12v microwave

Reddirt · #1 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009

Has anyone used a 12v microwave on their boat?
Good or bad?

Thanks,
Reddirt

Omatako · #2 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009

Don't know about 12v microwaves but I have a 110v unit and it draws vast amounts of power. We use it rarely.

I can't think why a 12v one would have different power consumption but then again, I'm not a specialist.

tommays · #3 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009

There was a thread a few months back about a 12 volt 650 watt ? unit it was not real impressive and pulled a killer amount of amps

pdqaltair · #4 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009

If they pull the inverter voltage down, don't expect them to live very long. We tend to use our (110v) only a the dock, but it will run on the inverter. and if it lasts 3-4 years for $100... no big deal.

I have seen 12v models...$$$$$$$$. Probably triple.

TractorJohn · #5 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009

This isn't 12 volts but, I tossed out the factory alchohol stove and found a small 750 watt microwave that fit the space. I use a 2500watt inverter powered by two 100 amp rv batteries. I kept a daily log of microwave use and the results are that the microwave ran for 56 minutes (intermitent use)before he inverter low voltage alarm went off. This was a weeks cruising two years ago. Now I keep the batteries topped up with a small solar panel and the outboard. The alarm has never gone off again.
Next to fixing window and deck leaks, the microwave is my best upgrade.
I know if you extensively cruised or cooked a turkey everyday it would not work for you but 56 minutes is a lot of microwave time for hotdogs and popcorn.
TJ

sailingdog · #6 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009

Most I've seen are bad...a decent microwave needs to have at least 750 watts of power.... that's at least 65 amps @ 12VDC... You're alot better off with a real microwave (120 VAC) and using only when on shorepower...

tdw · #7 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009

I know I'm a bit of an oddity here (yeah yeah I know, spare me the obvious retorts) but I don't like food heated up in a microwave. Even left overs, I prefer to heat them up in a pan than zap 'em. Maybe a blind test would prove me to be talking through my arse but that's the way I feel.

At home we use the microwave to heat milk or to reheat a hot drink and to reheat boiled rice. Don't think thats enough use to justify having one on board.

Friends of ours who have one on their Beneteau 50 and they reckon it makes a great bread bin.

pdqaltair · #8 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by tdw

I know I'm a bit of an oddity here (yeah yeah I know, spare me the obvious retorts) but I don't like food heated up in a microwave. Even left overs, I prefer to heat them up in a pan than zap 'em. Maybe a blind test would prove me to be talking through my arse but that's the way I feel.

At home we use the microwave to heat milk or to reheat a hot drink and to reheat boiled rice. Don't think thats enough use to justify having one on board.

Friends of ours who have one on their Beneteau 50 and they reckon it makes a great bread bin.

When cruising we have the time to cook. That is the point... to have time.

Valiente · #9 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009

Let's not forget that a microwave is an excellent Faraday cage during a lightning storm.

Whether you'd want to jam a laptop in one sideways is another question.

ardoin · #10 (**permalink**) 10-14-2009

Faraday cage -- That's what they are best at. But you could get a metal ammo box to do the same. 6 Amp hours of draw to heat a cup of joe... not a very good use of power or space
I use mine as a Faraday cage and as a warn still place to raise dough when I make bread.