How do I connect a Power Inverter to my 2012 Prius III

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by Joe Bruno, Jun 17, 2012.

  1. Joe Bruno

    Joe Bruno New Member

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    I'm looking to run a refrigerator, a laptop and a lamp during a power outage. Any suggestions as to what inverter I would need and how to connect it.
    Thanks,
    Joe
     
    #1 Joe Bruno, Jun 17, 2012
  2. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    Sorry I can't help you, but try a site search people have talked about this before and installing converters in the back of the car to do what you ask.
     
    #2 retired4999, Jun 17, 2012
  3. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    Sorry inverters.
     
    #3 retired4999, Jun 17, 2012
  4. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    #4 retired4999, Jun 17, 2012
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    there's a lot of info, but nothing clear and specific enough to just go buy it and hook it up.
     
    #5 bisco, Jun 17, 2012
  6. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    Sorry, I know zero about electricity or inverters hopefully some with some real help will chime in!
     
    #6 retired4999, Jun 17, 2012
  7. BSWEET

    BSWEET New Member

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    What size refrigerator are you talking about? If you are talking about a full size (18 - 25 c.f.) your not going to do it for a reasonable price. Even if your talking about one of those small 1.5 - 3.0 C.F. you would probably spend ~ $500.00 just for the invertor. You would be much better off buying a Honda or Yamaha 2000 watt inverter generators for $899.99 delivered. Remember, You should not even try to jumpstart another car with the Prius without possibly frying the Prius inverter. I have a fifth wheel and I have a REALLY BIG battery that I was thing of hooking up a 2000 watt inverter to run my TV and microwave and A/C (not all at the same time) but considering the costs involved, I went with the Yamaha generator.;)
    Just my two cents.
     
    #7 BSWEET, Jun 18, 2012
  8. GoldPianoGarden

    GoldPianoGarden Bling Meister

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    I'm with you on that. I bought one almost a year ago, and it's still in the box in the car....
     
    #8 GoldPianoGarden, Jun 18, 2012
  9. NiHaoMike

    NiHaoMike Member

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    Maybe you can find a Japanese market 100V/50Hz sine wave inverter for the fridge? That'll cut down on power usage to about 5/6 by performing V/Hz control. Even better would be a programmable inverter that can perform a V/Hz ramp up and down, although that would not be a common off the shelf item...

    As for rectifier loads (electronics and fluorescent lamps), a common square wave inverter will work just fine. 200W or so is enough to run almost any common portable electronic device.
     
    #9 NiHaoMike, Jun 19, 2012
  10. lettcco

    lettcco New Member

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    #10 lettcco, Aug 8, 2012
  11. mrtremere

    mrtremere Junior Member

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    #11 mrtremere, Aug 10, 2012
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