Generator will not support microwave

Hydrotherapy7

Member
Jul 28, 2015
47
Long island, N.Y.
Boat Info
2008 340 Sundancer
Engines
8.1 Merc Inboards
I have a 310 Sundancer with a Kohler generator. The generator works but the microwave will not heat food. The microwave goes on but the food does not get hot. All other devices work under generator power. The microwave will heat food when plugged into shore power. Anyone have a solution to this problem?
 
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I wonder how many volts your genny is putting out. Low voltage is driven by improper RPMs by the genny, and or, failing capacitors. Also, there is a possibility that the microwave has a failing magnatron. When you say it heats food when plugged in, does that mean it does so normally? If so, likely one of the two genny issues I noted.
 
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Was the microwave replaced and someone think bigger was better? Also what else do you have running off the Genset while using the microwave?
 
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If he has too many other things running at the same time the genny would trip the breaker so I don't think that is doing it. We were not able to run the MW, AC and hot water heater at the same time or a breaker would trip. He is not tripping a breaker so presumably he is not overloading the genny.
 
View attachment 83250 If he has too many other things running at the same time the genny would trip the breaker so I don't think that is doing it. We were not able to run the MW, AC and hot water heater at the same time or a breaker would trip. He is not tripping a breaker so presumably he is not overloading the genny.

True
 
I have a 310 Sundancer with a Kohler generator. The generator works but the microwave will not heat food. The microwave goes on but the food does not get hot. All other devices work under generator power. The microwave will heat food when plugged into shore power. Anyone have a solution to this problem?

Put a digital meter on your AC electical system while on generator power and under load . Should be about 120V. Also check the Hz should be right at 60 Hz. If you dont have one, they are about $30 on amazon.

Generally, low voltage means something wrong in the generator end ( maybe capacitors or resistors). It the Hz are off, that means engine speed is off. It might be something simple/easily /inexpensively fixed.
 
Put a digital meter on your AC electical system while on generator power and under load . Should be about 120V. Also check the Hz should be right at 60 Hz. If you dont have one, they are about $30 on amazon.

Generally, low voltage means something wrong in the generator end ( maybe capacitors or resistors). It the Hz are off, that means engine speed is off. It might be something simple/easily /inexpensively fixed.
Thanks
 
If you can eliminate low Voltage and improper Hz from the generator, then its possible to have a bad magnetron in the microwave. Process of elimination.
 

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