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Anyone using a Dometic PLB40 in their Tacoma?

Discussion in 'Dometic' started by Dometic, Feb 23, 2020.

  1. Feb 23, 2020 at 11:05 AM
    #1
    Dometic

    Dometic [OP] Well-Known Member Vendor

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    We're curious if anyone is using one of our PLB40s in their Tacoma?

    PLB40-p403-web_600 (1).jpg

    If so, can you share some photos, and what you think of it so far?

    We'd welcome your feedback on ease of use, what you are using to power with it, problems you might have had, thoughts on product improvements for the future, etc. :thumbsup:

    DOMETIC
    mobile living made easy
    shop.dometic.com

    Use promo code TacomaW20 for $25 off your order of $75+
     
  2. Mar 18, 2020 at 6:54 PM
    #2
    Uncle Feathers

    Uncle Feathers New Member

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    Sell me one for 30% off and I’ll document it in my 2019 Gen 3 that has OME upgrade and CFX3. PM me and we can work out details.
     
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  3. Apr 16, 2020 at 9:34 AM
    #3
    jet speed

    jet speed Well-Known Member

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    Would a PLB40 charge OK plugged into the Tacoma bed outlet?
     
  4. Apr 16, 2020 at 4:44 PM
    #4
    Dometic

    Dometic [OP] Well-Known Member Vendor

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    It should charge just fine though you may want to check to make sure you're getting a full 12V at that outlet.

    Be sure to tie down the PLB40 as well. Having that roll around your bed will make for a sad day :thumbsup:

    DOMETIC
    mobile living made easy
    shop.dometic.com

    Use promo code TacomaW20 for $25 off your order of $75+
     
    Last edited: Apr 17, 2020
  5. Apr 27, 2020 at 6:41 PM
    #5
    brywebb11

    brywebb11 Active Member

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    I just installed a PLB40 and CFX3 55IM and Im not sure I'm happy with the battery.

    https://www.outsideonline.com/2401684/ultimate-overland-solar-power-setup

    I copied this setup and have just one 100w solar panel. I used these on a 4 day trip last week and the battery would never get fully charged back up even when I ran my fridge at low settings and parked in the sun. By the end of the 4 days with great solar input, I was below 60% and had to plug it into the outlet in the truck bed but that only worked when I was driving and only gave it a few percentage. Im thinking the charge controller is not very efficient in the battery. Could I have a weak battery?

    Any advise?

    I might get a second solar panel, but I still feel that that is overkill.

    @Dometic
     
  6. Apr 28, 2020 at 11:44 AM
    #6
    Dometic

    Dometic [OP] Well-Known Member Vendor

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    If you disconnect the PLB and CFX3 and then drive do you see the battery come up more quickly? If not, can you move it to a different power source/outlet in the vehicle to make sure there isn't an outlet power issue? If you still aren't see the PLB charge effectively let us know. There may be something going on with the battery.

    Thanks!

    DOMETIC
    mobile living made easy
    shop.dometic.com

    Use promo code TacomaW20 for $25 off your order of $75+
     
    BigRus75 likes this.
  7. May 13, 2020 at 8:27 AM
    #7
    brywebb11

    brywebb11 Active Member

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    Well, it started working how I wanted it too. Don't know what happened but its charging up to 100% every day. Other than the first week using it, I have really liked it. I think it would be cool to have some features that the Goal Zeros have: incoming and out going power amount and apps to see more details. I am currently using the PLB40 to run a CFX3 55 IM and a roof fan.
     
  8. May 17, 2020 at 10:01 AM
    #8
    Naveronski

    Naveronski Well-Known Member

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    Is your fridge in the cab or the GFC?
     
  9. May 19, 2020 at 8:46 AM
    #9
    brywebb11

    brywebb11 Active Member

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    Everything is in my bed, tied down with l track and cam straps.

    Which leads me to another request for @Dometic . You should make good spots to tie down the PLB40 like how the fridge gets tied down with handles. I have to wrap the PLB 40 with cam straps and its always sliding around because its not easy to tie down.

