inverter not enough watts

[markymo]

Hi brought an inverter claims 4000w with 2000w continuous but only getting up to 1350w which will work my kettle and coffee machine but not my microwave it only gets food warm I know a microwave needs about 1800watts to work could the problem be anything else ?
I have tried changing the earth no joy I am running 2 leisure batteries one 110amp the other 80amp
any ideas many thanks

 

[Neckender]

4000 watt invertor is going to take a hell of a lot out of your batteries that you've got, you need a bigger battery bank.
I have 1000 watt inverter and 3-110 amp leisure batteries.
Also your 110 amp battery will only charge up to 80amp as you have a smaller 80amp battery, you need them all the same amperage.

John.

 

[Smaug]

2Kw at 240v is around 8 amps, no problems for a household ring main, but to get that power out of a 12v supply you will need 160A (and that's assuming no conversion losses). Your batteries simply cannot supply that sort of current for long, plus the resistance of the cables will become significant unless they are just very short solid copper bus bars.

Not done any calculations, but you probably need somethng like an 8/10 unit bank of 110AH batteries to supply that sort of current for an hour or so & it won't half get hot. Takes up a lot of space & is damn heavy too. I just don't believe inverters are generally worth the hassle if you can get 12v eqt or use gas/ parafin or diesel run kit.

 

[Coolasluck]

Yep i would say that you need to bin your 240 volt appliances.
The only necersaries are generally a hairdryer(yes i know but for women they are a must) and just use small wattage appliances and try and run as much as possable on 12 or 24 volt.
People also use things like a 2000 watt inverter to power a low wattage item which is a nonsense.
We binned our microwave last week.:dance:

If you want to look after your batteries 12/24volt is the way loads of solar and keep them batteries
above 50 percent charge

 

[David & Ann]

Hi brought an inverter claims 4000w with 2000w continuous but only getting up to 1350w which will work my kettle and coffee machine but not my microwave it only gets food warm I know a microwave needs about 1800watts to work could the problem be anything else ?
I have tried changing the earth no joy I am running 2 leisure batteries one 110amp the other 80amp
any ideas many thanks

You need 5500watts for a 1800 microwave. If lower it will trip or blow the fuse. Remember, always roughly triple the wattage for a smooth run. The batteries; 110 and 80 is not a sufficent.

 

[markymo]

inverter

thanks for all the replys I did think the batteries might not be up to the job I can run the microwave with the genny and it works fine so not a dead lose and I can use my coffee machine with the inverter
I do have two 80w solar panels they work well do you think they will charge 1 110amp and 2 100amp Batteries so 3 in total
Many thanks

 

[Neckender]

thanks for all the replys I did think the batteries might not be up to the job I can run the microwave with the genny and it works fine so not a dead lose and I can use my coffee machine with the inverter
I do have two 80w solar panels they work well do you think they will charge 1 110amp and 2 100amp Batteries so 3 in total
Many thanks

My two 80watt panels charge my 3-110amp leisure, and cab battery ok, better still when in southern France.

John.

 

[David & Ann]

thanks for all the replys I did think the batteries might not be up to the job I can run the microwave with the genny and it works fine so not a dead lose and I can use my coffee machine with the inverter
I do have two 80w solar panels they work well do you think they will charge 1 110amp and 2 100amp Batteries so 3 in total
Many thanks

3 X 110AH in a row for the power is good. Make sure all 3 batteries are of the same age (pref: all new) Your 2 x 80w panels should keep you out of camp sites for hook-ups. If you do carry a genny around, use it for the heavy stuff, i.e, microwave, etc. that will save your battery power.

 

[markymo]

power

Thanks again for all the replies I have been full timing now for about 3 months in the UK and I have not hooked up once so not a big power user most of my appliances are 12v and I have only used the genny when my gas heater blow up to power an electric heater I will add to my batteries my 110amp is only a couple of months old so will stick with that and the space I have left will only fit 2 100amp so that's what I will go for I will stick with the genny for the microwave .

thanks again

 

[Firefox]

Your 2x80W panels will charge the batteries OK, if a bit slow at times. If space for 3 batteries, then go for an extra panel if you also have space for that. Rough rule of thumb = 1 x 80-100w panel each 100 Ah battery.

I think those 4000W inverters would be more suited to a boat where you can have about 8 batteries in a bank. Better would be a 1000W inverter off 2 or 3 batteries and low wattage appliances.