PrivatePilot wrote:
The "automatic" method of killing things while using the microwave is interesting, but not sure it's worth the hassle, at least IMHO - A simple DPST mounted beside my microwave kills my converter for however long I need it off. No, it's not automatic, but it IS simple..and cost me $2 for the switch, $2 for some wire, and my own time to install it.
Anything automatic would potentially have issues with timing, as well otherwise there's a big potential that whatever heavy load is coming online (Microwave) wouldn't kill the light load (Converter) in time to prevent a generator overload from happening anyways.
True.
I think I posted here before that early 30 amp trailers equipped with an electric water heater element had a switch next to the microwave to select one or the other. Sort of like what you have done.....
Me? My circuit breakers in my Cedar Creek fiver with 50-50 amp service are easily accessible in the kitchen area. I have them labeled. The converter is on a separate breaker, as is the microwave and the water heater. It is easy to just flip the breaker off as needed.
BTW - It did not come that way. I had to add additional breakers and split up combined circuits. I now have a total of 16 breakers in the SEP. When I bought it there were only six breakers plus the 50-50 amp main.
On the current sensing strip - It takes at least 25 watts to turn it on. I don't think the microwave clock uses that much energy. But, since my microwave has the exhaust fan and stove overhead light built in the strip really would not be a good idea. Just brainstorming - that is what us old retired electronics enabled guys do.;)
