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How much power can I plug into lighter socket?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by mediahound, Feb 29, 2016.

  1. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    I have something that takes 120w that I want to plug in. I also have an inverter with a lighter plug.

    My Prius lighter sockets are 10A. According to my calculations, 120 at 12V = 10A?

    Will this work or am I cutting it too close and blow a fuse?
     
    #1 mediahound, Feb 29, 2016
  2. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Check out below and comments.
    Basically sounds like at the 120W level you should be OK with lighter socket attachment but you need to make sure wires up to the power level.
     
    #2 wjtracy, Feb 29, 2016
  3. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    I don't understand " need to make sure wires up to the power level."

    Please explain.
     
    #3 mediahound, Feb 29, 2016
    Last edited: Feb 29, 2016
  4. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    If the device needs 120 watts at 120VAC, then the inverter will be drawing significantly more than 120 watts DC from the socket because it is not 100% efficient. So you may have problems.
     
    #4 fuzzy1, Feb 29, 2016
    CR94 likes this.
  5. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    This is what I'm asking. Is it best not to even try it?
     
    #5 mediahound, Feb 29, 2016
  6. CR94

    CR94 Senior Member

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    Yes. Based on the numbers given, the fuse is likely to open, although perhaps not immediately.
     
    #6 CR94, Feb 29, 2016
  7. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Sorry to confuse. Believe your amps calc is correct. From what I can see, for most cars, about 120W load is about the max from the lighter socket and above that you want to connect the lead wires directly to the 12v battery. I do not know if Prius lighter sockets are lower fuse rating than typical other cars.
     
    #7 wjtracy, Feb 29, 2016
  8. mediahound

    mediahound Active Member

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    Thanks for the info all. I guess I won't risk it.
     
    #8 mediahound, Mar 1, 2016
  9. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    It is still possible that the device may work, but we simply don't have enough detail about what it is or how it is used. At 120W label rating, you are in the gray area where 'it depends'.
     
    #9 fuzzy1, Mar 1, 2016
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