Running 12V fridge/etc

[OSS]

Maybe because the inverter is running off the starting battery just like every other vehicle.
Prius traction battery is about 200vdc. I suspect the NiMh traction battery in the LC will have a similar voltage.
Has anyone ever heard of a 200 volt inverter? Not me. Maybe Toyota has their own specific high voltage inverter to connect to the traction battery, but I doubt it seeing that the LC250 is targeted as a practical and affordable vehicle.

Maybe Toyota will surprise us.

 

[omgwtfbbq]

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…

Same. I'm surprised it's being mentioned so little, particularly with regards to gx550 pros/cons. So much potential...

air compressor
air fryer
portable induction stove
heated blanket

Might still be better to plug a jackery/goalzero into the 2400w outlet, then your devices into the jackery, for overnight use.

That way the engine doesn't kick on and wake you up.

 

[shane0mack]

Same. I'm surprised it's being mentioned so little, particularly with regards to gx550 pros/cons. So much potential...

air compressor
air fryer
portable induction stove
heated blanket

Might still be better to plug a jackery/goalzero into the 2400w outlet, then your devices into the jackery, for overnight use.

That way the engine doesn't kick on and wake you up.

I would imagine startup is pretty quiet with the 4banger and hybrid. Don't Prius start up quietly?

 

[GXFamily]

I have a run of 4gauge wire from the battery to the rear for my subwoofer amplifier. Tapped into the fuse block I have this:

Amazon.com

The wires are ran under the trim and out of the rear cupholder; the power outlet is mounted on the side panel under the RT rear window. I use this to power my EcoFlow River Pro 2 (768wh, 512wh or my 256wh) or a Dometic PLB40 for pass-through charging.

The battery unit runs my Dometic 45 or 55 fridge - depending where we are going determines what fridge we bring with us.

If the vehicle sits overnight, I power off the cigarette lighter power supply with the built in switch and let the battery run the fridge overnight. The next morning I'll switch batteries to allow a quick charge on one and simply use the fully charged unit for pass-through charging/use.

We did this for about 9 days on our last trip with great success. I always had a full battery for the fridge on hand.

The small 256wh will run the dometic 45 about 12-13 hours @ 38degrees with a 20% reserve. The dometic PLB will run the frige for a solid 24-36hours. My EcoFlow 768 easily clears 48+hrs.

 

[GXFamily]

I have a run of 4gauge wire from the battery to the rear for my subwoofer amplifier. Tapped into the fuse block I have this:

Amazon.com

The wires are ran under the trim and out of the rear cupholder; the power outlet is mounted on the side panel under the RT rear window. I use this to power my EcoFlow River Pro 2 (768wh, 512wh or my 256wh) or a Dometic PLB40 for pass-through charging.

The battery unit runs my Dometic 45 or 55 fridge - depending where we are going determines what fridge we bring with us.

If the vehicle sits overnight, I power off the cigarette lighter power supply with the built in switch and let the battery run the fridge overnight. The next morning I'll switch batteries to allow a quick charge on one and simply use the fully charged unit for pass-through charging/use.

We did this for about 9 days on our last trip with great success. I always had a full battery for the fridge on hand.

The small 256wh will run the dometic 45 about 12-13 hours @ 38degrees with a 20% reserve. The dometic PLB will run the frige for a solid 24-36hours. My EcoFlow 768 easily clears 48+hrs.

EDITED to add:

The ecoflow requires you to have the Dometic frigge power protection settings on "low" or it will short-cycle the compressor and not turn on. It does not have a voltage drop regulator - when the fridge powers up, a slight voltage drop occurs and the fridge shuts down in "protection mode".


The Dometic PLB battery does not have this issue and will deliver a consistent 12.5v regardless of the state of charge.

 

[Jstawgn]

This hybrid feature is what makes me really prefer LC vs GX. Although buying used in 5 years GX would probably much cheaper just like LC200 VS LX570 in used car market.

Most likely you would still want a small battery pack to power the fridge. Mainly because you do not want to leave the ignition on when you went hiking.
I have Ecoflow Delta 2 currently and the problem currently is it slow to charge with 12 volt. Using 110V it would charge at 1800 watt rate vs 120 max using 12 Volt. That 2400 watt inverter would charge it very quickly.

You could use induction cook top and microwave instead using skottle at camp too.

 

[GXFamily]

This hybrid feature is what makes me really prefer LC vs GX. Although buying used in 5 years GX would probably much cheaper just like LC200 VS LX570 in used car market.

Most likely you would still want a small battery pack to power the fridge. Mainly because you do not want to leave the ignition on when you went hiking.
I have Ecoflow Delta 2 currently and the problem currently is it slow to charge with 12 volt. Using 110V it would charge at 1800 watt rate vs 120 max using 12 Volt. That 2400 watt inverter would charge it very quickly.

You could use induction cook top and microwave instead using skottle at camp too.

Slow charging @ 12v was my issue as well. It is even slower when you're using it for pass-through charging. I believe the maximum is 150-200w input if memory serves me right.

Hence the reason why I keep two batteries.

 

[URJ150L]

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.

I’ve been thinking this kit would work on the GX (LX too)… might need to be mirror image though

 

[rlynch356]

what input voltage is the inverter using?
I bet it would be possible to tap in upstream of the inverter, then step down the voltage to 24v or 12v near the point of use (i.e.in the rear for a fuse panel, etc)... Just thinking 48v would be ideal since you could use thinner cable for runs with minimal voltage drop.

anyway something interesting to think about with it.,..

