I've an EATON 5E850iUSBDIN 850VA/480W UPS.
This UPS makes a very loud beep sound both when it's first plugged into the mains(short beep) and when it's first turned on from the button(3x longer beep) (I'm not including the case when it beeps because the mains power is cut off).
I would very much like to somehow attach a volume controller so that I can make this beep quieter for two reasons:
1. thin walls – I worry about disturbing the neighbors with the loud beeping sound (mainly during the night).
2. this UPS constantly uses 7.5W even when nothing is plugged into it (this is after the battery is already well charged) – and due to 1. I'm keeping it plugged in full time. (as a side note: if I turn the UPS off from the button it consumes 7.0W constantly, even though the battery is already charged)
A volume controller would allow me to unplug it whenever I want thus saving power (and noise).
What kind of volume controller should I attach and where/how to wire it ?
and Would adding it possibly affect the UPS functionality ?
EDIT: picture of the beeper/buzzer inside:
Best Answer
That's a common self osscilating Piezoelectric buzzer. You can lower the volume electronically by reducing the voltage to it. A few 1n4001 diodes in series would work. A low ohm resister in a pinch. Or you can just snip it off, or pierce the membrane inside with a screwdriver
But a mechanical method works fine too. Some tape over the hole, or some cotton in the hole. Both. Muffles the sound.