Power for inverter

[kittyonwheels]

Hello all.
We are new here, please forgive us if a similar question has been asked, we are mobile users so it is somewhat difficult to navigate the site.
We have a 4 door saloon (1963) which currently uses a Dynamo. We are looking to power a single induction hob and/or compact microwave from the battery.
ADVICE REQUIRED!
We are thinking to install an inverter and wonder if converting to an alternator would be required or if we need to drive extra miles for the Dynamo to do its thing.
Any and all advice greatly appreciated.
Many thanks.

[bmcecosse]

Yes - you will need a good big high power alternator - and you will need to run the engine at say 1000/1500 rpm all the time you use your cooker.... Much easier i think to just use on of the many gas powered camping stoves available inexpensively in many 'outdoors' shops.

[kittyonwheels]

Hi. Many thanks for responding ... and so quickly. We are trying to avoid gas for health reasons. We are car users but with little knowledge of even what rpm actually means ... even Google answers are beyond our understanding. How does one acquire such revolutions? Alternatively, we have considered purchasing an extra battery but are unsure as to whether kitty would appreciate the extra weight and if it would be possible to interchange batteries for an alternator to charge.

Basically, we are looking to be as self sufficient as possible without gas bottles or generators and minimal campsite visits.

Further, we are not particularly strong individuals so the practicality of switching batteries is not ideal but will consider as a last option if this is the only method available.

Once again, any and all suggestions/advice would be much appreciated.

Thank you.

[panky]

You could get a second battery installed, in the boot, coupled to a split charger. These are used in caravans and campers for similar reasons, not sure how long the second battery would last powering a cooker but it would be charged up again when the engine is running. Try asking at a local caravan shop, they may be able to suggest something.

[MarkyB]

For lesser cooking tasks these work well;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-In-Car-Wa ... SwezVW0ANT

[bmcecosse]

You just need one of the simple 2 ring gas cookers I see in camping shops - not expensive and only using small gas cylinders. Your proposed electric cooker will be AT least 1 Kw at 240 volts - so for a start you will need a big ( = expensive) inverter - most are sold just for computer etc use so only maybe 250w max capacity. Assuming you get a 1 Kw inverter, and it is very efficient (not necessarily true) -it will draw around 80 / 90 amps from your car 12 volt system - so frankly it's completely impractical. Sure- a BIG alternator could maybe provide 75 amps - with the engine revving hard all the time. With no engine running - it will flatten the battery before you manage to heat a can of beans.... and the battery will have a very short life. They are not designed to be run down then recharged - although indeed you can get 'leisure' batteries that do a bit better - but are expensive. Or of course - just light a Boy Scout Camp Fire and have a sing-song!

[kittyonwheels]

Thank you all for your suggestions. We will investigate further with regards to leisure batteries and visiting a caravan specialist.
Panky ... love your dancing car!

[bmcecosse]

Seriously - it's a non-starter - especially after warming the beans..... But here's an inverter for you - look at the size of the cables ! http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Power-Inverte ... SwZ8ZW4KW9 And heres a 75 amp alternator - probably need some modifications to fit a Minor. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BMC-1-5-1-8-D ... SwZQxW4ZdQ And here's a drum of cable to wire it up... http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Black-110Amp- ... SwpDdVL34P -and here's a Leisure battery - but you should still keep the Minor battery in line for the car to ensure starting. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Deep-Cycle-Le ... SwBahU4KvB

[GBond]

Powering a stove from the car's electrical system is not a good idea; and you'd be burning a lot of gasoline in the meantime so if it's for health reasons you'll be actually worse off.

A camping stove is a good idea, but if you're set on electric then you could get one of these...

http://www.power-hunt.com/wavebox.php

Stock electrical system should be fine for cooking times up to around 5 minutes, I wouldn't go through the hassle of fitting an extra battery, just as big as can fit in the stock location.

[bmcecosse]

So - 660 watts of 'power' (no doubt 'heating power' - allowing for inefficiencies sounds like 70 amps from the battery.... Make sure you know how to start the engine with the handle - and get the 75 amp alternator...

[kittyonwheels]

Thank you bmcecosse for your many suggestions. We are not feeling the wave box ... our food likes a window when it's cooking and a surprisingly breakable turntable. Lol. We are investigating leisure batteries and veggie oil generators. Will keep all MM eco warriors posted. However, still open to other suggestions as we may end up on a COLD raw diet.

[panky]

Have you considered a rocket stove, can boil a kettle with a few twigs

Here's an example

https://wildstoves.co.uk/product/ezy-basecamp-kit/

[bmcecosse]

Just tie a can of beans to the exhaust manifold with a twist of wire!

[olderisbetter]

Just tie a can of beans to the exhaust manifold with a twist of wire!

I have seen a retro camper with a big cast iron manifold with a box attached to cook food in as you drive and it had copper tube wrapped tight to the manifold to feed a hot water cylinder in the back, the owner claimed to have slow cooked a chicken on long days out in it.

[bmcecosse]

It's not unknown for the bean can to explode.... On the steam Locos - some crews cooked lunch well wrapped up in Al foil in the smoke box - and others of course (me included) have been known to do a fry-up on the shovel. The shovel also sometimes had another use on longer non-stop journeys (besides shoveling coal..) and it was considered wise to make lunch before using it for the alternative 'waste disposal' use.......

[olderisbetter]

I think this is where a stainless steel shovel would come in handy..but you can't beat a fry up on coal

[bmcecosse]

Oh you just wipe it over with a lick of axle oil - and then sterilise it in the fire box ..... Always raised a good laugh when I was doing my 'vegetarian' breakfast - and refused to allow them to do any bacon before I used it... The public enjoy it too - as part of the 'show' at a steam railway these days.

[olderisbetter]

To be fair it's probably still safer than an under cooked kebab

[kittyonwheels]

Laughing our socks off ... clearly health and safety rules do not apply to MMOC Members ... old school. Personally we prefer our food minus coal and exhaust fumes although we do have a shovel so there may still be hope for us yet!

Veggie power want around a grand for a vegetable generator which actually still needs diesel to fire up and the other option that has been suggested is to dry some cow pat by throwing it at my house during the summer (WEEK) and waiting for it to fall to the ground whereby it is ready for use!!!!

Still open to ideas.

[bmcecosse]

Can't beat a wee gas hob.