HOW TO: 400W Anytime Mod 3rd Gen

Thanks for the reply ....... any additional info / link ? TIA

 

Petition to rename the thread to "anytime the truck is running"

Just read through this and got excited to do the mod until I came across the fact that its not actually anytime, oh well.

 

The truck engine doesn’t have to be running. Just the key or aux on with the 400W button pushed to on.

You wouldn’t want 400W with your truck off, especially with an open bed. Someone could use your AC in the bed and drain your battery if that were the case.

 

Yes I do want that. I have a dual battery setup Im working on so Im not concerned about draining the battery, Ill turn it off when Im not with the vehicle and I have a kitchen slide/sleeping platform that fills up the entire bed as well as a locking tailgate so nobody will be getting in there to use the outlet when Im not around. Plus, its switched, they aren't going to use it when you have it switched off. "Anytime" makes me think it would work any time the switch is turned on, not literally all the time. I would like to use the outlet when Im camping for running misc. things like phone chargers, lights etc. without having to go inside the truck and turn the accessory or engine on every time I want to use it.

 

If you have a dual battery, just run your own setup. Plus you can run solar to an AGM quite affordably.

 

Thank you for continually telling me what to do with my truck but no I dont want to do that. Why call this "anytime" when its not actually anytime? Why reinvent the wheel and wire up my own entire plug when one is already there?

 

It’s not engineered to run 400w all the time with the truck off, especially with a regular lead acid battery and the thin wiring that runs in and out of the converter.

That’s why a lot of members run AGM batteries with solar and separate outlets outside the truck. They can be discharged several hundred times.

I’m not telling you what the do, just suggesting what others have done. Do whatever the hell you want.

 

It would not be running 400W to the outlet all the time, only when you turn the switch on. Im not sure why thats so hard for you to understand. The title of the thread literally says 400W anytime yet that is not what this mod does. This mod only allows you to run the outlet when the vehicle is in ignition on or when the vehicle is running, that is not "anytime" so the title is confusing. Stuff gets shit-canned for a lot less around here.

 

@kashtyaatsi

My truck comes with a usb power adapter from factory/port option in the back of the center console, what modifications do I need to be able to use the power that's already there?

Thanks!

 

What is the benefit of 400w anytime? I mean, what do you plug in while driving that uses over the normal 100w while driving?

 

Two months on the road with fridge and Goal Zero lithium battery (using mulitport cord) charging while driving. Stock will only power one. When parked or overnight, switching device (my hands) moves fridge and battery input to flexible solar panel on roof of topper.

 

Used it to Finish dinner in a crock pot in the back bed on low for a 2 hour drive
and i have 2 kids so i have a lot of shit plugged in on road trips.

 

So you run some sort of multi outlet strip out of it? Then just plug in multiple things Into it? I have a goal zero 400 and was wondering if the 100w would be enough to get it charged. Then I started wondering if I could run an outlet strip from it and plug in multiple things. Or if the 400w is needed for that?

 

Remember that you are talking about wattage on 115V. So, the amp output is really low. 400W at 115V is about 3.5A. 100W at 115V is less than 0.9A.

 

Yes, I have a outlet strip coming out of the truck's inverter outlet. Goal Zero charge controller has 70 watt input limit. My fridge can use up 50+ watts. With stock it is either one or the other. With 400 watt anytime mod it can be both as long as the ignition is on. Two months on the road, no problems.

 

Or just take a generator camping. You know. Different strokes. Whatever...

 

I'm going to start taking my Instant Pot everywhere, just pull over and eat some roast.

 

The bigger issue is how fast it drains your battery. Most everything is fine when your truck is running. But when you’re sitting at a campsite, I wouldn’t use it, since it’ll quickly drain your battery.

Be a good American and get a rather loud, carb polluting generator for all of your needs (only during the day).

 

It's workable with that setup with a solar panel to keep the battery topped off when parked. Just need constant attention switching power sources.