10 feet and after 1-2 min the fans come on and fans are about the same loudness, so it’s kinda a wash. Idle consumption via my smart shunt is around 13w.

The average load on the unit will be under 500w so the hum under load didn’t concern me.
Click to expand...
I have two more coming from CC I ordered last night. I will test them and see the difference.
 
gzimmer said:
I recently upgraded to a MultiPlus-II 24V/5KV Inverter/Charger and while it is a great unit, it is incredibly noisy.

Mine is in a free standing shed, so the noise isn't a problem, but if it were indoors (or in a boat, RV, etc) it would be intolerable.
The worst of it is that the noise constantly changes and it grumbles away whether it has a load or not.
It sounds as if it has some AC load which was drifting in and out of synchronization.

One day soon I'll pull off the lid and see if there are some bolts through the transformer which could be tightened up.
Click to expand...
For what it's worth, I finally got around to removing the case. The transformer bolts are tight, and sealed with thread-lock, and can't be tightened further (plus they're screwed in from the rear, so there's no access from the front). Also the fan wasn't running, so it's not fan noise.
 
gzimmer said:
The worst of it is that the noise constantly changes and it grumbles away whether it has a load or not.
It sounds as if it has some AC load which was drifting in and out of synchronization.
Click to expand...
I sit near my 48V Multiplus-II and hear the exact same 60Hz grumbling that phases in & out without any local changes in load. I attribute that to some sort of AC waveform distortion coming from the power company. Fortunately it's not loud and I find the hum soothing 😴
 
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