Q: My iMac is making a clicking sound at the back

We have recently moved onto a narrowboat and when sailing the power to the computer is by way of an 1600 watt inverter. However every time we plug the computer in you can here a clicking noise at the back, top left as you sit in front of the computer. We turned the computer on once and the clicking was slightly louder.

The inverter runs the TV, iPad & macbook chargers without any issues.

Whilst in our home marina we are hooked up to a shoreline with the normal 230-240v mains voltage and then we have no issues with the iMac which runs as it should.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks

MacBook Pro (15-inch Late 2011), OS X El Capitan (10.11.5), null

Posted on Jul 27, 2016 1:31 AM

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Q: My iMac is making a clicking sound at the back

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by Mike Sombrio,Helpful

Mike Sombrio Jul 27, 2016 12:46 PM in response to chrisfeast
Level 6 (17,283 points)

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Jul 27, 2016 12:46 PM in response to chrisfeast

That's the power supply complaining that the power from the inverter isn't good enough. You shouldn't run your iMac with that condition or you risk damaging the power supply. You could try a properly rated UPS between the inverter and the iMac to see if that cleans things up.
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by chrisfeast,

chrisfeast Jul 27, 2016 12:49 PM in response to Mike Sombrio
Level 1 (4 points)

Desktops

Jul 27, 2016 12:49 PM in response to Mike Sombrio

Hi Mike,

Excellent, thanks for that. As a precaution we turned off the iMac almost immediately we heard the sound.

Could you explain what 'a properly rated UPS' is and where we might get one?

Thanks again.
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by rkaufmann87,Helpful

rkaufmann87 Jul 27, 2016 12:57 PM in response to chrisfeast
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Jul 27, 2016 12:57 PM in response to chrisfeast

UPS's are available at most office supply stores. Personally I use an APC 750. They are about $100.
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by mattwithcats,

mattwithcats Jul 27, 2016 6:50 PM in response to chrisfeast
Level 1 (50 points)

Desktops

Jul 27, 2016 6:50 PM in response to chrisfeast

Perhaps running the iMac off a 12 volt battery?

Looks like the power consumption is pretty low, a 250 - 500 watt DC to AC converter should work...
Power consumption and thermal output information for iMac computers - Apple Support

The inverter will produce power even if nothing is plugged into it, and a solar panel can be used to charge the battery too...
https://youtu.be/1RZOzcrJ248

More peace and quiet, start the inverter, charge the battery(s), once full, shut off inverter...
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Q: My iMac is making a clicking sound at the back

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by Mike Sombrio,★Helpful

by chrisfeast,

by rkaufmann87,★Helpful

by mattwithcats,

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by Mike Sombrio,Helpful

by rkaufmann87,Helpful