Van Life Essentials How to Have a Microwave While Living in a Van 

Bob is who inspired me to go fulltime in 2015. I will proudly recommend his video series for those who need advice. Thank-you Bob! I hope one day we meet.

Bob's da bomb!🙂🙂🙂Thanks Bob, yours is the best channel regarding RV life.

If you know a better human being than Bob Wells, I would like to meet him/her. Love you Bob!

Dear Mr Bob my hat is off to you and your crew, I say it all the time the tireless work that you all do we appreciate it. I am very blessed that I got to meet you before which was awesome but most of all thank you for all of your knowledge because we are still in our van living our dream and we are successful because of you thank you so much. Of

Thanks Bob! You are so appreciated. There are so many things that no longer concern my thoughts and wonders. Because of all that you are putting out into this world for others, I have benefited from it greatly. Not matter what, I'm confident I can find a way to get by and LOVE every minute of it!

I really like all the interviews/tours from other people's home on wheels you do. I would really like to see a tour of your van! As always, you do a fantastic job of helping people out and keeping them informed! Much love from Oklahoma ❤

Although I don't use a microwave I have passed your video on to friends who are always asking questions about having a microwave. I've saved your video so now rather than trying to explain something I really don't know about I can just forward your video on microwaves. Thanks again Bob for your wisdom!

Excellent video, i bet Cody is going to love smelling microwave popcorn lol 👍.

Finally someone explained this in detail. Thank you Bob for everything you do.

cheers buddy been following you since i first went off-grid 5 years ago youve been a legend helped me loads im still loving it!

You really know your stuff... Thanks Bob! 👍

Awesomeness, Brother Bob!

Thumbs up for the easy to understand explanation. For those that want to get out the calculator, It's all about I^2 times R power loss. Keep those batteries close as absolutely possible to the inverter and as Bob says, use thick wire, double up wire in parallel if possible for 12V connections.

Bob Wells and Curly Howard are my 2 favs, both great human beings.

This is very interesting. BTW, I love Bob's 'sponsor announcement'. ❤️❤️

Really great overview of the basics to large draw applications. Five stars all day.

If you can spend a little extra money there are some options I have an Ef Ecoflow Delta 1260 wh 1800W and it can run my Nuwave convection plate also my 700w microwave and the best part is that it can be recharged in about 2 hours from 0 to 80% . It cost about $1400.99 but by the time you buy 4 batteries and inverter I believe you are better of. The best thing is it recharge pretty fast. Also it can be moved from one vehicle to another . I also have a Jackery but it takes much longer to recharge. Just a good option. It is sold at amazon

For anyone running their own microwave load tests: put something (e.g. a glass of water) in the microwave - don't run it empty. The energy has to go somewhere, and you can cook to microwave components if you don't have something to absorb the energy. You will probably get away with it, but just a friendly tip from someone who has witnessed what can happen if you run it too long empty. Great video

Hey Bob! Saw you camping near Quartzsite in December almost stopped and said hi. I will next year. If anyone is interested of what I run for power and what works for our usage in a Sprinter full time. It really does depend on your needs. Lithium is fantastic! The upfront cost is a Iittle high but the savings is way cheaper after replacing 4 lead acids twice in 5 years I bit the bullet and got the Battleborns and have been using them flawlessly for 7 years running a 1750w microwave, refrigerator Max Air fan electric induction burner, lights projector all cell phone charging through 400 amp hours of Battleborn lithium batteries. (10 year warranty) but most likely 20 years The peukert effect is almost completely eliminated with lithium batteries. The batteries are half the weight of lead acid batteries and 80% of battery capacity can be used without premature degradation.(even if you do run them completely down continually your still have 80% A lead acid battery can only use 40% if you go over that you will begin to cause heavy damage the lead plates in the lead acid battery. I have 200w of solar but most of the charging is from a DC to DC charger connected to the starter battery that delivers 60 Amps of charging while at idle or driving plus about 10 amps through the solar. Hope this helps someone. Safe travels to all and keep the shiny side up and the rubber side down.

Thanks for defining the separate inverter’s. Makes sense to have a lower draw inverter to charge smaller items. All the best ☮️

lookin good Mr. Wells. Thanks for all of the great offgrid content!

