Lots of great posts on here so far with insights/comments/specs on the new LC250/LX550/4R. One topic I haven't seen discussed is whether the hybrid battery can be used for anything besides running the hybrid motor. Since the LC250 comes stock with a good sized "second" battery, how does that potentially change the equation for accessories where previously you would use a dual battery system? Does the hybrid battery only service the hybrid motor, or (as in the Ford 150 lightening) is the hybrid battery also able to support 12v draws through the start battery and associated electrics? I know there is a 2400W converter but does that run off of the start battery or the hybrid battery? It would be pretty cool to just install a fridge without any significant wiring. I think the hybrid battery would also allow for an extended fridge run time...and alot of other electrical devices.
Running 12V fridge/etc (1 Viewer)
- Thread starter lovetoski
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Interesting question. In my Highlander Hybrid, the hybrid battery was off when the vehicle was off. All 12V systems in the vehicle got power from the 12V battery, including energizing the relay that turned on the hybrid battery when starting the vehicle. The 12V battery got charged via a DC-DC charger from the hybrid battery. I do wonder about other scenarios for the LC250.
The Ford Lightning is a different beast since it’s full electric with a huge battery.
The Ford Lightning is a different beast since it’s full electric with a huge battery.
Great question.
It is a 2400 watt inverter that runs off the hybrid battery when accessory is turned on.
I’ve been trying to figure this out too. My understanding was that the truck used the hybrid battery to start and the 12v battery ran the lights and other stuff… this got me thinking that you could just hook up your accessory panel to the 12v to run a fridge or extra lights.
- Thread starter
- #6
Lots of pro/cons being discussed. The much higher fuel mileage is a plus compared to my 60/80/200. The “potential” to tap into the hybrid battery is intriguing. Interested to see what we all learn in the future.
It’s a good question that’s been asked a few times but never answered, which is odd because we are literally drowning with ‘insiders’.
Whatever the answer there looks to be zero room to add a conventional second battery in either the 250 or GX.
Whatever the answer there looks to be zero room to add a conventional second battery in either the 250 or GX.
I think you guys are looking for a more complicated answer than what it is…..
2400 watt inverter that runs off the hybrid drive battery. Accessory must be turned to “on”. There is a PDF of the owners manual floating around sonowhere - I will see if I can locate it, but it seems pretty straightforward to me.
2400 watt inverter that runs off the hybrid drive battery. Accessory must be turned to “on”. There is a PDF of the owners manual floating around sonowhere - I will see if I can locate it, but it seems pretty straightforward to me.
Back to my Highlander……yes, the hybrid battery powers the hybrid motor that can start the gas engine when needed. There is no conventional starter or alternator since the hybrid motor/generator does both. The 12V battery is used in the start sequence only for energizing the relay turning on the hybrid battery. I was told (don’t know if true) the hybrid battery is off when the vehicle is off as a safety precaution. It’s very high voltage.
- Thread starter
- #12
Thanks Lenny for posting the owners manual & Sandroad for explaining the 12v battery and hybrid battery charging logic. Pages 511 - 518 cover the use of the 120V AC outlet. They use examples of a toaster, electric grill and external lights so they clearly intended for this to be used. It's not a gimmick. The power does come from the hybrid battery (which they call the traction battery, not sure why.) Because of this, the engine will start if the hybrid battery is run down too far. I think this means you could have a fridge (w/120V input) and keep it running the entire night w/out any fear of running down either the 12v or the hybrid battery. The engine might start though, but I don't see that as a big issue.
I also looked at the USB ports. Pages 498-499. You can use these with the motor off as long as the start button is in Acc or On position. However, the USB ports draw from the 12v battery only. I wonder if you could activate the 120V AC switch on the dash w/out anything plugged into it, and would the engine start if the 12V battery dropped too low?
I also looked at the USB ports. Pages 498-499. You can use these with the motor off as long as the start button is in Acc or On position. However, the USB ports draw from the 12v battery only. I wonder if you could activate the 120V AC switch on the dash w/out anything plugged into it, and would the engine start if the 12V battery dropped too low?
