inverter problem
- Thread starter smokie409
- Start date
Monty
Expert Expediter
I can only think of 2 things .....
1. Your inverter is not getting the proper power to it to produce the start wattage to get the microwave up and running. Check the power cables for good connections? A coffee pot, or hair dryer, pulls a lot of wattage also, will the inverter power one of those? If so, it may be the microwave it's self .... ever tried it on a shoer power line?
2. Your battery is not strong enough to power the inverter for what it needs. Have you tried the microwave with the engine running, so the alternator kicks in?
1. Your inverter is not getting the proper power to it to produce the start wattage to get the microwave up and running. Check the power cables for good connections? A coffee pot, or hair dryer, pulls a lot of wattage also, will the inverter power one of those? If so, it may be the microwave it's self .... ever tried it on a shoer power line?
2. Your battery is not strong enough to power the inverter for what it needs. Have you tried the microwave with the engine running, so the alternator kicks in?
purgoose10
Veteran Expediter
I think the battery power is the answer but truly you should PM Turtle he can tell you for sure.
No it does not. I would go with the other thoughts. Bad ground, bad batteries, alternator too small, wrong gage wires, or the surge from the appliance is higher than the inverter can handle.
westmicher
Veteran Expediter
I have heard that many inverters require, in addition to the big positive & negative wires, to have their chassis grounded to operate properly. Many have a small terminal for that purpose located any from the big negative terminal. This is all rumor however, and may not be entirely (or even partially) correct.
The problem could be that the microwave's startup draw is much higher than it's 900 watt run draw.
A 900 Watt microwave is almost certainly 900 Watts of output cooking power, but it draws 1400 Watts of power to produce that 900 Watts. Inside the door or on the rear of the microwave there will be a plate that tells the power consumption of the microwave, which is different than the output cooking power.
In either case, the inverter isn't the problem. The problem is the batteries. The batteries are either too small to handle a really large amp draw like 1400 Watts (1400 Watts divided by 12 volts = 116.66 plus 10% for the inverter loss is 128 amps), or their capacity is diminished to the point where the voltage simply drops off too much and too rapidly when such a high amp draw is applied. If the batteries are hybrid batteries (truck or marine) there ya go, as those plates are relatively thin, and are not designed for sustained high amp draws.
In either case, the inverter isn't the problem. The problem is the batteries. The batteries are either too small to handle a really large amp draw like 1400 Watts (1400 Watts divided by 12 volts = 116.66 plus 10% for the inverter loss is 128 amps), or their capacity is diminished to the point where the voltage simply drops off too much and too rapidly when such a high amp draw is applied. If the batteries are hybrid batteries (truck or marine) there ya go, as those plates are relatively thin, and are not designed for sustained high amp draws.
greg334
Veteran Expediter
I have to ask, is the truck running?
purgoose10
Veteran Expediter
Always ground to the frame with adequate size cable. 2ga/1ga, something along that line. Some vans have a rubber pad between the cab and the frame, the factory ground is never enough.
Letzboogie
Not a Member
Sounds like batteries to me too. If you use some sort of battery back up system, try replacing your current batteries with a golf cart battery or batteries. They hold a deeper charge.