BCT15X: Weird occasional knocking sound when plugged in.

[Ryanwatern]

Hello, I have a BCT15x and was wondering what this issue may be or if anyone else has had it. The issue is sometimes when I plug-in the scanner it makes this knocking like sound, and it never lights up or turns on. To fix this issue all I have to do is turn it off and turn it on by on and off button or unplug it and re-plug it back in. The on/off button is the most efficient way to fix as it works every time as to when I unplug then plug it back in it does the same issue a few times back to back. Didn’t know if this was something I should be concerned about or if it is something that could progressively get worse so I figured I would ask.

 

[Ryanwatern]

Here’s a video showing the knocking sound. It’s quite quiet, so you may have to turn it up.

 

[Ubbe]

The most common fault with BCT15x are the 12v power adaptor.

/Ubbe

 

[tvengr]

Does the knocking sound speed change when you turn up the volume? If you have more than one scanner, scanners can radiate signals which interfere with each other.

 

[Ryanwatern]

Does the knocking sound speed change when you turn up the volume? If you have more than one scanner, scanners can radiate signals which interfere with each other.

No, same volume and speed

 

[JoeBearcat]

Check the power supply and if bad replace it before you damage the scanner.

 

[crippledchicken]

Is that an XBOX the scanner is sitting on top of? I get that same sound if I lay my cell phone on top of my Whistler WS1065 scanner.

 

[vagrant]

If you move the scanner and same wallwart power supply to another room and the same problems persist, your power supply transformer is probably bad. Replace it, or suffer the consequences.

 

[JoeBearcat]

Is that an XBOX the scanner is sitting on top of? I get that same sound if I lay my cell phone on top of my Whistler WS1065 scanner.

Nice catch! Anything that generates RF can cause RF noise.

 

[Ryanwatern]

Is that an XBOX the scanner is sitting on top of? I get that same sound if I lay my cell phone on top of my Whistler WS1065 scanner.

Yeah, I thought of that about 3 days ago and it is now on an empty desk, signal is a lot better.

 

[Ryanwatern]

If you move the scanner and same wallwart power supply to another room and the same problems persist, your power supply transformer is probably bad. Replace it, or suffer the consequences.

I will try that, I have about 20 different power supply’s from other Uniden scanners, or other things I’ve had in the past.

 

[wtp]

and remember that new/different does not mean it works.
double check volts and amps/current and polarity.

 

[dispatch235]

I have a 15X that does the exact same thing, usually when the electric goes off then back on. Shutting it off and back on like yours and it is normal again. I have several other Uniden scanners that come back on like normal, the 15X just seems to have the problem. All of mine are connected to the same 10amp power supply. I also tried putting it on it's own "wall wart" supply with same results. Otherwise it works fine.