Can I run my microwave off of battery power?

theoldwizard1 wrote:

road-runner wrote:
The odds are better if the inverter is MSW because the microwave will run at a lower power level on MSW power.

I disagree with this completely ! Pure sine wave only for microwaves !!

Not me.

Pure Sine Inverter vs. Modified Sine - Microwave Oven Test

I did my own test on that using a Kenmore 1100w output (1510w input) microwave (made in 2001.)

Test was to run it for two minutes with a cup of cold water (same starting temp in each case), measuring amp draw with Trimetric, and water temp in the cup afterwards.

2000w MSW Inverter. 123 amps draw, 150F water temp
2000w PSW Inverter. 162 amps draw, 175F water temp

I ran the test before I swapped out the old inverter for my new PSW one. Reason to swap is because the 1991 Dometic "RV" microwave that came with this Class C would not run at all on the MSW. Various brand newer MW I have tried all ran just fine on MSW, but with lower power of course. No big deal.

In fact several years ago on here I posted that you drew fewer AH to "cook" a spud with MSW than with PSW because the extra time was less of a factor than the higher amps.

Full-mosey reported some time back that his AGMs have less of a voltage drop with inverter than Wets do, and it was clear that if you can only carry two batteries, they should be AGM if you want to run a 2000w inverter for running a microwave.

The lower amp draw with MSW also means less of a voltage drop towards inverter alarm time.

Another factor, but it varies by type and brand of AGM, is where the AGM has a higher voltage per SOC than a Flooded. That helps keep the loaded voltage above the inverter's alarm. (Some AGMs have about the same voltage per SOC as Flooded)