Club 80-90 Forums

can anyone let me know if i can use a 800w microwave in my LHD westy california when i am hooked up on campsite
i think i can but would just like to know for sure for peace of mind
my van has 16 amps

12v or 240v? 800w heating needs approx. double input.
if 240v you will need double the wattage for your inverter ie a 2000w one and damn good batteries.
if 12v you will still need damn good batteries.
I use a 700w one with a 220Ah battery bank and still run the engine in my big Merc!

800W - no problem on hook -up!

AngeloEvs wrote:800W - no problem on hook -up!

Yes divide those watts by the mains voltage (240) and it will give you about 3.5Amps taking some inefficiency into account. No problem on hook up. Do the same thing on a 12V invertor and the sums work against you in a very unsatisfactory way: 800/12 = approx 67 Amps without the inefficiency of the invertor. Apart from anything else you would need some butch wiring. Crock clips at that current are a liability in my book and you would need to look carefully at your battery selection.
Cheers
Wolfie

You COULD, in theory, plumb a washing machine in IF you wished .... it depends on your interpretation of camping.

Ian

You COULD, in theory, plumb a washing machine in IF you wished .... it depends on your interpretation of camping.

If you do, can I be the first to take her for a spin?

thanks for the advise people

Ian Hulley wrote:You COULD, in theory, plumb a washing machine in IF you wished .... it depends on your interpretation of camping.

Ian

When you go on a French campsite take a look inside the Awning of some of the French campers who have large vans not campers........we have seen washing machines, huge upright fridge freezers and even a proper double bed........so funny!

AngeloEvs wrote:When you go on a French campsite take a look inside the Awning of some of the French campers who have large vans not campers........we have seen washing machines, huge upright fridge freezers and even a proper double bed........so funny!

Yep, we've seen that too .... many French folk abandon Paris etc for the summer and move everything (including literally the kitchen sink) to a Camping Municipale at the coast.

Ian.

And I am not being disrespectful to the French (sure Ian isn't either), as it's there love of 'getting away' that makes France ideal for motor caravanners. Noticed that the French, Belgians, Dutch, Brits tend to use campsites but the majority of Italians and Germans use Aires and have an excellent knowledge of the best 'free' places to stop, sleep over, empty loos, etc. Always worth talking to them if you end up in a very busy resort that appears to have no where available.......always found them extremely helpful, despite any language barriers, and a great source of info!

AngeloEvs wrote: the majority of Italians and Germans use Aires and have an excellent knowledge of the best 'free' places to stop, sleep over, empty loos, etc. Always worth talking to them if you end up in a very busy resort that appears to have no where available.......always found them extremely helpful, despite any language barriers, and a great source of info!

Yep, very true plus they ALL had a VW at some point

Ian.