Microwave Oven

C

CaptNCamille

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31130
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186
I need to replace the microwave oven in our boat. I can get an inexpensive model made for ordinary household use. The ones sold for boats and RV's cost a bit more. Is there a difference in ruggedness and durability, or are they all basically the same?
 
Basically the one's made for RV and boat use should have conformal coated circuit boards this allows them to operate for years in a damp environment. In addition you will find most boat microwaves to be in the 800 to 900 watt range. The reduced power range is to balance the other AC needs on the boat and not trip a 30 Amp main breaker while heating up the food in the microwave.
Bill
 
I have had six boats with household microwaves without any type of problem. My favorite was a Kenmore Micro/Convection combo. My least favorite is the 800 watt Tappan that I now have. It takes twice as long to do its job.
 
If you have the power, a regular household job will do fine. The over-the range GE a PO put in lasted 18 years. And was still going when I took it out to replace with something more modern.
 
We have a Sharp Carousel Grill 2 Convection oven and love it
 
Our new motorhome has " residential " appliances. That was the selling point.....to get away from Norcold ( nevercold ) & Atwood technology. Our micro is a Sharp carousel .....a GE profile fridg.....Panasonic TV's.....etc.....all typical residential equipment. We have 25K miles and its all original.....no problems. IMHO....the RV environment is similar to marine environment.....with moisture exposure and getting banged around....and a lot less expensive to replace if need be.
 
Three cruisers we've owned, including our present Cruisers 3375, have had home microwave ovens. The longevity rationale is meaningless; a $50 microwave will last a few years and then it's replaced with another $50 unit. A $400 marine unit will last the life of the boat. Do the math. Is it worth spending $400? I don't think so. By the way, the Tappan microwave in our Cruisers is from 1997 and is still going strong! Hy
 
My Sharp was from 96 I just replaced it this week. The unit still worked but the display died I hated not know if I enter the time correctly.
 
I didn't say only use marine rated appliances. Don, why are you giving your union brothers a hard time at Dometic? There isn't anything wrong with the latest line up of NorCold units. They have greatly improved the compressor and cooling on their DE0061T. I have had it for 7 seasons now and it's almost too cold. I think 12VDC or 24VDC appliances get a bad rap because people have weak or undersized battery systems. With the huge advent of cheap solar panels and good sized AH modern technology battery systems available having and under charged under performing 13.8VDC or 24VDC house system should be a thing of the past.
However there are no DC Microwaves so as George said if you have the available AC branch current there is no real reason to not install a full sized and power convection/ microwave oven.
Personally I like conformal coated circuit boards and to run as much equipment as possible on the DC buss in my boat.
For the tin foil guys DC appliances might actually survive the EMP pulse that's coming! AC appliances tied to the grid will not.
Bill
 
Bill....IMHO its a bit too late for Norcold to " improve "....they have produced JUNK for years....Union or NON doesn't matter.....its JUNK. I've had a Norcold in my boats and my other coach that AFTER the 3rd recall it worked worse. It was the main reason I trade it in. Not to mention all the fires they started ....coaches they burned down....and the class action law suite against them. There is a local custom R/V shop down the road that specializes in conversion from Norcold to residential fridg......he has a 3 month wait to get in.

As far as " coated circuit board " ....my other coach had a JENSEN coated board TV mounted in the front....that with the sun beating down and lack of ventilation the TV would overheat and shut down....You could only watch TV after sunset....ANNOYING.

I'll take residential equipment in a R/V or boat any day.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Double D

Bill....IMHO its a bit too late for Norcold to " improve "....they have produced JUNK for years....Union or NON doesn't matter.....its JUNK. I've had a Norcold in my boats and my other coach that AFTER the 3rd recall it worked worse. It was the main reason I trade it in. Not to mention all the fires they started ....coaches they burned down....and the class action law suite against them. There is a local custom R/V shop down the road that specializes in conversion from Norcold to residential fridg......he has a 3 month wait to get in.

As far as " coated circuit board " ....my other coach had a JENSEN coated board TV mounted in the front....that with the sun beating down and lack of ventilation the TV would overheat and shut down....You could only watch TV after sunset....ANNOYING.

I'll take residential equipment in a R/V or boat any day.

Click to expand...
Don the class action suit you are talking about involves the propane versions of the NorCold frigs. If you don't follow the leveling instructions or the frig wasn't properly installed how can you blame the manufacture when they warn about these issues? That's the problem with this country too many people make a living off of suing company's, people even the government or via class action litigation if they initiate it. As I said I'm not against household appliances they aren't my preference.
Bill
 
I've had Norcold in all of my boats. Never had a problem with any of them
 
Bill......propane is just the power supply .....its the same junk cooling system. Even the Amish gave a try at correcting the flawed cooling unit.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/370535984924?lpid=82

As far as the leveling theory being the problem.....we had this discussion once before. If you buy a Norcold and don't use it in a boat or R/V and keep it " level " on a shelf in the garage for cooling beer........it works FLAWLESS.
 
Propane can be a dangerous power supply Don. The propane frigs from NorCold come with a warning that they are not to be installed in boats.
I don't think they are the only manufacture that has this power supply problem.
Bill
 
Its not the power supply.....it's the cooling system that burst into flames.

" The refrigerators’ cooling units overheat causing the steel tubing to reach temperatures in excess of 1000 degrees Fahrenheit, which can ignite the flammable gases and ultimately cause fires."
 
Mike,

I'm with Gene. I wouldn't pay for a marine/rv unit either. I'd just look for a regular ole MW that fits in the cabinet (that might be your biggest challenge) and has decent ratings.

Note that the one that's in there now may be screwed from underneath, to the shelf it's sitting on. Mine is to keep it from flying, so you might need to figure a way to secure a household unit. Let me know if you want me to take a look with you. I can usually figure out a redneck solution :)
Good luck!
 
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