Starting up my microwave

[Pike40]

Hello eveyone, I have a magic chef MW that requires 15 amps according to the literature. I am trying to find a mid sized generator that is camping friendly(quiet) that will at least run the MW. I have tried a friends off brand 1850 watt and it would not start it.

If I do the VxA=W I get 1800 Watts. I am assuming the generator I tried could not do it because it did not have a high enough rated wattage or high enough amps?

So what I find is the Honda and Yamaha 2000i generators appear to have enough watts and amps in surge but seem like they might not work at rated numbers.

Do I really need something like the yamaha 2400i just to run my microwave? Also the honeywell 2000i looks like it might work as well but I am not sure about this units quality and noise.

I would really appreciate some input before I put my cash on the line.

Thanks

Pike

[NWJeeper]

We have friends that have the Honda 2000 that runs their microwave but all microwaves are not the same. The reason your buddies 1850 would not do it is that it is probably 1850 start up and much less than that for continuous run. You can also try setting the power level on the microwave to 70% and cook longer as it will use less power.

I believe in "you get what you pay for" in generators. Some of the cheap ones can use so much gas that over a couple of year span (depending on how much you use it) you could have made up the difference with the Yami or the Honda. Is there a rental store nearby that may have a Honda portable you can rent, maybe Home Depot? I know some Home Depot stores do have tools and things for rent. I would see if I could rent one and try it out before laying out the dough. This way you can tell if you can get away with the 2000 or need something larger.

[dlc49]

We have Honeywell 2000i which runs MW in our 26rbss just fine. Only used it a few times so jury is still out on endurance. It's a little noisier than my buddy's Honda but still pretty quiet, also a few pounds heavier.

[great white]

Can't speak to the wattage, but honda generators are the quietest I've ever used...

[KyDan]

What was the brand of your friends genny?
I had a 2 cycle noisy but cheap and light weight "1800" watt genny
that did NOT produce 1800 watts. If I plugged in a 1600 watt
heater it would trip the breaker after a couple minutes.

My guess is that a honda EU2000 would do the job but again
you'd need to test it to be sure. Is there a local honda dealer
who would let you try before you buy? Either take the MW to
him or take your trailer to him and try it.

An alternative is to buy a smaller MW. They are relatively ¢heap
compared to a generator upgrade.

Finally, do you want to run your roof AC?
THAT is the big question when sizing generators.

Also-- do you dry camp enough that you have to run the MW
at those times?? We spent a month on the road this June.
About 1/3 or more of the days were dry camping. We could have
easily gotten by without the MW on those days.
A generator is an expensive addition to your gear, do you really
need it? Just a thought........

Here's another thought--- when you tested your friends genny, did
you simply plug in the trailer?? If you did that, you were possibly
powering your battery charger and maybe your refrigerator and
even possibly your water heater.
Unless you plug the MW directly into the genny you need to
shut off a bunch of stuff in the RV before you decide it can't
handle the MW.

Welcome to the group!!

[Pike40]

Well, I bought a Yamaha ef2000is today. I did this a bit on faith as far as power goes. Weather has been wet so I have not put oil and gas into yet and tried it out on the MW.

I will let you know what happens when I fire it up. I am also hoping this will make a good home backup generator for power outages, you know, keep the fridge and freezer cold etc.

Almost went the EF2400 but decided to try this with a probable second one later for a parallel setup, we will see.

Thanks for the input.

Pike