Why put 110 Volts in a truck?

jtsailjt · #1 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 11:00 AM

Ever since I took delivery of my '07 Sport, I've wondered why on earth they went to the trouble of including an AC power outlet in the trucks bed. I'd pretty much settled on it just being a gimmick I would never really need or use as the most likely explanation. Until last night around 7. That was when the beginning of my nieces wedding reception happened to coincide with the arrival of the worst line of thundertorms we've seen around here all summer, bad enough to knock out electric power for this area. Since we were still just enjoying the appetizers and the bride and groom hadn't even arrived yet, I wasn't too concerned. After all, power outages usually only last a few minutes before the lights blink back on. But then the power didn't come back on and the leader of the 5 piece jazz band said that they couldn't perform without electric power for the electronic keyboard and his microphone. The hall was simply too large and the piano too important a part of their act to do without electricity.

My niece and her new husband finally arrived at the hall and the power still wasn't back on and it was quickly getting dark. Things weren't looking good for the reception going as planned. Then the groom, whom I had recently shown my new pickup, asked if they might use that power outlet to power the bands piano and amp. I wasn't sure about how much power the band needed compared with what the Taco could put out but said we could give it a try and drove the pickup around back in a steady downpour. We fed an extension cord in through a slightly opened window near where the band was and it worked perfectly. The band had the power they needed to perform, and the many candles that were by now burning inside provided enough light to eat and dance and socialize by.

The electrical power didn't ever come back on until after the reception had ended, but it was the most romantic and beautiful wedding reception I've ever been to and it just wouldn't have been possible without the little source of power parked outside. Everyone there, especially the bride and groom, was so grateful for my Taco and the "gimmick" in the trucks bed! My niece and her new husband can't afford a Taco for themselves yet, but if I ever decide to sell mine, the groom already told me it'll have to be to them so they can own the truck that saved their wedding reception!

stevegillings · #2 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 01:05 PM

Good story! Enjoyed reading it!

I use the outlet all the time when we go camping. To me, it's one of the more useful extras that came with the truck. I use it to recharge the trailers battery, an electric pump, my wife's hair dryer ....

spunrdneck · #3 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 03:08 PM

MARGARITAS! nothing cooler than to be the guy whippin' up the ice cold drinks while campin' at the lake!!

you will find many cool uses for it, trust me! i just wish it worked while the truck is off.

this_is_nascar · #4 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 06:13 PM

Great story. That plug was just one of the many features that really caused me to make my Taco purchase. It's a great idea and very useful. I like the MODS I've seen where some have added outlets to the interior off the console.

briq4 · #5 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 09:54 PM

Another great use is rather than be in a garage I took the truck to a park and parked under some trees to wax it, works great to power the buffer...

Snakeii · #6 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 10:25 PM

Great story

I only wished it was upwards to 800-1000 watts rather then just 400.

stevegillings · #7 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 10:46 PM

Quote:

I only wished it was upwards to 800-1000 watts rather then just 400.

That would be one of my wishes, too! Sometime in spring we had a 5 day power outage, and I started to get worried about the small freezer in the garage which was full of deer meat. It is rated at 450W max, and I thought that the outlet might have that much margin. Started the engine, plugged in the freezer and that was it. The overload protection shut down the outlet. Nothing broke (it still worked fine after turning the truck off and back on), but I had to borrow my neighbors generator to get everything solidly frozen again. 800W would be nice for a case like that ....

Also, I wish we could use it with the engine off.

- Steve.

this_is_nascar · #8 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 11:00 PM

In all honesty, Toyota did the right thing by requiring the truck to be running to use this. For anyone familiar with camping and more importanly dry-camping, they'd understand how an inverter + standing battery not being charged = A DEAD BATTERY IN NO TIME AT ALL. It doesn't take much to drain it either. By Toyota making it that the truck has to be running, the alternator is compensating for the drain from the inverter.

stevegillings · #9 (**permalink**) 08-04-2007, 11:12 PM

nascar, I know, you have a point, but for some small loads it would still be nice. Something that draws 50W or less could be run for hours.

Like prior to getting the Tacoma, we went camping in my wife's Passat. I always used a 400W inverter connected to the 12V outlets in the cars trunk. Only for minor things, like inflating an air matress, beach ball, etc. I never ran the engine doing that, and never even came close to draining the battery. And that cars battery has about half the capacitance of the Taco's with the tow package.

So I would find it convenient to not have to run the engine for minor things like that. But you are right, one would have to be careful.

this_is_nascar · #10 (**permalink**) 08-05-2007, 12:38 AM

Agreed. Dont' get me wrong, I too wish it would work without the truck being run.

scottto93 · #11 (**permalink**) 08-05-2007, 11:12 AM

i have used mine many times, for lights, air pumps etc...... basically what it won't run is anything that draws high current (mainly items containing heating coils).... hair dryers, coffee makers........... it has come in handy on numerous occasions.....

this_is_nascar · #12 (**permalink**) 08-05-2007, 11:19 AM

Yea, I think the general rule of thumb is anything that generates heat or cold has too high of a requirement for the inverter.

RB Taco · #13 (**permalink**) 08-05-2007, 11:24 AM

Oh but it does work without the engine running, just turn the key to the Acc position. Don't worry abou the batery going down, it will shut off before that happens. I use it when I go fishing to runs a 100 watt light. Its good for about 40 minutes before they click off & I gotta start the engine, let it idle a few minute to recharge then turn it off again. A minor hassel compared to lugging a generator around.

jpmcg · #14 (**permalink**) 08-06-2007, 04:14 PM

Great story, jt.
Is there an easy aftermarket solution to get the 100 outlet in the truck? I didn't know it existed until after the fact and my 07 Taco didn't come with it equipped. I'd really like to put one in, especially after reading about the margaritas

Snakeii · #15 (**permalink**) 08-06-2007, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jpmcg

Great story, jt.
Is there an easy aftermarket solution to get the 100 outlet in the truck? I didn't know it existed until after the fact and my 07 Taco didn't come with it equipped. I'd really like to put one in, especially after reading about the margaritas

Id pick up a good 800+ inverter, second battery, isolator. Mount the inverter behind the rear seat or perhaps in the bed, be sure it is protected from the elements... be sure to use fuses at the batteries. Unfortunately there isnt much space where the oem inverter is, so I doubt you could fit anything bigger then a 400w. Of course, be sure to use the appropriate gauge wire.

What Id like to do is rewire the 400 watter for interior use, such as the laptop, battery chargers, etc. Then run a second inverter to the bed outlet, replacing the wires back there as I'm not too sure what gauge they are but they probably cannot handle the increase of power.