Microwaves

[Nikia]

We're thinking of fitting a microwave and I wondered how many of you run one successfully from 12v through an inverter.
If you do, how large a battery bank do you have, and how much solar / wind gen ?
We have 460 amp domestic bank and are upgrading solar to 280w.
Thanks

 

[Yngmar]

We have 600W solar, a 520 (theoretical) Ah bank and a 2 kW pure sine inverter. We rarely use the microwave on batteries, but it is sometimes useful, e.g. for heating up a gel pack for 30 seconds to put on a Jellyfish sting or some such. The amperage going out of the batteries at 12V is frightening even on a sunny day.

I also suspect the last time we used it it fried the aging ST60 Speed instrument - the huge on/off draw causes power spikes throughout the 12V system. Not really something I'd recommend for everyday use.

In winter or when we're in a marina with shorepower it's brilliant and we use it daily for warming food, cooking porridge or some such. Otherwise we store the electrical kettle inside it

 

[Nikia]

Thanks Yngmar,
So, for use on shore power only. I thought that might be the case.
How to break the news to 1st Mate ??

 

[TQA]

There is a dinky little 235 w microwave which runs directly off 12 volts. http://www.skingco.com/convenience/food_related/2cook_appli.htm

Draws 20 amps.

 

[Nikia]

There is a dinky little 235 w microwave which runs directly off 12 volts. http://www.skingco.com/convenience/food_related/2cook_appli.htm

Draws 20 amps.

That looks worth investigating, thanks for the link.
Anyone here used one?