Never in a gazillion years did I think I would push the subscribe button ... but I just can’t help myself 🤷‍♀️... I keep on coming back for more. I do see this being my future and I am learning SO much! Thank you! New subscriber now ... 🤣🤣🤣

Another great video Bob! You always try to make it simple, informative, and entertaining!!

Thanks for sharing.

I've learned so much with your videos.

Good stuff Bob. Everyone has their own idea of the best way to cook. You provide lots of options.

Excellent guidance as always.

FYI to all: A 700 watt microwave is the cooking power and it will draw at least 1100 watts from an outlet. Update 12/2/22: Since I have a 1,000 watt Pisfau brand battery source (about $500 on Amazon after clicking the coupon box) I decided to buy the lowest wattage microwave on the market: The 600 watt Commercial Chef. Using my kill-o-watt meter and the meter on the battery they both said it was drawing 975 watts and it has given me no problems for the last few weeks. This is the only microwave on the market that will work with a 1,000 watt inverter and buying it used like new on Amazon it was about $54. My Chulux pod coffee maker draws 720 watts also runs fine. Guess who's been enjoying coffee and breakfast while still in his bath robe: This guy! :) It is common to see lithium batteries with a 100 amp battery management system built-in which limits battery output to about 1280 watts. When you subtract out the 1100 watts for the microwave plus what the inverter draws plus the fridge plus the van lights and maybe charging a phone it is easy to see where a 100 amp BMS may not be enough for a 700 cooking watt microwave. If planning to run a "beefy appliance" as Bob calls them, it would probably be wise to invest in a battery with a 200 amp BMS that can deliver 2560 watts. I got my battery numbers off the Amazon Redodo brand page for a 200Ah battery with a 200 amp BMS currently going for $650. And to avoid an electrical fire with a beefy draw, a 12 volt system in a van will require much thicker wires between the battery and the inverter than a house needs in the walls using 120 volts. Random online sources seem to agree that a 1/0 AWG gauge battery cable is good enough to handle up to 3,500 watt draws and is the right size for a 2000 watt inverter. A person that didn't know better might be tempted to save $10 on a thinner cable and turn their van into a barbecue wagon.

Very informative! Love learning from you ... So generous sharing your knowledge. Greatly appreciated!

Since I know a little bit about lithium batteries. They are more expensive but have many advantages. They last much longer than lead acid batteries. Approximately 3 to 5 times longer. They weigh about 1/3 of lead acid batteries. There are different types. The best for campers are Lifepo4. 4 cells match the voltage of a classic lead acid battery so all chargers and inverters and solar chargers can be used directly. I just built my own system for a mini van. It has 3.5 kWh of energy and can be charged on normal outlet, via solar or at an RV outlet within 2 hours.

Good info on battery/inverter/high energy draw. Thanks

I do not live in a RV but I love watching your videos, there my escape. Thank You 😊

I have a Jackery 1000 and I bought RCA microwave from Walmart paid 70 Canadian dollars 700w.....I've been warming up my food maybe 2 or 3 minutes and its doing fine so far..then again I'm not a big cooker so it works for me

Soo much good info. I always learn so much from your videos. You never fail to amaze me Bob 😄 thank you.

Great video as always. Two things I would note. A pure sine inverter has a higher idle draw but overall it is much more efficient. Having a sine Wade makes all appliances you connect run more efficiently. A 'modified sine wave' makes any appliances work less efficient thus they will draw more power from the inverter to compensate. If you were to measure the power drawn from the battery, you would see that running any appliance on a pure sine wave inverter will use less energy from the battery than a 'modified sine wave' inverter.

Bobs videos are very inspiring and helpful! Been using a microwave in my van for a couple years now. Running off vehicles alternator charging system to recharge secondary battery and 2k watt inverter. Plan on solar conversion eventually.

I love these how to videos!

Thank you so much for this informative video! I got so much out of it.

thanks, Bob. good balance of tech and practice. -C

I'm really thinking about getting rid of the $1500 mini studio here in California and joint the Nomad movement. It would be cheap living and peaceful I think. Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge sir. May the lord bless you Bob. 🙏🙏

Thank you. Blessings to you.

