AC Outlets

zopperman

zopperman

Moderator
Hey guys

I have the AC 115 option in the center console, but it rarely works with my devices. I decided I wanted to wire up an inverter somewhere else in my truck. I was thinking the trunk. I was going to get a small one, maybe a cup shaped one (Amazon.com: PowerLine PowerCup 200/400 Watt Mobile Inverter with USB Power Port 90309: MP3 Players & Accessories) and cut some paneling and make it look factory. I was going to power it from the 12 V truck DC socket or the brake lights by installing another cigarette plug and leaving the inverter plugged into it (so if i ever want to move it, I won't have any issues and I can keep the rear 12v DC free)

This is where I was thinking of putting it: See attached picture, the bright spot next to the pocket in the wheel well. Or even in the pocket. Or whatever you guys suggest.

Any ideas welcome?
 

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I have it posted right there where your light is. I used heavy duty velcro to mount it there. I'll take a photo tomorrow and upload it.

This is what I have.
images
 
Not sure how factory a fake coffee cup would look cut into the back trim there. I would get something like above and mount it where that flip up door is
 
I was just thinking of the coffee cup since I was going to cut into the paneling and try and mount it flush and the coffee cup has a flat surface. Has anyone every cut into that little flip up door? I want to know if there would be space to mount it inside there. I figure

I'm also worried about overloading the circuit. I need something strong enough to power it - I assumed the 12v Socket where you're supposed to plug it in would be OK, but I'm having second thoughts since I would be tapping into it?? any thoughts?
 
zopperman said:
I was just thinking of the coffee cup since I was going to cut into the paneling and try and mount it flush and the coffee cup has a flat surface. Has anyone every cut into that little flip up door? I want to know if there would be space to mount it inside there. I figure

I'm also worried about overloading the circuit. I need something strong enough to power it - I assumed the 12v Socket where you're supposed to plug it in would be OK, but I'm having second thoughts since I would be tapping into it?? any thoughts?
Click to expand...

I also have that AC 115V option on my limited and it doesn't always work like i'd like. I know the panel that you're talking about (on the drivers side) comes out pretty easily. just take off the bottom trip piece where your hatch is, and then remove the cargo net hooks/clips and it just pops off. beware there is a bolt/screw inside the cubby on both sides that will also have to come off.

one thing i've thought of doing is changing the actual power inverter that the car already uses. right now it's at something like 120 [?] watts /115 volts. i wanted to see if i could just change that inverter to something like a compact 1000 / 1500 watt tripp-lite inverter, and just use the stock plug. that way it would keep that oem look.

also, i think you could get away with using the existing wiring without overloading the circuit if you wired in a fuse [?] maybe, or most power inverters already (usually) have fuses built in to prevent overloads.
 
erpcayne7 said:
one thing i've thought of doing is changing the actual power inverter that the car already uses. right now it's at something like 120 [?] watts /115 volts. i wanted to see if i could just change that inverter to something like a compact 1000 / 1500 watt tripp-lite inverter, and just use the stock plug. that way it would keep that oem look.

also, i think you could get away with using the existing wiring without overloading the circuit if you wired in a fuse [?] maybe, or most power inverters already (usually) have fuses built in to prevent overloads.
Click to expand...

That would be the best option.

I have no clue how to do it.... Any ideas?
 
I thought I was crazy when I wanted to upgrade the inverter, but I had the same thought about 3 weeks ago. I tried to plug the laptop in and realized there was no ground wire hole.

I was thinking I would like to put a heavier inverter in place of the factory one and hook it up to the factory outlet but also run a wire to the rear so I could drop an outlet or two in one of the little storage spaces in the back. Just to run a compressor, vacuum or my video camera for work.

I put this on the maybe someday list but will follow this thread to see how you make out.
 
as far as ive heard, the wiring on the 12v sockets are only good up to 150w, even if the plug in inverter says 200/400w, so multiple devices at the same time may not work, thats one reason why inverters 400w & up dont come with plugs & should be installed with proper gauge wire directly to the battery, so going by that, upgrading the oem inverter to a 1000 or 1500w using the stock wiring would be a no, no. How to Install A Power Inverter
 
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Yeah you would definitely want to run the right size wire. I want to just replace the stock inverter. And Tap into it and run wire back to the cargo area and get a plug like the ones in the arm rest and wire it up right next to the 12v outlet and wa-la. Factory looking 120ac plug. Just if I could find that factory inverter
 
Not quite sure what you mean... why would you be running or tapping anything to the cargo area if youre using the factory inverter...?
 
I would be replacing the factory inverter (if you can do that, still trying to find it) and just leave the current plug wired to the new inverter and runnin wires for another plug to the back from the transformer to the plug. Not tapping into anything in the back just into the secondary of the inverter
 
Ah okay that makes sense. That would be what I want to do too, best case scenario, minus the extra plug. ANy luck searching for the factory inverter??
 
No not yet I haven't traced any wires yet but can't find it on here. I'm gonna do more digging when I have a actual computer instead of little phone screen
 
i think the stock inverter is located very near the plug in the center console. if you lift up the panel around the shift knob (i think!) it's somewhere around there. as for what zopperman said, he's right. if one was to replace the stock inverter, then the oem wiring would have to go. personally - i would replace it with 4 AWG wire. it's about .95 / foot online @ amazon.
 
Right. I would replace the wire too all around. And what gen 4Runner are y'all talking about? I have a 4th gen
 
Not sure if the 5th gen has this box on the side but it would be a good location. I run high output inverter to run a mini coffee pot when camping :becky: but I have to hook it directly to the battery. The stock inverter between the seats is perfect for a lap top/cellphone/ medium low draw kind of devise. Did I miss what the OP was planning on running?
i-LC3zvXh-L.jpg

Oh yea, the light in the pix is from a switch I added so I would not need the key to power the rear plug. Added as a mod of frustration - 3 different times I left the key after using the rear plug and killed the battery.
 
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