Notices
1999 - 2003 7.3L Power Stroke Diesel  
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by: DP Tuner

can i do this?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 04:09 PM
  #1  
messeswithtrux's Avatar
messeswithtrux
Thread Starter
|
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 241
Likes: 0
can i do this?

ok, been taking the kids snowboarding alot lately, and the trouble is, they are always cold and want hot chocolate, or they get hungry every 2 hours. so i was thinking of hitting up walmart and getting a power inverter and a cheap microwave and run it off my truck (at idle of course). can i do this or will i mess something up? does my truck have the power to run a micro? kids have been spending over 100 bucks a day at the hill, with a micro, i could cut it down to 15 or so. thanx.
 
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 04:15 PM
  #2  
randomhero1172's Avatar
randomhero1172
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 1,130
Likes: 0
From: Bloomfield Hills, MI
You will need a heavy duty inverter! Im not very good with electrical but these are some of the inverters offered

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/w...atchallpartial
 
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 04:25 PM
  #3  
bdrummonds's Avatar
bdrummonds
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 5,584
Likes: 0
From: Millbrook Alabama
Yes, you can, but you will need to figure out how many watts the MW pulls and then over compensate with the inverter. it will not be a cig lighter plug in model, but rather a model with aligator clips to go directly to the battery. IIRC a MW pulls a pretty large load on start up. also if you can afford it get a good inverter rather than a cheapy.
 
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 04:27 PM
  #4  
Whitey Ford's Avatar
Whitey Ford
FTE-Spread The Knowledge
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 240
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by messeswithtrux
ok, been taking the kids snowboarding alot lately, and the trouble is, they are always cold and want hot chocolate, or they get hungry every 2 hours. so i was thinking of hitting up walmart and getting a power inverter and a cheap microwave and run it off my truck (at idle of course). can i do this or will i mess something up? does my truck have the power to run a micro? kids have been spending over 100 bucks a day at the hill, with a micro, i could cut it down to 15 or so. thanx.
I can answer part of your question. Make sure the DC to AC converter has the Power Out (Watts) that the Microwave needs. Appliance specs vary from brand to brand. Check labeling before getting converter.

My guess is you will need a 1000 Watt Converter that Power's up to 8.4 amps. Sam's Club has some nice ones by *Power On Board* for low prices. "I think" Walmart only sells the 500 Watt by *Power On Board.*

Good Luck.
 
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 04:35 PM
  #5  
Whitey Ford's Avatar
Whitey Ford
FTE-Spread The Knowledge
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 2,284
Likes: 240
Club FTE Silver Member

Originally Posted by messeswithtrux
ok, been taking the kids snowboarding alot lately, and the trouble is, they are always cold and want hot chocolate, or they get hungry every 2 hours. so i was thinking of hitting up walmart and getting a power inverter and a cheap microwave and run it off my truck (at idle of course). can i do this or will i mess something up? does my truck have the power to run a micro? kids have been spending over 100 bucks a day at the hill, with a micro, i could cut it down to 15 or so. thanx.
They also have DC powered Microwave's. No need for converter. Here is one on eBay. Check around.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Samsung-Roadmate...QQcmdZViewItem

Good Luck.....
 
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 04:53 PM
  #6  
F250_'s Avatar
F250_
Hotshot
15 Year Member
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
Liked
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 11,286
Likes: 263
From: North of Greenville
Brandon, you're completely correct about the startup load. We have a large 1400 or 1600 watt MW at the house, and they say to not plug it into anything less than a 20-amp circuit, and they are correct. When I plug it into a 15-amp circuit, even with no other load, it will trip the breaker within 10 seconds every time. I had to run a dedicated 20-amp circuit just so we can use the thing.
 
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 05:01 PM
  #7  
Markadeck's Avatar
Markadeck
Gone, but not forgotten
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,026
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte-Fairbanks-Bflo
I have a 3000 watt inverter in my motor home. It will run just about anything I can throw at it. In my truck I have a 450 watt and it has its' hands full just running my laptop and cell charger. It may do more for me if I were to hard wire it, but it just goes to the power plug on the dash. I would get at least a 1000 watt for your needs and forget alligator clips. Wire it right, with at least 8 guage cable.
 
