Adding electrical appliances to prius '05

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by JBrookes, Nov 23, 2015.

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  1. JBrookes

    JBrookes New Member

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    Hello
    Anyone know the plug-in wattage limit of the Prius '05 ? I am considering adding some devices that would draw juice from the 12v system. I'd like to get at least 100W out - that's 8 amps, and I don't know if that is possible or not. This would be when the car is parked.

    Thanks in advance
    JB
     
    #1 JBrookes, Nov 23, 2015
  2. tanglefoot

    tanglefoot Whee!

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    Appliances...like a dishwasher? ;)

    The cig outlet circuit has 15A protection, so 100 watts should be okay, assuming the start-up draw of these appliances isn't significantly more than that. Just leave the car in "ready" mode to prevent discharging the aux battery.
     
    #2 tanglefoot, Nov 23, 2015
    Last edited: Nov 23, 2015
  3. lifehouse

    lifehouse Junior Member

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    I think 8amps could be handled easily, curious too with what kind of appliances..
     
    #3 lifehouse, Nov 24, 2015
  4. JBrookes

    JBrookes New Member

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    appliances - why a washer and dryer...
    :) just kidding.
    Poor choice of words.
    Here is what I am doing.
    I want to sleep in back of my Prius occasionally, so I put a foam mattress in. That works fine.
    Now, as far as a heater, I figure an electrical 12v electric blanket way to go, since the thinking is - the car will not turn on very often
    with a 100W drain of typical 12v blanket. The alternative, running the heater, requires the engine to heat up, then turn on often to scavenge heat from the gas engine. In contrast, charging the battery just involves more occasional charging of the large battery. (Is this true?)
    I saw one write-up where Prius owners were running their house electricity (when power was out due to a severe storm) and leaving the Prius supplying the power for days at a time. They pulled 800W or so from the small battery, so my 100W should be a cinch.
    My main question is whether I should wire directly to the battery (with fuse), as those cigarette lighter plugs are unreliable.

    It wouldn't be bad to also run a small inverter to charge a laptop, etc. Concern there is switching noise being put into the battery circuits. A filter good idea there.

    John
     
    #4 JBrookes, Nov 25, 2015
  5. JBrookes

    JBrookes New Member

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    Thanks - exactly what is "ready" mode? Not that familiar with Prius controls. JB
     
    #5 JBrookes, Nov 25, 2015
  6. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Those 800 watts for a 120V inverter for some house loads are actually coming from the Prius HV-to-12V inverter, not from the actual 12V battery. Though connected to the same point, the little battery just doesn't have the guts for it.

    The cigarette lighter plugs should be good for about 10 Amps / 120 watts. Anything bigger needs a fused wire directly to the car's 12V bus (e.g. at the battery).
    'Ready' means the car's ignition turned fully on, with engine actually running or ready to run on its own volition. The dashboard should have 'Ready' illuminated on the dashboard, but I don't have a Gen2.

    Accessory position won't work, the 12V will be drained flat very rapidly. Same with a direct wire connection with ignition Off.
     
    #6 fuzzy1, Nov 25, 2015
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  7. tanglefoot

    tanglefoot Whee!

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    Ah!

    No problem with the inverter...especially something like a 100W. I've used a 1000W inverter but connected it at the jump start terminal, not to the cig lighter....while the car was on, of course.

    As for the blanket, it's a tough call whether it would be more efficient than leaving on the cabin heat. It may be more efficient (and comfortable) just to use the cabin heat, especially if the powertrain is already warmed up. Electricity is good for making things move or light up, but it takes quite a bit of it to make heat. I'd be more inclined to get a lower-temp rated sleeping bag and extra blankets, myself, as opposed to using a heat device and/or keeping the car on.
     
    #7 tanglefoot, Nov 25, 2015
  8. JBrookes

    JBrookes New Member

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    About the efficiency of electricity vs. cabin heat, I believe cabin heat will keep the engine running often, while a 50-100w blanket will not. Just a warm sleeping bag is a good idea along the lines of minimizing engine on time. An open question in my mind...Thanks for replies.
     
    #8 JBrookes, Nov 26, 2015
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