    Also, adding the PLB40 to the dometic app would be nice. showing power coming in, power going out, and a history of it would be nice.
     
    MattJakobs, Shellshock and Naveronski like this.
  10. May 21, 2020 at 9:22 AM
    #10
    Dometic

    Dometic [OP] Well-Known Member Vendor

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    We appreciate the feedback. Good points and I've passed these along to the mobile cooling product manager :thumbsup:

    DOMETIC
    mobile living made easy
    shop.dometic.com

    Use promo code TacomaW20 for $25 off your order of $75+
     
    BigRus75 likes this.
  11. May 21, 2020 at 9:23 AM
    #11
    jowybyo

    jowybyo Well-Known Member

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    Nope. I won one at the Southern Xpedition Overland Challenge last year, but it was never delivered.
     
    Last edited: May 21, 2020
  12. May 21, 2020 at 9:29 AM
    #12
    Dometic

    Dometic [OP] Well-Known Member Vendor

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    BigRus75 likes this.
  13. May 21, 2020 at 9:32 AM
    #13
    EatSleepTacos

    EatSleepTacos Well-Known Member

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    woahwoahwoah we won one. Cut the PLB40 in half and we can each take a PLB20
     
  14. May 21, 2020 at 9:34 AM
    #14
    Naveronski

    Naveronski Well-Known Member

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    Sounds more than fair.
     
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  15. May 21, 2020 at 9:35 AM
    #15
    jowybyo

    jowybyo Well-Known Member

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    Haha. Yea, we kicked ass. You got an awning so I'll split it 5/35. How's a PLB5 sound?
     
    EatSleepTacos[QUOTED] likes this.
  16. May 21, 2020 at 9:36 AM
    #16
    EatSleepTacos

    EatSleepTacos Well-Known Member

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    aka a AA battery. Sold.
     
  17. Jun 9, 2020 at 2:22 PM
    #17
    jowybyo

    jowybyo Well-Known Member

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    How do you know it’s on but in “standby” and when it’s off? There seems to be quite a lot of parasitic drain when it’s “on” but not powering anything. Seems to lose about 15% per day if you accidentally leave it “on”.
     
  18. Jun 11, 2020 at 4:04 PM
    #18
    Dometic

    Dometic [OP] Well-Known Member Vendor

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    Hi Joe,

    Sorry for the delay in getting back to your post. That's definitely a high level of drain and not normal. I asked our product manager about this and he said that 3% drain per month is normal. Some things to check...

    PLB40 is ON:
    When you press and hold power for 3 seconds
    When the display is lighted
    When you lightly tap the power button and the display comes on
    When you plug something into it and that thing is charging or being powered

    PLB40 is OFF:
    When you plug something in and it does not become powered or charged
    When you lightly tap the power button and the display does not come on

    If you see a different pattern let us know and I'll get you connected with the product manager and dive into this deeper to get it resolved.

    DOMETIC
    mobile living made easy
    shop.dometic.com

    Use promo code TacomaW20 for $25 off your order of $75+
     
    BigRus75 likes this.
  19. Jun 11, 2020 at 5:45 PM
    #19
    jowybyo

    jowybyo Well-Known Member

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    It seems like it only drains the battery if it's ON, even though I'm not charging/running anything. If I power it OFF, it seems fine. I guess my only thought is that there doesn't seem to be any indication that you may have left it ON by accident. The LCD automatically turns off after a short period, but apparently it's still ON draining the battery. Also, I'm not really sure what ON means if the LCD is off and I'm not charging anything.
     
  20. Jun 11, 2020 at 5:51 PM
    #20
    Dometic

    Dometic [OP] Well-Known Member Vendor

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    Joe - I've forwarded this over to Reed (product manager) to see if he has some insight. I've not personally run into anyone that has seen this kind of behavior on or off and not having anything plugged in. I'll follow up as soon as I get an update from Reed.

    Thanks

    DOMETIC
    mobile living made easy
    shop.dometic.com

    Use promo code TacomaW20 for $25 off your order of $75+
     

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