12 v microwave

[Mario7470]

Hi,We just bought a Hunter 29.5 1995 and WE just love it !I have a microwave in my hunter 29.5. The real captain (My girlfriend) wants to know why she cannot use the microwave at anchor on the 12 v system ?Is there a reason why it is only hooked to the 110 volt panel ?Could I buy an inverter at Radioshack and plug the microwave into it and the portable inverter into the cigarette lighter 12v system ?Pop corn at anchor while watching a movie on the protable TV would be lovely !Mario and SylvieC'est MA VIEHunter 29.5

 

[Fred Ficarra]

No!

A 900 watt microwave takes about 85 amps of 12vdc power via an efficient inverter. (that's mine) That's way too much for those little cigarette lighter units. And too much for the wiring too.

 

[Darren9582]

Two words...

Jiffy Pop!

 

[Mario7470]

12 microwave

well, then is it possible to do it with a 1500 or 3000 watts inverter ?Or Can I buy a 12v unit at an RV store ?We do not cook or live on the boat at the dock, only on the water so the 110 volt is rarely used other then for recharging the batteries.Thanks for the input (-:=Mario and Sylvie

 

[Peggie Hall HeadMistress]

Popcorn the old fashioned way--on the stove

A stove, a pot that has a lid, a little oil, and some popcorn. Costs a lot less than m'wave popcorn too. If you don't want to wash a pot, Darren's suggestion is a good one.I haven't tried popping corn on a grill, but I bet it would work if you don't want to heat up the cabin by lighting a stove burner.

 

[Reudi Ross]

If you are serious about

wanting to use your microwave you need to install an inverter to power your 120 volt system from the 12 (or 24)volt system. a 12 volt microwave doesn't work. The only one I've ever seen was a piece of crap. Minimum inverter size would be 1500 watt, 2000 would be better. Battery bank sizing becomes an issue, as does cable sizing, etc. Installing an inverter in a boat takes a reasonable amount of understanding of electrical theory and practices. I would not recommend trying it if you are not knowledgeable about electrical systems.

 

[Ed]

Microwave

I run a small microwave with a 700 watt inverter (with a 1400 watt surge capacity). the inverter is slightly overloaded - it sometimes trips out. 900 watt capacity would be better for my micro. I don't think battery capacity is much of an issue since the micro is run for short periods of time. You will have to hard wire it to the battery thru your panel or a seperate fused circuit.

 

[Dave]

12 volt microwave

Check out this 12v microwave oven...

 

[Dave]

Try link again...

Link didn't show on last post...

 

[Dave]

Something wrong with forum - links not working

http://www.3rivers.net/~cmac/m-1.htm

 

[Dave]

Here's another

http://www.waeco.com/en/262_617.php

 

[Gary]

Costco inverter

I'd like to make pop-corn too!!The cheapest solution I have found is a Costco 1500 watt (continuous) for $85. I haven't bought it yet but am considering it..I only have two group 24 deep-cycle batteries but I calculate it should be fine for a bag of popcorn occasionally. Alot cheaper than a new 12V microwave!!Gary

 

[Mario7470]

Thanks Everyone !You gave me a lot to think about and research.Dave of Marinette: I was still able to get to the WAECO.Com site. I found some interesting items. Thanks again.I will weight the $$ versus gain between a good inverter installation or try those 12 v RV microwave and coffee maker with no modification I have 3 new deep charge batteries in there I should be able to enjoy a little confort on the water ! If not, we will go the traditionnal way. Jiffy pop or frying pan !Mario and Sylvie

 

[John Nantz]

Go with inverter/charger unit

We're here to help! (you spend your money).You said you have three "deep-cycle" batteries but if they're the OEM variety my guess is they'll wind up being a tad on the small side. Admit it - you're not going to stop at *just* popcorn, right?Okay so uping the ante: I agree with the "1500 and 2000 would be better" comment but it should be an inverter with a three step or mulitstep charger because once you discharge those hummers they're going to have to be recharged and charger capability is only a *little* bit more.Then comes the heavy duty battery cables (the boat came with 00?), higher amperage fuse, etc.What about a heavy duty alternator in case you're on the hook? Balmar with multistep regulator type. Boy, wish I had a new boat again!Just trying to help out here....

 

[Don s/v Tellico]

geez....$500 for a 12v microwave..

you can buy a Honda 1000 generator for $100 more and do a lot more than just cook popcorn.

 

[Fred Ficarra]

Face it Mario

We're just trying to tell you that boats are a cash sinkhole.

 

[Dave9990]

12v Microwaves

I only posted the links because I remembered seeing the 12v models while researching other stuff. I'm not necessarily recommending them. I like my alcohol stove for any cooking related activities on the hook. Besides, I don't have enough capacity in my house bank right now to pay the "current" price for running a microwave either way.However, I think there's some "Jiffy Pop" popcorn in my future. That'll go perfect with a cold beer. )

 

[Mario7470]

12 v microwave....

Well folks guess what, after careful investigation and search on boat. I found that my boat came with a Heart, Freedom charger/inverter 1000w. I thought the gismo was a batterie chager and power manager only... all I had to do is to turn it on along with the 110v master and the switch for the microwave and it works on the batteries on the 12 volts system.Loveley. thanks for the input. I told you it was a new boat and it came with to many goodies (Radar/MAP GPS/fridge/microwave/water heater and maker/solar panel/autopilot) And I it came with no instructions, briefing or manual from previous owner...I got a copy of the original Hunter manual from Hunter and it helped me a lot. Mario and Sylvie

 

[John Nantz]

Making Girlfriend Points!

Looks like you can really impress and spoil your girlfriend now!You've got some really nice equipment on your new boat and it should keep you busy learning how everything works! Way to go!With regard to the inverter - 1000W is a tad on the small side for even a small microwave. The reason I know that is because it's the same inverter I have. Nice unit by the way. Anyway, our microwave is an electronic unit rated around 650W. What I find is at 100% power the microwave tends to "groan" a bit but being electronic the power can be reduced. At about 60 to 70% power it works okay. Run your microwave on shorepower and listen to how it work to get an idea how it should sound then when you're on the inverter the power setting can be adjusted accordingly.Other neat uses for the microwave which doesn't consume too much power is warming up the jam for the morning toast or nuking a roll to warm it up.What kind of inverter control panel did you get?Did the previous owner turn over the inverter instructions?By the way - thanks for your post of what you found out. We appreciate knowing what happened and - enjoy your new boat! Sounds great!!!

 

[Jim Rushing]

Just Remember

when you use the inverter for A/C appliances, the current drain is BIG. You can pull your batteries down in a big hurry. Your next project will be to upgrade your engine alternators to at least a 100 amp Balmor system. This is so you can recharge your batteries in a hurry when on the anchor. Or better yet, run your engine when using the invertor.