110v Receptacle

Scott7669 · 01-24-2005, 03:07 AM

Ford has a 110v receptacle, how can we add it to a Prius?

Prius has some 500+ volts under the hood, which is converted to 12v DC for the cabin plugs and I plug my portable inverter into that to convert to 110v AC so that I can plug in my laptop charger which converts the power back to DC so that I can charge my laptop. This all really makes sense?

So I hear the new Ford hybrid has a 110v receptacle. Any bright clues how to add one to a Prius?

jfschultz · 01-24-2005, 08:49 AM

Quote:

Ford has a 110v receptacle, how can we add it to a Prius?

Prius has some 500+ volts under the hood, which is converted to 12v DC for the cabin plugs and I plug my portable inverter into that to convert to 110v AC so that I can plug in my laptop charger which converts the power back to DC so that I can charge my laptop. This all really makes sense?

So I hear the new Ford hybrid has a 110v receptacle. Any bright clues how to add one to a Prius?

You might well find that the Ford hybrid simply has an inverted installed in the car. The only difference may be the power rating.

Check around you may find a solution that regulates 12 volts to what the laptop needs without the need for the inverter and charger.

BTW, my wife was looking for a way to power our laptop in the car, and my suggestion was for the inverter. The regulator cable would only work to power the laptop and was about the same price as the inverter. There are more options with the inverter.

**efusco** · 01-24-2005, 10:50 AM

Lots of aftermarket inverters are available and it would be quite easy to attach one either via a lighter outlet or directly to the 12v battery. The only thing left after that is how "OEM-like" you want to make it look.

ryogajyc · 05-23-2005, 09:57 PM

I stumbled upon this thread when investigating if anyone has tried installing the Japanese AC receptacle accessory in the Prius.

It appears to be availabe in Japan. Here is the thread where I found the link and some discussion related to it. It doesn't seem too expensive, and I really like the idea of installing a official Toyota accessory into the system (b/c Toyota has tested it and come up with a definitely kosher way of adding the receptacle). I'm a bit concerned about the possible AC standard differences (they use 50Hz in either east or west Japan, and 60Hz in the other half) as well as attempting to install a modification that has Japanese instructions. There are a one or two people on this board who have been nice enough to translate Japanese instructions into English, so that's probably not too big of an issue, tho'.

Hope that helps; I'd be most interested if you or anyone pursue this further!

BobA · 07-27-2005, 08:22 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(efusco\";p=\"65938)</div>

Quote:

Lots of aftermarket inverters are available and it would be quite easy to attach one either via a lighter outlet or directly to the 12v battery. The only thing left after that is how \"OEM-like\" you want to make it look.[/b]

has anyone tried this?

I'd like to use my laptop in my car...

Bob Andersen

ryogajyc · 07-28-2005, 04:58 AM

I've used an AC inverter in my car before with a laptop and otherwise. They are pretty commonplace and you can just buy one at your nearest electronics store. If you only want to use a laptop, you may want to consider a DC adapter for your laptop, which is probably more efficient and less bulky. An AC inverter basically has a three-prong socket which gives you the flexibility to plug any AC powered device in it (assuming your device does not draw more power than your AC inverter can supply).

popoff · 07-28-2005, 08:35 AM

I've used an inverter in my cars ( not prius yet) with no problems.

One caution. Inverters usually have a larger number (ie 200 watts) in big print on the box and a smaller wattage number in fine print. The larger number is a maximum figure while the smaller number is the continuous wattage rating. Be sure the smaller number exceeds the needs of your accessory.

tomdeimos · 07-28-2005, 08:48 AM

I used a 1 KW Inverter to power my refrigerator during a power outage for a day.
Worked great. I just clip the leads to the battery. Draw would be around 30 amperes.

Got a 2 kw one but will not hook that up till I get my larger battery installed.
Plan to limit that one to 70 amps, but need the extra for some motor starting surges.

Just remember to keep alll car loads like fans and headlights turned off.

DanMan32 · 08-01-2005, 02:32 PM

1KW = 1000 watts = 1000 VA (sort of). So if you are inverting from 12V, 1000W/12V = 83A, and that's assuming no losses. That's a bit more than nominal output of the DC-DC converter.

Now if you connect an inverter directly to the HV battery (not recommended) then you can get more power.

I have been using a 75W inverter to run my laptop and charge my electric razor.

George Roberts · 08-03-2005, 02:59 AM

Did you hear about the modification kit from a San Francisco area firm ( about $ 3k )which includes an extra battery nd a 110volt AC charger-electronics package and gives a 50 mile cruising radius without running the engine. I heard that Toyota cancelled all warranties.
I also understand that there is actually space provision in hte latest Prius for an extra or larger battery. Any comments ?

