Since there is currently a stage 1 fire ban (limited campfires and restricted smoking) in some of my favorite camping areas; I have decided that it is time to get some appliances to allow fire-less food preparation while tent camping. ... It is very early in the year for fire bans and barring a weather shift they will only get worse, IMO...
Over the years I have tried assorted means of heating food without fire; specifically via; microwave, induction heating and solar what has stopped me has been the (solar) equipment bulk, lack of a large inverter and adequate battery power (microwave and induction).
2 years ago I obtained a 100 amp hour lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePo4) battery (primarily to allow me to run a portable 12 volt refrigerator). this battery seems to be powerful enough to allow very limited, off grid use of a small microwave oven (700 watts) or an induction hob (at reduced power) for short periods of time. The key here is to limit the cooking time and power usage since batteries have a limit to their power capacity.
The 100 AH battery has a 100 amp battery management system (BMS) that includes limiting the discharge rate to 100 amps (think of it as a software fuse... exceed the discharge rate and the BMS shuts the battery down).
Since this is a 12 volt rated battery 100 amps x 12 volts = 1200 watts of potential power.
So I decided to get an inverter that is capable of transforming this amount of 12 volt power into 120 volts AC; to allow using more or less standard kitchen appliances for limited times..
Accordingly, yesterday, I paid a visit to my local chinese junk emporium (Harbor Freight store) and picked up a 1500 watt (continuous rated) inverter.
I already have a small 700 watt, rated power; using a bit more than 900 watts of power consumption, microwave (picked up at wallymart, on sale last fall... (Yoda voice) Thinking ahead, I was...)
some details in this pic may vary...
Now I have to get some wire and connectors capable of carrying 100 amps at 12 volts...
Fortunately I have some experience with high power 12 volt use (battery powered welding and winches...
4 gauge wire should be good for 85 amps over short distance and limited time.
3 gauge wire should be good for 100 amps over short distance and limited time.
2 gauge should be good for 115 amps over short distance and limited time. Note; none of these should be used for home wiring as they do not meet the NEC ampacity requirements.
additionally the wires should be flexible to minimize hassles; looks like its about time to visit the local welding supply and check out wire (welding cable) prices...
I have some 1-0 welding cable (more than big enough) in stock but it is heavy and stiff enough to be awkward.
Edit; I have used wire from jumper cables, in the past and Iit looks like I can get some 2 gauge jumper cables for around $45 or 4 gauge for around $30... BEWARE of copper clad aluminum wire; it will likely not last..
Anderson power connectors will be more than adequate for interconnection duties; I have a few housings but will need some terminals for these sizes of cable.
I expect some problems housing the package; it will need some thought, and I should evaluate the advantages of a Jackery or Bluetti 2000 watt power station although, I really hate to pay their excessive prices just for easy to handle packaging.
Enjoy!