How to: AC outlet in cab + 400 Watt Anytime Mod 2nd gen

I would think that the added risk of electrical failure while driving is why it is limited to 100 watts. Just think how catastrophic it would be if your radio suddenly went off at highway speed.

 

I should add, I believe quite a few people run 2 batteries without upgrading the alternator so it could be just as simple as the amount of draw on a single battery. If charged too fast or too hard with a lot of draw, you could experience battery issues from heat or worse.

 

So now I am thinking I'm going to wire up a second plug but not do the 400w all the time. I also don't really see a need for it to be 400w all the time. The most I am going to charge is going to be a lap top or something like that. I do have faith in my new AGM battery but I do not want to mess up any other stuff on the truck if I can help it.

 

my wife's 2015 sienna has an "always on with engine on" AC outlet with 400 W all the time. I think it is simply the fact that the Tacoma as an outlet in the bed. Using 400W anytime in the cab is not an issue IMO

 

Does anyone know if the process for a 3rd Gen would be similar?

 

Search is your friend...
HOW TO: 400W Anytime Mod 3rd Gen

 

Thanks. I just happened across this thread so I was curious if anyone knew.

 

Hello, i am new to the forum, but have owned a tacoma since 2008, and just upgraded to a 2020.

Lots of conversation here about why Tacoma limits inverter to 100w while driving. I believe it is to ensure you always have adequate power for all electric safety devices, which while towing a trailer includes 30a trailer charging, 30a trailer clearance lighting and 30a for electric trailer brakes!

To follow my logic, first we need a little math, to understand the limit of your alternator. So 400w at 120v is 3.3 amps available out of the inverter (well documented prevoiusly by others). What i have not noticed, is anyone looking at the input load. So input amps ia 400w divided by 12v is 33.3 amps. (This falsely assumes 100% efficiency of the inverter, but compensates a little! Since alternator output is actually just above 15volts, not 12) This load may not seem terribly difficult on a 100amp alternator, but towing a trailer, and you can see why they might want to limit this load. We can certainly assume electric brake load is zero while the truck is parked.

I will be doing the always 400w mod in my new truck, because i am aware of the load i will actually use, Plus the owners manual indicates that the inverter will shut down if the vehicle load exceeds the alternator output, and also if the inverter overheats. I also have the experiance in my 2009 tacoma with inverter, that when the alternator fails, and battery drains, that the radio shuts off first, miles later the dash goes dark (still driving), miles later is a lack of power, and more than a mile later, the truck stops running. So the only real concern is if you need those electric trailer brakes!

 

2nd Gen came with an 80A, 90A, 100A & 120A alternator choice.
Where did you get the 15A input load to the Inverter? (It has a 100A fuse)

 

Caribe, thanks for that, i made a dumb error typing amps when i was talking volts. I edited it.

I acknowledge that it comes fused at 100a for the inverter, assume this covers efficiency loss and more so covers surge loads. My 2009 taco inverter was happy runnung a Makita 7-1/4" circular saw, clearly more than 400w, especially on startup. Weird is that 100a cable is huge, i don't see any wire heavy enough in any of the inverter pictures.

 

DC volts n amps are not like AC specs.
The distance between the fuse box and the center console is very "short", but the wire is like a 8 awg.(blue)
Wires from the inverter to the bed outlet (A/C) are less than 14 awg...with a "floating" ground.

 

DC does adhere to the same formula of W=VxA, only different when calculating voltage drop through a wire, where DC drops much faster for a given distance, so wire size becomes more important. Fact is that sustained 100a dc through a #8 pvc insulated wire, will melt the insulation off the wire. But no real worry because the inverter is self regulating, just does not make sense.

 

What size wire is everyone using for the new wires from inverter to new socket?

 

How much room is there behind the console? I'm looking at a signal plug with two usb ports it's 2.5" deep and takes a 2" hole to mount it

 

plenty for that. I ran a USB, 12v and 110v
The 110v did get a little tight and I had to bend the prongs on the usb and 12v but they fit. Take it off and check the best spot to put it might be between my two.

 

So how deep was your plug

 

The 110V is 2 inch deep and the USB and 12v are 1.6 The 110 didn't have any issues fitting the USBs were really close to the tray so if you do the one your thinking and do it up by where I put my 110 you should have no issues fitting it.

 

Cool thank you for the information. And your help northbound_taco.