Power outlets in the Prius

Editorial: "addicted to devices" right?

And "two kids"? Just being picky.

Was at a bday party the other day, and ALL the kids were huddled on the couch avec devices..., a little dismaying.

 

Something like this perhaps.

Or

 

silly question; and.... do you MUST have all of the devices connected at the same time?

 

Amazon.com: Car Charger - Untamable 4 Port USB Car Cigarette Lighter Charger, Vano® - Charge 4 Devices at Once at Full Speed - For Car, RV + Truck - DC Input 12-24V/DC output: 5V/6.8A - Cell Phone Tablet Adapter: Cell Phones & Accessories

http://www.amazon.com/Featuring-Intelligent-Charging-Independent-Indicator/dp/B00LMACBHW/ref=pd_sim_sbs_107_10?ie=UTF8&refRID=0MENKZB1GHD0ERYHDRA5

 

Did you see my response above this post you posted?

See post number 3 in your thread..

 

Perhaps an aux power distribution thingy?

-Chap

 

I've never given much thought to how the power outlets in a vehicle work, so forgive me if this is a stupid question, but don't power outlets run off the electrical system, so isn't the limiting factor how much power it puts out (given the 10 amp fuse in the circuit) vs how big the 12v battery is, unless you're on ACC of course? And since the outlets are not active when the power is off, the 12v shouldn't be affected, should it?

 

For additional power the 12V battery under the hatch floor, right rear is very accessible. DO use an "inline" fuse if connecting to it. As close to the battery as possible. I run my Amateur radio this way. Also be aware, if connecting this way, the load will be there after you power the car off. So good if charging a cellphone, bad if they leave lots of things on. Be aware, your 12V battery is about 38 A-Hr, so even a 1 Amp load overnight should not discharge it too much. But as always, YMMV.

 

The world's in a concerning state of flux, the amount of time and attention kids direct to these portable electronics. Doubly troubling where it's going. Or maybe not; it'll level off? I hope so.

I remember when we just had the two pre-schoolers, early '80's. Our first car, didn't even have a radio. One day going on a drive, our kids brought along a small portable radio. Tuned in an oldies station. We drove sedately outa the apartment complex, with the famous stripper theme song grinding away.

 

Someday soon one of those crumb-snatchers is going to leave a gizzywhopper plugged in and drain your aux battery.

Look into one of these:

Throw it in the back with the kids and you have power for two of their devices AND the perfect way to bootstrap a Prius with a dead Aux battery.

Good Luck!

 

No, I don't think so, but the way you phrased it made me question my understanding.

And now I have another question. Doesn't the Prius shut down the ACC after a certain period of time to avoid draining the battery? I suspect that would disable anything plugged into the power outlets.

I second the Power All suggestion. I used it at weekend ball games the last 2 weekends to keep our phones charged so we could text what was happening to our daughter and friends. It hadn't been charged since I bought it last August, but it kept 2 phones charged for 4 games over 3 days one weekend and another for 2 games the other weekend. I recharged it last night, so we're ready for the trip home next month. I paid $100, so I think it's a bargain at $80.

 

I thought it went off when you shut off the car. It does on my car (outlets go dead). I used to have a relay powered by the outlet power (tapped under the console to the wire that supplies the cig/acc outlet). The relay switched the direct battery feed on and off. I could then leave my Amateur radio on and it would go on and off automatically with the car. In acc mode they are on of course. For other reasons I now operate the Amateur radio directly from the battery without the relay and have programmed it for "auto off" after 30 min.

I purchased the "Micro-Start XP-10" by "Antigravity Batteries". It's an 18 A-Hr lithium battery, able to start large vehicle engines, supply laptop power, and supply aux. 12V power. I use it often for remote location radio operation (Amateur). Small, light, and powerful. It's twice as expensive as the one mentioned above though.

 

If this was a regular car, I'd get a 12v/120v DC/AC inverter and hard wire it to the battery on a fused link...maybe use a relay to turn it off when the car's not set to "ON." More juice than you'll need to charge all of your devices.

Not sure if it would be safe to do with the Prius' smaller 12v battery. Someone with more electrical know-how would have to chime in.