240V Microwave & Inverter for the Car

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We don't usually travel this way but for some missions a microwave in the car can be useful and low cost if you already have an inverter for it.

This is a test of a low cost option - for some time we have been able to run one in the car but recently I couldn't resist buying the Kmart $45 microwave and checking it out - it so cheap its almost disposable and makes a great little
second unit around the house.

They are called a Homemaker model EM720-CPI , I simply don't know how you can make and sell such a thing for so little.
They have been around most of this year and put out 650-700w.

We use a sub $200 1kw HIP-1000 sine wave inverter which isn't quite big enough but runs it well because mostly a microwave doesn't require its rated input power (1100-1150w).

Its important that you use a sine wave inverter simply because other types cause many non-direct heating appliances to rattle because of the voltage waveform.

Because our inverter is marginally rated for the oven it needs to run off 13+ volts and this means that the car engine should be running when using the microwave.
This isn't an issue because the typical current consumed is 65 amps and means we don't get a flat battery and even get some extra battery charging.
Usually your only running it for a few minutes anyway.

This microwave is less than 10kg and fairly small (20lt) , it fits next to the fridge in our car as shown.

Nomally we don't even bother win the 260mm glass rotating tray.

Have Fun