Before I buy a new inverter?

D

Deckworks1

Member
Oct 1, 2009
55
Potomac River Virginia
Boat Info
1999 215 Express cruiser Towed with a 2004 Nissan Titan
1999 310 Sundancer
Engines
5.0 Merc.
5.7 Merc
I bought a 100W/200W inverter. I would like to install it so the kids can make popcorn and easy macs. Using the Microwave for only about 5 minutes at the most and shutting the inverter down. The inverter runs at a continuous 1000 watts. In the microwave manual it says its power consumption is 1050 watts.
It worked fine when I had it hooked to a battery but the microwave made a little buzz sound that it didn't make when plugged it into the house outlet.
Do I need to get a bigger inverter for the extra 50 watts it says it needs?
You all have been a great help. Any advice would be appreciated.
 
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I suspect you have a 1000W inverter that can accept a brief start-up load of 2000W. Please confirm.
 
Oops, slip of the keyboard on my shed computer. Yes, It is a 1000/2000 inverter.
 
That's better. What I suspect you are dealing with is the peak power draw required by the MW when starting. Does the buzz sound through the entire heating process or just on start up? Short of actually measuring the current draw on the MW it is hard to determine what you are actually seeing at the output of the Inverter.

If the buzz is not a vibration and sounds through the entire heating process I would not use the inverter.

If you can believe the inverter claims you should be fine. Read if you paid a lot for it it probably is putting out the rated values if it is an economical unit they may have used some creative calculations to determine the output ratings.
 
Also if the input 12 volt wiring is a small gage then the output of the inverter will not reach its peak. Check you manual for input wiring size requirements.
 
The MW does have a small buzz all during use. I had jumper cables hooked up for the test. I am going tomorrow to get 1 gauge wire to wire up the inverter for another test. The same wire I will be using for the actual install. I guess I didn't know if the inverter had some kind of effect on the microwave from changing from dc to ac as apposed to actual direct AC power. Since it is not the pure wave inverter.
 
Since its not a pure sine wave, I would bet that the buzz you are hearing is an unhappy motor. Could be fan or could be the one that turns the turntable in the microwave.

The non pure sine wave means its stepped (well more so then a pure sine inverter) and depending on how flat those steps are puts some strain on your motor. Causes it to heat up and work harder. Really the reason the ones that are expensive are, is due to the regulation in the inverter.

Who makes the inverter?
 
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Alegria said:
Since its not a pure sine wave, I would bet that the buzz you are hearing is an unhappy motor. Could be fan or could be the one that turns the turntable in the microwave.

The non pure sine wave means its stepped (well more so then a pure sine) and depending on how flat those steps are puts some strain on your motor. Causes it to heat up and work harder. Really the reason the ones that are expensive are so is due to the regulation in the rectification process.

Who makes the inverter?
Click to expand...

++1
 
OK, So I got 2AWG wire and ran it to the inverter from the battery. While at the store a man that was very up to speed on this stuff said I should upgrade the inverter. I traded the inverter for a 1200 continuous and 3200 watt peak. I am still getting a little buzz noise from the MW but it works fine. The inverter is a Chicago Electric from Harbor Freight. I guess my real question is will this pose a fire hazard with the MW or will it just eventually wear the MW motor out? It was a $40 MW. I can replace it in a few years if needed.
 
Using non marine rated electrical devices have been well document on this site. Take every precaution you can with this configuration.
 
I agree. The more I look at this thing, the more I think I will just put a battery in a battery box with the inverter mounted on the side. I can cover and secure all connections nicely this way.It will be portable and I can pull it out of the boat after every use and charge it back up on dry land. I would only be using the inverter a few times a season on the boat and it seems like a lot of hassle for such a small boat. This way I can use the inverter at home as a battery back up for my work truck or camping. At least now I have the right inverter size.
Thanks for all the help.
 
Are you saying you are putting a $40 inverter from Harbor Freight in a gasoline engine room on a boat? It'll pop more than the popcorn...
 
No.
A $40 Microwave into a 1200 watt inverter that is attached to a battery. The battery will be in a battery box with a carry handle. Inverter mounted on the battery box with all connections secured. It will be a portable inverter. The microwave can stay on the boat. Inverter and battery can go anywhere a generator could. Even in the cabin since there is no danger of Carbon monoxide. I would never put electrical like that next to the gas tank. I enjoy my life to be that stupid. LOL
 
OK... but where is the battery box with the inverter on it's side going? In your engine room?
 
The battery box/inverter will go under my back seat which is an open area. When needed, It can be moved to the front of the boat. Run the Microwave to make popcorn and then unplug and move it back to the rear of the boat. Or store it in the cabin in the head area. It's just like storing a spare battery. This way the inverter is never left unattended while running, it's not in a unsafe location and it is unhooked while not in use.
I know contractor's who have been doing this for years off the back of their trucks to run small power tools. I was just concerned with the microwave humming.
I figured it was worth a try but if the general opinion is not to do it this way, I will go with the masses. You all have more experience with this than I and I appreciate the help.
 
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