So before I begin, I know you shouldn't have electrical items in the bathroom...
My wife bought me a Google mini speaker while on holidays in America so it has a two pin plug/adapter. I've plugged this into an electrical shaver outlet in the bathroom and it works but the outlet emits an annoying sound after a few minutes. If I plug the speaker into an ordinary 240v socket (with a two to three pin converter) it works fine without any interference.
Would any of you know what the problem might be? I believe it uses a 15w while in use.
Thanks
You know where it says ' Shaver only' ?
Thats for a reason.
The Google device probably has the electronics inside it to work out whether its plugged into a UK style nominal 240V system, or a US 110V system.
The difference is its looking for 240V at 50hz.
You've plugged into into the 120V nominal side of your shave socket, its picked up 110Volts ... at 50 Hz.
The USA runs at 60 Hz. The difference wont matter much with shaver, but a Google Mini is somewhat more complex.
Unplug it. Remove it from the bathroom.
(Edited for clarity).
The outlet or the speaker?
I'm not convinced by snotrag's explanation, the switching mode power supplies in modern electronics (the reason they don't need large transformer/rectifier bricks anymore) really don't care what you feed into them, a lot will even work if you feed them DC.
The outlet itself has a transformer in it though, even the 240V side, to isolate it from the mains. It's a crude way to stop you electrocuting yourself as the transformer is a long length of wire with it's own resistance so even if you sort circuit it it won't pass more than a few milliamps.
So either the speaker is drawing more than the transformer can deliver, or it's just a bit worn out. As it warms up the glue goes a bit soft, and the coil starts to humm.
It's been asked before, but how much time do you spend in the bathroom that you need a speaker?
Maybe I'm just so used to it being just Mrs S and I in the house that (a) I don't need the solitude or (b) I just leave the door open so I can hear any music etc playing elsewhere.
Which mini speaker is it?
If the actual Google Mini that has a USB B (or maybe C socket - I can't remember) I just plug it into a power bank / battery pack and it works fine.
The difference is its looking for 240V at 50hz.
I'm not sure it works like that. My iPad power supply has happily worked off 400Hz supplies before, along with a tiny screw-up where it got to enjoy 415V for a bit. I mean, it says "shaver only" on it but doesn't care if a toothbrush is plugged in. The "shaver only" warning is for prats who plug hairdryers into things.
The buzzing is because it gets warm and has vibrating components in it (all toroidal transformers do, the iron core changes size very slightly as the magnetic field changes). It's why they turn off when unplugged because the buzzing is annoying if it's in an en-suite.
You can narrow it down by seeing if it does it with a shaver or toothbrush plugged in. Personally I don't think the risk is significant even if it did fall in the bath with you but the easiest solution is to use a bluetooth speaker. I have an Anker one, it's waterproof and sounds OK too.
It makes that noise when it’s spying on your cock. Check Google images.
It’s been asked before, but how much time do you spend in the bathroom that you need a speaker?
I have a proper pair of hi fi speakers in the bathroom. Wired into the same amp as the rest of the flat. I like to have the tunes on constantly and its nice to have good sound. so as I walk around the house the same tunes are playing in each room. good for sports commentaries, nice to have some tunes when in the bath. I love it.
As someone else said, run it off a power bank, should last a few hours between charges
We have one of these. Battery lasts ages
