12 Volt Microwave Oven

[camp2udrop]

New to PU camping. We would like to buy a 12 volt microwave oven to use when electricity is unavailable. We would like to connect to the 12 volt outlets in the PU. Does anybody have any advise as to brand names or connecting tips? Thanks

[ForestCreature]

Most that I've seen on the net come with an inverter, which indicates they are not meant to plug directly to a 12 v socket. Seems they would draw a big amout of power & better used if you have a bank of batteries.  The one that I have seen the most surfing around are the Road Pro, don't know much about them.
 
 Enjoy the new pop up !

[MtnCamper]

Don't thin you'll find a 12V one. Most run from an inverter and can easily consume 1000 Watts. That is if you run it for an hour 83 amps. 15 minutes, OK.... almost 21 amps. Consider this the average battery is ~54 amp hours, so you just used 1/4 of your available power for 15 minutes worth of microwave. Plus you need an inverter 1500 watts or so, they use power themselves just to convert the 12V to 110.   :yikes:

[camp2udrop]

Thanks for the input. Didn't really know if it were feasable to have the microwave luxury without electricity. We plan on having a regular one, though, when we camp at locations that do provide elec. :confused:

[beacher]

If you want to use a microwave, only use it connected to your TV vehicle's 12v system, (cigaretter lighter) while it's running.  The KOOLATRON 12v MIcrowave and 1000 Watt Inverter package is one option.

The Koolatron at "The Store"

Or the Samsung Roadmate 12v Microwave, you must supply the 1000 watt inverter yourself.

Any marine supply store can hook you up.  They are very common for use on boats, BUT ONLY WHILE THE ENGINE IS RUNNING!

[mike4947]

Some how I doubt serirusly that unit plugs into a cigarette lighter socket and works. Seeing as how a cigarette lighter is fused at 20 amps maxinum which is 12 X 20 or 240 watts. There's not much chance of a 1000 watts being drawn off the line. Not one inverter manufacturer recommends any inverter over 200 watts peak being used in a 12 volt outlet. They All recommend direct (and as short as possible) wiring to the battery source.

 
As a rule of thumb, any thing with a heating element won't work well off of 12 volt due to the high amperage draw of heating elements. Larger rigs can get away with it mainly as they have large battery banks (sometimes as many as and gensets to recharge them. Even then todays "big rigs" usually just run the genset rather than an inverter and still have to run the genset sometime to recharge.

[HersheyGirl]

I have seen 12v microwaves at truck stops.  But, they have to be hooked up directly to the very big battery of a very big truck.