Always-on power

[Cezar]

Toyota 4Runner Constant Full Time 12V Power Outlet Mod

Is this mod legit? I have a fridge on the way and I want the rear outlet to be on constantly. It looks sensible but a sanity check would be appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[JONBOY345]

Yes.

 

[FrothyLlama]

How do you plan on not letting the battery die? I'm genuinely curious.

Sent from my Pixel 3a using Tapatalk

 

[randy88fj62]

Some high end fridges have voltage cut offs if they drain the battery too much. Others use a secondary battery that can be drained.

 

[Cezar]

Yes.

Cool. I will try it this afternoon and report back.

 

[Cezar]

Some high end fridges have voltage cut offs if they drain the battery too much. Others use a secondary battery that can be drained.

I ran the numbers on the back of a napkin and I should be able to go 2-3 days before it becomes an issue. Indefinitely if you run the car a few minutes each day. I have a deep cycle battery so I should be alright for my needs.

Anyway, I can report back that the mod does in fact work.

 

[Cezar]

Circling back on this. The fridge doesn't want to pull enough amps from the rear socket, and I despise cigarette lighter sockets anyway.

I want to build a custom socket for the fridge and rework the 12V cable it comes with to use a matching male end.

What connectors should I use that will work well long term and will have a nice flanged outlet plate? First thing I thought of was Weather Pack but they don't seem to do terminals just bare connections and I really want a outlet socket plate.

 

[JD914]

Yeah, the 4Runner isn’t equipped with wiring heavy enough to properly power a fridge. A lot of people (myself included) ran a heavy gauge wire straight from the battery to a fuse box in the rear to power a fridge, among other things.
From there, you can replace the cigarette lighter plug with an Anderson plug for a quick disconnect.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[shine]

I use this kit for my fridge. Enough of a catch that the plug stays plugged in while also compatible with other cigarette plug based accessories.

12 Volt Plug with Dash Socket - Blue Sea Systems

 

[Cezar]

I use this kit for my fridge. Enough of a catch that the plug stays plugged in while also compatible with other cigarette plug based accessories.

12 Volt Plug with Dash Socket - Blue Sea Systems

Twist-lock, perfect. Thanks!

 

[DMX512]

These guys have some nice panel mount stuff you could use to replace the cig lighter. You will still probably need to go to a larger wire gauge.

Panel Mounts | Powerwerx

 

[Cezar]

These guys have some nice panel mount stuff you could use to replace the cig lighter. You will still probably need to go to a larger wire gauge.

Panel Mounts | Powerwerx

I'm not interested in replacing a shitty cigarette lighter plug with another shitty cigarette lighter plug. The twist-lock stuff is clearly going to be better than that junk which has all the hallmarks of Chinese shovelware.

I will be running new wire, probably 8 gauge.

 

[DMX512]

I'm not interested in replacing a shitty cigarette lighter plug with another shitty cigarette lighter plug. The twist-lock stuff is clearly going to be better than that junk which has all the hallmarks of Chinese shovelware.

I will be running new wire, probably 8 gauge.

Cezar
You did not see the Power Pole connectors, or investigate the website.
Research Anderson Power Pole connectors and then return to the above website.
Have a nice day.

 

[4RunnerAquasport]

Cezar
You did not see the Power Pole connectors, or investigate the website.
Research Anderson Power Pole connectors and then return to the above website.
Have a nice day.

Yes, Powerwerx sells quality stuff, including the Blue Sea brand. I have power pole connectors for my solar panel connections and several Blue Sea products (circuit breaker, ML-ACR, distro block, and a cigarette power port) through out my truck.

 

[Cezar]

Cezar
You did not see the Power Pole connectors, or investigate the website.
Research Anderson Power Pole connectors and then return to the above website.
Have a nice day.

Ok on your post I went and looked. I have to buy a male connector, female connector, socket, plate housing, and crimper and they are all very pricey. Why is this better? It doesn't look better.

 

[Cezar]

I use this kit for my fridge. Enough of a catch that the plug stays plugged in while also compatible with other cigarette plug based accessories.

12 Volt Plug with Dash Socket - Blue Sea Systems

Got this in. It's not twist lock.

It seems like it will work well enough to not bother sending it back, but it simply isn't twist-lock. I mean, it's labeled as such, it just isn't in practice.

Oh well, it's at least better than a typical cigarette lighter outlet.

 

[AuSeeker]

Got this in. It's not twist lock.

It seems like it will work well enough to not bother sending it back, but it simply isn't twist-lock. I mean, it's labeled as such, it just isn't in practice.

Oh well, it's at least better than a typical cigarette lighter outlet.

The photo on the website clearly show it as a twist lock, it appears the arrows need to be aligned for it to be able to twist and lock, are you sure you have the plug aligned with the arrows properly...or maybe they sent the wrong part, does the socket have arrows on it???

 

[Cezar]

Nah that twist lock is malarkey. It definitely holds better than a normal cigarette lighter plug but it's more like twist-unlock than twist lock. I sat with it in my hands several minutes messing around with it and it doesn't appear to have the mechanism for a true twist lock like you would see in a industrial socket.

Oh well.

I got it mounted:

And ran an 8ga wire from it to the front of the car.

So I can avoid running it all the way to the battery, where under the dash can I tap 12V+?

 

[FjHugo]

So you ended up replacing a shitty Chinese plug with another shitty but expensive and not Chinese plug just to realize that your going to go to the Anderson power poles anyway witch was the first suggestion? You could also look into xt60 or xt90 connectors, There are TONS of dc power connectors better then power poles once you start looking.

Jeff

 

[Bumbo]

So you ended up replacing a shitty Chinese plug with another shitty but expensive and not Chinese plug just to realize that your going to go to the Anderson power poles anyway witch was the first suggestion? You could also look into xt60 or xt90 connectors, There are TONS of dc power connectors better then power poles once you start looking.

Jeff

+1 on the Anderson. The panel mount connector would have been ideal here... I use them in a lot of places and it's far better than any cig plug.

You are right, lots to choose from out there. I keep a pretty big stock depending on what my needs are. This isn't even all of them, just my last family photo.

I have since introduced Delphi Weatherpack 280, Deutsch DT, and Deutsch Autosport for my high end builds...