Microwave doesn't work on the genny....

Matt_Colie wrote:
Blutoyz,

What are the model and manufacturer of both the microwave and the APU?

In the past, I have run into some incompatibilities. One did defy understanding.

Matt

I believe I have the factory microwave and genset but I will research that if my power checks out....Thanks for the tip

Bill

In my last MH, the microwave would not operate on the generator even though the clock, lights on the mw would work fine. What I found was that the gen was putting out too much or not enough voltage (I forget which). Adjusted it, and the MW started working as expected.

I had this happen last year. Checked my EMS and the power frequency was out of spec. I don't remember what the numbers were, but it was still close enough that everything else worked. Generator had to be serviced.

Microwave ovens are quite frequency sensitive since the magnetron used in the US is designed to operate on 60 hertz with only a small variation allowed. The turntable turning, etc, with no heating, is a common problem when folks take a US microwave oven to a foreign country where 50 hertz is the standard. I would say the OP's problem vary strongly suggest the frequency is off a bit too far. I've used a microwave to test for frequency accuracy when tuning up a generator when my freq meter wasn't available. It's not a perfect test, but it's pretty close.

Dutch_12078 wrote:
Microwave ovens are quite frequency sensitive since the magnetron used in the US is designed to operate on 60 hertz with only a small variation allowed. The turntable turning, etc, with no heating, is a common problem when folks take a US microwave oven to a foreign country where 50 hertz is the standard. I would say the OP's problem vary strongly suggest the frequency is off a bit too far. I've used a microwave to test for frequency accuracy when tuning up a generator when my freq meter wasn't available. It's not a perfect test, but it's pretty close.

I think you nailed it....Thanks

Bill

Dutch_12078 wrote:
I would say the OP's problem very strongly suggest the frequency is off a bit too far..

very educated answer.

That little cheap Kill-A-Watt meter will tell you exactly what your frequency is.

rgatijnet1 wrote:
That little cheap Kill-A-Watt meter will tell you exactly what your frequency is.

Yes it will... When one is available. ;)

Dutch_12078 wrote:

rgatijnet1 wrote:
That little cheap Kill-A-Watt meter will tell you exactly what your frequency is.

Yes it will... When one is available. ;)

Yes, it is hard to find a Home Depot, Lowes, Amazon, etc. Why guess at what the problem is when for $20 you can find out exactly?

rgatijnet1 wrote:

Dutch_12078 wrote:

rgatijnet1 wrote:
That little cheap Kill-A-Watt meter will tell you exactly what your frequency is.

Yes it will... When one is available. ;)

Yes, it is hard to find a Home Depot, Lowes, Amazon, etc. Why guess at what the problem is when for $20 you can find out exactly?

How about because the last time I used a microwave to adjust a generator I was 15 miles back in the woods on hiking trip and helped the Forest Service spotter at a fire watch tower get her generator running closer to specs? I don't carry a Kill-A-Watt in my hiking pack, and I wasn't about to run out and get one. ;)

Even where we are right now, it's about 50 miles to the nearest town with a store likely to carry the meter if I didn't have one with me. Adjusting a generator without a volt/freq meter at hand is only intended as an interim fix until the proper test equipment is on hand to make the final adjustments. Kind of like back in the old days when we gapped points and plugs with a cardboard matchbook cover. One thickness for points, two for plugs. Close enough to get you home...