Microwave + inverter

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greenalien

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I would be interested to know if anyone has succesfully run a mains microwave from a 12v inverter, for long enough for the combination to be known to be reliable. If so,

1) what makes of oven and inverter did you use,
2) what is the inverter type (quasi-sine or pure-sine wave),
3) what is the microwave power rating and
4) what is the inverter rating (continuous and intermittent).

You can take it as read that I have sufficient battery capacity and alternator charging current available, and am not interested in a 12v microwave as an alternative.

I would also be interested to know of any combinations that have been tried and that failed!

Thanks in anticipation.
 
I have a panasonic combination microwave and convection oven which is run from the victron and batteries for short bursts, but is normally driven by the diesel generator for roasts etc.
 
greenalien said:
1) what makes of oven and inverter did you use,
2) what is the inverter type (quasi-sine or pure-sine wave),
3) what is the microwave power rating and
4) what is the inverter rating (continuous and intermittent).
Click to expand...

1. We have a Panasonic NN-GT576. Inverter is Mastervolt Mass Sine 12/2000
2. pure sine-wave
3. 900W
4. 2000VA, 4000VA

Works perfectly.

We did look at combi ovens with a fan oven combined. Could have fitted one from an inverter standpoint, but the problem is they chuck out a lot more heat than microwave only, and where we were fitting it dissipation was not going to be practical.

Interesting if you read any of the manuals for these things. They always recommend huge ventilation spaces around them that are impossible on a boat.
 
greenalien said:
I would be interested to know if anyone has succesfully run a mains microwave from a 12v inverter, for long enough for the combination to be known to be reliable. If so,

1) what makes of oven and inverter did you use,
2) what is the inverter type (quasi-sine or pure-sine wave),
3) what is the microwave power rating and
4) what is the inverter rating (continuous and intermittent).

You can take it as read that I have sufficient battery capacity and alternator charging current available, and am not interested in a 12v microwave as an alternative.

I would also be interested to know of any combinations that have been tried and that failed!

Thanks in anticipation.
Click to expand...

I currently use a sterling 1500w continuous pure sine wave inverter (but at 24v using 4X 250AH batteries) with a 'cheapo' microwave - input wattage 1200w.
Works perfectly (along with two compressor driven fridges) with or without engines running.
Previous boat had a non-branded 1200w continuous quasi sine wave inverter (12v) and another cheapo microwave - I think about 1100w input but I cannot remember. - This worked OK with the engines running was dependent on very good battery condition (I only had 2 X 110ah leisure batteries)
I understand some users have had issues with *some* microwaves on *some* quasi inverters so it may be a little bit hit and miss with those.
 
Good, this is useful info. Has anyone else had any success with a quasi-sinewave inverter powering a microwave?
The reason I'm asking all this is that I've tried a 12v microwave - however, it wouldn't fit in the space that I'd allocated to it, and the only other usable location would have required unfeasibly long cables, not a good idea when they have to cope with 100A, and not cheap - I'd have had to spend the best part of £100 to get cables that were both long enough and high enough in current carrying capacity.
So, for me it makes more sense to have an inverter (1500W continuous, 3000W peak would seem to be sensible) wired in as close to the batteries as possible, and a 700W el-cheapo £40 microwave. I'm not looking to open a floating restaurant, just to heat up ready-meals, pasties etc!
Now, Ebay has some Chinese quasi-sine wave inverters for around £40, or pure sine wave for around £140, so you can see the reason for my question - I'd like to do this for the minimum outlay, but don't want to blow the microwave up - or have it not work at all - by using too cheap an inverter.
 
greenalien said:
Thanks - what are the ratings of the Panasonic microwave and victron inverter?
Click to expand...

The microwave part of the oven is 1100w - dont know what the convection part is, but sometimes you can use both together, and this reduces cooking times dramatically, but makes the 16amp shore power supply cough, and the inverter and boat batteries scream.

I dont know the spec on the victron off-hand and boat and data are now 600nm away.
 
I have a 1200 watt microwave and a 3000w pure sine inverter (its used for many other things) I found the previous quasi sine wave inverter, would not run it or other electronic or even fridges properly, making some hum and some just not efficient. Now I have pure sine wave, no problems atall.
 
