As long as I am hooked up to shore power, I can run a microwave without draing my battery, RIGHT?
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It does.
Hi, my outlet does but I thought as long as I am hooked up through shore power, my battery is being charged (through my charger).
Hi, my outlet does but I thought as long as I am hooked up through shore power, my battery is being charged (through my charger).
Then you have an Inverter/Charger.
If your inverter is an Inverter/Charger and contains a transfer switch internally then you will not draw from the battery. As long as you are connected to shore power, you should always be charging the battery. But, some Inverter/Charger systems let you disable the charger when connected to shore power - check your particular model.
If your inverter is an Inverter/Charger and contains a transfer switch internally then you will not draw from the battery. As long as you are connected to shore power, you should always be charging the battery. But, some Inverter/Charger systems let you disable the charger when connected to shore power - check your particular model.
Well, Then
Well then the answer is, "No, you cannot run the microwave from an outlet that is drawing from your inverter without draining your batteries," because that's where the power is coming from, and you said as much. But the charger will kick in, convert the shorepower AC to DC and top off your batteries quickly, so in practical terms, the "drain" will last only a few minutes. I guess it all hinges on what you mean by "drain."
Well then the answer is, "No, you cannot run the microwave from an outlet that is drawing from your inverter without draining your batteries," because that's where the power is coming from, and you said as much. But the charger will kick in, convert the shorepower AC to DC and top off your batteries quickly, so in practical terms, the "drain" will last only a few minutes. I guess it all hinges on what you mean by "drain."
No battery drain
The answers given are coorect to find ou if the microwave is using the inverter all you have to do is answer a simple question: do you have to turn your inverter on to run the microwave? If not it is shore power and your inverter that is running the inverter
The answers given are coorect to find ou if the microwave is using the inverter all you have to do is answer a simple question: do you have to turn your inverter on to run the microwave? If not it is shore power and your inverter that is running the inverter
Mike, only YOU know what you have
on your boat. We don't. How can we guess? That's the gist of the answers. Why not learn about what you REALLY have so you know how it works. Find out what your outlet(s) is connected to and how the power works. My feeling has always been that electrical and mechanical stuff on boats remain safety issues that you, as skipper and responsible party, should KNOW. Cold... (PS AC is dangerous, so is 12V if not properly applied - learn about it, you'll be surprised at how relatively easy it is to understand. BoatUS and West Marine have plenty of information on their websites, and there are many inexpensive books written about the subject. This question is a perfect reason why Phil posts the "disclaimer" - you CAN do it!)
on your boat. We don't. How can we guess? That's the gist of the answers. Why not learn about what you REALLY have so you know how it works. Find out what your outlet(s) is connected to and how the power works. My feeling has always been that electrical and mechanical stuff on boats remain safety issues that you, as skipper and responsible party, should KNOW. Cold... (PS AC is dangerous, so is 12V if not properly applied - learn about it, you'll be surprised at how relatively easy it is to understand. BoatUS and West Marine have plenty of information on their websites, and there are many inexpensive books written about the subject. This question is a perfect reason why Phil posts the "disclaimer" - you CAN do it!)
Inverter?
No where did the OP mention an inverter. If there is no inverter, the AC will run the M/W fine and not affect the batteries, which the charger will be charging.
No where did the OP mention an inverter. If there is no inverter, the AC will run the M/W fine and not affect the batteries, which the charger will be charging.
Try post #3, Big Windy......
but I second Stu's reply. There are just too many ways a boat can be wired - especially one that's almost FORTY YEARS old - for us to try to give Mike worthwhile advice without knowing how the boat is configured. Mike, we want to help - and there are some people here in this forum who really CAN help you - but we gotta have more input! Some questions: 1. Do you have an inverter on your boat? 2. Do you have AC outlets on your boat? (the kind you find at home) 3. When you are NOT hooked up to shore power, do the AC outlets work? (can you run your microwave while away from the slip?) 4. Can you turn your inverter OFF while attached to shore power? 5. If yes to #4, can you still run the microwave? There's lots more, but those will do for starters. Cheers, Bob s/y X SAIL R 8
but I second Stu's reply. There are just too many ways a boat can be wired - especially one that's almost FORTY YEARS old - for us to try to give Mike worthwhile advice without knowing how the boat is configured. Mike, we want to help - and there are some people here in this forum who really CAN help you - but we gotta have more input! Some questions: 1. Do you have an inverter on your boat? 2. Do you have AC outlets on your boat? (the kind you find at home) 3. When you are NOT hooked up to shore power, do the AC outlets work? (can you run your microwave while away from the slip?) 4. Can you turn your inverter OFF while attached to shore power? 5. If yes to #4, can you still run the microwave? There's lots more, but those will do for starters. Cheers, Bob s/y X SAIL R 8
Drain your battery?
