How to easily turn off the microwave...

[deltabravo]

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

[deltabravo]

Matt_Colie wrote:
I am not sure I would bother with that switch.

Too late, Switch already installed.

The other issue is that the inverter has an idle pulse, to see if there's a load out there. The microwave clock will flash on and off if it's the only thing being powered by the inverter, which gets annoying hearing it click all the time.

[GordonThree]

DrewE wrote:
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.

x2 for this, they're often labeled travel or vehicle adapters. select one that matches or exceeds the wattage rating of your current plug in power adapter.

many newer laptops support charging via USB-C, this might be another option. my Dell XPS 15 charges this way when I'm in the camper, I can leave the bulky AC adapter at home and charge off a small 12v to USB-C adapter in either the truck or the camper. the same cable and adapter also charges my cell phone, and the power bank I use for an older GoPro. I love multitaskers 🙂

[MrWizard]

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

[time2roll]

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.

[2oldman]

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

[DrewE]

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.

[Matt_Colie]

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