Microwaves?

Hey guys,

I wanted to ask the other drivers out there if they are using microwaves in their trucks, and how powerful they are. I spent a decent amount of money recently on a Whirlpool compact microwave that actually fits into the cabinet in the truck, but apparently there isn't enough power to run it. It's a 750 watt microwave, and even though it turns on, the magnetron won't kick on.

After I found out that our trucks inverters are only 1400 watts, I broke down and bought a 700 watt microwave from Wal-Mart and put it in here. However, it just BARELY runs, if I unplug everything else in the truck before I cook something. If I don't unplug everything, it trips the breaker in the inverter immediately, and I have to go reset it in the sidebox there.

Is anyone else having this issue? 2 drivers I spoke to swear that they run 900 watt microwaves in their trucks, but I don't see how... mine can barely run 700. Can anyone confirm that this is normal, or am I looking at an electrical problem in the truck?

 

Hmm, maybe my truck does have an electrical issue then... it definitely wouldn't be the first. This truck has been a nightmare in regards to breakdowns ever since I got it. I should've seen it coming the moment I got in it and saw "21" on the odometer lol.

 

I have no idea, it's the one installed in the truck, I suppose at the factory (the inverter I mean). It's somewhere in the sidebox. As far as I know, we can't install any other inverters. Someone told me that for a microwave, it requires double its wattage for a split second when it powers on, and that's why 750 watts wouldn't work on a 1400 watt inverter. I wasn't sure if that was true, but once I tried my 700 watter from Wal-Mart, and it BARELY runs (and I mean barely, the lights dim when it runs lol), I figured there was some truth to it.

 

The inverter was installed into the truck at the factory. The plugs I use are installed into the wall of the cab. There are two below the bunk, and two more on the back wall of the cabinet where you would normally put a TV. There are 4 more outlets in the sidebox itself, although I have no idea what the heck I would use those for. I didn't install it and know nothing about it.