Inverter ( 12 VDC / 120 VAC) install on the Gen III

I don't know if anyone has done this on a Gen 3 yet, but I would think it would be the same as a Gen 2. I plan on doing it since Toyota didn't bother to provide one. You can search the Gen 2 forums for more, but here is one thread:

http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-ii-...ets-xantrex-1200-watt-inverter-installed.html

Some have even used the Prius as an home emergency generator/UPS:

PriUPS-getting electricity FROM your hybrid vehicle

Good luck!

 

I just finished installing a wiring harness for one. I'm going to put together a system with its own battery to also make it portable.

 

i have an inverter. i use it all the time. be careful with computers and modified sine wave inverters... i've burnt up a few laptops while being plugged into them. you may not be able to power a laptop and feed audio back into the car stereo, as there may be too much electrical static.

the 12v line is easiest to reach in the back of the car.. where the battery is. I took out my tray and put a deep cycle battery on top of the spare. i Could still put the floor down but prefer not to. i also have my sub back there. my amp is attached to the sub. my inverter is also attached to the sub. i carry around 400ft of extension cord... in part due to construction uses.. and in part, the utility of parking my car and being able to run power wherever i want.

 

If I understand the photos, it looks like you are planning on mounting the inverter in the cargo area. Are you just going to access the AC outlet(s) from there? Or is there another reason (e.g. air flow) why you decided not to mount the inverter under the carpet?

Thanks.

 

I've only connected a wiring harness to the 12V system so far. The panel to the tail lights made a nice place to have the connector poke out. I made it a point to not make any permanent modifications to the car. I haven't done any cutting or drilling.

When I'm done, I'm going to have a portable box with the inverter and its own battery. If I want to use it in the car, I'll toss it in the back and plug it into the harness I installed. If I want to bring power somewhere, I can unplug it and bring it wherever I want.

 

Just get a 200w inverter and plug it into the power outlet under the center arm rest. It has plenty of power for a laptop and a couple of small chargers

 

Thats a nice way to route the Anderson connector! Here's a question:
since they've done away with that big klunky red plastic block on
top of the battery in the 2010, as opposed to what we have in the
second-gen, where's the main 12V fusible-link block located now?
I notice they've upgraded it to 140A, too...
.
_H*

 

in my first picture, there's a clear plastic window labeled 140A. That's the link. However, I added my own 120A fuse inline with my connector. Mine is in the blob of PVC tape that you can see in a couple of the pictures.

 

Sorry I missed this thread. I just posted about this install. I did it a while back actually, but never got around to posting a picture. See my thread about it. It was a very clean install.

 

Would you be able to post a link to your thread?

 

I've had one for 4+ years powering laptops for movie watching (my son in the back not me) on long trips and it has worked out great even on my older P4 powerd laptop with a 92w supply

 

Ah, okay, now I see the fuse. They made the whole + terminal
lashup much more compact, that's good... however, in wandering
through some documentation this morning I also noticed that the
5A sense-line fuse is up in the engine-room relay block instead
of in the back.
.
Tnx
.
_H*

 

Here's hawkmoon77's [clean] install thread:
http://priuschat.com/forums/gen-iii-2010-prius-accessories-modifications/68574-120-volt-outlet.html

 

hawkmoon,

how did you attach the inverter components to the prius plastic cover plate? i don't see any screws, how does it stay attached when you push on the plug?

 

Is the 140amp fusible link something standard you can pick up at Autozone or Pep Boys or do you have to get it from a dealer? also are they easy to replace?
Thanks in advance for your help.

 

I'm thinking about adding such an inverter in the hatch, connected to the car 12V battery.

From readings in Gen II forums, I understand that:

1. The 120V inverter maximum power should be limited by the power of the DC/DC converter in the car's inverter: anyone can confirm what it is in a Gen III? Also, what is the corresponding fuse amperage used in the car main fuse box? My understanding is that one would want to avoid having peak power demand over the fuse limit for a time too short for it to blow but long enough to push the DC/DC converter over its own limit... (could damage it or slowly shorten its life expectancy)
   (Is this the fuse at the car battery rated at 140A?)
2. In regard to the previous question, what should be the correct fuse/breaker to add between the car battery and the 120V inverter? Is there a specific quality that should be bought to ensure it would blow quickly enough to prevent any damage to the DC/DC converter (that the car fuse would not protect)? Can we trust the integral fuse/breaker that many 120V inverter have?
3. And coming to the main question: what should be the max 120V inverter power to be used? What should its peak power be and how much can we trust the manufacturer spec on this?

That said, if anyone has a particular recommendation for a specific product (power conversion efficiency varies a lot between products)... feel free to share!