Mike, I know Anchor Down, BobW, and especially Stu will give ya the straight "poop" (nautical term). Yes you can run your microwave at the dock with or without discharging your battery (1 only, are you serious). If you have an ac panel and shorepower then you must have a guest charger or an inverter/charger so go for it. Who cares if your in the slip. BUT, just an observation, you might wanna get another bat if your gonna be away from your slip for more and say... er... 4 hours, assuming you have some sort of "iron genny". Cheers
Mike, I know Anchor Down, BobW, and especially Stu will give ya the straight "poop" (nautical term). Yes you can run your microwave at the dock with or without discharging your battery (1 only, are you serious). If you have an ac panel and shorepower then you must have a guest charger or an inverter/charger so go for it. Who cares if your in the slip. BUT, just an observation, you might wanna get another bat if your gonna be away from your slip for more and say... er... 4 hours, assuming you have some sort of "iron genny". Cheers
OH and this is interesting
Just for grins. I HAVE a 2500 watt inverter and funny thing is.... when I run the micro OFF of shore power, it seems the clock (cycle timer) runs at double speed so if you want a minute... you have to program 2 minutes. Everything works fine but.. must be a hertz thing. Anyone else have to do that? Rocket scientists (MortyD) chime in here
Cheers
Just for grins. I HAVE a 2500 watt inverter and funny thing is.... when I run the micro OFF of shore power, it seems the clock (cycle timer) runs at double speed so if you want a minute... you have to program 2 minutes. Everything works fine but.. must be a hertz thing. Anyone else have to do that? Rocket scientists (MortyD) chime in here
CheersJust for Grins
Q: What is the difference between sine wave and modified sine wave? A: Alternating current (AC) has a continuously varying voltage that swings from positive to negative. This has great advantages in power transmission over long distances. Power from your power company is carefully regulated to be a perfect sine wave, because that is what naturally comes out of a generator, and also because sine waves radiate the least amount of radio power during long distance transmission. On the other hand, a sine wave is expensive to make in an inverter, and many sine wave techniques use heavy, inefficient transformers. The most inexpensive way to make AC is to switch the DC on and off--a square wave. A modified sine wave is scientifically designed to simulate a sine wave in the most important respects so that it will work for most appliances. It consists of a flat plateau of postive voltage, dropping abruptly to zero for a while, then dropping again to a flat plateau of negative voltage, back to zero for a while, then returning to the positive voltage. This pause at zero volts puts more power into the 60HZ fundamental than a simple square wave does, so it is called "modified sine wave" instead of "square wave." Some electronics can't handle square wave.
Q: What is the difference between sine wave and modified sine wave? A: Alternating current (AC) has a continuously varying voltage that swings from positive to negative. This has great advantages in power transmission over long distances. Power from your power company is carefully regulated to be a perfect sine wave, because that is what naturally comes out of a generator, and also because sine waves radiate the least amount of radio power during long distance transmission. On the other hand, a sine wave is expensive to make in an inverter, and many sine wave techniques use heavy, inefficient transformers. The most inexpensive way to make AC is to switch the DC on and off--a square wave. A modified sine wave is scientifically designed to simulate a sine wave in the most important respects so that it will work for most appliances. It consists of a flat plateau of postive voltage, dropping abruptly to zero for a while, then dropping again to a flat plateau of negative voltage, back to zero for a while, then returning to the positive voltage. This pause at zero volts puts more power into the 60HZ fundamental than a simple square wave does, so it is called "modified sine wave" instead of "square wave." Some electronics can't handle square wave.
Maxromicrowaving
Rick, ya gots your inverter thingy producin that there non-frendly sinewavy stuff. Real bad juju for electronical stuff that has clocks inside. I's been told but don't really know (or cares for that matter) that the clock need 60 of those real purty sinewavy things each and every second it is on. He said it was a counter and it was just a cowinkidink that it kept time. He also said that that non-friendly sinewavy stuff has ripples and noise that set off the counter so you can expect the clock to run fast but not slow when its' a runnin on your inverter Mine does the same dang thing and it makes makin popcorn a real pain in the patoot. If the sucker would just run twice as fast or some other speed all the time I could eventually figure out the right time for my popcorn. But no, it has to run at a different speed each and every time I runs the inverter. The techy guy said I had dirty power. Heck I didn't even know you could make electricity dirty, the dang stuff is so fast and hot how does the dirt stay stuck to them electrony things. I'm not sure whether I needs to polish the wires or empty all them there electron thingys in a dish and wash them some how. I did a google search for "electron polish" and "electron cleaner" but no success yet. Next time I have to buy a microwave I'm a gettin one of those with a mechanical timer and not the button pushy kind.
Rick, ya gots your inverter thingy producin that there non-frendly sinewavy stuff. Real bad juju for electronical stuff that has clocks inside. I's been told but don't really know (or cares for that matter) that the clock need 60 of those real purty sinewavy things each and every second it is on. He said it was a counter and it was just a cowinkidink that it kept time. He also said that that non-friendly sinewavy stuff has ripples and noise that set off the counter so you can expect the clock to run fast but not slow when its' a runnin on your inverter Mine does the same dang thing and it makes makin popcorn a real pain in the patoot. If the sucker would just run twice as fast or some other speed all the time I could eventually figure out the right time for my popcorn. But no, it has to run at a different speed each and every time I runs the inverter. The techy guy said I had dirty power. Heck I didn't even know you could make electricity dirty, the dang stuff is so fast and hot how does the dirt stay stuck to them electrony things. I'm not sure whether I needs to polish the wires or empty all them there electron thingys in a dish and wash them some how. I did a google search for "electron polish" and "electron cleaner" but no success yet. Next time I have to buy a microwave I'm a gettin one of those with a mechanical timer and not the button pushy kind.
