generator
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Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7495
Printed Date: 21 Jun 2025 at 7:23pm
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Topic: generator
Posted By: brentandjudy
Subject: generator
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2016 at 10:16am
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We recently purchased our 2016 R179 and a Generac iX2000 generator, which is rated for 2000W output and 2200W surge. The micro model ECO28KD7 specs are rated input 1500W and 1000W output. The micro will not kick in under generator power BUT the convection oven seems to operate. A call to Generac was not satisfactory other than I should buy a bigger generator or I have a faulty micro, which is new and works well on shore power. I have not been successful in tracking down the micro manufacturer High Pointe to seek their advice, and the Dealer who I purchased the RPod from seems to feel I need a 4000W generator. Any thoughts out there to help us? Brent and Judy
------------- Brent |
Replies:
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2016 at 10:35am
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Welcome to the group! Congrats on your 179!! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2016 at 11:33am
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Does the Generac have a "quiet" or "economy" low speed mode? If so, is the generator running at full speed before you try the micro? Sometimes generators don't recover well from their low speed mode.
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2016 at 3:26pm
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On the Generac iX2000, it is called "Flex Power." The Generac iX2000 should run the microwave, but I agree with CharlieM. Make sure the Flex Power switch is off so that it is running at full speed. If it works well on shore power, it should work on generator power. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2016 at 8:38pm
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Welcome. Another possible issue is the startup surge. I'm going to move this to the pod section. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual 
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Posted By: brentandjudy
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2016 at 9:03pm
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Thanks so far for the 3 responses, I appreciate your interest. I immediately got the generator out and hooked it up to the R-Pod
(not usually possible in Minnesota at this time of year)
I set it on FlexPower and away the micro went....delighted, but short lived when I came to try different settings it did the same , just not kicking in accept for the grill function which works every time, but according to the micro book only needs 1150W input. The generator runs at idle speed until a load is applied and there is no other way to get the rev's up first. Brent and Judy ------------- Brent |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 27 Feb 2016 at 9:20pm
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Turn the FlexPower off. That will run the generator at full speed.
------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: JandL
Date Posted: 28 Feb 2016 at 10:59am
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I have the Sunbeam model SB-22201 microwave convection oven and in the specifications page it states Power Consumption 1450 Watts for microwave and 1050 for the grill. In my option I think this should be what is called output power. If you look at other manufactures manuals they give 2 power ratings Power Consumption, this is the power or current drawn from the wall outlet which is a much higher wattage. Output power is the other rating and it is the power going in to the food to cook it and it is much lower. I have a Progressive Ind. EMS-HW30C and the digital display shows 19 amps current draw from the wall outlet when my microwave is running. The Generac iX2000 at 2000 watts is about 16 amps ------------- JandL 2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 28 Feb 2016 at 5:46pm
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However, the High Pointe convection microwave states that 1500 Watts is the INPUT power and 1000 Watts is the OUTPUT power. The Generac iX2000 should be able to support this. However, it would be good to get a meter on one and see if the actual power draw fits with what the manual says it should be. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: JandL
Date Posted: 28 Feb 2016 at 7:22pm
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The other thing to check, are any other items on drawing current. This is a list I made for my trailer based on the manufactures specification. As you can see the Microwave should only draw 12 amps not the 18-19 amps it does draw. I plan to hook my current meter up to each AC source to find out the peak current draw and running amp draw for all these, I will post it when I get it finished
Air Conditioner & Fan 23.3/15 Air Fan Hi 3.5 Microwave 12 Grill 8.75 Water Heater 11 Refrigerator 9.5 Battery Charger (max) 7.9 TV 1.8 ------------- JandL 2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 28 Feb 2016 at 9:11pm
Startup surge for that may be 3000-4500 watts, which a 2000 watt generator can't handle. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: brentandjudy
Date Posted: 28 Feb 2016 at 10:28pm
