1000W Inverter will not run a 700W microwave?

Discussion in 'Trucking Electronics, Gadgets and Software Forum' started by Topshelfrps1, Apr 28, 2019.

  1. Topshelfrps1

    Topshelfrps1 Bobtail Member

    1
    0
    Apr 28, 2019
    0
    I have a 1000W inverter and I cannot run a 700W microwave got more than 30-45 seconds without the inverter shutting off. Fues between battery's and inverter does not blow but the inverter just turns off. Any suggestions ?
     
  2. Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.

  3. Tombstone69

    Tombstone69 Road Train Member

    1,010
    1,346
    Dec 20, 2018
    Jersey shore
    0
    Try running a heavier wire from the batteries to the inverter. If the microwave is old it might be drawing more than what the inverter is rated for. You could also try a higher amp fuse but you might damage the inverter.
     
  4. COBB2070

    COBB2070 Medium Load Member

    369
    416
    Jul 8, 2018
    SoCal...The OC
    0
    Proper wire gauge is a big part of it, Google the make/model name and look for a wiring diagram and installation guide. That will tell you the proper gauge wire to use. Another thought is if there is no external, re-settable breaker on the inverter, then it probably has an internal self resetting one. What that means is there's a small strip of metal, that when electricity flows through it, and it heats up and bends. If it gets too hot, it bends enough to touch a cut out that kills the power and keeps the inverter and associated wiring from overheating and catching fire (same as the breakers in your house, but when they cool, they contract and self reset). Over time, this metal strip becomes fatigued and can't handle the same amount of power before it trips.
     
    Trucking in Tennessee Thanks this.
  5. flood

    flood Road Train Member

    4,157
    4,020
    Dec 25, 2010
    0
    are you running the truck when using the mirco…..?

    mirco's suck a lot of power. if the truck isn't running your battiers my not be able to give the invertor the power it needs... low voltage shutdown….
     
  6. jtaran06

    jtaran06 Road Train Member

    2,178
    2,754
    Dec 23, 2007
    western ky
    0
    I had same issue. I went to lowes bought some massive gauge wire. Was a pain to bend but it fixed issue.
     
    jammer910Z and COBB2070 Thank this.
  7. COBB2070

    COBB2070 Medium Load Member

    369
    416
    Jul 8, 2018
    SoCal...The OC
    0
    Another thing is that inverter companies sometimes rate their products like the generator people do. "start up". Like a previous poster said, a microwave draws a lot of power. Maybe you need to upgrade to a 2000W sine wave inverter. Pricy, but saves electronics and lasts a long time.
     
  8. COBB2070

    COBB2070 Medium Load Member

    369
    416
    Jul 8, 2018
    SoCal...The OC
    0
    I won't go into much detail here about wire sizing, because it is determined by voltage and amps run at any given time... (AC/DC/Run length) etc.. But thanks to my construction background I have been through certification for NRC/IBC/IRC when it comes to electrical. I could link or PM the pertinent information but unless you know advanced DC, it wouldn't help. Every response seems to be a "place to start" as far as the rules say... "It won't work.... Is it plugged in?" .. Lol. If nothing is blown before the inverter then you are probably drawing too many amps for the inverter to handle
     
  9. COBB2070

    COBB2070 Medium Load Member

    369
    416
    Jul 8, 2018
    SoCal...The OC
    0
    And now that I think about it I noticed JP is going from APU's to EPU's. You have to totally rely on the battery(batteries) to be fully charged for peak performance. I will honestly say that I do not know what kind of Batts are in trucks. But 2 group 27/31 deep cycle Batts off the grid will last you about 4-5 days if solar is spot on running led lights, charging phones and a few other minor things like charging a laptop every other day.
     
  10. Ridgeline

    Ridgeline Road Train Member

    22,101
    113,190
    Dec 18, 2011
    Michigan
    0
    Yeah something I never mentioned because I completely forgot about.

    Read carefully ...

    A 700 watt microwave isn't a 700 watt appliance.

    See there is something I never got around to explain to others here; a 700 watt microwave has 700 watts of power to heat food but consumes much more than 700 watts.

    Your 700 watt microwave should consume 1200 watts of power, which is overloading the inverter.

    It has nothing to do with wire size or fuses but the inverter's ability to handle the power at 1200 watts.
     
  11. TheMofo

    TheMofo Bobtail Member

    12
    19
    Apr 21, 2019
    0
    As a rule of thumb, microwaves are about 60% efficient so you need at least 1200w to safely use a 700w microwave.

    Ideally you want an inverter that provides at least 2000w constant not peak.
     
    COBB2070 Thanks this.
  • Truckers Report Jobs

    Trucking Jobs in 30 seconds

    Every month 400 people find a job with the help of TruckersReport.