One thing I have done to all my RVs is to install a switched outlet for the microwave, so I can kill power to it when I'm using inverter power. The reason behind this is power conservation. I will turn on the switch when I want to use the microwave.The microwave always uses power for the clock / digital display.Another reason for the switch is to kill microwave power at night, when I'm on shorepower. The clock is very bright, and lights up the interior of the RV When I am out camping, and not exploring the area, etc., I might end up on my laptop for extended time periods, using my inverter for AC power for the laptop and big LCD monitor I use for editing videos. I also power up a USB hub so I can plug in more than two USB devices such as a portable hard drive, tether my cell phone from internet, etc.Conserving every bit of power helps, which is why I disable the microwave with the switch.Here it is in my Nash 17k

DB, If your microwave is like any that I know, the power use in standby is squat. I am not sure I would bother with that switch. I count on out microwave as a 120V available indicator. Your laptop uses about 60 watts when running and maybe more when charging its battery if your inverter can run the microwave, it is burning about 5~10 watts in standby mode. I hope this helps your decision. Matt

You could probably conserve more power by getting a 12V power brick for your laptop, rather than using an inverter plus the standard power brick. Something to consider, at least, if electricity conservation is a priority.Using the inverter, it would probably be more efficient to run the laptop from the battery until it's relatively low and then plug it in and turn the inverter on to use and charge it back up. That's a guess, not a guarantee.

You're saving about 0.25 amp. That's 1/4 of an amp at 12v.

Consider a small 150 watt sine wave inverter to charge small items (laptop)Anything that runs from a USB... get a 12v to USB adapter for direct (no inverter) charging.

I have some pretty good meters on my systemTurning off the breaker to my MW does not change the reading more than 100MaI don't bother wasting my time doing that any more

How to easily turn off the microwave... | Good Sam Community

colliehauler
Explorer III
Feb 16, 2019
deltabravo wrote:
time2roll wrote:
Anything that runs from a USB... get a 12v to USB adapter for direct (no inverter) charging.

DONE:

Adding USB charging ports and 12v outlets to an RV
This is what I would have suggested as well, no need to waste power on the inverter itslf.
suprz
Explorer
Feb 16, 2019
doxiemom11 wrote:
I just open the adjacent cupboard and unplug it if I don't want power to it. It's always plugged in though - never unplug it unless repairing it.

This is the exact thing i was thinking too... Seems simple enough
allen8106
Explorer
Feb 15, 2019
When I installed my inverter I just wired it direct into the three circuits I wanted to power and excluded the microwave circuit. When hooked to shore power the microwave is powered but not when on inverter power.

Works pretty well, no switches needed.
packnrat
Explorer
Feb 15, 2019
guess i am lucky, i also do not like all kinds of lights on. but my micro oven is not a problem. it was new back in 2000.
maybe even a older model?
Ron3rd
Explorer III
Feb 12, 2019
doxiemom11 wrote:
I just open the adjacent cupboard and unplug it if I don't want power to it. It's always plugged in though - never unplug it unless repairing it.

I turn the microwave breaker off
doxiemom11
Explorer II
Feb 11, 2019
I just open the adjacent cupboard and unplug it if I don't want power to it. It's always plugged in though - never unplug it unless repairing it.
BarabooBob
Explorer III
Feb 09, 2019
I added a switch to my TT to kill the radio. That thing could light up the interior of the entire TT. I kill my microwave with the circuit breaker for the same reason. My interior now has no lights on at night unless I want them on.
Trackrig
Explorer II
Feb 09, 2019
I have a Nash 26X. With a few minutes in a welding shop, it's very easy to add two more 6V batteries for a total of four so that battery power really isn't a problem.

Bill
profdant139
Explorer II
Feb 09, 2019
delta, I'm with you -- I will go to great lengths to avoid parasitic drain. We boondock most of the time. A quarter amp here, a quarter there, and soon you are all amped up! ;)
opnspaces
Navigator II
Feb 09, 2019
I caught the light part and I agree on the annoyance. Most of my camping is boondocking out in the desert and any light LED or otherwise at night is a distraction. I've also added the same 12v plug that you linked and the blue LED on it is annoying as well. I did find one on Amazon with no LED, its about $5 more but I think worth it.

Non illuminated adapter

As always with Amazon, make sure you select the correct model as there is a choice of three different ones on the page but only one is non LED.

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