[mfjohnson]

Ever since the new hybrid came out I have been very interested. I have a couple questions that I cannot seem to find the answer to. First, is the electricity in the "big" battery (not the little 12 volt battery) available for other uses, and not just to simple move the car? I was wondering if there is an outlet to plug small electronics that uses this electricity. My wife and I, with our dogs enjoy camping on local state forest lands. No local amenities or anything. Now that we have an infant son, we could definitely use this feature, if available (A/C or heat at night if needed, or plug-in lighting if propane is low, etc). Second, has anyone put BFG All-Terrains on? Thanks for the help.

Mike

 

[Asymptope]

Ever since the new hybrid came out I have been very interested. I have a couple questions that I cannot seem to find the answer to. First, is the electricity in the "big" battery (not the little 12 volt battery) available for other uses, and not just to simple move the car? I was wondering if there is an outlet to plug small electronics that uses this electricity. My wife and I, with our dogs enjoy camping on local state forest lands. No local amenities or anything. Now that we have an infant son, we could definitely use this feature, if available (A/C or heat at night if needed, or plug-in lighting if propane is low, etc). Second, has anyone put BFG All-Terrains on? Thanks for the help.

Mike

Good question. I am thinking of buying one of those electric coolers that plug into the car's power socket. My understanding it that when the engine stop, the thing must be unplugged or it will quickly drain the battery. OTOH, if it can draw some power from the electric motor batteries, that might help. And it might also mess up those batteries and cause an expensive replacement bill. That's not good.

 

[mikefocke]

2019 Hybrid Limited - Inverter for AC power overnight?

In the Pacific NW. Planning on some car-camping and would like to be able to power or recharge a few things overnight. Am well aware that running an inverter on a car that's off can quickly drain the starter battery, so looking for more details on the battery, alternator, and other portions of...

www.rav4world.com

And some trim levels have a 120 volt plug in the trunk on the right hand side. The engine must be on.

 

[rdgrimes]

Ever since the new hybrid came out I have been very interested. I have a couple questions that I cannot seem to find the answer to. First, is the electricity in the "big" battery (not the little 12 volt battery) available for other uses, and not just to simple move the car? I was wondering if there is an outlet to plug small electronics that uses this electricity. My wife and I, with our dogs enjoy camping on local state forest lands. No local amenities or anything. Now that we have an infant son, we could definitely use this feature, if available (A/C or heat at night if needed, or plug-in lighting if propane is low, etc). Second, has anyone put BFG All-Terrains on? Thanks for the help.

Mike

Already discussed in a few threads for earlier and current HV models.
Any time the system is in "Ready" mode, all power is taken from the traction battery. If you shut the system off or have it in "Acc" or "On" modes, all power is taken only from the 12v batt.
Leave the system in "Ready" mode and the ICE will only run when needed for charging or making heat.
Reading the manual is also a good start.

 

[rroland]

some Rav4 versions are different in Different locations Different conditions and Regulations apply.
I Live in Aust. and will run a fridge as you suggest. some will cutout if low voltage is detected .
Technical advice is worth the grief if you get stuck with a dead car, You can always use a backup battery that charges from the system or just have warm beer and drive to the nearest Pub.

 

[Variman]

Do a search on "Prius Camping" for lots of information about running a hybrid to provide A/C cooling and 120 AC volt electrical power.
The short answer is you can put the Rav4 hybrid in ready mode and run the A/C for days at a time on a tank of gas, and you can install up to a 1000 watt DC to AC inverter connected to the 12 volt accessory battery to make 120 volt power.

As far as using the three phase "big battery" for electrical power it can be done but its expensive and unnecessary unless you need 240 volt power and more than 1000 watts of AC power.

 

[macmac]

Its not 120v its 12v x 10Amps= 120Watts max output.

 

[macmac]

Do a search on "Prius Camping" for lots of information about running a hybrid to provide A/C cooling and 120 AC volt electrical power.
The short answer is you can put the Rav4 hybrid in ready mode and run the A/C for days at a time on a tank of gas, and you can install up to a 1000 watt DC to AC inverter connected to the 12 volt accessory battery to make 120 volt power.

