Microwave keeps tripping!

akua150nera · Oct 28, 2022

I have a 3000w pure sine wave inverter. I added a 12v power queen battery and the cables are 0 gauge. I have a 50amp dc auto circuit breaker, and a 250a AMP circuit breaker fuse reset for 12v system. I do plan on adding another battery. Would that be enough batteries? The microwave doesn't trip if I just add the cables to the battery from the inverter. I want some safety measures in-between the battery and the inverter. Need to know what is going on with my system!!
Thank you for your help!!

sunshine_eggo · Oct 28, 2022

A typical microwave uses 1.6X the rated output, e.g., a 1000W microwave consumes 1600W.

1600W/12V/.85 = 156A

you'd need a 200A fuse/breaker to prevent nuisance trips.

Skypower · Oct 28, 2022

Some cheap Amazon no name breakers are notorious for getting hot and dropping power on surge demand. A 50 amp breaker isn’t going to cut it. Years ago I had a GoPower GP SW3000 pure sine. It was rated at 3k continuous 6kw surge. It was had a T class 400 fuse. The only problem I had was every disconnect switch failed so I hung a cable cutter there just incase. DIHOOL on Amazon makes some breakers up 600 amps. Check your manual for cable and fuse requirements.

Substrate · Oct 28, 2022

All this microwave support talk makes me hungry.

All jokes aside, I've always wanted to get my 12v cooking stuff just in case I didn't need the microwave. I'm always telling myself to get one to practice with, but I always forget.

Like the RoadPro 12v saucepan and frying pan:

So looks like it takes a little practice and time. Maybe I'll toss the cigarette lighter plug and put on a proper connector.

fratermus · Oct 29, 2022

Substrate said:
Like the RoadPro 12v saucepan and frying pan:

The 12v stuff works, but is typically weak, relatively $$, and harder to source. If you want to experiment for cheap consider picking up a crockpot, rice cooker, etc at the local thrift store.

Here are some of my crockpot recipes/experiments.

akua150nera · Oct 29, 2022

sunshine_eggo said:
A typical microwave uses 1.6X the rated output, e.g., a 1000W microwave consumes 1600W.

1600W/12V/.85 = 156A

you'd need a 200A fuse/breaker to prevent nuisance trips.

Thank you so much for your help! The 200a AMP circuit breaker would be good for the replacement?

akua150nera · Oct 29, 2022

Skypower said:
Some cheap Amazon no name breakers are notorious for getting hot and dropping power on surge demand. A 50 amp breaker isn’t going to cut it. Years ago I had a GoPower GP SW3000 pure sine. It was rated at 3k continuous 6kw surge. It was had a T class 400 fuse. The only problem I had was every disconnect switch failed so I hung a cable cutter there just incase. DIHOOL on Amazon makes some breakers up 600 amps. Check your manual for cable and fuse requirements.

Thank you so much for your prompt reply. This helps me greatly!!

Skypower · Oct 29, 2022

akua150nera said:
Thank you so much for your prompt reply. This helps me greatly!!

You know, I just got to thinking. If you are using a automotive battery/deep cycle (lead acid) , you may be fine with that load, but most lithium12 volt batteries will probably over current (trip) at over 100 amps. After a little while it’ll reset, but this is safety for rare circumstances, not for routine use. When you say “auto circuit breaker”, it you are referring to a self resetting type, I would not use those things ever. They sound kinda cool, however if there’s a problem and your never aware of it , the breaker will just keep cycling till it overheats, shorts ON, fails open, drains the battery, causes a fire, drains the battery, or leaves you out of luck when you need it. Always buy a breaker that allows you to open or close a circuit, reset, current and voltage rating and most importantly the correct type of voltage AC or DC. A year ago I didn’t know that made a difference. When it comes to high voltage DC it can be a fire danger if you use a AC breaker!

time2roll · Oct 29, 2022

What Power Queen did you get?

https://ipowerqueen.com/collections/12-8v-series

Many have a 100 amp BMS that is inadequate. Need at least 200 amps and I recommend 3/400 amps if driving a 3000 watt 12v inverter.

50 amp self resetting automotive breaker? Throw that away, they are junk looking for trouble. No place for this in the circuit anyway.

0 gauge is barely adequate for a short distance and limited power use. I recommend 4/0 with 2/0 minimum. 250 amp breaker max for the 0 and could limit the inverter. If spending money, I recommend a fuse over the breaker.

Substrate · Oct 29, 2022

Heh, hence my desire to use cheap 12v cooking stuff, and compensate by allowing for time to do it's job.

And, if the bank is charged by solar, you could say you are solar cooking in an indirect way... total battery nerd food.

Vigo · Oct 29, 2022

Maybe I'll toss the cigarette lighter plug and put on a proper connector.

Those plugs are a sure sign of a low power device because those ports are commonly fused as low as 10a on cars and noone wants their product to get a reputation for popping fuses (some people would pay a $100 diagnostic at a repair shop to figure out a blown fuse and then be REAL irritated), so usually anything with that plug on it is <100w.

Substrate · Oct 29, 2022

Exactly. Replace cigarette lighter plug with Andersons. Tap foot as time passes. Overall perhaps less current draw than a microwave, but not as convenient for sure. And probably not Martha Stewart quality meals.

Bud Martin · Oct 29, 2022

akua150nera said:
I have a 3000w pure sine wave inverter. I added a 12v power queen battery and the cables are 0 gauge. I have a 50amp dc auto circuit breaker, and a 250a AMP circuit breaker fuse reset for 12v system. I do plan on adding another battery. Would that be enough batteries? The microwave doesn't trip if I just add the cables to the battery from the inverter. I want some safety measures in-between the battery and the inverter. Need to know what is going on with my system!!
Thank you for your help!!

Can you show us the pictures of the circuit breakers you are using?
Similar to this breaker?

Skypower · Oct 31, 2022

A friend that’s a licensed electrician was troubleshooting what a homeowner installed.
Easy bingo!

akua150nera · Nov 3, 2022

Skypower said:
You know, I just got to thinking. If you are using a automotive battery/deep cycle (lead acid) , you may be fine with that load, but most lithium12 volt batteries will probably over current (trip) at over 100 amps. After a little while it’ll reset, but this is safety for rare circumstances, not for routine use. When you say “auto circuit breaker”, it you are referring to a self resetting type, I would not use those things ever. They sound kinda cool, however if there’s a problem and your never aware of it , the breaker will just keep cycling till it overheats, shorts ON, fails open, drains the battery, causes a fire, drains the battery, or leaves you out of luck when you need it. Always buy a breaker that allows you to open or close a circuit, reset, current and voltage rating and most importantly the correct type of voltage AC or DC. A year ago I didn’t know that made a difference. When it comes to high voltage DC it can be a fire danger if you use a AC breaker!

Hello! Yes we have a 12v 100amp lithium battery. I'm with you about getting the breaker that opens and closes. When you told me about the other type of breaker not being enough for our system. We felt that we would go with the open and close breaker instead. You just confirmed it for us!
Thank you for the follow-up!!

Microwave keeps tripping!

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