Merry Christmas Bob Wells and all the HOWA group and sponsors.🎄❤️

Such helpful information. I am looking at your classes on skillshare as I prepare to hit the road soon. :) CAN'T WAIT!! :) Love you Bob.

THANK YOU ,VERY INFORMATIVE

Thanks bob

you are an incredible resource Bob!

Great video. The voltage is correct but is load dependent. Its not a measure of remaining capacities.

Don't Know if you know but if you turn on your microwave with nothing in it. It can burn out your microwave. I used to sell them.

Great video! I did understand you can run a microwave in a van lol 💜

Bob, you should look into lithium batteries (LIFEpo4), since they last over 10 years they are cheaper in the long run than golf cart batteries that you have to replace every 2 or 3 years.

Very helpful. Thank you!

These videos are phenomenal! I'm so glad I found your channel. When I do hit the road, it won't be an epic fail now. BTW you do look like Santa 🎅. Adorable!!! 😉

They do make inverters now that are supposed to save on standby power. But they're also twice as expensive.

Great job Bob, I enjoyed it!

Bob is everyones cool uncle

thanks bob for info

Wow Thank you

Bob sometimes gets confused between amps and amp-hours.

I have a old Cobra 850 inverter and love it, you wont find them anymore.

I need a microwave and an air conditioner. My interest in vanlife isn’t about camping or roughing it but just the mobility and ability to travel.

Good morning Bob you have a wonderful day ❤️

Good video

Thanks Bob! My diy build will have to wait for that much power but will give me a goal which first aims for lithium batteries with 800 to 1000 watts to run a minisplit air conditioner - and - microwave, etc. IF - I have enough roof room for the large solar panels! $$$OW!

Thanks Bob

Great video. I understand u should only buy M/w that is analog like the one in ur video. Not one that is digital. Not over 750 watts

hi from australia

Congrats on 455K subs, Bob... GUESS I WON'T ME GETTING A MICROWAVE ANYTIME SOON!

I find that microwaves with spinning glass discs are a pain in the butt in a mobile vehicle... It must be put back on its center spinning hub every time you stop moving and want to use the microwave... With a bit of research a regular nonspinning disc microwave can be found... (a side note, the microwave still has a spinning device in it that stirs the microwaves)...

Microwave requirements are helping me comprehend voltage vs. amps. By far, I love food, more than I love electricity science.

Live you ...very good educator...😘

Thanks so much for sharing.

I'm looking for information on if it should be vented, and how the heat/steam/smells effect the interior of the van. I had a non-vented microwave/range hood at home and hated it! Every time my wife seared a steak the smoke detectors went off. I vented it, and that does not happen anymore. Her steaming/cooking on the burgers has caused the paint in the kitchen to start to bubble. Venting (actually venting, not back into the space!) solves all that.

Very good video, thank you!

Ty sir

My microwave is a lifesaver - I'm not much of a cook!

Helpful and hilarious 😆 thanks 🙏

The Sailing Uma crew did install Li batteries on their boat and they use their 12 Volts (I think) microwave a lot.

I have one of those 1000W solar power stations and I tried a 0.7 cu. ft. 700W cooking power Walmart microwave with it and it failed within 30-seconds because the microwave needed too much power (1100W input). Then I ordered one of those 600W Commercial Chef microwaves on Amazon and that worked fine (only needed 950W input).

A simple way to figure out battery size and inverter size: multiply battery voltage with capacity. For example 12 Volt * 200 Ah = 2200 kWh of available energy. Half of that is the maximum inverter size you should use. So in this example a 1000 Watt inverter is the largest you should use.

Hi 🙋‍♀️ Bob and Cody from The Bolacks in MA. 😊

Or use 100 amp hour or more lithium. Use higher c type. Put out more amp than usual.

Well...how about topping off your batteries using your van's engine and alternator?

Great video Bob very informative. I’m looking at retiring to the van life. I don’t remember any videos about the essential tool you should have with you when you start. If you did this video send me a link. Thank again I love your videos!

Great video Bob! But oh the prices on those batteries are a great incentive to stick with propane cooking.

