12V Microwave.

briche · Guru

12V Microwave.

Sheba · Guru

This is the reply I got today, re the 12V Microwave oven. Same as last time I'm afraid.

Cheers,

Sheba.

justcruisin01 · Guru

briche wrote:
Hi Sheba, with reference to the 12 volt microwave. I would not touch one even if you could get one. The other matter which is really the problem is to try and run a microwave oven via an inverter would require the biggest battery you could get. The amount of current drawn from the battery even with the smallest microwave over you could buy would be huge. I'm afraid to say that if you want to run a microwave oven you will need to be hooked up to 240 volts say in a caravan park or run it from a generator if you have one. It will need to be a 2000 watt capacity. Just so you know where I'm coming from I am a qualified electrician so my comments are true. Hope you can get it sorted Regards Brian

-- Edited by briche on Wednesday 28th of November 2012 08:12:38 PM

EXACTLEY !

Sheba · Guru

I'll only be using the normal Microwave if ever I'm in a C'Park guys, and I can't see that happening. Got the 12V info. for Milo who was asking about it last night, and any-one else who might have been wondering about them.

Cheers,

Sheba.

jimricho · Guru

Thanks Sheba for following that up for all of us even if only to confirm what most of us already assumed.

I wouldn't be wasting all that money to put in a mega battery/solar just to run a microwave when I could spend it much more wisely on things like booze and long lunches.

-- Edited by jimricho on Thursday 29th of November 2012 05:56:45 AM

milo · Guru

bummer.. at least we know now...

briche · Guru

Hi Mary, in regards to your question I will answer it with some maths to show the difference. For example if you have a 700 watt microwave the current drawn on 240 volts will be around 3 amps. The same microwave running on an inverter from a 12 volt battery will be in the order of 60 amps. For that to happen you would need a battery with a capacity of about 600 amp hrs and the cable size to carry this load would need to be about 30 mm in diameter, about your thumb size. I hope I have not confused you too much but I have tried to show that to run a microwave off 12 volts thru a inverter is just not possible in a caravan situation even for just a short time. On top of all the above the battery to run this appliance would weigh about 60 to 80 kgs. Trust that helps to put this topic in perspective. Regards Brian.

-- Edited by briche on Thursday 29th of November 2012 07:42:09 PM

-- Edited by briche on Thursday 29th of November 2012 07:43:09 PM

Mary · Senior Member

Just a question for briche it I may.Since one would only use a microwave for a few mins at a time to make a coffee in morning /heat some noodles/baked beans or heat a precooked meal would it be feasable with a 1500/2000v inverter if one ran the engine whilst using the micro wave.Often thought it would be great for my Landrover camper during bad weather
We met briefly at Greens

Thanks,
Mary

neilnruth · Guru

Brian will answer from a professional view. I'll answer from our own experience. Our microwave made 'surging' noises and then stopped each time we tried to use it with inverter. We keep the microwave in the van for when we are in CPs and use it as a 'cupboard' for bread and cakes etc when not in use. It was just as easy to heat/ cook on the gas. It doesn't bother me. Usually at home I use the microwave all the time. Not being able to use it is all the time is all part of being 'on the road' for me.

Mary · Senior Member

Hi Brian,
Not intending to run in a van but in my Landrover camperAlready have dual battery system with 80 ah agm and 120 ah agm running off solar panels on roof .This battery powers my National lunar 40/10 frig freezer alone.Has coped without assistance from dbattery system during last years 7 week outback tour of Ann beadell hwy and Canning Stock route
What I was interested tp know was could I run a microwave via the dual battery system in the vehicle with the engine running for short periods of a few minutes.I trust i have explained the situation a little better.ie I have 3 battery system but the solar powered one is not connected to the vehicle system-it runs the frig and is an external source of power if there was a problem in an isolated situaion.So is it possible with a quality inverter to start the engine and boil some water for my morning coffee when it's snowing outsideThanks very much for your assistance
Mary

jimricho · Guru

Brian you may have overlooked something in your calculations. It's my understanding that the wattage quoted for a microwave is the heat output for cooking not the power consumed by the microwave. (tried to keep it simple, it's actually the RF power output of the magnetron).

The microwave will probably pull more like 1200 watts or so (I'm led to believe, I haven't measured it myself) so in fact the current draw is even more than you estimated which further reinforces the point you're making.

I was camped on an unpowered site for 9 weeks earlier this year and I lived quite happily without my microwave. If one can't live without all the mod cons maybe one should stay in a caravan park or stay at home.

DeBe · Guru

Your quite right Jim, they draw about 1200 to 1500 Watts. I use a 2600watt Genquip Inverter Generator to run mine, aswell as an Airconditioner or fan heater.

milo · Guru

arrg all this does my head innn confuse

Sheba · Guru

Don't stress Milo. Just accept the fact that 12V Microwave is a no-no.

Cheers,

Sheba.

johnno02 · Veteran Member

Sheba wrote:
Don't stress Milo. Just accept the fact that 12V Microwave is a no-no.
Cheers,
Sheba.

ABSOLUTELY, a No No,

As the others have stated,the current they need is Extreme,even if the Inverter is running at 100%,efficiency

which they do Not.

Just a little warning for the Unwary,Please do not Ever be Tempted,to open a Microwave,even when turned off,

OR,had the power cord cut off.

They have the Deadliest power Supply,of all Commercial Electronics devices,that I know of, I used to fix the buggers.

I have been "Lit up" by the 240 volt Mains, the 25 KV off a colour Tv Anode,and the 400 Volts,from its power supply,both turned off at the time,plug out of the wall,all my own fault, too much to do,to little time to do it in

(the TV Power supply had been out,and on the bench for several days,waiting on parts)

But Never from a Microwave,or I probably wouldn't be typing this.

The 2000 odd Volts from the Electrolytic Filter Capacitor,in a Microwave,will VAPORISE,the end of a Solid Screwdriver,

with Far more Current,than the 25 thousand Volts,from the TV Final Anode,and it's 400 Volt DC supply.

PLEASE,be warned these things can/will Kill

regards

John

Retired Electronics Technician

briche · Guru

Thanks for Jimricho, Yuko are right about the actual power consumed for a 600 watt microwave oven. The actual is about double but I just kept it in terms that people would understand. As you say it just reenforces the problems faced. Thanks mate