Hello Everyone,I've tried to find an answer via search and couldn't find what I was specifically looking for...and I don't know much about electrical issues.I have a 2014 Jayco Jay Flight 28BHBE and a new Honda EU2000i Companion generator (has the 30A plug). When I run the microwave with the generator, the light inside the microwave will be "bright" for about 1 to 2 seconds, then it will dim. The microwave still runs. But, due to the lights dimming, I shut off the microwave after about 10 seconds and don't use it. My question... If I DO use it when the light dims, am I damaging the generator or the microwave over time (which I don't want to do)?All is fine on shore power and the generator is not on economy mode when I tried this. I would rather live without the microwave than damage it over time. Also, I have turned off the electric water heater and fridge over to gas. No, tv or anything else is running.

Sounds possible your microwave needs more power. How many watts is it. Divide the watts by 120 that tells you how many amps at 120 it needs.Damn I've learned a lot on this forum. Couldn't have told you that a year ago. :)A 1500 watt microwave plus some other current draw will hit 2000 watts pretty quick.

My micro acts like that even on shore power.

All is fine on shore power and the generator is not on economy mode when I tried this. You lost me there.Sorry, didn't realize they were separate posters.

The battery charger might be drawing enough to lower the voltage as well. ScottG wrote:My micro acts like that even on shore power.As does mine.It will also do it with my pair of EU2000's and nothing else on. Both of my TT's micro's have done this, must be something with the TT wiring or microwave design.

Microwave and Honda EU2000i Companion | Good Sam Community

18 Replies

AH64ID
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
azBuckeye wrote:
I don't...and had never heard of a high altitude jet kit. The generator runs fine and fires up quickly, but I'll research this. Thanks!

There are two different high altitude jets that Honda makes. They are easy to change and I keep all 3 in my mini tool kit.

OE jet is good sea level - 5000
2nd kit is good 4000-9000
3rd kit is good 8000-high

I generally have the middle jet it.

IIRC the owners manual has the part numbers. 62, 60, and 58 I believe. 62 is OE.
azBuckeye
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
I don't...and had never heard of a high altitude jet kit. The generator runs fine and fires up quickly, but I'll research this. Thanks!
AH64ID
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
azBuckeye wrote:
Good point about the altitude. We typically are between 5500' and 7500' when camping south of Bozeman, MT. I haven't had the trailer to lower elevations with the generator. I'll also, isolate the microwave using an extension cord and see how that goes.

My main concern was damaging the microwave or generator over time due to less power being available.

Thanks for all the great advice and comments!

Do you have a high altitude jet kit in it?
azBuckeye
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
Good point about the altitude. We typically are between 5500' and 7500' when camping south of Bozeman, MT. I haven't had the trailer to lower elevations with the generator. I'll also, isolate the microwave using an extension cord and see how that goes.

My main concern was damaging the microwave or generator over time due to less power being available.

Thanks for all the great advice and comments!
Tequila
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
Same here. I also put the charging circuit in my converter onto its own breaker so i could take it out of the equation. It enables me to run my 13.5 A/C off my Honda 2000.
LenSatic
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
Deleted. Rats! Here we go with another double posting problem.

LS
LenSatic
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
If you have an AC water heater, make sure it's fully heated or turn off the AC power to it. We had this same problem with the Micro/Convect and air conditioner until I realized the water was trying to heat at the same time. The air conditioner would overload the Honda, but the Micro/Convect would just kind of bog down.

LS
marcsbigfoot20b
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
What altitude?

Mine will work with my 800 watt microwave which is rated at 1150 watt power usage in Phx 1400 ft, but at 7500 ft camping the voltage meter in the TT shows 105 volts and the microwave light is dim....but it still works, barely.
RedRocket204
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
naturist wrote:
I, too, think that it is likely that your converter is drawing enough to cause the dimming of the lights when you run the microwave. I'd test that theory by making sure the battery was fully charged OR turning off the battery cutoff switch when attempting to run the microwave.

Or, the OP should just unplug the micro from the wall outlet and plug an extension cord from the Gen into the microwave and see if it works.
rjf7g
Explorer
Aug 13, 2014
I have a 6 or 7 year old Honda EU2000i and am able to run my microwave with it (don't know the power). It would dim and not heat anything up but I got my generator tuned up, carb cleaned and started running Ethanol free gas in it and now it runs the microwave fine.