Inverters And Microwaves

A

A S R

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Burstner Elegance
First question is can a microwave run off a modified sine wave inverter or only pure sine wave ones?
Secondly, if the microwave is 800w would a 1500w inverter power it ok? I know they take a bigger surge initially then lower down a bit. I’m not worried about the power to the inverter because it’ll be coming from two 24v truck batteries.
Ta.
 
I would Say no to modified sine wave and possibly OK with 1500 watts but personally would go higher just in case.
 
It really depends upon the microwave .to be sure the pure sine wave will be ok for all microwaves and most probably a modified sine wave but for the latter best to advise what microwave your thinking of and see if anyone is running one off a modified sine wave.
Our 800 w Daewoo starts and runs ok off a basic 1000w inverter.
 
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A S R said:
First question is can a microwave run off a modified sine wave inverter or only pure sine wave ones?
Secondly, if the microwave is 800w would a 1500w inverter power it ok? I know they take a bigger surge initially then lower down a bit. I’m not worried about the power to the inverter because it’ll be coming from two 24v truck batteries.
Ta.
Click to expand...
I don't think you can get a definitive answer to your first question. Some microwaves might be able to cope others, probably most, won't and could be damaged.

1500W is on the limit for an 800W microwave I think. You could of course use a lower power setting but a 2000W inverter would be wiser if you want to use the full nuke power.
 
Microwaves don't reduce power, they just switch on and off intermittently so you still need the full capacity. I have a 1500W PSW inverter for a 600W microwave that theoretically draws 1KW. Go bigger for an 800W one.

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We have run our 800W microwave on a 1500W pure sine inverter for the past 8 year. The microwave manufacturer says it needs an input of 1250W.
 
Post deleted as it wasn't relevant.

Cheers,

Jock. :)
 
Last edited:
There are some Microwaves that run at a genuinely lower power when set at a lower power, but these are not the norm by any means and cyberyacht is spot on on his comment. (The same, btw, is true of Induction Hobs).

To check the power rated for a microwave, have a look at the label on the back, not the power number on the front (annoyingly, that real power requirement number does not seem to ever get quoted in the specs, especially when buying on line).

I have an 800W Microwave that draws around 1250W off the inverter in use (and as mentioned, at lower settings, cycles between max and off during use). I use a Victron 12/1600 Inverter (within a Multiplus) and that, as a 1350W Inverter is powerful enough, but it's close!

The manual Microwaves (no display, just manual times for power and timers) are meant to be ok with a Modified Sine Wave inverter, but the electronic ones need Pure Sine Wave ones.
 
JockandRita said:
But that is 24v rated. Is that what you want, or do you have a 12v system?

1500W - 12V Pure Sine Wave Sunshine Power Inverter - Sunshine Solar - Sunshine Solar Limited

Sunshine Pure Sine Wave Inverters are suited for sensitive electronic equipment, allowing motors to run faster, quieter and cooler, preventing computer crashes, noises & glitches in monitors, TV, game consoles etc. Convert DC power from your battery into AC power enabling use of electrical...
www.sunshinesolar.co.uk

Cheers,

Jock. :)
Click to expand...
It's a 24v system. See first post. :)

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JockandRita said:
But that is 24v rated. Is that what you want, or do you have a 12v system?

1500W - 12V Pure Sine Wave Sunshine Power Inverter - Sunshine Solar - Sunshine Solar Limited

Sunshine Pure Sine Wave Inverters are suited for sensitive electronic equipment, allowing motors to run faster, quieter and cooler, preventing computer crashes, noises & glitches in monitors, TV, game consoles etc. Convert DC power from your battery into AC power enabling use of electrical...
www.sunshinesolar.co.uk

Cheers,

Jock. :)
Click to expand...
He said he is running off a pair of 24V batteries ;)
 
DBK said:
It's a 24v system. See first post. :)
Click to expand...

Hoovie said:
He said he is running off a pair of 24V batteries ;)
Click to expand...
Yep, I missed that last bit, and was looking at the MH on his Avatar, ie, a Burstner Elegance i821 which is 12v. :doh:

I'll go back and delete my post accordingly.

Cheers,

Jock. :)
 
Best to check what makes are in use in MHomes on inverters.
 
Both Panasonic and GE make microwaves that use "inverter technology". These microwaves provide a steady stream of power at the level at which they are set. We have a Panasonic Inverter microwave and when it is set to 70% for example, it delivers a steady stream of 70% power unlike a non inverter microwave which cycles on and off at 100%.
 
A S R said:
Thanks for all your advice. (y) Sunshine Solar have a sale on a PSW 1500w inverter just now so my son is going to get one of those.

1500W - 24V Pure Sine Wave Sunshine Power Inverter - Sunshine Solar - Sunshine Solar Limited

Purchase the 1500W - 24V Pure Sine Wave Sunshine Power Inverter, suited for sensitive electronic equipment, allowing motors to run faster, quieter and cooler
www.sunshinesolar.co.uk
He has now only got to find a 700-800w max microwave now. (y)
Click to expand...
Do a search on here, I had my own microwave adapted from 750w to 500w by a company in Kent who also sell microwaves suitable for trucks running on 24v.

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A S R said:
First question is can a microwave run off a modified sine wave inverter or only pure sine wave ones?
Secondly, if the microwave is 800w would a 1500w inverter power it ok? I know they take a bigger surge initially then lower down a bit. I’m not worried about the power to the inverter because it’ll be coming from two 24v truck batteries.
Ta.
Click to expand...
Do a search on fun for: 320
as I mentioned a 320 watt microwave recently and the co that do that also do a 500.
 

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