Exceeding 120W with cigarette lighter outlets?

[JazzCatDRP]

I've got a mini project planned which will install a 400 W power inverter into the center console of my 2009 S. I noticed on the little flap that covers the cigarette outlet, it says "when using both outlets, 120W Max." I'm concerned that I might be pushing it, and risk screwing up the battery.

The most I might be running would be the power inverter, and then in the other outlet, a two prong adaptor charging my cell phone, and powering my GPS. Is this too much for the car's electrical system to handle? Or how would I find out what wattage the phone and GPS would draw?

[LeanBurn]

I have plugged in my 175W inverter in many times with no issues.

[JazzCatDRP]

Thanks for the reply. I'm not so much worried about running the inverter itself, as I am with running it alongside a GPS charger, and phone charger. The only thing I will likely be plugging into the power inverter would be a laptop, so I figure 40-50 watts there. I just have no idea what kind of wattage a GPS charger and phone charger draw.

Does anyone know what exactly happens if you exceed that 120 W max? Are we talking catastrophic electrical system problems, or a shortened battery life?

[LeanBurn]

I think with those items you should be ok. Usually with the power inverters over a certain wattage they have hard line hookups that can be connected to the battery. They probably want to have some (Watt) room for surges with device start up, it could also be a limitation of the guage of wire they used in the 12V sockets.

Does the owners manual shed any light on this?

[camryvibe]

The power outlets are on a fused circuit, so the only damage should be a blown fuse if you draw too much current (and of course you'll be running the battery down if you run things too long with the car engine off).

BTW, I'd expect that the laptop could draw more power than you mention, esp. if its internal battery is a little run down and will be recharging. Plus there's the inefficiency of the inverter - so if the laptop needs 50 W the inverter will be drawing more than that from the outlet.

[joeylgarcia]

someone please correct me but this is what i know... to get the wattage of a device you multiply volts x amperes.

[touringcamry]

Originally Posted by joeylgarcia

someone please correct me but this is what i know... to get the wattage of a device you multiply volts x amperes.

Yes

[touringcamry]

Originally Posted by JazzCatDRP

I've got a mini project planned which will install a 400 W power inverter into the center console of my 2009 S. I noticed on the little flap that covers the cigarette outlet, it says "when using both outlets, 120W Max." I'm concerned that I might be pushing it, and risk screwing up the battery.

The most I might be running would be the power inverter, and then in the other outlet, a two prong adaptor charging my cell phone, and powering my GPS. Is this too much for the car's electrical system to handle? Or how would I find out what wattage the phone and GPS would draw?

Why risk it? Just hook it up to the battery with a relay.

[joeylgarcia]

here are things you should know about devices that uses either AC or DC voltages. these devices always have a nameplate where you can see the brand name, model name and model number. on these names plates you could also see the required input voltage, input amperage (amperes) and input wattage. accordingly, you can also read the output voltage, output amperage and output wattage.

now your 400 watt inverter if i am not mistaken is the output wattage. that 400 watts number maybe too high if you compare it to the cigarette lighter wattage of 120 combined. but it does not have any bearing on the wattage consumption of your inverter device IF the input wattage does not exceed the cigarette lighter's wattage.

so i advice that you check the name plate of your devices. most devices that are made to draw power, amperage and wattage from cigarette lighters have very low requirements. check it out and get back to us here and tell us what you find out. again if there is someone out there more knowlegeable on this topic you are welcome to correct me.