We recently acquired two 80watt portable panels to feed a 120A/H AGM battery. A couple of weeks ago we returned from a trip where we spent 10 days free camping in order to really see how long we could be without mains power. Three of those days were without TV, (no service available) but we did view dvd's on a couple of occasions. The panels took around four hours to top up the battery, on cloudless sunny days.
The better half has suggested that it would be nice to be able to use the Microwave occasionally. My question is this, If we install an inverter to drive the 800w M/W to heat up food, soup etc; would this put too much drain the battery. The views of those in the know would be much appreciated. I have always had problems trying to work out how many amps or watts are used!!!!.
Regards,
Phil B.
-- Edited by Magnarc on Friday 9th of November 2012 09:40:20 AM
oldtrack123 said
09:53 AM Nov 9, 2012
Hi Phil
Forget about an any form of heating from solar unless you have LARGE battery capacity& a LARGE solar panel set up
Half an hour operation & your battery will need to be recharged
The inverter would need to be around 2000W
Peter
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Friday 9th of November 2012 10:10:34 AM
blaze said
05:49 PM Nov 9, 2012
Forget the microwave, I think you would need a very large invertor ( I would think a min of 2000w) and then more battery capicty. cheers blaze
jimricho said
06:18 PM Nov 9, 2012
All the extra battery/solar/inverter capacity needed would make it a very expensive microwave.
-- Edited by jimricho on Friday 9th of November 2012 06:22:34 PM
Scotty01 said
11:40 PM Nov 9, 2012
I run 2x300w panels charging 2x100ah batteries and a 1000w inverter and it wont even look at the microwave. wouldnt waste your time messing with it, if you really want the microwave get a generator and then you can also run a/c if you get the right gen. I have a Kypo 2600 and that will run the a/c or microwave but not both at once.
barina said
03:29 AM Nov 11, 2012
Looking for a supplier / fitter of fixed Solar panels and also portable ones, in the Newcastle area please
goldcoaster said
05:39 PM Nov 11, 2012
We just recently purchased a 3000w sinewave inverter to run a few small appliances like foxtel,laptop etc.So I got my auto electrician to hook it up,when i came back to pick it up he said to me it runs the microwave brilliantly.I was surprised as I had no intention of running the microwave,have not done a full test yet until I have power to top batteries up in case they drain too much. We run 2 x 120ah gel batteries.Will post when i test them out.
oldtrack123 said
01:08 AM Nov 12, 2012
goldcoaster wrote:
We just recently purchased a 3000w sinewave inverter to run a few small appliances like foxtel,laptop etc.So I got my auto electrician to hook it up,when i came back to pick it up he said to me it runs the microwave brilliantly.I was surprised as I had no intention of running the microwave,have not done a full test yet until I have power to top batteries up in case they drain too much. We run 2 x 120ah gel batteries.Will post when i test them out.
Hi
I assume you are running any of those direct from the Inverter,& that the inverter has not been wired into the van 240V system?
An inverter is reasonably safe used THAT way with just ONE class 1 appliance [always have a 3pin plug]connected at anytime
Connected more than ONE Class1 by means of power boards /double adapters etc decreases the safety & under some fault conditions can lead the electric shock & possible death
TAKE CARE
Peter
Magnarc said
04:14 PM Nov 12, 2012
Thanks to all who replied. I have talked SWMBO out of the M/W I think! Will stick the baked beans in a saucepan I reckon. But, its the old story, if you don't ask you don't find out.
Regards,
Phil B.
eureka said
11:40 PM Nov 12, 2012
Hi Judy
I bought my 130w fold out portable solar panels at the Solar shop at Hannell St Newcastle a couple of weeks ago @ $330. The Battery shop next door were selling the same for $480.
I bought the new recomended 120AH battery last week, boy is it heavy! a heafty 35kgs.
Helen
barina said
04:33 AM Nov 13, 2012
eureka wrote:
Hi Judy
I bought my 130w fold out portable solar panels at the Solar shop at Hannell St Newcastle a couple of weeks ago @ $330. The Battery shop next door were selling the same for $480.
I bought the new recomended 120AH battery last week, boy is it heavy! a heafty 35kgs.
G'day all,
We recently acquired two 80watt portable panels to feed a 120A/H AGM battery. A couple of weeks ago we returned from a trip where we spent 10 days free camping in order to really see how long we could be without mains power. Three of those days were without TV, (no service available) but we did view dvd's on a couple of occasions. The panels took around four hours to top up the battery, on cloudless sunny days.
The better half has suggested that it would be nice to be able to use the Microwave occasionally. My question is this, If we install an inverter to drive the 800w M/W to heat up food, soup etc; would this put too much drain the battery. The views of those in the know would be much appreciated. I have always had problems trying to work out how many amps or watts are used!!!!.
Regards,
Phil B.
-- Edited by Magnarc on Friday 9th of November 2012 09:40:20 AM
Hi Phil
Forget about an any form of heating from solar unless you have LARGE battery capacity& a LARGE solar panel set up
Your,s is a asmall setup
A 800W microwave will draw abot 1600W
1600 Watts @ 12v =133A
Half an hour operation & your battery will need to be recharged
The inverter would need to be around 2000W
Peter
-- Edited by oldtrack123 on Friday 9th of November 2012 10:10:34 AM
cheers
blaze
All the extra battery/solar/inverter capacity needed would make it a very expensive microwave.
-- Edited by jimricho on Friday 9th of November 2012 06:22:34 PM
I run 2x300w panels charging 2x100ah batteries and a 1000w inverter and it wont even look at the microwave. wouldnt waste your time messing with it, if you really want the microwave get a generator and then you can also run a/c if you get the right gen. I have a Kypo 2600 and that will run the a/c or microwave but not both at once.
Hi
I assume you are running any of those direct from the Inverter,& that the inverter has not been wired into the van 240V system?
An inverter is reasonably safe used THAT way with just ONE class 1 appliance [always have a 3pin plug]connected at anytime
Connected more than ONE Class1 by means of power boards /double adapters etc decreases the safety & under some fault conditions can lead the electric shock & possible death
TAKE CARE
Peter
Thanks to all who replied. I have talked SWMBO out of the M/W I think! Will stick the baked beans in a saucepan I reckon. But, its the old story, if you don't ask you don't find out.
Regards,
Phil B.
Hi Judy
I bought my 130w fold out portable solar panels at the Solar shop at Hannell St Newcastle a couple of weeks ago @ $330. The Battery shop next door were selling the same for $480.
I bought the new recomended 120AH battery last week, boy is it heavy! a heafty 35kgs.
Helen
Thanks Helen will pass it on to my son.