As far as using the three phase "big battery" for electrical power it can be done but its expensive and unnecessary unless you need 240 volt power and more than 1000 watts of AC power.

I wouldn't connect a 1000 watt inverter directly to 12v output socket, its rated at 10 amps, could heat up wires if draw is higher than 10amps, a better option is to use external LiFePo battery as a buffer between 120v access battery, this car doesn't have alternator with a belt to recharge 120v battery, but uses an electric alternator which is 3x as expensive as belt driven one, so you would have to make sure balance between 120v and buffer battery(which can be directly connected to 120v battery +/- terminals if specs are the same, battle born makes some LiFePo 12v batteries.) I haven't checked on direct connect to Rav4Hybrid NiMe battery, will be checking internet for info on that.

 

[macmac]

I wouldn't connect a 1000 watt inverter directly to 12v output socket, its rated at 10 amps, could heat up wires if draw is higher than 10amps, a better option is to use external LiFePo battery as a buffer between 120v access battery, this car doesn't have alternator with a belt to recharge 120v battery, but uses an electric alternator which is 3x as expensive as belt driven one, so you would have to make sure balance between 120v and buffer battery(which can be directly connected to 120v battery +/- terminals if specs are the same, battle born makes some LiFePo 12v batteries.) I haven't checked on direct connect to Rav4Hybrid NiMe battery, will be checking internet for info on that.

I've seen videos how people used prius as power generator hooked into house after major hurricane and power outages

 

[Quickdtoo]

I wouldn't connect a 1000 watt inverter directly to 12v output socket, its rated at 10 amps, could heat up wires if draw is higher than 10amps...

Please read Variman's suggestion again, he didn't mention the 12V accessory socket, he referred to the 12V accessory battery.

Running an Inverter off a Prius for Backup Power |

<p>The experiences of extended power outages of up to a week due to past ice storms in New England showed that my household systems were fairly resilient. I normally use wood for heat and propane for cooking, neither requiring electricity. The town water system that supplies my household has a...

www.peakprosperity.com

 

[macmac]

Yes, Toyota battery is 12v battery lead acid at around 45Ah. Ah X Volts=watt hours. 45Ah X 12v= 540Watt hours. You can't run 12v lead acid below 50% or it degrades battery. So about 270 watt hours or 27 watts for 10hrs. Plus recharge rate on 12volt. I would still consider buffer battery between inverter and 12v Access battery, with 10 amp or less fuses on positive cable from 12v battery. Thanks for correcting. Still looking into this https://www.amazon.com/Victron-Intelligent-Battery-Combiner-Cyrix-ct/dp/B0738JGVZ9

 

[macmac]

Like this maybe

 

[Variman]

Wouldn't the high voltage battery and inverter keep the 12 volt Aux battery above 12.7 volts while the car is in ready mode, with the cavoite that the user practices good energy management?

For example, when car camping with a 12 volt to 120 volt inverter, turn off all high loads such as HVAC system when using high load 120 volt items. In addition, there is no need for headlights or defogging during car camping so extra capacity will be available. Some people even turn off the multi function displays on the dash to save power and make the vehicle darker when sleeping.

Yes, Toyota battery is 12v battery lead acid at around 45Ah. Ah X Volts=watt hours. 45Ah X 12v= 540Watt hours. You can't run 12v lead acid below 50% or it degrades battery. So about 270 watt hours or 27 watts for 10hrs. Plus recharge rate on 12volt. I would still consider buffer battery between inverter and 12v Access battery, with 10 amp or less fuses on positive cable from 12v battery. Thanks for correcting. Still looking into this https://www.amazon.com/Victron-Intelligent-Battery-Combiner-Cyrix-ct/dp/B0738JGVZ9

 

[rdgrimes]

Wouldn't the high voltage battery and inverter keep the 12 volt Aux battery above 12.7 volts while the car is in ready mode?

Yes, of course. When the system is in ready mode the 12v batt is not used, other than charging it up. Any 12v load via the 12v battery is fed directly from the hybrid system. There's a fused link in the positive cable for the 12v battery, if memory serves me right its an 80 or 100A fuse. Most folks recommend putting another fuse in the line if you tap off the 12v battery, even if the inverter has protection too. (most do) 1000W at 13v means roughly an 80A load.