Generator barely runs microwave

[BobCaesar]

(I also posted this to BOONDOCKING & hope that is ok )

I bought a Honda eu2000 generator and a nice little fellow it is!

However, our microwave needs 1500 watts, Honda sez the generator gives up 1600 watts - regular running. The microwave is just BARELY able to run on the generator. I am assume our converter is also sending juice from the generator to recharge the batteries and thus the microwave isn't getting enough.

I don't see anyway to turn off the converter's battery charger short of disconnecting the battery itself, which I hate to have to do. Any suggestions as to how I can work around this will be lifesaving as I promised the Mrs the Honda would run the microwave - git my drift

[BobCaesar]

(I also posted this to BOONDOCKING & hope that is ok )

I bought a Honda eu2000 generator and a nice little fellow it is!

However, our microwave needs 1500 watts, Honda sez the generator gives up 1600 watts - regular running. The microwave is just BARELY able to run on the generator. I am assume our converter is also sending juice from the generator to recharge the batteries and thus the microwave isn't getting enough.

I don't see anyway to turn off the converter's battery charger short of disconnecting the battery itself, which I hate to have to do. Any suggestions as to how I can work around this will be lifesaving as I promised the Mrs the Honda would run the microwave - git my drift

[RV Wizard]

Bob, there is a circuit breaker that feeds the converter and possibly another circuit; hopefully it is not the microwave. If you have a converter with the 120 volt ac distribution and 12 volt distribution panels all in one unit, remove cover and look for a small (usually black) wire from a breaker going into the back or down to the converter/charger. You will know when you have the right one when the battery voltage can be controlled by turning this circuit breaker on and off. Good luck and let us know how it works.

[charliez]

You need at least a 3000 to run a microwave or an ac. But that still won't do both at the same time. Just like a truck, you gotta get one big enough for the job.

[Erich]

A 3K to run a microwave, I don't think so, matter of fact I know so, my neighbour runs his on an Eu2000, mid sized micro, to make instant coffee and tea, not a problem.

[BobCaesar]

Guess I just don't understand watts? If the appliance draws 1,500 watts and the generator puts out 1,600 why would you need 3,000 watts?

[RV Wizard]

Bob, there is start up amperage needed to get the motors running. Once they are running the amperage is much lower.

[NeilV]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by RV Wizard:
Bob, there is a circuit breaker that feeds the converter and possibly another circuit; hopefully it is not the microwave. If you have a converter with the 120 volt ac distribution and 12 volt distribution panels all in one unit, remove cover and look for a small (usually black) wire from a breaker going into the back or down to the converter/charger. You will know when you have the right one when the battery voltage can be controlled by turning this circuit breaker on and off. Good luck and let us know how it works. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Bob,

If you can't find the breaker you may find that you inverter is pluggeg into an outlet and that you can just unplug it while running the Microwave or put a switch on the line. Also you may wan to consider turning the fridge to propane operation manually so the generator does not automatically swith it over to electric. Do you have the electric water heater option? Turn that off when the generator is running too.

That all said, I ran my Panasonic Convection Microwave in Microwave Only mode using a 750W inverter that had 1500W surge capacity. So I don't see how your 1600W Honda with 2000W surge should have any problem running your Microwave even if the charger was drawing a bit.

[Gary RVRoamer]

The converter on my many trailers is simply plugged into an electrical outlet, so you can just unplug it. Or turn off the breaker for that outlet, if nothing else of importance is on the same circuit.

Your converter is probably drawing only about 100-150 watts unless the batteries are low, but your Honda can supply 2000 watts for a short period, so I don't think the problem is the combination of the microwave and the converter. But give it a try and see if that makes a difference.

Why do you say it can "barely run the microwave"? What are the symptoms?

[BobCaesar]

Thanks for you help every one!

By barely runs I mean the microwaves interiopr light is not as bright as it might be and it just "sound" weak. It does heat a cup of coffee seemingly fine.

I'll try turning thr converter off and report mack!

[Scrib]

Don't forget to turn your fridge off "Auto", too.

[charliez]

Check your cords and connections to your gennerator.while your at it. That can be a source of low voltage as well.

[alvinc]

The Honda should be able to run the microwave just fine. I would check that the Honda is working correctly, especially under a load.

Plug a space heater in and check that it produces full heat, and check the voltage of the Honda with and without the heater. It should be spot on, no difference.

The suggestions to make sure there are no additional loads on the generator when you are trying use the microwave were good.

[charliez]

You also can't size a gen by thinking about it's MAX OUTPUT. The max is to be drawn on it for short, occasional times, not constant. Look at what the constant rating is.

This is taken right from the Honda website:

120V
2000W max.(16.7A)
1600W rated (13.3A)

You need to work from the 1600 watt rating, NOT the 2000 watt rating.

Seeing that 1600 watts is the same as 13 amps, take a microwave, add lights that are on, add cord length, count the number of connections (plug at the back of microwave, plug on camper in an adapter, adapter plugged into the generator, which each connection, you can rest assured there will be some kind of loss) and you can expect that a Honda 2000 is not enough generator.