General How To Put Microwave In Doblo Cargo

[Garuff]

Hi, i really want to install a microwave in my doblo, sucked off with sarnies every day and could really do with a warm meal when i'm in work.

cheap and easy way if possible..

I got two sockets in the front one ciggy and another one? whats that for?

Thanks guys.

 

[orey]

Hi, i really want to install a microwave in my doblo, sucked off with sarnies every day and could really do with a warm meal when i'm in work.

cheap and easy way if possible..

I got two sockets in the front one ciggy and another one? whats that for?

Thanks guys.

Hey Garuff

Ive had a look around and it seem there is not an easy or cheap way of putting a conventional microwave in a car.
http://answers.edmunds.com/question-can-i-buy-an-inverter-to-power-a-microwave-in-the-car-574.aspx

But their is a American company that is selling a portable microwave oven, but again I expect their not going to be cheap and their in such high demand that it looks like they out of stock so buying one might be difficult
http://www.thewavebox.co.uk/

Independent review: http://www.autoblog.com/2007/03/12/crave-a-hot-pocket-plug-the-wave-box-into-your-dash/

May I suggest camping equipment instead like a camping stove as it looks like the cheapest and easiest option and I've heard truckers use them as they don't have any equipment in the truck to cook food.
There's a range of products here http://www.towsure.com/
but you wouldn't be able to use it in the car for the risk of setting the car and yourself on fire.

Hope this helps =]

Orey

 

[Brad G]

Just buy a Amp wiring kit and a Inverter fron Maplins. I got a 700watt invertr for £39.99 can power a 32" Plasma XD. I used the inverter to power my PS2

 

[orey]

700 watt inverter is not going to power a microwave the load of the microwave is to great for the inverter to handle and it would just blow it to pieces and could damage the car electrics, maybe a TV and a PS2 would work but not a microwave.

You would need at least a 1500-2500 watt inverter to safely power a microwave in the car and those inverters are well over 500 quid.

 

[jrkitching]

You would need at least a 1500-2500 watt inverter to safely power a microwave in the car and those inverters are well over 500 quid.

The power requirements make this a non-starter, I'm afraid. 1500W @ 12V equates to 120 amps - think about the cabling you'd need to carry this sort of current, and then think about what it'd do to your battery....

How about getting one of these?

http://www.surplusandoutdoors.com/s...s/camping-gaz-single-burner-stove-309376.html

Despite the obvious safety warnings, I used one in a Rascal Van for 20 years without setting anything on fire or blowing myself up.

 

[Garuff]

Thanks guys! might just try and get a camp stove thing.
gas stove should be ok in back off van when on shouldn't it,i'd have the doors open and a fire extinguisher handy.

what about a toaster? cpould i wire one up so it fits in ciggy lighter?

 

[murphyv310]

As a TV engineer to trade and loads of years with car electrics I can assure you are wasting your time, I have a 12volt kettle that is rated at 120 watts (10amps) and it takes 50+ minutes to boil 1 litre of water and that is with the engine running and the battery over 13v.
A 700 watt microwave employs a half wave rectifier to give the magnetron its 2000v approx to operate this chops up the AC waveform and will blow 90% of inverters on the market.
A toaster needs 1000-1500 watts so a 2KW inverter would be needed, totally impractical for a small car with a tiny battery.
Forget it or put your cold pies and bread on the exhaust, or head to McDonalds!

Brad you are dicing with death for your Plasma & Playstation. Most inverters on the market do not supply a clean sine wave (even if they tell you that they are pure sine wave, have a look at the output on a scope) The SMPS power supplies these sets have do not like the rubbish from these inverters and will fail prematurely!

 

[orey]

Thanks guys! might just try and get a camp stove thing.
gas stove should be ok in back off van when on shouldn't it,i'd have the doors open and a fire extinguisher handy.

what about a toaster? cpould i wire one up so it fits in ciggy lighter?

Hey Garuff

If your thinking of getting a camping gas stove then try one of theses it fit directly on top the the stove
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/New-4-Slice-F...Supplies_ET&hash=item2eaef2e5be#ht_2303wt_698 as this is the cheapest option

There is an in-car toasted sandwich maker that I've found on the net
http://www.roadpro.co.uk/retail/product_detail.aspx?prod=12V+Toasted+Sandwich+Maker&id=85
how it would work effectively and if it is reliable and safe to use in the car is another question though

hope this helps =]

Orey

 

[murphyv310]

I like the idea of the plug in sandwich maker but I think it will be like my kettle, in other words it will work but not if you are in a hurry!

 

[sludgeguts]

How about a really cheapo microwave (tesco value/student range) and a cheapo generator?
Alternatively, if you are within 50 metres of a power outlet, why not buy a long extension lead & ask if you can plug in to charge your battery. Tell them that a 10 minute charge will be enough to start the car tonight :devil:
(and the beeps are to let you know the charger has worked)

My parents bought a 12v kettle to take when they went on a picnic to save carrying a flask of hot water - they assumed it would boil their water.
Two cupfuls of water took over an hour to come to a mild boil & that was with the engine running.
The next time they tried it, they plugged it in when they set off & it still hadn't boiled by the time they got to their picnic spot.
After that, they left the kettle in the bin where it belonged.

 

[fronteratech]

low power ones for caravans a possibility

http://www.kitchenwareonline.com/acatalog/Low_power_microwave_ovens.html

with an inverter but would use a leisure battery located in rear with split charge system

 

[murphyv310]

Looking at the link above even this site specifies the use of a 1200w inverter, again totally impractical for use in a car, a 75AH battery would drop below 11v very quickly and the inverter would shut down. Remember a 500w microwave is not that efficient and would be drawing much more than it's 500w output.
The one on sale above is for use with a mains electrical supply on a campsite.

 

[fronteratech]

did not check power rating seen some 12v ones on ebay as well

easiest way might be camping stove