Solution: Constant Power from Bed Power Plug without Rewire

Hello TW,

Does your power plug in the bed of your 3rd gen Tacoma turn off while driving sometimes? Are you unwilling to rewire your inverter so that the plug is always hot at 400 watts? (Another member has figured out how to do just that). Then this post might be for you. Want to skip the back story? Go straight to solution 3.

The truck: 2020 Tacoma Off Road 4x4, short bed with Tech Package

The problem: Like so many on this site I love camping. I just treated myself and bought an electric fridge. No more ice. Everyone should test their equipment before using it and so I did. I loaded up the fridge with some food and drinks, hooked up to the power plug in the bed, turned on the 100 watt inverter, drove down the road and we had power. However after about 20 minutes of driving I noticed the switch in the cab of the truck was no longer lit orange indicating the power has been shut off at the plug. I pull over, investigate. All connections are good. Restart the switch and then the pattern repeats.

The fridge: Type S, Blizzard Box, that pulls 55 watts when the compressor is running ... when the compressor is running ... when the compressor is running. Eureka!

The problem restated: The power plug in the bed seems to wired in a way that the inverter cuts power when it does not detect a load (while the transmission is in drive). In my situation once the fridge reaches the desired temperature of 39F the fridge shuts off. At some unknown interval of time, the inverter shuts off as well because there is no load detected.

Solution 1: Do a search and find the thread where a TW member geniusously rewires the inverter to have constant hot 400 watts. Problem: you have to cut into your wire harness. A task I personally wasn’t willing to do yet.

Solution 2: Flip the thermal switch on the fridge to override the temperature control switch so the compressor constantly runs. Therefore the plug will constantly have a load and the inverter won’t switch off. I tried this and this is in fact a solution. Problem: this will cause everything to freeze which isn’t what you necessarily want.

Solution 3: Add a plug with multiple outlets, surge protector, plug strip etc. to your bed power plug. Take a LED night light and tape off the sensor so the light stays lit. Plug in your night light and accessories to the bed plug. The LED night light pulls just enough power that your inverter sees a load and stays switched on. Therefore my fridge stays on while driving even when the compressor is off. When temp exceeds 39F the compressor will switch on as intended. The night light also pulls such low power that I don’t worry about overloading the 100 watt supply. Problem: you have buy another night light to replace the one you took from the house.



Edit: added some additional solutions from members below

Solution 4: Use the storage box next to the in bed power plug and build a switched box with power outlets

Solution 5: this is an in cab solution

Hope this helps someone else.

 

Take a look at this.

https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/how-to-400w-anytime-mod-3rd-gen.436831/

 

Yes. This is the thread I was referring in the post as Solution 1. Thanks for finding.

 

I ran some 8 gauge wire to the back and put one of these panels on the cubby. Connected to the battery, fused, and a breaker switch.

 

This is what I meant...
2nd & 3rd Gen Tacoma In-Cab 120vAC 400W Anytime Power Outlet

 

Drooling. Good work!

Thanks for posting that. Good use of cab space and an in cab solution.

 

Thats my PLAN. Good Job. Is the FUSE etc built into that panel or you have it by the Battery? Or is it built into switch?

 

3rd & 2nd Gen Re-purposing Towing Break circuit and "Towed" Battery Charger circuit

 

Fuses should be as close to the battery as possible. If it was at the endof the wire, you could have a short in the middle of the wire and no protection behind it

 

Yes. I misspoke. I was referring to breaker and not the fuse. But I read now that the switch is the breaker.

 

fused at the battery, there is a breaker switch at the panel.... the panel is good for 30A

 

same install this is the real solution

 

absolutely , I paired mine up with an X2 Group 27F AGM, beast of a setup

 

Thats the battery i want gonna wait till blackfriday sale

 

Do you keep your switch on 24/7 or just switch it on when needed?

 

When I need it. Its hooked up to this overland equipped aux power kit

 

I plug my fridge to my Jackery 240 and plug the Jackery to the truck. Seemed to work well last time I camped for three days. But it is annoying to keep checking if the power outlet is on or not.

 

I'm glad you posted this because it made me want to understand how it is supposed to work. I found this http://www.ttguide.net/power_outlet_120_vac_8727_-114.html . It does not mention that the power inverter shuts off if there is not a draw on it. But it does mention that it switches from 400w to 100w when the shifter is in anything other than park or neutral.

 

Exactly. And correct. However reading through manual and forum I suspected the inverter will not work as I wanted. The first test drive confirmed that; without load and in drive the inverter shuts off.