What Size Inverter Do I Need to Run a Microwave in a Semi Truck?

If you are a semi truck driver and need to run a microwave while out on the road, you’ll need to know what size inverter you need in order to do so. Inverters are devices that convert direct current (DC) electricity from your truck battery into alternating current (AC) electricity, which is what most household appliances use. When it comes to choosing the right inverter size, it’s important to understand the power requirements of your microwave and have an understanding of how much power your vehicle can supply.

The first step in determining what size inverter you need is to look at the wattage requirements of your microwave. Most microwaves require between 600 and 1500 watts of power, with some higher-end models requiring up to 1800 watts for proper operation. This will be listed on the label on the back of your microwave or in its owner’s manual.

Once you know how many watts your microwave requires, you can then determine how much power your vehicle can supply. The starting current draw of any semi truck is typically between 300-500 amps.

To determine how many watts this translates into, you will need to multiply this number by 12 volts (the typical voltage for a semi truck battery). For example, if your starting current draw is 400 amps, then your total wattage will be 4800 watts (400 x 12 = 4800).

Now that you know both the wattage requirements of your microwave and how much power your vehicle can provide, you can determine what size inverter is needed. If the wattage requirements of your microwave are lower than the total wattage available from your vehicle (4800 watts in our example), then any size inverter should work just fine as long as it has an output rating equal or greater than that of the appliance being powered (in this case, 1800 watts). If however, the total wattage available from your vehicle is less than that required by the appliance being powered (in this case 1500 watts), then you will need an inverter with an output rating equal or greater than that required by the appliance.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, when determining what size inverter is needed in order to run a microwave in a semi truck, it’s important to consider both the wattage requirements of the appliance as well as how much power your vehicle can provide. Once these two factors are determined, finding an appropriate size inverter should be relatively straightforward.

Photo of author

Karen Watkins