Smallest Microwave

[GrayWhale]

So far I've found one at Costco that's both very small and only 700w maximum ($49). So wouldn't this be much more efficient than say a Roadpro 12v oven that would take 30-40 minutes to warm something up? The microwave can do it in 3 minutes. Of course using more juice from the battery but does anyone know how to measure and compare the 2 devices battery consumption?

 

[WheelEstate USA]

"The battery", as in one??
I wouldn't try to use either. Some may have different opinions, but I won't even do it in the RV.

 

[GrayWhale]

Sorry, I meant using the microwave on a 2nd battery and not on the starting battery.

 

[Lucky mike]

if it makes heat....or turns a motor it will deplete a battery fast!!!

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Sorry, I meant using the microwave on a 2nd battery and not on the starting battery.

We're still talking about one battery since that's where the power comes from. A rack of golf cart batteries could handle the load, but you need enough solar to supply their demand.

 

[GrayWhale]

Looks like a no go then. Just a propane stove.

 

[akrvbob]

Actually, you can do it.:

1) That's cooking watts, it will actually draw about 1200 watts or 100 amps an hour.
2) 100 amps divided by 60 minutes equals about 1.7 amps per minute.
3) 1.7 amps times a 10 minute cook is about 17 amps. Include inverter waste and it will use about 20 amps. A 5 minute cook will use 10 amps.
4) Microwaves want very pure power so you will need a 2000 watt purse sine wave inverter and 2/0 wires.

It can be done.
Bob

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Well, the math leaves me standing corrected, I guess.
Not something I'd subject our system to, but you're not me.
I can't afford to replace things, especially a set of expensive deep cycle batteries, so things I have I use gently. I'm known to shut off lights and anything else when the meter drops to 12.5V.
Propane is cheap, easy for cooking. The microwave makes a good breadbox.
Ok, call me a wacko, but I've always been one

Go for it

 

[SoulRaven]

Greetings!

I just put a heat diffuser over my stove burner, put what I'm reheating in an appropriate metal pan or plate with a lid, and in a couple minutes it will be piping hot without being over cooked.

If it's something that might tend to get mushy, I leave the lid off. Takes a bit longer, but works well.

Cheers!

The CamperVan_Man

 

[GrayWhale]

Actually, you can do it.:

1) That's cooking watts, it will actually draw about 1200 watts or 100 amps an hour.

4) Microwaves want very pure power so you will need a 2000 watt purse sine wave inverter and 2/0 wires.

Thanks Bob.

So a 700w microwave will draw 60% more watts when cooking (1200w)?

And the pure sine explained why when I used a microwave plugged into an $80 HB generator, it didn't do too well.

But I may want to take the advice of not wrecking new batteries.

 

[akrvbob]

GrayWhale, the 700 number is how many watts of cooking power it has, it has nothing to do with it's power usage. It doesn't cook with heat, it cooks with electricity and it uses 700 watts of coolkng power. I had a 700 watt microwave and I plugged it into my Kill-a-Watt and it read about 1200 watts of actual draw from the wall socket.

I don't understand where the idea of wrecking your batteries came from. According to the math a 10 minute cook only uses 20 amps and most of us rarely cook something for more than 10 minutes. In fact most of the time we use 5 minutes or less to just warm something up and that's only 10 amps out of the battery.

Typically we have a battery bank of 220 ah and in no way does taking 10-20 amps out of that bank do it any harm. Even if you have a 110 ah battery taking 10-20 amps won't damage it.

Microwaves are one of the touchiest items for clean power. They want a pure sine wave and an average MSW inverter or dirty generator will make it work very poorly.
Bob

 

[GotSmart]

OK, Bob; Now you got my mind going.

What would you recommend at the best (for the $) inverter to buy?

You have an idea of what I am wanting to set up. (2 to 4 T135's) and I will be charging my cordless tool system off of it.

Thanks oh great and wise Bob, Master of OZ!

 

[Unchained]

Thanks, Bob. I have been debating whether to include a small microwave (that can be moved from TT to TV when I drop the trailer and go roaming) in my plans. Seems worth it, even if the inverter will cost a bit more.

@OP- That said, I will still be buying a Roadpro stove for cooking/warming while on the move. It can do things (like baking) that a microwave can't, can be used while the vehicle is in motion and won't drain the house batteries if used while driving. For me, it's worth the $30 price tag, esp when coupled with a small, inexpensive microwave.

 

[WheelEstate USA]

Sorry I introduced the ruined battery idea based on less than the actual math facts. I certainly don't mind being corrected when I'm wrong.
Just me, but I prefer to use my power supply for other things than cooking/warming I can do on propane.

No one likes bad advice and we're fortunate to have folks here who kindly offer corrections.

Thanks Bob.

 

[akrvbob]

I bough this one with the intent to use it for a microwave, but decided I din't have room for the microwave and never bought one. I've used it for everything else and it works great. I have a friend with one in her Lazy Daze class C and uses it often for her microwave and it has been trouble free. It cost a little less than $400:

http://www.amazon.com/Xantrex-PROWatt-Inverter-Model-806-1220/dp/B002LGEMOQ/

I have several friends with these and I believe they are the cream of the crop. Very expensive but you can plan on using it for the rest of your life. About $1400
http://www.amazon.com/Xantrex-Prosine-Inverter-Charger-Interface/dp/B000FHQKGQ/

Use 2/0 wire, that's pronounced "two ought" and is much thicker than 2 guage. The battery bank needs a ground to the frame also with 2/0 wire and a big fuse on the positive cable. Use this fuse holder and 200 amp fuse

http://www.amazon.com/Scoshe-EWFH-Single-Fuse-Holder/dp/B000KIR8M0/
http://www.amazon.com/Absolute-ANL200-2-Pack-Fuses-Plated/dp/B005EUTLYW/
Bob

 

[GotSmart]

I just read the reviews on Amazon, and they are extremely critical of the Xantrex product since they went to Chinese production. They are no longer supported by any service in the US.

I guess I am still looking.

 

[GrayWhale]

Thanks for the info Bob.

$400 or $1400 for a PS inverter. OWWWWWWWWW. I can't spend this much on an inverter though. It would suck if some crackhead broke into my van and stole it.

 

[akrvbob]

Graywhale, it's the limiting reason more people don't have microwaves--that and all the room microwaves take up.
Bob

 

[VanTrekker]

I'm using a little 700 watt microwave. It will run on batteries / inverter (I have a large battery bank) but I have only used it twice on batteries in the last three years. I keep it plugged into the shore power strip instead of the inverter. Then I can either fire up the generator (if in the boonies) or plug into shore power if near a park.

While it's possible, I'm kind of a "mother hen" about the batteries and try not to whack them too hard. 100 Ah load for a few minutes will give them a healthy workout! If you run that micro too often and/ or for too long and it will shorten the battery life.

A microwave is a plus if you can afford the loss of space. I keep spices, plates, plasticwear etc. in the microwave. It doubles as a cupboard.

 

[Lucky mike]

Im the same...the microwave is here but only used from the generator or shore power.....I find by scheduling things I get alot of other things done when the genny is on including using the microwave or A/C