400W All The Time Mod - Research

You are correct, it didn't work in eco mode either.
Just wasn't made to run from the truck.

 

I have the solution... (not actually practical or really applicable to your situation here )

Wired this bad boy straight to my battery and have an outlet wired to the back of my center console.


Now I'll quit derailing y'alls thread.

 

So I got the harness in today and a did basic test and it looks like works. I tested with 150w draw and it did not shut off when shifting into drive (which from what I understand, it will do). It it is a very easy install and besides attaching the ground, no tools are needed. I will do more testing and a full write-up tomorrow.

 

That's awesome! just ordered one.

 

Sounds promising, I'll wait for a little more testing.

 

So I did a bit more testing today and it works without any issues. I connected two 150 watt ceramic heating bulbs to the outlet and tested them without the modified harness and verified that the inverter shut off when putting the truck in drive. I then connected the modified harness and verified the inverter did not shut off when putting the truck in drive.

Installing is very simple. The back cup holder pulls straight up and off. I did not need to pry with anything, just grabbed on both sides and pulled up. Then the back part of the console pulls out towards the back seat. Again, I did not need to pry it. My truck has a 110v outlet and two USB ports on that price, so there is wiring connected to it. It did not require disconnecting these. For more information see @Buellride excellent post here:

https://www.tundras.com/threads/rear-charging-and-connectivity-for-passengers.104747/#post-2779061

But just the first three photos. Only the back part of the console is required to be removed.

Now there is access to the inverter.

I unplugged the right connection, plugged that connection into the harness and plugged the other end of the harness into the inverter.


There is a ground (red wire with a loop connector) that must be connected. In the first picture you can see a 10mm bolt securing the inverter bracket and hiding under the wrapped wires. That is where I connected the ground. There is also a connector with a blue and a white wire that I think is for connecting another outlet. I taped it to the brown connector of the harness to keep it from fumbling around and possibly shorting:



Putting back together was a breeze.

Let me know if you have any questions.

Disclaimer:

I am not an electrician nor a mechanic so if you us this information for any reason, you do so at your own risk.

Edit
Attached wrong photo.

 

@xeuxaz @WoodyOne Did that plug & play part come in packaging with a manufacturer name or part #?
I’m in Canada & that retailer link provided here is gonna charge $61 shipping to Ontario! I’m trying to find a retailer north of the border for it, Tks.

 

@WoodyOne did you drive off or just shift into gear? Notice any change in the voltmeter on the dash?

 

It did not have a part number. I did find a similar one here:

https://guildoutfitters.com/product...ss-by-redside-electric?variant=41352702165146

It looks like the shipping may be a similar price due to customs.

 

Did not drive off and also did not notice a change in the voltmeter. I will check today though.

 

Dude you’re a legend!!!

 

Ordered a kit from KTJO. Daughter likes having a small heating pad on her lap on long trips and wife is usually on her laptop too...this is exactly what I need to not have to go the custom inverter route.

 

for the laptop application, this is what I use. works great if you have a newer laptop with USB-C charging.

$40 UGREEN 130W USB C Car Charger, PD 100W +PD 30W Type C Car Charger Adapter, Fast Charging Car Charger Compatible with iPhone 15 15 Plus 15 Pro 15 Pro Max, Galaxy S24 S23 Ultra, iPad, MacBook, and More

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B3CSLPZ...6&sr=1-1-9e67e56a-6f64-441f-a281-df67fc737124

 

any other brave souls tried this mod yet? any issues.

when the inverter is turned on, and if the engine automatically turns off at the stop light, does the amp draw cause any issues on the restart?

 

It works..but if the engine shuts off..the power will also shut off..you'll have to turn off that feature of u want it to stay on..

 

I installed the guild outfitters one. Seems to work fine in brief testing. Haven't done a longer test while driving, but shifting to drive didn't drop the output.

 

Drove for 6 hrs with it on...powered a dometic 75 and a noco 10 charger with no issues

 

Does this also effect the 120V power port in the Bed? Or is there another Inverter mounted in the /bed, that could possible use this Mod?

 

Both, inside and bed

 

Amps multiplied by Volts equals Watts

It's pulling 45 watts at 12V (12*3.75=45)
At 120V and 3.75 amps, you are pulling 450 watts.

400 watts divided by 120 volts is only 3.33 amps. Think of it as 4 100w incandescent light bulbs, it's not much.
100 watts divided by 120 volts is only 0.83 amps. A single 100w bulb.

Someone above mentioned running a compressor, I can't imagine many compressors run under 10 amps.
I would also check the amps on the heating blanket. My laptop charger on a new HP is 2.3 amps.

 

So the obvious question which no one has addressed.
They are OK with plugging in some stuff while driving not not too much stuff. There doesn't seem to be a safety reason as they outlet is live while driving. And it's not a new addition, it's been in vehicles for years, they could have made 400W possible for drives, but they haven't.

So why doesn't Toyota want us pulling 400watts while in drive ?
I've scoured the internet and can't find anything.

 

Thanks for the props!

 

Just a guess but I'm going with alternator limitations... 400watts is 33.33 amps at at 12V... that is not insignificant while also running all the trucks systems, charging the starting battery and up to 40 amps out to a trailer.

 

That's one reason why I haven't done the "conversion" to full-time 400w. I'm sure there's some allowance for variances in the load the alternator can maintain, but I haven't the slightest clue as to the range of those variances.

It's probably not a problem, but I'm not going to gamble on that quite yet. There is so much electrical crap, in addition to the start/stop system, that there must be a good reason it's limited to 100w while in drive. Maybe not a "good" reason, but there's a reason.

 

Same reason you can’t remote start the tundra and open the door without it turning off the vehicle. “Because”. They didn’t put that much effort into it.

 

That one to me makes sense as it's clearly relates to security. And I know people hate it but in city traffic it's turning on and off often, what is one extra time.

I don't really like it either but I understand it. They want the truck to go thru the normal security protocol before it drives.

 

In a GM, or ford, or Honda, or etc , You can’t take drive away without pressing brake and hitting start, with the fob in proximity. Otherwise engine stops. Toyota hasn’t figured that out yet I guess

 

does anyone know the stock a/c inverter outputs pure sinewave or modified sinewave?

 

Modified.

 

I decided to go this route as well, as it seems the Taco & Tundra inverter is the same. I just ordered it today so hopefully this weekend if weather is good I can install it. As a Canuck at least I could pick a shipping method to deal with stupid brokerage fees.

The other harness, KTJO link no longer works it seems. Website search didn't reveal the harness for me either.