 

[OSS]

Finally found out the traction (hybrid) battery size of the NiNH battery used in the LC 250.
It’s only a small 1.87 KWh battery of unknown (to me) voltage.
For comparison, I have a 2nd lithium ion Ebike battery pack that uses Panasonic cells. It’s rated at 1.5 kWh 48V and it only weighs 15 lbs. It has an integrated carrying handle too.
I use it all the time with a 48V inverter for when the power goes out at home to run a fan. For another comparison, a standard 1.2 kWh AGM battery you can buy anywhere weighs 60 lbs.

So running an inverter off the LC 250’s NiMH traction battery is really not much of an upgrade from just packing another AGM (or ebike battery) for the trip.

 

[lovetoski]

Toyota website says 288V.

 

[BigMF]

Slow charging @ 12v was my issue as well. It is even slower when you're using it for pass-through charging. I believe the maximum is 150-200w input if memory serves me right.

Hence the reason why I keep two batteries.

The slow charging has also been a problem for me. I have a Jackery 500 watt hour that I've plugged into a power source I wired up in the back of the truck that is only energized and charging when the truck is on. I then plug everything into it. Things like a fridge, drone batteries, etc. However, I ran a test recently where I tried to charge my Ebike battery while on a road trip and running the fridge and since the Ebike battery is actually larger (in watt hours) than the Jackery and it sucks it down at 150'ish watts, it drained the Jackery quicker than it could be recharged via the 12V. I'll re-try the test with the Jackery charging via the 110V at home.

 

[GXFamily]

This hybrid feature is what makes me really prefer LC vs GX. Although buying used in 5 years GX would probably much cheaper just like LC200 VS LX570 in used car market.

Most likely you would still want a small battery pack to power the fridge. Mainly because you do not want to leave the ignition on when you went hiking.
I have Ecoflow Delta 2 currently and the problem currently is it slow to charge with 12 volt. Using 110V it would charge at 1800 watt rate vs 120 max using 12 Volt. That 2400 watt inverter would charge it very quickly.

You could use induction cook top and microwave instead using skottle at camp too.

YOu can also increase the 12v charging speed by using the USB-C input @ 60?w.

 

[Jstawgn]

YOu can also increase the 12v charging speed by using the USB-C input @ 60?w.

I don't believe so. With 12 volt its limited to 10 amp from the cigarette lighter socket.
I am using a 12 to 24 volt up converter. Technically I can get 400 watt and would be 4X faster than using 12 volt.

Using the 2400 watt from LC250 would be able to charge Ecoflow delta 2 from 0 to 80% in one hour. I believe it max out at 1850 Watt.

 

[GaryA]

Why can't we hookup a direct line to the battery that is fused and plug into the Frig. I have an Engel 45 for 20 years now and have never run my battery down. in any of my vehicles. Not sure just yet how to install my slide holder. Being that the battery is already right there next to where the FRIG would be anyway. Installing a winch looks to be the same way. Engel has an inline fuse ready to hook up and plug in to the Frig.

 

[suprarx7nut]

I was excited about the 2400W port on the 250, but it being "off" unless specifically turned on after the car is turned on means it's not really a substitute for a 2nd battery setup. You can also buy a portable battery with the same capacity for $1k.

Toyota did all the hard work of engineering a hybrid drivetrain into the 250 and then gave it a tiny battery, weak motors and no "camp" oriented power mode.

It would be great to see an OEM overland-oriented power panel. As of now it feels like they were just checking a box for hybrid - not actually trying to innovate the usability of the car by leveraging a new electrical infrastructure.

 

[BigMF]

I was excited about the 2400W port on the 250, but it being "off" unless specifically turned on after the car is turned on means it's not really a substitute for a 2nd battery setup. You can also buy a portable battery with the same capacity for $1k.

Toyota did all the hard work of engineering a hybrid drivetrain into the 250 and then gave it a tiny battery, weak motors and no "camp" oriented power mode.

It would be great to see an OEM overland-oriented power panel. As of now it feels like they were just checking a box for hybrid - not actually trying to innovate the usability of the car by leveraging a new electrical infrastructure.

So, do you need to turn the 2400W port on every time you start the truck or does it stay "on" but powered off while the truck is off? I was thinking about plugging my Jackery into it to stay charged up and run my fridge off the Jackery 24/7. It will be a pain to remember to turn it on every time I start the truck while on an overlapping trip.

 

[GaryA]

I plan on running mine off the 12v battery in the back of the LandCruiser. Engel has a hardware kit for DC. One small hole in the side panel. Inline fuse on cord and plug it in. I have an Engel 45 Fridge/Freezer AC/DC. ,My Hurricane back up kit.

 

[BigMF]

I plan on running mine off the 12v battery in the back of the LandCruiser. Engel has a hardware kit for DC. One small hole in the side panel. Inline fuse on cord and plug it in. I have an Engel 45 Fridge/Freezer AC/DC. ,My Hurricane back up kit.

I thought about that as well but I have other things that I’ll need to charge like an e-bike battery, laptop, etc. So, something like a Jackery works great with additional 110V and USB plugs in one “package”. I should have included that in my earlier post.

 

[suprarx7nut]

So, do you need to turn the 2400W port on every time you start the truck or does it stay "on" but powered off while the truck is off? I was thinking about plugging my Jackery into it to stay charged up and run my fridge off the Jackery 24/7. It will be a pain to remember to turn it on every time I start the truck while on an overlapping trip.

My understanding is that it's always off until you turn the car on and then click the AC button in the dash. You would presumably need to do that every time you start the car.

The outlet is dead if the car is off. You'd need to leave the car "on" to keep that outlet live at camp.

That's my understanding, at least.