Microwave Power Problem

T

TurboWarp

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352
Hi all,

Yesterday I was running my microwave cooking some bait (hot dogs) for lunch while on the hook and after about 20 seconds the AC panel circuit breaker flipped. And it kept doing that. The genset was runing and sounded fine and did not shut off. I have done this many times and never had a problem. Nothing has changed on my boat. The next thing I will try is to see if this happenes while connected to shore power. Any ideas? Could all of a sudden my microwave be taking more/too much power?
 
Check for corrossion at the plug or if the microwave is hardwired. Otherwise you might have a bad Klystron drawing excessive current, if thats the case the microwave will have to be replaced. Try shore power 1st then remove the microwave and try it off the boat. I'm betting you have a resistive connection causing excessive current draw or perhaps just a bad breaker.
Bill
 
Thanks, How do I check the genny? Just use a regular house tester or a mutil meter? What level of tolerance am I looking for on the AC voltage?

Bill, I have probably used the mw 50 times in the last 5 years. Think it could really go bad? What the hell is a Klystron?
 
Replacing the microwave: $70

Repairing boat electrical system: $500

Knowing the problem was the microwave and not a boat electrical system problem: Priceless :)

Bob
 
if you can get to the outlet for the microwave, plug a hair dryer into it and run it. if the problem is unique to the microwave you've isolated the trouble.
 
If my microwave oven uses a cavity magnetron vs a klystron could it have the same type problem?
 
quote:
Originally posted by TurboWarp

If my microwave oven uses a cavity magnetron vs a klystron could it have the same type problem?

Click to expand...

It could be they are very similar in that they generate high power microwave energy to heat water molecules (cook). I like the hair dryer test that another poster mentioned.
More on Magnetrons, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cavity_magnetron
Bill
 
Try it in a different outlet if you can.
 
Try changing the breaker . They do get weaker and trip at a lower amperage if they get old or hot often.
 
I did not make it to the boat today but will try all suggestions next weekend.

Thanks....
 
What's the chances you had something else running on same line at the same time.....coffee maker ??
 
You should get 120 volts from Genny if it is a lower voltage it will cause the micro to pull a higher amperage which could go over the breaker size, start from the gen first.
 
quote:
What's the chances you had something else running on same line at the same time.....coffee maker ??

Click to expand...

My usual is remembering whether or not the hot water heater is running. About 13 amps right there!!
 
yes use a voltmeter to check genny voltage, SB about 120
 
once you isolate whether its the microwave or not, assuming that its not the microwave having failed. start by looking at all the 120volt connections. they have a tendancy over time to loosen slightly and that will invaraibly lead to amperage gain as the voltage drops. as others have noted breakers will also get weaker with time. but a voltmeter is the key. it may be tough to do with the panel open and live and if you are at all uncomfortable with that don't do it. call a marine electrician in.
 
quote:
Originally posted by rnbenton

Replacing the microwave: $70

Repairing boat electrical system: $500

Knowing the problem was the microwave and not a boat electrical system problem: Priceless :)

Bob

Click to expand...


Yep!

Unplug the microwave and use an extention cord to plug it into a standard outlet on the dock. Or take it home and try it.

Microwave ovens do not last forever, that's why they are still producing them.
 
quote:
Originally posted by TurboWarp

I did not make it to the boat today but will try all suggestions next weekend.

Thanks....

Click to expand...


It worked fine for me today while I was out joy ridding.

Sorry about the crapper .........I could not get it to flush .............did you pump out yet this year?

Ba hahahaha
 
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