I recently acquired a Honeywell (Generac) 2000 watt inverter generator which seems to be in really nice shape, (and a hell of a lot quieter than my big old Champion). The gen starts really easy, puts out 118-120v constant and will run pretty much everything I throw at it with the exception of the A/C, which I expected anyway. For some reason my 900w Dometic RV microwave does not like this gen....... I would have thought that a 2000 watt 2200 peak gen should handle the start up load of this microwave with no real issues. The microwave will run about every half dozen attempts but the gen does have to work quite hard when it does start.. Now I realize that the Generac IX2000 is no Honda and I am certainly not comparing it to one but come on... Am I expecting too much or is it possible that the microwave is on the way out??? It is after all a 97 model year.. I should add that the microwave will run off my 1500 watt inverter, but I really don't like killing batteries that fast....For those that are going to say it.... Buy a Honda, or a Yamaha, don't waste your time or money on off shore gens..... I already agree with you... I just happen to have this one and would like to stick with what I have for now... Unless you are buying....lol...Forgot to mention... I have already ensured that everything else in the trailer has been turned off, including the charger, fridge etc.

anything else onconverter, fridge, water heater , electric heater ?some additional load that tips the power load to far ?

I measured inrush with the LG 900-watt in this house and ended up showing 2700 watts. I don't have my Tektronix to see the wave form but I'll bet it's ugleeee... I have been getting hopeful results connecting a run-capacitor across L-N on inductive loads fed by marginal power. But it takes 20+ uf which is a fair size run cap. The cap needs to be on line when the load is introduced. Good luck.

Have you plugged the microwave into the generator direct?And similarly try your home MW direct in the generator.Yes the generator should run any microwave just fine. Does generator have an eco mode to turn off?Maybe a fresh spark plug, new gasoline or carburetor rebuild.

mikakuja wrote:Am I expecting too much or is it possible that the microwave is on the way out???No 2K inverter genset on the market with the exception of the Honda EU2000i has a particularly good surge capability. Even the Yamaha EF2000iS is lucky to sustain 20" at 2000 watts while the Honda EU2000i will easily sustain a full 2000 watt surge for a minimum of 1/2 hour. You can bet this Generac suffers in the same manner. I've never had any issues starting any microwave oven we've owned with an EU2000i which barely blinks when the MW starts up. :B

Have you tried any other generator? what elevation are you at as well? My champion will not run my microwave or AC while we are camping up around 9500'. I talked to Champion rep who stated elevation plays a factor on generator due to air density. True fact or not I do not know other than I only use my generator now to charge batteries in TT while brewing coffee...

Microwave / Generator issues....... | Good Sam Community

Sam_Spade
Explorer
Apr 16, 2016
mikakuja wrote:
For some reason my 900w Dometic RV microwave does not like this gen....... I would have thought that a 2000 watt 2200 peak gen should handle the start up load of this microwave with no real issues. The microwave will run about every half dozen attempts but the gen does have to work quite hard when it does start..

What exactly happens when it "fails" ??

If the surge of the MW starting is just a bit more than the gen can handle, replacing either will probably solve the problem.
GordonThree
Explorer
Apr 16, 2016
MW might have poor power factor and that's what the gen doesn't like. Put a killa-watt meter on the MW and see what it says about watts and PF.
morphrider
Explorer
Apr 16, 2016
Have you tried any other generator? what elevation are you at as well? My champion will not run my microwave or AC while we are camping up around 9500'. I talked to Champion rep who stated elevation plays a factor on generator due to air density. True fact or not I do not know other than I only use my generator now to charge batteries in TT while brewing coffee...
SoundGuy
Explorer
Apr 16, 2016
mikakuja wrote:
Am I expecting too much or is it possible that the microwave is on the way out???

No 2K inverter genset on the market with the exception of the Honda EU2000i has a particularly good surge capability. Even the Yamaha EF2000iS is lucky to sustain 20" at 2000 watts while the Honda EU2000i will easily sustain a full 2000 watt surge for a minimum of 1/2 hour. You can bet this Generac suffers in the same manner. I've never had any issues starting any microwave oven we've owned with an EU2000i which barely blinks when the MW starts up. :B
time2roll
Nomad
Apr 16, 2016
Have you plugged the microwave into the generator direct?
And similarly try your home MW direct in the generator.

Yes the generator should run any microwave just fine. Does generator have an eco mode to turn off?
Maybe a fresh spark plug, new gasoline or carburetor rebuild.
MEXICOWANDERER
Explorer
Apr 16, 2016
I measured inrush with the LG 900-watt in this house and ended up showing 2700 watts. I don't have my Tektronix to see the wave form but I'll bet it's ugleeee... I have been getting hopeful results connecting a run-capacitor across L-N on inductive loads fed by marginal power. But it takes 20+ uf which is a fair size run cap. The cap needs to be on line when the load is introduced. Good luck.
MrWizard
Moderator
Apr 16, 2016
anything else on
converter, fridge, water heater , electric heater ?
some additional load that tips the power load to far ?

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