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Hi guys, you are being so helpful in offering various criteria's for my issue. A friend is going to bring a meter to check the surge wattage. I also plan on another call to Generac tech. department to see if anything can be done about upping the surge watts. I had some other input from another source who says that I should use this formula: Multiply1500 watt's by 16.7 amps by 120 volt to obtain wattage needed to start up = 3006. If this is the case then the iX2000 producing 2200 at start up is not enough. Does that make sense ? I will keep you posted and please keep sharing your thoughts. Brent ------------- Brent |
Posted By: brentandjudy
Date Posted: 28 Feb 2016 at 10:32pm
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Thanks Stephen, that also seems to tie in with the other formula I mention in my reply. Brent
------------- Brent |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 28 Feb 2016 at 11:02pm
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Running: 2000 Watts/120 Volts=16.7 Amperes Surge: 2200 Watts/120 Volts=18.3 Amperes I hope to have my R-Pod back this week, so I will be able to test it with my generator. In the mean time, check to see that there are not other things drawing significant AC power while you are trying to run the microwave. Specifically, switch the refrigerator to propane and make sure that the water heater is also off or on propane. The furnace and/or AC should not be running either. The lights would be an insignificant draw, but if your converter is also trying to charge your battery (or batteries), that would also be a significant current draw. If it (or they) is (are) already charged, then that should be minimal. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 29 Feb 2016 at 8:04am
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Let my join and emphasize checking for additional loads, in particular the water heater and converter. If you're testing the micro after the Pod has been sitting unused for a while the water heater may be running on electric and the converter may be charging the battery. The best way to ensure nothing but the micro is running on the generator is to turn off all circuit breakers except the one supplying the microwave. With all breakers off except the microwave the generator should run in it's low speed economy or flex power mode. Turn off the flex power switch and the generator should come up to full speed. Then turn on the micro and test for starting. If it starts you're good to go, but something else was drawing power. If it doesn't start something else is amiss. One caution: due to way FR wires some Pods the WH or fridge may be wired to the micro circuit breaker. If the generator will not run in flex power slow mode this may be the case and will require additional precautions. No one else has reported trouble starting a microwave with a 2000W generator.
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: brentandjudy
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2016 at 2:37pm
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Thanks Charlie and Stephen, here is the latest. I checked again with Generac and the tech was also of the option that start up surge for a 1500W microwave could need double or even triple watts. I then called Electric Generators Direct, the online store where I purchased the unit. Their Tech guy gave me the same story about double or even triple watts needed, so it appears I am stuck with what I have. He also confirmed that the convection oven which also requires 1500W, heats up slowly and therefore does not rely on a surge. I really do appreciate a forum and participants that so readily contribute. Thanks again, Brent Brent
------------- Brent |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 01 Mar 2016 at 4:21pm
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Just checked my microwave, start up 350 watts foe 2or3 seconds then jumps 1375 then goes up and down between 1375 and 1345 watts. ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2016 at 9:12am
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marwayne, Thanks for the test results. Given this information, the Generac iX2000 should be able to run the microwave without problem. I'm waiting for a call to let me know whether our R-Pod is ready for us to go and bring it home. Once I get it here, I'll fire up the generator and try it myself. If it works, fine. If not, then on to step 2. Step 2 is to unplug the microwave from its outlet and run an extension cord so I can plug the microwave directly to the generator instead of going through the R-Pod's wiring. If it works, then it would confirm that something else in the R-Pod is drawing too much current for it to operate. One thing I am not sure of is that some of the functions of this oven use both the heating element convection part and microwave part. I am not sure what the power draw is when both magnetron and heating elements are operating. Would you test that also please? ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: brentandjudy
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2016 at 9:39am
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Thanks Marwayne, This info has me all fired up again to continue checking what is the problem. I assume yours is also a 1500W micro ? Based on your results i.e. not any significant surge and running about 1350W blows the techs theory of double or triple wattage at surge.
