In need of advice

[Wee Bold Davy]

I know absolutely nothing about electrics and would be grateful if someone could advise. We'll soon be going on a 4 night rally which has got a temporary EHU in place which is only 6amp maximum.
My wife was wondering if she could use the vans microwave. It is 1200W input and 800W output according to the manual. No mention of amps. It can be used at various power settings. Without any other appliance, would she be able to use it at full power or half or quarter without tripping the electric?
Electrics are a black art to me

 

[Tombola]

Normal microwaves would be at around 10amps +.
they dont use lower or higher amps for different power settings the just switch off more then back on for less power settings

 

[David and Sally]

A 1000 watt fire takes about 4 amps. 6 amps is about 1500 watts. Really uk is 230 volts so 4 amps is 920 watts.

Watts = amps x volts. So 6 amps would run 1380 watts.

Some appliances draw a larger wattage on startup so can blow a supply.

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

Normal microwaves would be at around 10amps +.
they dont use lower or higher amps for different power settings the just switch off more then back on for less power settings

So basically she can't use it without tripping the electrics?

 

[Boycie]

6amp will trip at 1440W. I always use the rule of 1 high wattage unit on at a time on low amperage EHU. It saves going out in the freezing cold to reset the electrics. Hope this helps.
Phil.
Just seen you already have the answer.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[David and Sally]

So basically she can't use it without tripping the electrics?

Maybe ok. Depends on the real input wattage. You may have battery chargers running in the background so may need to switch them off at the time you use the microwave.

 

[Spriddler]

So basically she can't use it without tripping the electrics?

First find out how to or who resets it and have a go. It only takes seconds to reset and it's not a criminal offence It'll only be your supply that trips; you won't black out the entire site.
Best to make sure no other high current item is switched on, e.g. hot water boiler and heating.

 

[PP Bear]

I find it’s the hidden things out of eye line that catch me out on 6amp supplies, like the fridge left on and the EHU heating up the boiler etc. Remember to turn at least the water boiler off first, as mine draws 800watts.

 

[62272]

We have an 800 watt microwave, which has no problems on a 6 amp hook-up. Try it and see is my advice!

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

I find it’s the hidden things out of eye line that catch me out on 6amp supplies, like the fridge left on and the EHU heating up the boiler etc. Remember to turn at least the water boiler off first, as mine draws 800watts.

I'd gone through all the various bits but completely forgot about the fridge

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[PP Bear]

I'd gone through all the various bit but completely forgot about the fridge

I’m the same, I kept on forgetting I have things like phones and iPads on charge and a cordless hoover hidden in the wardrobe, they all draw power

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

Provided you don't have anything else on the microwave should be ok ,you just have to balance things around.

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

Provided you don't have anything else on the microwave should be ok ,you just have to balance things around.

With the cost of electricity maybe 6amps is all we can afford

 

[Jimbohorlicks]

With the cost of electricity maybe 6amps is all we can afford

Just make sure the hook up point has free access to the breaker switches,if you have to ask to have the trip reswitched you won't be popular.

 

[Badknee]

Not sure why you needs a microwave? We spend months away without one or even an oven. My head of catering uses a halogen oven on 6amps while we winter in Spain.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Phill D]

Not sure why you needs a microwave? We spend months away without one or even an oven. My head of catering uses a halogen oven on 6amps while we winter in Spain.

because his other half wants too! we are all different thats what makes us..

 

[tonka]

At least you wont do what we did when we first started.
Headed straight for Spain, took the kettle from our kitchen, turns out to be a 3kw fast boiler so when we pitched up and connected to the 6amp suply we took the whole line of pitches out !!! After that happened a few times someone came over to sort the newbies out and we learnt the lesson..

 

[Badknee]

because his other half wants too! we are all different thats what makes us..

I agree but if it’s causing concern it’s not worth it.

 

[Lenny HB]

because his other half wants too! we are all different thats what makes us..

Yes but the only thing microwaves are good for is ruining food.

 

[Phill D]

Yes but the only thing microwaves are good for is ruining food.

ok for porridge in the winter...

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Lenny HB]

ok for porridge in the winter...

No way every time I've tried had to spend ½ hour cleaning up the microwave afterwards and didn't get any porridge it was all splattered around the microwave.

Only thing I use ours for is warming the milk for the coffee and I will admit is does quite good jacket taters it's an all singing & dancing Panasonic one.

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

Not sure why you needs a microwave? We spend months away without one or even an oven. My head of catering uses a halogen oven on 6amps while we winter in Spain.

My wife doesn't need a microwave, until she retired, she spent over 15 years as a head chef. It came with the van so why not use it? I'm not saying she cooks everything on it, but it's ideal for warming food which she's prepared before leaving home. It's her holiday too

 

[Spriddler]

........, she spent over 15 years as a head chef.

I only tried Tête De Veau once, didn't like it.

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

I only tried Tête De Veau once, didn't like it.

No amount of money could get me to try it

 

[Spriddler]

No amount of money could get me to try it

I was taken out on my birthday to a resto in Paris by my work colleagues. I think the whole head was cooked inside the glass sphere full of grey jelly in which it arrived at our table. Mercifully, the subsequent copious quantities of white Armagnac has dulled the memory.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[Wee Bold Davy]

I was taken out on my birthday to a resto in Paris by my work colleagues. I think the whole head was cooked inside the glass sphere full of grey jelly in which it arrived at our table.

Don't they like you? Probably taking bets to see how long before you threw up

 

[Spriddler]

Don't they like you? Probably taking bets to see how long before you threw up

I think that was their motive. I don't even remember leaving the resto or getting back to my hotel - had a terrible (ahem, insecure) night and went to the wrong office next morning an hour in the wrong direction for an important meeting with the new VP Marketing. It was April 4th and they sat me by open balcony doors where I shivered and shook in the chilly breeze, and panicked that I was going to be Tom 'n Dick.
Terrifying.

 

[PP Bear]

It's her holiday too

You need to stop spoiling her, whats the matter with you man, they’ll all want one next