Mike as long as I am connected to the
commercial power grid I can run a microwave if it is also connected to the grid. That way it won't run the battery in my car down. But if it is connected to an inverter that is connected to the battery that is connected to an charger that is connected to the grid it introduces a few more problems. 1. Is the charger big enough to keep up with the demand? 2.Does the inverter make electricity that the microwave can use? 3.Can't you just cook on top of the stove?
commercial power grid I can run a microwave if it is also connected to the grid. That way it won't run the battery in my car down. But if it is connected to an inverter that is connected to the battery that is connected to an charger that is connected to the grid it introduces a few more problems. 1. Is the charger big enough to keep up with the demand? 2.Does the inverter make electricity that the microwave can use? 3.Can't you just cook on top of the stove?
What does that mean Bill?
I guess I'm not smart enough to understand your post Bill. Maybe you can explain it to me?
I guess I'm not smart enough to understand your post Bill. Maybe you can explain it to me?
Dan
Dan Not sure either but 60 cycles is 60 cycles, regardless of whether or not it is a pure sine wave, square or modified wave.
Dan Not sure either but 60 cycles is 60 cycles, regardless of whether or not it is a pure sine wave, square or modified wave.
Dan
Well I's thought I's bein pretty plain about it. Sometimes I wonders about all you alls understandin of common redneck. ;-) Electronic devices that have clocks really have cycle counters. Since the 60 cycle (Hz) frequency is a constant (for shore power) then you have a counter that can be calibrated to read time. The trick is knowing the counters "trigger". Usually it is the passage of voltage from + to - and on shore power that works fine because the sine wave of voltage is a SMOOTH one. No bumps or spikes. Modified sine waves have a "flat spot" on the max +, max - and at 0 volts. This along with any other ripple in the voltage wave will cause the clock circuit to think an actual cycle has passed and make it read fast. Basically it is getting more triggers per cycle than it is designed to and therefore runs fast. There is also the issue of not having true 60 cycle AC current. Is is usually not 60 but 58 or 62 cycles or some such number. This can make the clock run either fast or slow but does not have as much effect as the former. One way to fix this is to install "filters" to "clean" the output. A more expensive inverter will have these inductor/capacitor resonant circuits that take the modified sine wave and smooth it out to a better representation of a true sine wave. The cost goes up of course for these added circuits. You don't have to clean your wires and while there may be such a thing as electron polish/cleaner. I'm certainly not going to go to the trouble to touch 6.023X10^23 electrons for each amp-hour I use. heck, I'd probably get them dirtier than they already are! ;-)
Well I's thought I's bein pretty plain about it. Sometimes I wonders about all you alls understandin of common redneck. ;-) Electronic devices that have clocks really have cycle counters. Since the 60 cycle (Hz) frequency is a constant (for shore power) then you have a counter that can be calibrated to read time. The trick is knowing the counters "trigger". Usually it is the passage of voltage from + to - and on shore power that works fine because the sine wave of voltage is a SMOOTH one. No bumps or spikes. Modified sine waves have a "flat spot" on the max +, max - and at 0 volts. This along with any other ripple in the voltage wave will cause the clock circuit to think an actual cycle has passed and make it read fast. Basically it is getting more triggers per cycle than it is designed to and therefore runs fast. There is also the issue of not having true 60 cycle AC current. Is is usually not 60 but 58 or 62 cycles or some such number. This can make the clock run either fast or slow but does not have as much effect as the former. One way to fix this is to install "filters" to "clean" the output. A more expensive inverter will have these inductor/capacitor resonant circuits that take the modified sine wave and smooth it out to a better representation of a true sine wave. The cost goes up of course for these added circuits. You don't have to clean your wires and while there may be such a thing as electron polish/cleaner. I'm certainly not going to go to the trouble to touch 6.023X10^23 electrons for each amp-hour I use. heck, I'd probably get them dirtier than they already are! ;-)
GallDang it Bill
Just glad to know that someone else has trouble gettin' their Denty Moore beefstew just right. Heck all I know is that all my mportant stuff like the 4 wheel drive n the auto eject feature on the gun rack work so don't really care if I burn the innerds out of my micro. Sure beats buyin a new inverter. Good thing I can count real fast like. "Hold my beer Billy Bob and watch this" Cheers
Just glad to know that someone else has trouble gettin' their Denty Moore beefstew just right. Heck all I know is that all my mportant stuff like the 4 wheel drive n the auto eject feature on the gun rack work so don't really care if I burn the innerds out of my micro. Sure beats buyin a new inverter. Good thing I can count real fast like. "Hold my beer Billy Bob and watch this" Cheers
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