Thread: What size inverter

My Jaycar 1000W inverter won't run a small microwave but my 1500W Selectronic will, just. I would suggest a 2000W inverter or get a 12V microwave instead.

Hi Robert and as bee_utey posted.

The 800/900w is the cooking power of the microwave and the total power draw is usually at least twice the cooking power.

If you are planning on running a microwave oven of batteries, you need just that, multiple batteries, 4 at least, and even with 4 batteries, you would be drawing 40 to 50 amps off each battery..

The draw a microwave and the inverter you need to run it with will destroy even small battery backs in a very short time.

Put simply, microwave overs are battery killers.

If you are hell bent on using a microwave power from a small battery capacity, then the only way you could get away with using a single battery is to use a lithium battery but this would introduce a whole new set of potential problems.

Originally Posted by bee utey

My Jaycar 1000W inverter won't run a small microwave but my 1500W Selectronic will, just. I would suggest a 2000W inverter or get a 12V microwave instead.

Thanks, I didn't know they made a 12 volt microwave.
Are they any good ?
As I said I was a bit curious. You see, about 18 months ago my big stove blew up and I never bothered to replace it. I just use the microwave to cook everything.
I was thinking, Jeese, this could be handy out on the road at times in the 4x4. It's raining, no firewood, outa gas and so on.
It would be so easy most of the time just to use a microwave, no fuss, no setting up the gas cooker or lighting the fire, virtually no washing up, no mess etc. I am on my own now so I dont bother cooking elaborate meals for myself. I just eat stuff to stay alive, not fussed about what it is as long as it's not too unhealthy, eh.
I dont know if I will or would, as I said, a bit curious.

I only have a small inverter to run my EEE as a computer and GPS while on the road. It works fine.

Robert.

Thank you Drivesafe.
What I was thinking but know nothing about, was using one on the road in the fourby with twin battery systems etc. With the engine running of course.
I dont mean for elaborate meals that take a long time to cook !!
My meals at home take no more than 5 minutes or less to cook or heat up.
There have been times over the years when I have thought how good it would be if I could get in the truck to cook this and out of the weather.
Just a thought.

Thanks.

Robert.

At a 12V shop, at a 4wd shop, ebay, there seems to be a common model available:

12v Portable Microwave Oven - For Camp Cooking, Caravan, Camper Trailer 12 Volt | eBay

Originally Posted by bee utey

At a 12V shop, at a 4wd shop, ebay, there seems to be a common model available:

12v Portable Microwave Oven - For Camp Cooking, Caravan, Camper Trailer 12 Volt | eBay

Thanks, that looks interesting.
If my eye ops are successful and i am fit to head back out, I will probably buy one and give it a go.

Ta.

Robert.

Hi,
not sure if this is accurate, or where I heard it, but you will guess what I'm suggesting.

"A 9kg gas bottle has the same energy as an 11ton battery"

Happy to be corrected if some one has the facts.

cheers

Originally Posted by austastar

Hi,
not sure if this is accurate, or where I heard it, but you will guess what I'm suggesting.

"A 9kg gas bottle has the same energy as an 11ton battery"

Happy to be corrected if some one has the facts.

cheers

Strictly speaking Olbod is wanting to convert the vehicle's fuel to heat, then to rotary motion, then to electricity, then to microwaves, then to heat in a roundabout kind of way, but think of the convenience... and sometimes naked flames are verboten.