Lol not even usb runs off of the hybrid battery when the vehicle is off? Someone correct me if I’m completely missing it but based on the above I feel like you can’t confidently run a fridge off of the hybrid battery via the 2400 inverter for an extended period of time like one might with the F-150 power boost etc?
I guess time will tell how useful the hybrid battery is in a pure overlanding context but I wouldn’t want my truck randomly kicking on in the middle of the night in order to charge up its battery. Anyone feel like calculating draw off of your typical dometic over 12 hours of use as it relates to the overall hybrid battery’s capacity?
I guess time will tell how useful the hybrid battery is in a pure overlanding context but I wouldn’t want my truck randomly kicking on in the middle of the night in order to charge up its battery. Anyone feel like calculating draw off of your typical dometic over 12 hours of use as it relates to the overall hybrid battery’s capacity?
Unless your domestic is the size of house fridge and you leave the door open, you aren’t running through 2400 watts in one night.
I make due camping with a larger AGM battery and a 300 watt Rockpals unit and never have an issue. I can’t imagine how luxurious camping is going to feel with 2400 watts at my disposal!
I make due camping with a larger AGM battery and a 300 watt Rockpals unit and never have an issue. I can’t imagine how luxurious camping is going to feel with 2400 watts at my disposal!
The engine kicking on is positive IMO. Plug into your overland trailer or travel trailer and run it all night like an on demand generator. I'd love to have that capability on my truck.
I think it would be nice to have the option in the menu to auto charge or not.
As far as fridge run time. The 12v version averages about 2 amps or less. With a full battery and no loses, you'd get about 4 days of run time at 20 watts draw average. Overnight shouldn't be an issue.
I think it would be nice to have the option in the menu to auto charge or not.
As far as fridge run time. The 12v version averages about 2 amps or less. With a full battery and no loses, you'd get about 4 days of run time at 20 watts draw average. Overnight shouldn't be an issue.
Yeah, it’s a lot of juice and I think an under-appreciated feature that I expect we’ll hear *a lot* more about once these trucks get out into the world. It’ll make electrified camping a breeze—fridge, stove, etc.
Completely agree! I would much rather have the engine kick on and charge than the alternative of draining a battery.
This kind of system is an overlander’s/camper’s dream!
This is one of my biggest draws to the vehicle and one of the reasons I prefer it to the Lexus.
I’m guessing the like power planted 4Runners will have the same capability.
This kind of system is an overlander’s/camper’s dream!
This is one of my biggest draws to the vehicle and one of the reasons I prefer it to the Lexus.
I’m guessing the like power planted 4Runners will have the same capability.
FWIW it's about the same capacity as 4-5, common 12v car batteries or 2-3 deep cycle 12v batteries. The generator though is presumably much more than any normal alternator. If it can generate at 50hp like it can output power - it would fully recharge in about 3 minutes.
Edit: And if it were 100% efficient and had full 1.8kwh use, it would run for 45 minutes at 2.4kw output before recharging. My guess is that it uses about 70% and is maybe 80% efficient, so something closer to 30 minutes of full 2.4kw output between recharges.
Edit: And if it were 100% efficient and had full 1.8kwh use, it would run for 45 minutes at 2.4kw output before recharging. My guess is that it uses about 70% and is maybe 80% efficient, so something closer to 30 minutes of full 2.4kw output between recharges.
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- Thread starter
- #19
Have been thinking more about how a 2400w inverter (plus the engine recharge) could be used. Across many forums there are threads about cpap machines and heaters for overnight. Either of these could be used without having to add a second battery, or running the start battery down. You could run power tools from it also. A battery chainsaw now can be recharged on the go. Battery impact gun, same deal. And of course patio lights and a blender…
I have been drooling over this feature since the first time I heard about it. It actually saves me towards the land cruiser instead of the Lexus. I feel this is one of the most underrated features on this vehicle and I can’t believe nobody really has been talking about it yet.
