AC Power Plug Wattage - Who has had problems going over?

[westwind77]

We are heading on a longer drive shortly and we need to run the AC outlet for two laptops. The manual has always said it is capped at 100w when driving and 400w when parked.

I bought a small surge protector and have that plugged into the center console with the strip in the back seat.

One laptop power adapter says it is 65w the other says 45w, of course that adds up to 110w, just over the 100w max.

I'm not certain in the adapter wattages are the max it can pull and it pulls less normally or not.

This is not something I plan to do but maybe 1 or 2 other times so it is not worth it for me to install a higher capacity unit which I have seen other do on here a while back when I was here more frequently.

I read that some kind of noise/alarm will sound if it goes too long over the wattage and it indicates you have to stop the vehicle and do a few things to get it back on again, is that accurate?

Thanks!

 

[westwind77]

In case it matters I'm running an Exide Edge AGM - Group 24 - CCA: 710 - RC MIN: 120

 

[westwind77]

I'll keep talking to myself I guess, ha!

So....I went down to the 4R a few moments ago to move it and played with the AC power switch (I normally use it for my phone but never pay attention to the lights)

My switch operations OPPOSITE of what my manual indicates.

When in P or N when you activate the AC switch BOTH 100 & 400 are illuminated.

As soon as I shift into D or R the 400 remains illuminated and the 100 light goes out.

The manual says it is the other way around, that the 100 will remain illuminated and the 400 light will go out.

Can someone else verify what their 4R does with this?

Was their an error with the manual or is there something backwards with the wiring in mine? It was one of the first few hundred 5th Gen's off the assembly line so who knows.

 

[BobsTrail]

When I went over 100w with engine running it just shut off. Maybe use one charger on 12v and the other on the 120vV AC outlet if it shuts off.

Never checked the lights, they are difficult to see when driving but I have used it for a 250watt load with no problem with engine running and in park so I think it all works. Forget the lights, hit the switch and see what works.

 

[westwind77]

I just had one of those 'kill-a-watt' meters/plugs delivered. The one laptop with a 65w power supply never pulled more than 43w when under a load, the other laptop's supply is rated at 45w but I could not get to pull more than 25w.

If that is indeed the case I would be well below the 100w max with both of those plugged in.

I'm still curious to see what other 4R lights show when in P vs D.

Only way to tell is to try it, like said above, I guess!