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LVJJJ's avatar
LVJJJ
Explorer
Aug 06, 2016

Haunted Microwave

Ever heard of a Power Converter that makes a microwave oven go crazy? We have a 2004 Tahoe Lite with a Parallax 6300 Q Power Converter. We thought we had a haunted microwave as it would all of a sudden start up on its own, display 2222 once in a while, then just quit working, then start up again. We had to unplug it at night as it would beep and start and stop.

So I replaced the microwave and the new one is starting to do weird things also. Must be the Power Converter sending dirty electricity along the microwave circuit.

Any suggestions, ideas?

10 Replies

  • Timtation's avatar
    Timtation
    Explorer
    Aug 09, 2016
    LVJJJ wrote:
    Thanks for the recommendation. Now microwave is working fine. When I first installed the new one, it lit up but didn't work at all. Plugged it into another outlet on a different circuit, then it worked. So, thought I'd re-plug back into the micro circuit, still working after 3 days. Nothing worse than diagnosing electrical problems unless sparks fly. Electricity is just a theory anyway. then Bill Gates made everything worse.

    I firmly believe this is not specific to 12Vdc or positive ground but applies to all wiring, enjoy! http://thecompassadjuster.com/education/resources/smoke-theory-of-electricity.html
  • LVJJJ's avatar
    LVJJJ
    Explorer
    Aug 07, 2016
    Thanks for the recommendation. Now microwave is working fine. When I first installed the new one, it lit up but didn't work at all. Plugged it into another outlet on a different circuit, then it worked. So, thought I'd re-plug back into the micro circuit, still working after 3 days. Nothing worse than diagnosing electrical problems unless sparks fly. Electricity is just a theory anyway. then Bill Gates made everything worse.
  • rexlion's avatar
    rexlion
    Explorer
    Aug 07, 2016
    I've read many good comments on here about Progressive Dynamics (PD) over the years.
  • westend's avatar
    westend
    Explorer
    Aug 06, 2016
    LVJJJ wrote:
    Any recommendations as to what a good power converter brand is?

    The microwave is a new Kenmore, it replaced a Samsung
    Progressive Dynamics. Mine is working fine after 45 years.

    The 12V system doesn't power the microwave so a loss of 120V power is due to an interruption somewhere between the microwave and the load center (assumes your shore cord is good or generator produces consistent power). The number 1 suspect for me would be the receptacle the microwave is connected to or (if you've never looked at them) the lugs in the load center.
  • daveyboy12's avatar
    daveyboy12
    Explorer
    Aug 06, 2016
    I had an intermittent microwave, finally got around to testing the outlet it plugged into and it had gone bad. I replaced it with a normal 20amp outlet from HD,, had to cut the hole a little bigger and use a small plastic box, but now it works fine
  • LVJJJ's avatar
    LVJJJ
    Explorer
    Aug 06, 2016
    Any recommendations as to what a good power converter brand is?

    The microwave is a new Kenmore, it replaced a Samsung
  • AJBert's avatar
    AJBert
    Explorer
    Aug 06, 2016
    My microwave is used as a bread box. I still have no clue as to why it was installed in the first place?
  • ScottG's avatar
    ScottG
    Nomad
    Aug 06, 2016
    Hows your battery? With that converter a battery is mandatory. Normally, without one it will put a ton of noise and ripple into the 12V line. I suppose it could be putting something onto the 120V line but that isn't very likely.
    That really is a terrible converter. I would upgrade it before it leaves you sitting some weekend with a dead battery like it did to us in our last TT. Oh and it ruined the battery too.

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