I am also going to try the idea of running an extension cable direct to the micro and will post my results. Thanks guys, Brent ------------- Brent |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2016 at 9:44am
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Good plan, running the extension cord to the micro. That eliminates everything else. As I understand it the convection + micro modes are either or. The heating element runs part time and the microwave magnetron runs part time, but never both at the same time. The total power requirement is never more than 1500W.
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2016 at 11:12am
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CharlieM, Thanks. I was not sure how it worked. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |
Posted By: techntrek
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2016 at 6:27pm
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Yes, that is true. If both ran at the same time the circuit breaker would trip. ------------- Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1723 - Pod instruction manual
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Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2016 at 6:34pm
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When microwave is plugged in not in use the draw is 3 watts.
Convection on roast draws 1115 watts. ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: brentandjudy
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2016 at 6:55pm
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Well following on Marwaynes advise, I ran an extension straight to the microwave
from the generator and no luck, except for the grill which works on grill 1, but not on 2 or 3. The convection oven works well on 375F, I did not try it at higher temperatures. So back to square one !! Brent
------------- Brent |
Posted By: JandL
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2016 at 7:10pm
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My microwave starts at high power, so I would think yours does the same. You can lower it and try and see what power setting you can run it at ------------- JandL 2013 Honda Ridgeline 2012 177 2 Paynes in a Pod |
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2016 at 8:10pm
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IF the micro works well when plugged into shore power, and IF the generator is up to full speed before turning on the micro, and IF the micro is plugged directly into the generator, and IF the micro is the same High Pointe we all have I'd conclude the generator is at fault. Current posts confirm a 2000W generator will have no problem with the micro. BTW, turning the micro power down will have no effect. The power setting affects only the duty cycle, not the peak power. For example, 40% means the micro runs at 100% power for 40% of the time, then it's off for the remaining 60%. The cycle period is about a minute.
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: brentandjudy
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2016 at 8:57pm
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Tried it down to power 2, still no joy. Thanks, Brent
------------- Brent |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 02 Mar 2016 at 9:24pm
Here is my setup from generator to pod, you can see where both ends are plugged in.
 ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: TheBum
Date Posted: 04 Mar 2016 at 12:58pm
I'm not surprised. The tube in most (all?) microwaves is either on or off. The "power" setting just changes the duty cycle, i.e. how long the tube is on and the amount of time until it turns on again. |
Posted By: brentandjudy
Date Posted: 05 Mar 2016 at 1:27pm
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I just tried a couple of things. 1. Measured the voltage inside the camper while running the convection oven. Voltage was at 120V which indicates no line or source resistance. Implies the connection is low impedance. 2. Ran the microwave from an alternative connection on the Generator which showed the same problem. 3. Measured the voltage with a DMM and tried starting the microwave a couple of times. Noticed a significant drop in voltage down to 69V which implies High Surge or delayed surge capability. 4. Ran a similar size Samsung 1.58kW microwave off an extension cord on the Generator and it worked perfectly. This implies that the surge capability previously mentioned should not be the issue. Conclusion: The Highpointe Microwave appears to be drawing high inrush currents causing the voltage to drop to the point that the microwave resets.
Johann, Brent's friend. ------------- Brent |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 05 Mar 2016 at 2:09pm
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My microwave is a Sunbeam. ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: StephenH
Date Posted: 05 Mar 2016 at 7:16pm
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I can confirm the High Pointe microwave will not run with a Generac iX2000 inverter generator. We finally got our R-Pod back from the dealer where some repairs were being done. With nothing else running except for a couple of LED lights, the microwave will try to start but almost immediately resets itself. It might be that this is particular to convection microwaves or specific to High Pointe convection microwaves. A lower-power straight microwave might work just fine, but as for High Pointe, it is more of a low point. ------------- StephenH Happy is the man that findeth wisdom,... http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=7712 - ouR escaPOD mods Former RPod 179 Current Cherokee Grey Wolf 24 JS |