I was thinking about this very thing considering if I were to jump into vanning. If you could only afford say 2x 100ah AGMs, I'd be inclined to wire them (and panels) in series for a 24v system (24v inverter and controller of course) to lessen the current drain. The amp hours will be the same as a single battery, but the available *power* is still effectively double of a single battery. Wiring gauge thickness could also be less heavy duty. And I'd say for anything over 100w of panels, an MPPT would be a must over a PWM, especially if you're pulling loads like a microwave. I've also looked at lithium (LiFePO) and it seems the more sensibly priced ones aren't as capable of the current draw as AGMs are - so they might need to be in series as 24v anyway. Although I probably couldn't justify the expense. Just my 2 cents.

Hey Bob, while I watched the video, I was wondering, since I have a battery isolator on my main van battery. When I run my van at night(anytime) it charges my solar 100ah Renogy battery. I will have to think about how that would help to help supply power when using a microwave. I’ve always wanted a microwave in my van, but always thought it was too big of a draw. I have 2 x 100w solar panels down to 100ah battery, isolator as extra help. Always thought I’d like to add 3 more batteries, I still have room on roof for 2 more panels as well. Thx for the video, I gotta sit n think of o can do it and what I should add to make it fully functional. 👏✌️🌬🚐💨

♥ALWAYS BE SAFE AND BLESSED♥

Did you install the inverter yourself? Any recommendation for an outfit that installs inverters and batteries in AZ? I have a small travel trailer that I’d like to get an inverter for to power microwave and my electronics.

We have 2 Walmart deep cycle battery's $69 each and run our microwave at night and can run a small electric heater for 6 hours at night after the microwave is used .

Lithium will not drop to 11v it stays at 12v for most of is capacity and you can drive it greater than half your capacity without damage provided you can recover straight away. You should look at UPS these run at 24v. The closer your input voltage is to your output the greater the efficiency is. 12v to 120v is a big ask in inverter technology. UPS could be cheaper than larger inverters. They cannot run for long periods of time but they do contain their own batteries, and often are thrown out simply because after years of sitting in computer rooms their batteries have failed.

Very well done. Sounds like a small generator backup would not hurt. We are considering a solar or electric toilet.

What jackery could power it on medium?

What is the difference between a 12 volt battery and a golf cart battery and why do you prefer golf cart batteries?

Would a 1000 watt Jackery run a 650 watt small microwave without problems? I would have maybe a 30 quart fridge/freezer and small electronics such as a cell phone, a Kindle and a frequently used laptop to charge. I have a Vitamix blender which pulls 1400 watts, which is too high, even though I only run it a few minutes at a time. I may get a small blender instead.

Very good point a microwave should have it's own dedicated inverter why waste power to be on standby same thing for tv and home stereo system plug these into a power strip and shut off when not in use yes I know it's gonna take the tv about 5 minutes to reboot but eliminating standby power is worth it Thanks Bob Legacy Wells 💞😃👣🐾🚐p.s.My Nomadic lifestyle is on standby for a year lol😵😂🤣

This is very helpful to many Bob, I have an A.A.S. Degree in electricity and you know your stuff, Bob. OFF-TOPIC. I have a subject for a video. I am interested in traveling through the Coconino forest from Quartzsite through Flagstaff in the summer. I am sure you know all the good places to go to. Keep up the good work, hope to meet up someday.

Does using the microwave for let's say, 5 minutes, drain the battery down 50% (let's say)...which would count as a cycle??? What about direct connection to my van's alternator and isolator?

I've found short period high draws are easier than long period low draws. Just run the engine for a little while. Been using an inexpensive 1200w inverter under my seat for twenty years. Use it for coffee, chain saw, pressure washer, microwave etc by using 300 amp welding cable to the inverter, just the starter battery and having the engine running. Full disclosure: Microwave is a thirty year old 400w Samsung. Bought when people would ask "who's that?"

Excellent video, just what most would be wondering about ... now how about Induction cookers ? :D

Hello, im having a problem running my 700watts microwave using my 300watts inverter thru my 1500 promaster main battery(12v 95 Ah 800a). I used this set up with my tundra and I never had an issue before. Please help and thanks in advance