Does anyone run a microwave on an inverter?

Mickey waves use too much power to run from an inverter.
EG. and this is a rough figure, Divide the watts of your m/wave by 12 and that is roughly the amps you would draw from your battery. 600watts divided by 12 = 50 amps one hell of a draw from any battery. and you would need at least a 1000watt inverter. Very exy.

Most microwaves these days have an output power of 1000 watts. They have an input well above that so you would need a 2000 watt inverter to run one.

Hi Mary.
I have a Sharp microwave in my Kimberley Karavan. It's about 800-850 watt output and it runs just fine on a 1800 watt true sine wave inverter (not cheap). _Affordable_Storage_Drawers.aspx about 50amps so you would need to have the motor running on fast idle at least, unless you have a good size battery bank. If you are prepared to spend the money then the idea is very feasible. The 12 volt Microwave might be a better option (saves buying an inverter), they draw about 70 amps. Have seen them at "The 12volt Shop" in Perth. Also in Sydney I believe.

Regards. CliveG (NZ)

What did we do before microwaves??????
Should they really be part of a caravan??????
Cheers
Fazz

thanks for the input-Perhaps should just add the honda E2 at least wouldn't be running long enough for anyone to whinge about the noise!!!

Mary, have a Karavan the same as Clive above, same specs but more battery power in the older ones. Cooked rice one niight on the inverter for 8 minutes and it seemed to take a fair punch out of the batteries. 800w microwave, but the other option is a 12v one as said they are availaable

hi mary i have 12 v samsung microwave that we use off the patrols dual batts pulls about 40 to 50 % of batt charge roughly to cook up two microwave meals for about 10 mins each - good way to go when you tired and its dark and you want to go to bed quickly - cost me about $650 from a glascraft marine supplier in brisbane an few years back and of course you do need dual batts or an extra battery of some sort - i charge up the batt next morning while driving or with a honda 10ei generator if camped for a few days - suggest you have a look at one
see you greg

Mary
Not a problem - if done correctly... as for the "pie in the sky"
put it into the microwave instead, as they taste better when cooked.

If you only use the microwave for the times you have stated above 2 or 3 mins, then you first need to know the capacity of the Microwave and get an Inverter that is better than equivalent to it, and add 10% to be sure.
Battery power loss will be (almost) negligible if the battery system is reasonable for the times you have stated.
You can run the engine to actually charge the Aux battery WHILE you cook the meal and for a few minutes extra if you are worried about Aux battery power loss.

Don't settle for a cheap brand as it will not be as efficient as a better quality built product.

ALL 'quality' inverters state their performance ratings on their paperwork, if it's NOT there, forget it, look at another brand.

ASK QUESTIONS of the inverter supplier and tell him/her why you NEED the inverter, that way you (should) know it will do the job for you.
Only talk to a "specialist" - someone who has them in stock that you can look at, touch and ask questions - then look at a second shop for confirmation of the advice offered to you.