slicketst, nicest, most OEM way to install 200w inverter?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by donbright, Aug 13, 2020.

  1. donbright

    donbright Active Member

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    Hello

    I have purchased a small 200w inverter to run a laptop. It's about the size of a big balled up fist. I would like to install it (not through the cigarette lighter) as a permanent item, however I would like it to appear extremely neat and tidy, as if it was OEM.

    What is the slickest, nicest, most professional looking aftermarket inverter install you have seen in a Gen2 Prius?

    (Edit... i realize this will be a challenge for me since i somehow managed to mispell "slickest" in the title)

    Thanks
     
    #1 donbright, Aug 13, 2020
  2. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    slicket move!

    It wasn't in a prius, but the best I've seen had the inverter mounted in an underseat/out of view location (to facilitate a short cable run for the DC side) and the 120v output was remoted off to a panel-mount NEMA 5-15 socket like this one:

    [​IMG]

    So in normal operation you never saw or heard the inverter at all.

    Good luck!
     
    #2 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Aug 13, 2020
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  3. fotomoto

    fotomoto Senior Member

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    Our C-Max has a 150w ac plug installed in the center console between the seats near the lower back (facing the passenger seat) with a flip down face plate protector. Check ebay for colors but I think the majority will be either beige or black. The gen2 flip out rear cup holder would be an issue if trying to duplicate.

    Meanwhile I just used the 12v plug inside the gen 2 armrest to run a 125w inverter to power an ancient windows laptop running techstream. The inverter fan was pretty loud for constant use though.

    GOOD LUCK!
     
    #3 fotomoto, Aug 13, 2020
  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    Mine looks like this: Inverter installation (Gen 3 though, so available spaces and dimensions might be different.)

    The inverter is tucked away out of sight, out of mind, and the remote switch worked out nicely.

    The three-outlet extension cord doesn't look as slickety as a panel-mount receptacle, but it is hella practical and took no time to do. And if ever reverted back to stock, it will look a lot more slickety than a carved-out panel.
     
    #4 ChapmanF, Aug 13, 2020
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  5. Travis Decker

    Travis Decker Active Member

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    Laptop power supply turns AC into DC.

    Why not just look at the power supply and see what the output voltage is?

    Converting DC to AC then back to DC is not the easiest way to accomplish what you are trying to do imho
     
    #5 Travis Decker, Aug 14, 2020
  6. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    ^ I'd hate to have to go back and do it again just because I changed laptops.

    There is value in this "extra" conversion when the product happens to be a popular common denominator capable of supporting many devices.
     
    #6 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Aug 14, 2020
  7. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    ^ this.

    Before I had the 120 VAC inverter, I had a variety of 'multipurpose' adapters, some that would buck 12 VDC down to a selection of small-personal-device voltages, some that would boost it up to a selection of laptop voltages, all with their bags of replaceable tips, always enough to be unwieldy and yet not include the one that fits the thing you wanted to plug in.

    And any DC to DC buck or boost converter nowadays is most of an inverter anyway; the DC coming in still has to get changed into some time-varying waveform and that is used to produce the DC you want out.
     
    #7 ChapmanF, Aug 14, 2020
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  8. donbright

    donbright Active Member

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    i went the "DIWhy" route, instead of 120v i did 12 volt anderson connectors coming from that mysterious little plastic flap on the passenger side rear removable trunk piece that covers the 12v battery. With a fuse on the 12volt head of the battery and tons of protective tubes and fancy safe connections. I lost zero cargo space and could plug in any kind of inverter i wanted, and i was confident of not electrocuting myself. It also had a LED voltometer with USB ports so i could see the battery voltage any time and plug in devices in the back.

    car is 'no longer with me' but was fun while it lasted.

    thanks
     
    #8 donbright, Jan 24, 2024
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