Tesco 700w (1200w total draw) microwave (£39.99) and www.towsure.co.uk 1000w continuous 2000w peak modified sine wave inverter (£99.95). Also runs 800w kettle very nicely. The combination seems to work very nicely - hint, make SURE absolutely NOTHING else is running when you use the m/w!!

Otherwise seems to have been a good buy....oh, and it also runs the mains charger for the laptop as well.
 
The Tesco microwaves look like a good deal - I like the stainless steel one http://direct.tesco.com/q/R.200-6586.aspx. It's very interesting - and helpful - that you use a 1000W inverter with a similar device. I have also found this http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Products/TLINV1000.html - the 'soft start' option looks like a very good idea. They also have this guide http://www.tlc-direct.co.uk/Technical/DataSheets/Inverters/inverteruse.pdf that would also suggest that one of their 1000W inverters is suitable for use with a 700W microwave. Decision made, I think!
 
Inverters from the Middle Kingdom

Now, Ebay has some Chinese quasi-sine wave inverters for around £40, or pure sine wave for around £140, so you can see the reason for my question - I'd like to do this for the minimum outlay, but don't want to blow the microwave up - or have it not work at all - by using too cheap an inverter.[/QUOTE]

I went that route once and all of them (3) died like flies rather sooner than later. You get what you pay. They wont blow up the Microwave but are extremely suicidal
 
I've been put off the cheap Ebay chinese items, not least by their small print that says that they aren't suitable for continuous use at the rated power!
Unfortunately the inverter I wanted from TLC is no longer stocked - I wish these companies would keep their websites up to date! So, looks like a trip to my local Towsure. I'll be picking the Tesco microwave up tomorrow.
 
greenalien said:
I've been put off the cheap Ebay chinese items, not least by their small print that says that they aren't suitable for continuous use at the rated power!
Unfortunately the inverter I wanted from TLC is no longer stocked - I wish these companies would keep their websites up to date! So, looks like a trip to my local Towsure. I'll be picking the Tesco microwave up tomorrow.
Click to expand...

I would be very wary of getting an inverter that was borderline - you may get lucky, but it will be expensive if you are not.
 
There has been a lot of arguement in the past on this forum re the choice between an integrated 12volt microwave vs. the combination of two free standing units. My personal choice is independent units as it makes replacement of the microwave much cheaper.

It goes without saying that the lowest possible power consumption is desireable and it is for this reason that I have chosen a 240v microwave only unit from a caravan shop which is dedicated to mobile use. We just heat a cup of baked beans, a cup or two of soup or warm the milk for coffee most of the time and we have a perfectly good gas oven with gas in Greece being much cheaper than in the UK. It has a rated output of 650watts with a required continuous input of 900watts (around 1300 at startup). Also, unless you have a pure sinewave output inverter, then choose a simple "turret" timer - the rotary knob type which has no electronic circuits nor LED displays to be susceptible to damage.

Chas


WARNING: Mr V Mallows or Mr V Cox will probably PM you shortly to tell you to avoid this person's advice at all costs. - Just saving them the trouble!
 
CharlesSwallow said:
There has been a lot of arguement in the past on this forum re the choice between an integrated 12volt microwave vs. the combination of two free standing units. My personal choice is independent units as it makes replacement of the microwave much cheaper.

It goes without saying that the lowest possible power consumption is desireable and it is for this reason that I have chosen a 240v microwave only unit from a caravan shop which is dedicated to mobile use. We just heat a cup of baked beans, a cup or two of soup or warm the milk for coffee most of the time and we have a perfectly good gas oven with gas in Greece being much cheaper than in the UK. It has a rated output of 650watts with a required continuous input of 900watts (around 1300 at startup). Also, unless you have a pure sinewave output inverter, then choose a simple "turret" timer - the rotary knob type which has no electronic circuits nor LED displays to be susceptible to damage.

Chas


WARNING: Mr V Mallows or Mr V Cox will probably PM you shortly to tell you to avoid this person's advice at all costs. - Just saving them the trouble!
Click to expand...

Ignore this fellow! He doesnt know anything!! hehehehe
 
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