Noisy Contactor

[Dino]

Hi, my new (to me) boat has Lovato MC9 220v Contactors for both the shorepower and the generator. They are pretty noisy. I’ve checked them with a multimeter and the input voltage is within standard.
Has anyone had this issue and if so was it just a case of swapping them out?
Thanks!

 

[superheat6k]

Check your solenoid coil voltage as shown on the data label on the contactor, and actual voltage being supplied to the coil. If this is down by say 10 - 20 volts they can get noisy.

I note you state they are 220v, so if you are using 240v coil supply this could be forcing them in too hard.

 

[Dino]

Thanks, yes I put a meter across A1 and A2 and I saw 230v. It seems to be vibrating a little. I also cycled the contactor a few times while it was dead and now it’s not too bad. Might add it to the winter jobs list

 

[Seastoke]

The mag plates will be rusty try electronic spray with power off.

 

[superheat6k]

Simple answer would be to fit a contactor with a 240v coil. Many think that 220, 230 and 240 are the same thing. For certain items such as solenoids they are not. Plenty of decent cheap contactors on Ebay. I use Chint for my business and have done for many years - excellent as far as manufacture and user quality is concerned.

 

[Dino]

Thanks. Yes it occurred to be that a 230v unit might be better. Also, I’m guessing they are original to the boat at 24 years old so might be a good idea to replace them

 

[Seastoke]

The voltage in the uk has not changed , we changed the parameters , it used to be 240v + or - 6%. Now it is 230 -6% + 10% to take in 230 v from Europe . Can you imagine having to change every transformer in the uk .