For laptop use just buy a DC-to-DC car power supply from RadioShack or ? Cost about $ 50. Works like a charm.

01-24-2005, 03:07 AM	#1
Scott7669 Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 1 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	110v Receptacle Ford has a 110v receptacle, how can we add it to a Prius? Prius has some 500+ volts under the hood, which is converted to 12v DC for the cabin plugs and I plug my portable inverter into that to convert to 110v AC so that I can plug in my laptop charger which converts the power back to DC so that I can charge my laptop. This all really makes sense? So I hear the new Ford hybrid has a 110v receptacle. Any bright clues how to add one to a Prius?

05-23-2005, 09:57 PM	#4
ryogajyc Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Reseda, CA Posts: 250 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: 110v Receptacle I stumbled upon this thread when investigating if anyone has tried installing the Japanese AC receptacle accessory in the Prius. It appears to be availabe in Japan. Here is the thread where I found the link and some discussion related to it. It doesn't seem too expensive, and I really like the idea of installing a official Toyota accessory into the system (b/c Toyota has tested it and come up with a definitely kosher way of adding the receptacle). I'm a bit concerned about the possible AC standard differences (they use 50Hz in either east or west Japan, and 60Hz in the other half) as well as attempting to install a modification that has Japanese instructions. There are a one or two people on this board who have been nice enough to translate Japanese instructions into English, so that's probably not too big of an issue, tho'. Hope that helps; I'd be most interested if you or anyone pursue this further! __________________ Joe 2004 Tideland Pearl BC Goodyear Assurance TripleTreds (195/60-15) \| Molded Splashguards \| EV Button (OEM) \| Huper Optik Ceramic 50/60 \| BT Tech Stiffening Plate

07-28-2005, 04:58 AM	#6
ryogajyc Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Reseda, CA Posts: 250 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: 110v Receptacle I've used an AC inverter in my car before with a laptop and otherwise. They are pretty commonplace and you can just buy one at your nearest electronics store. If you only want to use a laptop, you may want to consider a DC adapter for your laptop, which is probably more efficient and less bulky. An AC inverter basically has a three-prong socket which gives you the flexibility to plug any AC powered device in it (assuming your device does not draw more power than your AC inverter can supply).

07-28-2005, 08:48 AM	#8
tomdeimos Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Lexington, MA Posts: 995 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: 110v Receptacle I used a 1 KW Inverter to power my refrigerator during a power outage for a day. Worked great. I just clip the leads to the battery. Draw would be around 30 amperes. Got a 2 kw one but will not hook that up till I get my larger battery installed. Plan to limit that one to 70 amps, but need the extra for some motor starting surges. Just remember to keep alll car loads like fans and headlights turned off.

08-03-2005, 02:59 AM	#10
George Roberts Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 3 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Re: 110v Receptacle Did you hear about the modification kit from a San Francisco area firm ( about $ 3k )which includes an extra battery nd a 110volt AC charger-electronics package and gives a 50 mile cruising radius without running the engine. I heard that Toyota cancelled all warranties. I also understand that there is actually space provision in hte latest Prius for an extra or larger battery. Any comments ? For laptop use just buy a DC-to-DC car power supply from RadioShack or ? Cost about $ 50. Works like a charm.

01-24-2005, 10:50 AM	#3
efusco Troll Slayer Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Nixa, MO Posts: 12,682 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #9 Nominated 1 Time in 1 Post TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 20	Lots of aftermarket inverters are available and it would be quite easy to attach one either via a lighter outlet or directly to the 12v battery. The only thing left after that is how "OEM-like" you want to make it look.

07-28-2005, 08:35 AM	#7
popoff Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: western NC mountains Posts: 560 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I've used an inverter in my cars ( not prius yet) with no problems. One caution. Inverters usually have a larger number (ie 200 watts) in big print on the box and a smaller wattage number in fine print. The larger number is a maximum figure while the smaller number is the continuous wattage rating. Be sure the smaller number exceeds the needs of your accessory.

08-01-2005, 02:32 PM	#9
DanMan32 Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Tampa Bay, FL Posts: 3,775 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	1KW = 1000 watts = 1000 VA (sort of). So if you are inverting from 12V, 1000W/12V = 83A, and that's assuming no losses. That's a bit more than nominal output of the DC-DC converter. Now if you connect an inverter directly to the HV battery (not recommended) then you can get more power. I have been using a 75W inverter to run my laptop and charge my electric razor.