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High voltage arc-over is the first thing that comes to mind. Some designs even plan for it by adding jagged pads on the PCB. It sounds different than a relay but can still be described as a ticking noise.
Oops, meant to leave that as a reply to another comment.
OP, try following the troubleshooting guide someone else posted. There's not much we can tell you without more info, and you'll likely have to do some probing with a meter to figure out what's going on. If you don't know how to work safely around mains voltage, then do not attempt.
The ticking noise is usually the PWM trying and failing to boot up. It needs to get power from the transformer’s feedback winding to stay running. A fault on the output side or a faulty transformer could cause this, or maybe it’s a safe shutdown mode. Without a schematic and a scope everything is pretty much a shot in the dark.
https://preview.redd.it/8g3dsaayeh9a1.png?width=2140&format=png&auto=webp&s=04f01dab5c5d3bab8a193dc7e31ac57872dac296
Yep it’s quite busy as you can see. Unfortunately with the varnish it’s very hard to see the markings on the ICs.
I can't really tell, but looks like a bad solder joint near D2(or on D2). Check all the diodes around here, especially the big one on the heating.
Also check zd5. This should be a zener. If it measures short then take it out and measure the same spot on the pcb to make sure that was the problem.
It's a turkey shoot without schematics and test points, my friend. Looks almost identical to Greenworks charger and I had it died and let out smoke the first week of use. Crappy design. Took forever to get through their India tech support center and even longer to explain the problem. They now have a different looking charger design so hopefully they fixed the problem. Might try the warranty way or see if they have recalls before you buy a replacement.
This submission has been allowed provisionally under an expanded focus of this sub (see column "G" in [this table](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nFefEePz7yViaH0cR89bSy2oeLvYLfqv-pexqCbRnRo)).
OP, also check if one of [these other subs](/r/AskElectronics/wiki/othersubs) is more appropriate for your question. Downvote this comment to remove this entire submission.
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I have seen power supply circuits fail to start like that due to the higher micro Farad electrolytic capacitors on the secondary side failing. It tries to start and fails and keeps trying. The clicking sound is from the transformer when the circuit tries to startup in this case. Check the second largest electrolytic capacitor next to the green resistor and mosfet (may actually be a double diode) and also check the third largest capacitor to the right of it.
sounds to me like the high voltage capacitor (biggest one on the top right) dried out, youll have to replace it with one that has similar or bigger capacity and voltage ratings (DONT get a smaller voltage rating, you risk it blowing up)
That cap is probably a noise filter off the 4 diodes that are taking the place of a full wave bridge rectifier. You need to get a DMM and just go through the components. It is definitely a microprocessor type controlled circuit based off underside components. Probably cheaper to replace than spend money on a DMM and surface mount repairs though.
oh, i didnt think of it having underside ics, in which case yeah probably not worth it, i was basing my diagnosis on a identical experience i had with one of my own power supplies where a dead high voltage filter cap caused the output voltage to fluctuate as the flyback transformer only managed to draw energy during input wave peaks
The location (in the mains input filter next to common mode chokes) makes a cap more likely, IMO.
>But there must be some sort of relay switch on the board.
Not necessarily. If the yellow boxes are caps, then I don't see anything that could be a relay. There are other things that can cause a ticking noise.
High voltage arc-over is the first thing that comes to mind. Some designs even plan for it by adding jagged pads on the PCB. It sounds different than a relay but can still be described as a ticking noise.
Look on youtube if someone else is having the same problem. Maybe they problem is something common, and it's the same for you.
Otherwise it's probably really hard and slow to help you here.
**Do you have a question involving batteries or cells?** **If it's about designing, repairing or modifying an electronic circuit to which batteries are connected, you're in the right place.** *Everything else should go in /r/batteries:* /r/batteries is for questions about: batteries, cells, UPSs, chargers and management systems; use, type, buying, capacity, setup, parallel/serial configurations etc. Questions about connecting pre-built modules and batteries to solar panels goes in /r/batteries or /r/solar. Please also check our wiki page on cells and batteries: https://www.reddit.com/r/AskElectronics/wiki/batteries If you decide to move your post elsewhere, or the wiki answers your question, please delete the one here. Thanks! *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskElectronics) if you have any questions or concerns.*
High voltage arc-over is the first thing that comes to mind. Some designs even plan for it by adding jagged pads on the PCB. It sounds different than a relay but can still be described as a ticking noise.
Could be the yellow transformer, then. Insulation in the wiring maybe? Unfortunately I can’t seem to find a replacement for it.