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 05:24 PM
  #8  
KelVarnson's Avatar
KelVarnson
Fleet Mechanic
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 1,852
Likes: 39
Club FTE Silver Member

I think you have to take a really good look at the numbers. A 1000 watt inverter, even if it were 100 percent efficient (it won't be), would pull 72.5 amps at 13.8 volts (motor running). You would definitely want to hard-wire this.

So figure the wattage actually drawn by the microwave, multiply it by about 1.25, and then divide that number by 12 volts, and that is how much current you'd draw out of the batteries. A LOT, in other words.

I think a Coleman gas stove on the tailgate would be a better solution.
 
Reply
FTE Stories

Ford Trucks for Ford Truck Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

 Brett Foote
story-2

Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

 Brett Foote
story-6

2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

 Brett Foote
story-9

5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

 Joe Kucinski
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 05:29 PM
  #9  
Markadeck's Avatar
Markadeck
Gone, but not forgotten
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,026
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte-Fairbanks-Bflo
I'd like to hard wire mine but do not want to drill any holes in my firewall. So seeing how as someone else has brought up the subject do any of you know of a good way to snake 8 to 10 gauge wire up to one of the batteries and not look like it was done at Disneyland?
 
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 05:31 PM
  #10  
sflem849's Avatar
sflem849
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 1,730
Likes: 0
From: SE Wisco
That DC MW on eBay seems like the way to go IMO.

ORRRRR

This would be a great time to justify that Honda generator!!!
 
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 05:39 PM
  #11  
guitarpicr's Avatar
guitarpicr
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,333
Likes: 1
From: St. Louis, Mo.
Club FTE Silver Member

Coleman single burner propane -LOL- Much cheaper
 
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 05:42 PM
  #12  
Markadeck's Avatar
Markadeck
Gone, but not forgotten
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 5,026
Likes: 2
From: Charlotte-Fairbanks-Bflo
Originally Posted by guitarpicr
Coleman single burner propane -LOL- Much cheaper

Now you've managed to get me giggling. How about a campfire and we can put marshmellows in the hot chocolate, maybe a smore or two.
 
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 06:40 PM
  #13  
jwhitetail's Avatar
jwhitetail
Posting Guru
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,141
Likes: 0
How about two big stanley thermos full of hot choc. and make them some sandwiches till you get home!!
 
Reply
Old Feb 19, 2008 | 06:46 PM
  #14  
gunnertom's Avatar
gunnertom
Senior User
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 385
Likes: 0
From: Okeechobee,FL
Pilot truck stops offer a combo deal ,mw and inverter read to go .sorry I don't remember the price.
 
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:05 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Ford Truck Tragedies

Slideshow: Top 10 Ford truck tragedies.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-18 19:34:33


VIEW MORE
story-1
AEV FXL Super Duty - the Super Duty Raptor Ford Doesn't Make

And it might be even better than that.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-18 19:26:42


VIEW MORE
story-2
Lobo Vs Lobo: Proof the F-150 Lobo Should Be Even Lower!

Slideshow: Does lowering an F-150 Lobo RUIN the ride quality?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-18 19:20:37


VIEW MORE
story-3
Ford's 2001 Explorer Sportsman Concept Looks For a New Home

Slideshow: Ford's bizarre fishing-themed Explorer concept has resurfaced after spending decades largely forgotten.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:07:46


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Best Ford Truck Engines We Miss the Most!

Slideshow: The 10 best Ford truck engines we miss the most.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 13:09:47


VIEW MORE
story-5
2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road: Better Than a Raptor R?

Slideshow: first look at the 810 hp 2026 Shelby F-150 Off-Road!

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-12 12:50:07


VIEW MORE
story-6
2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package First Look: 12 Things You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Everything You Need to Know about the 2027 Super Duty Carhartt Package!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-05-07 17:51:06


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Most Surprising 2026 Ford Truck Features!

Slideshow: 10 most surprising Ford truck options/features in 2026.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:17:22


VIEW MORE
story-8
Top 10 Ford Trucks Coming to Mecum Indy 2026

Slideshow: Here are the top 10 Fords coming to Mecum Indy 2026.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:49:49


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Best / 5 Worst Ford Truck Wheels of All Time

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 worst Ford truck wheels of all time

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 16:49:01


VIEW MORE