Fan noise behind washroom GFCI receptacle?

[Diatom]

2012 C26 is emitting fan-like noise (I'd compare it to an ageing computer fan) that is emanating from white hinge-covered GFCI receptacle on portside wall in washroom. Perhaps the receptacle is simply channeling the sound from elsewhere? Clearly associated to receptacle, louder when hinged cover is open. The "fan" seems to operate only when both (a) inverter is "on" (not standby) and (b) boat is warm - either on startup on a hot day, running, or for a while after shutdown.

Was the 2012 C26 originally equipped with a GFCI receptacle in washroom, or have I inherited an add-on?
Any ideas what the source of the sound is? Definitely not: fridge, window defroster, wallas heater, engine-heat cabin heater fan, water pressure pump, washdown pump, macerator, thrusters, bilge pumps, searchlight servo, Fusion audio, shower sump. Opening helm fuse hatch from washroom does not increase the sound. Independent of overhead lights.

My current guess is that the inverter has a cooling fan whose whirr is being channeled through a hull void to the receptacle??

 

[knotflying]

Sump pump for shower? They are known to get stuck and run until your battery goes dead.

 

[Mr. Ed]

Just a thought... inverters have a fan that operates from time to time. You might try turning your inverter off to see if that makes the fan noise go away.

 

[BradOwens]

I'd guess it's the inverter fan keeping the inverter cool. That's a good thing.

 

[CruisingElvinRay]

On my R-23, the fan on the stereo drove me crazy until I figured it out. Audible in the head, but nowhere else.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Ralf H]

Hi Diatom,

CruisingElvinRay is right. Check to make sure it's not the stereo fan. Look in the cabined behind the mirror and see if that gives you a better idea where the noise is coming from. Hope this helps.

Thanks,

Ralf

 

[Diatom]

Doesn't look to me like either of the 2 suggested suspects:
- Inverter fan? Inverter is in stern starboard hatch, yes has a very high-pitched faint squeal but no fan noise produced. Definitely inverter-powered though.
- Stereo fan? Stereo is opposite helm (port side console); even removing the CD rack & pressing my ear to the hole I hear silence. Stereo in any case is off.

None of the remaining AC plugs emits appreciable noise, though I can very faintly hear the same "fan" from an AC plug in V-berth on outer washroom wall. Now I'm wondering if the GCFI itself is emitting the fan-like noise for some reason.

Frequency analysis via iPhone app shows pretty much white noise with strong peaks at 48 and 471 Hz. Latter is suspiciously close to an even multiple of 115VAC. Should be able to match it to something aboard. Also confirmed with dB meter loudest source point is the GCFI esp. when opened.

 

[BradOwens]

Could just be a bad GFCI outlet. They will sometimes make a buzzing sound. Try tripping the GFCI test button with everything else left the same and see if the noise stops.