Microwave issues?

[phil_in_npton]

Good Evening
We are on our first proper trip in our new to us Motorhome ( Auto-sleeper Broadway)
First time using the microwave to do jacket pots.. set for nine minutes but it kept cutting out after three or so minutes.
A little bit of research suggest things like vents and overheating?
A domestic make, anyone any knowledge on this subject?
We have a three month snagging appointment at the dealers when we get back.
Thanks
Phil in Northampton

 

[headlight]

Good Evening
We are on our first proper trip in our new to us Motorhome ( Auto-sleeper Broadway)
First time using the microwave to do jacket pots.. set for nine minutes but it kept cutting out after three or so minutes.
A little bit of research suggest things like vents and overheating?
A domestic make, anyone any knowledge on this subject?
We have a three month snagging appointment at the dealers when we get back.
Thanks
Phil in Northampton

Are you on EHU or running the microwave from an inverter ?

 

[phil_in_npton]

Hi
On EHU
Phil

 

[Lenny HB]

What is the EHU supply 5, 10 or 16 amps?

 

[meanders]

Microwave ovens do need good air circulation to keep the magnetron (The heart of a microwave but developed for radar) cool. There are usually at least one heat sensor to protect the device from overheating. So it could be bad air circulation, faulty sensor, or a failing magnetron. For the price of replacement magnetron's, it's usually much cheaper to buy a whole new oven.

There are also sensors that detect if the door is not properly closed. Try pushing on the door while it's operating. I've not had an oven apart in donkeys years, but that always used to be a microswitch that could be adjusted. It may now be a reed switch so make sure the door is closing properly and is not moving within the catch limits as the oven warms.

If the oven is built in, make sure all vents are clear. The bottom vent is sometimes very low down.

CAUTION: Never, ever operate the oven without the outer case unless properly screened.

PS: When domestic microwaves first became common in the latter half of the 1970's, people often asked if they were dangerous. The answer was always yes: Drop one on your foot and it will break bones! Mind you they were very much heavier then. Seriously though, a microwave oven is a 'Faraday cage' to keep the RF radiation inside. If not contained, that radiation will cause serious injury to anyone nearby, most noticeably the eyes. Understandably, there are all sorts of internal interlocks to protect the user from harm.

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[DBK]

If the microwave was fitted by the dealer I suspect they haven't created enough ventilation for it. You could try running it a lower power setting and see if it lasts longer before cutting out. If it does then this would point to poor ventilation.

 

[phil_in_npton]

Good Morning
Thanks for the info…
Certainly wont be fiddling with it…I’ll expect the dealer to sort it on our return for our snagging appointment. A few other minor niggles to sort out then too.
Silly isn’t it, if it didn’t come with a microwave it wouldn’t have bothered us a bit!

Phil in Northampton

 

[MisterB]

Silly isn’t it, if it didn’t come with a microwave it wouldn’t have bothered us a bit!

Phil in Northampton

we added a microwave because it didnt come with one - wouldnt be without it !! we had it modified to use less power - yes it takes longer to cook but doesnt cut out when on EHU (with decent supply) or via the 3000w inverter.

 

[phil_in_npton]

Hi Mister B

Can you tell me what is the modification required please?

Phil in Northampton

 

[headlight]

Hi Mister B

Can you tell me what is the modification required please?

Phil in Northampton

You can get the wattage lowered and have it "soft start" rather than it draw about double its rated wattage on start up.
On EHU its not required or if you have a properly sized inverter and battery bank.
I have a 230AH LifePo4 and 2,000 watt inverter.
It runs my standard kitchen 800 watt microwave fine in the van.