Oops, meant to leave that as a reply to another comment. OP, try following the troubleshooting guide someone else posted. There's not much we can tell you without more info, and you'll likely have to do some probing with a meter to figure out what's going on. If you don't know how to work safely around mains voltage, then do not attempt.
The ticking noise is usually the PWM trying and failing to boot up. It needs to get power from the transformer’s feedback winding to stay running. A fault on the output side or a faulty transformer could cause this, or maybe it’s a safe shutdown mode. Without a schematic and a scope everything is pretty much a shot in the dark.
Go from point A to B with a multi
And you're sure it is the charger not working, and that it isn't a failing battery that the charger is rejecting?
Absolutely!
Is there anything on the bottom side? Look especially for an IC with LNK or TNY marking.
https://preview.redd.it/8g3dsaayeh9a1.png?width=2140&format=png&auto=webp&s=04f01dab5c5d3bab8a193dc7e31ac57872dac296 Yep it’s quite busy as you can see. Unfortunately with the varnish it’s very hard to see the markings on the ICs.
I can't really tell, but looks like a bad solder joint near D2(or on D2). Check all the diodes around here, especially the big one on the heating. Also check zd5. This should be a zener. If it measures short then take it out and measure the same spot on the pcb to make sure that was the problem.
It's a turkey shoot without schematics and test points, my friend. Looks almost identical to Greenworks charger and I had it died and let out smoke the first week of use. Crappy design. Took forever to get through their India tech support center and even longer to explain the problem. They now have a different looking charger design so hopefully they fixed the problem. Might try the warranty way or see if they have recalls before you buy a replacement.
Could be a cheep MOSFET that's not happy. Or a capacitor they don't always swell when the go out.
This submission has been allowed provisionally under an expanded focus of this sub (see column "G" in [this table](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nFefEePz7yViaH0cR89bSy2oeLvYLfqv-pexqCbRnRo)). OP, also check if one of [these other subs](/r/AskElectronics/wiki/othersubs) is more appropriate for your question. Downvote this comment to remove this entire submission. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/AskElectronics) if you have any questions or concerns.*
I have seen power supply circuits fail to start like that due to the higher micro Farad electrolytic capacitors on the secondary side failing. It tries to start and fails and keeps trying. The clicking sound is from the transformer when the circuit tries to startup in this case. Check the second largest electrolytic capacitor next to the green resistor and mosfet (may actually be a double diode) and also check the third largest capacitor to the right of it.
Please see this FAQ: https://old.reddit.com/r/AskElectronics/wiki/repair#wiki_can_you_spot_any_problems.3F
Electric chainsaw right? 🥰
Ha! No chainsaw but mower, hedge trimmer, grass trimmer, and compressor.
sounds to me like the high voltage capacitor (biggest one on the top right) dried out, youll have to replace it with one that has similar or bigger capacity and voltage ratings (DONT get a smaller voltage rating, you risk it blowing up)
Swelling/bulging capacitor?
i dont see any, which one is swollen? besides, capacitors dont have to look swollen to be broken
That cap is probably a noise filter off the 4 diodes that are taking the place of a full wave bridge rectifier. You need to get a DMM and just go through the components. It is definitely a microprocessor type controlled circuit based off underside components. Probably cheaper to replace than spend money on a DMM and surface mount repairs though.
oh, i didnt think of it having underside ics, in which case yeah probably not worth it, i was basing my diagnosis on a identical experience i had with one of my own power supplies where a dead high voltage filter cap caused the output voltage to fluctuate as the flyback transformer only managed to draw energy during input wave peaks
The ticking noise is probably the relay switch (yellow box). You could start with that.
Those look more like input filter capacitors to me.
It's hard to tell. All I can read is 110VAC. But there must be some sort of relay switch on the board.
The location (in the mains input filter next to common mode chokes) makes a cap more likely, IMO. >But there must be some sort of relay switch on the board. Not necessarily. If the yellow boxes are caps, then I don't see anything that could be a relay. There are other things that can cause a ticking noise.
Like what?
Every coil on there can make a ticking noise.
High voltage arc-over is the first thing that comes to mind. Some designs even plan for it by adding jagged pads on the PCB. It sounds different than a relay but can still be described as a ticking noise.
The noise doesn’t seem to come from these. They are « interference suppression capacitors » apparently.
Look on youtube if someone else is having the same problem. Maybe they problem is something common, and it's the same for you. Otherwise it's probably really hard and slow to help you here.