Microwave

[cholder]

My wife and daughters assure me that a microwave is now essential on our 1988 C34.  I've looked at the Projects section and saw an installation in the starboard locker above the ice box in the corner of one of the photos and I found discussion about placing a microwave under the Nav table.  I also recall mention of installations under the sink.

My questions are to those who've installed microwaves:

1.  Where did you put the microwave and how satisfied are you with the location?
2.  What model did you install, has it proved reliable?
3.  How difficult was it to install?  I'm fairly competent at most woodwork tasks.
4.  If anyone used a 12V microwave, is it really viable considering the limited battery capacity most of us have installed?  We have two banks of 6V Trojan 105Ah batteries, i.e. about 400 Ah total, a good 40A charger but no inverter.

[rxc]

I have installed a microwave on my 88 C34, under the galley sink, and it was highly worthwhile.  It required removal of the drawer under the sink, re-routing/resizing of the sink drains (a highly desireable change, in any case), installation of a 120VAC power point to plug in the microwave, an inverter to run the microwave, replacement of the batteries with 4 golf cart batteries and a separate engine starting batteries to power the inverter (draws 80 ampsDC from the battery when operating), installation of a high-output alternator to recharge the batteries, all new power wiring to carry the higher currents all over the place, new voltage regulator and smart charge controller to make sure that the batteries are being treated properly, a windmill to charge batteries so I don't have to run the engine too long, a solar panel to charge batteries when wind doesn't blow, a solar charge controller for solar panel, and windmill and solar panel support structure on the stern.

All this to re-heat a cup of tea while at anchor.<g>

Lots more details are available, if you want them.  Finding a small unit that fit under the sink on top of the water heater was tricky, but they are available.  I would consider a 12v unit if the price were right, but remember that you will
need to have a 12v power source that can put out 90 amps - this means that you have to have a relatively high-power battery charger when you run the unit at the pier.  The costs may be almost as high as for the 120v installation, and you won't have the inverter, which is really useful for other things, like power tools and quiet fans and TVs, etc.

If you have any questions, drop me a line.

Ralph Caruso
s/v "On y va"  C34#777 Ches.Bay/Magothy

[Ken Juul]

My 91 came with a small A/C powered unit in the cabinet over the icebox.  Very easy installation.  Remove the sliding doors, make a hole to run the power cord down to the A/C outlet and fashion some sort of bracket to hold it in place.  Very easy to use, We have converted the hanging locker to shelves so we don't miss the storage.  I've heard of the under sink installtion.  Never seen one.  I would be afraid of a water leak from the sink causing microwave failure.  I also just had to replace the Water heater, with a microwave over it, it would have doubled the job.

mine only works when plugged into dock power.  My wife asked if we could make it work at anchor?  Her response to my answer was that she could do with out.