2400W Power Inverter

[Vault]

Toyota advertises that the iForceMax system comes with a 2400W 120V power inverter. Traditional gas versions of their vehicles (to include the V6 GX550) only include a 400W inverter. Obviously the 400W inverter requires the vehicle to be running and acting as a gas-powered generator. I have no experience with hybrid setups, but I understand that the LC will sport a 1.87-kWh NiMH Battery. Any idea if this will allow the inverter to function with the vehicle powered off? I'm trying to wrap my head around how I can implement this into my off-grid camping setup and if it's any replacement for a Jackery-type system (I'm expecting a resounding NO).

 

[APIOQM]

My understanding is that the vehicle will need to be on, but the engine will start and stop automatically to top up the battery as needed.

 

[cruisemtb]

I was thinking the same thing, maybe a good way of doing would be to use a small power station in conjunction with the battery so that you don't need to leave the vehicle on all the time.

 

[njdevils89]

very interested to see how this functions as well!

 

[agjake01]

I was thinking the same thing, maybe a good way of doing would be to use a small power station in conjunction with the battery so that you don't need to leave the vehicle on all the time.

Reading through some Tundra and Tacoma forums, this appears to be the consensus.

My thought is a 1000-2000w Jackery or Goal Zero battery bank plugged into the LC inverter for fast charging (under 4 hours). Idea would be for constant battery to run a fridge, string lights etc.

Open to opinions though -

Goal Zero bundle -

Yeti 700 + Alta 80

Transform outdoor adventures with the Yeti 700 Power Station and Alta 80 Portable Fridge/Freezer. The upgraded Yeti 700 offers 677 Wh of power with reliable LFP batteries, while the Alta 80 keeps your food and drinks cool, perfect for camping, tailgates, and festivals.

www.goalzero.com

 

[crunchycruiser]

Hop to the 15 minute mark of this video for a few more details. I know this is the Tacoma but same system. Says the engine does kick on and off so the battery doesn't deplete, and running at full load for an hour will cost you 3/4 of a gallon of gas.

 

[DctrEvil]

Thanks for linking to that! I've been wondering how this powerful inverter would work. It sounds like it senses the voltage load and hybrid battery needs and handles the on and off of the engine for you. In other words, you don't have to manually get in and start the the engine yourself to keep the battery topped off! Genius!

 

[agjake01]

So with the engine cycle feature, wondering how it would work running power to my garage panel for outages - to keep the fridge and a few lights on. I have a 2800w gas generator now but the 2400w inverter coupled with the 1.8kw battery should be plenty to cycle when the power is out?

Suppose you could also couple this with a 1000-2000w Goal Zero or Jackery to plus up the on board battery.

Looking forward to testing it out

 

[Snowfox]

I'm guessing (hoping) that it''s like the Ford PowerBoost as far as 'generator' mode goes. That is 7.2kW, but around the same size battery I think.
The LC should be roughly equivalent to one 20A outlet (20A * 120V = 2400w). Should be great for camping, useful for 120V tools or appliances, but not 'whole house' backup.

 

[agjake01]

I'm guessing (hoping) that it''s like the Ford PowerBoost as far as 'generator' mode goes. That is 7.2kW, but around the same size battery I think.
The LC should be roughly equivalent to one 20A outlet (20A * 120V = 2400w). Should be great for camping, useful for 120V tools or appliances, but not 'whole house' backup.

Yep, just thinking maybe the fridge and a lamp or two which is all we’re using the generator for now. Good stuff!

 

[ComancheHouse]

@agjake01 Have you had a chance to test this out? Living through hurricane Beryl and it would be nice to power up a fridge, a portable ac, lamp, and TV to get through the power outage...

 

[agjake01]

@agjake01 Have you had a chance to test this out? Living through hurricane Beryl and it would be nice to power up a fridge, a portable ac, lamp, and TV to get through the power outage...

I haven’t yet, I get the truck Saturday morning (finally!!) and I’ll test the inverter against the panel as soon as I get back. I did run into the Toyota R&D team at the PNW Expo and they were powering their cooktops, campsite, fridges, etc off the inverter and it only kicked the LC engine on once during the night. If I remember reading correctly, peak usage/draw from the inverter would only burn .7gal per hour once the engine fires.

 

[Lineman]

For info only, the outlet has a “T” prong. That designates it as a 20 amp plug.

 

[b407driver]

I read somewhere that the Tundra system kicks the truck off after on hour, and you keep having to turn it back on. Not sure if true, or if the LC is functionally different. Also very curious for off-grid camping, I’m hoping it works as we’d want (use battery til depleted, engine kicks on to charge it).

 

[agjake01]

I read somewhere that the Tundra system kicks the truck off after on hour, and you keep having to turn it back on. Not sure if true, or if the LC is functionally different. Also very curious for off-grid camping, I’m hoping it works as we’d want (use battery til depleted, engine kicks on to charge it).

This is correct. Confirmed by the Toyota guys I was camping next to at the expo. The truck will cycle on/off when the inverter is on to keep the battery topped off. Max draw would keep the engine running, burning less than a gal per hour.

 

[b407driver]

This is correct. Confirmed by the Toyota guys I was camping next to at the expo. The truck will cycle on/off when the inverter is on to keep the battery topped off. Max draw would keep the engine running, burning less than a gal per hour.

I guess I forgot to add that it apparently literally shuts off each hour, requiring you to get into the driver's seat and turn it back on each time. This could be wrong, or the person missed a setting, etc. I hope it's wrong.

 

[Trailman]

I guess I forgot to add that it apparently literally shuts off each hour, requiring you to get into the driver's seat and turn it back on each time. This could be wrong, or the person missed a setting, etc. I hope it's wrong.

If you lock the vehicle from the outside with the physical key inside the key fob or lock the vehicle from the inside using the drivers door lock, the hybrid system should stay on indefinitely. It's in the manual if you want detailed instructions. You need to have the hybrid system on before you do this obviously.

 

[b407driver]

If you lock the vehicle from the outside with the physical key inside the key fob or lock the vehicle from the inside using the drivers door lock, the hybrid system should stay on indefinitely. It's in the manual if you want detailed instructions. You need to have the hybrid system on before you do this obviously.

Got it, that's the part that was missing! Still waiting on mine, no manual...

 

[josephineheid]

@agjake01 Have you had a chance to test this out? Living through hurricane Beryl and it would be nice to power up a fridge, a portable ac, lamp, and TV to get through the power outage...

I’m in houston without power and I used mine last night to plug in my fridge, tv, and internet. Today I bought a little window unit and only have it plugged into the LC and have the other things plugged into my husbands truck. It’s barely used any gas. Maybe 1/8 of a tank overnight.

 

[josephineheid]

I guess I forgot to add that it apparently literally shuts off each hour, requiring you to get into the driver's seat and turn it back on each time. This could be wrong, or the person missed a setting, etc. I hope it's wrong.

There’s an option that pops up on the dash to turn off that feature so it doesn’t shut off.