Microwave won't work with gens @ high alt.

[Hooker]

This thread got me thinking about the power of my SOB's generator, it is an 8 KW diesel. Here is the output at different altitudes from the manual:

Sea level: 8,000 watts.
2,500': 7,520 watts.
5,500': 6,800 watts.
above 5,500': lower the wattage 240 watts for every additional 1000'.

[CORattler]

I was just camping at 8600ft for 9 days. I ran the microwave, refrigerator and converter at the same time using the EU2000i Honda and did not trip any circuit breakers. I did notice that things took longer to heat up as the MW didn't seem to be operating at full power. I've never tried closing the converter CB before. Maybe next time out.

[Navigator]

Here's an update on our high altitude adventures with our dual Honda 2000s and the Apollo Microwave.

We just got home from a week of dry camping in Mammoth Lakes, Ca. Tried the suggestion of running the Apollo Microwave with one Honda 2000 generator, and the converter turned off, but without any success. The microwave would start but immediately shutdown. The only way we could operate the microwave was running both the 2000's with the "eco mode" turned off.

The same thing happened with our previous pair of Honda 2000s, that were stolen, so I don't think it's the generators fault.

I guess if we want to use the microwave we'll have to use both generators. Thanks everyone for your suggestions of help.

Kathy

[HamRad]

Jim and Kathy,
Thanks for the follow up. Sorry you could not get it to run with one generator. We don't have the Apollo model micro. Don't even remember what brand we have. Highest we've run our mico with our one Honda 2000 was at the North Rim of the Grand Canyon(elevation about 8 thousand feet). It had to have the Eco mode off and basically everything else off before it would run. And then it ran under protest. The Honda would slowly "rev up" and the micro would almost grind to a halt but would then sort of "catch up" and everything was OK. I know this could not be good for either the micro or the Honda but we did it anyway!

Good luck. Dennis