I think I like the idea of having a 110v outlet in the car but it makes me wonder...just how many people use it and for what? (while on the road that is)
Anyone care to share some of the uses the outlet has provided you? (A cell phone charger was listed as an example, but I already have a car charger for that.)
I believe I read the back of the manual to say it runs off of a 30A fuse. So anything that draws less than 30 amps should be ok? (sure seems awful high, doesn't it?)

Portable cooler for food/drinks while driving?
Portable DVD players so no batteries would be required?
Laptop power?

What's your most unusual use for the outlet so far?

That's 30 A at 12 Volts, not 120 Volts, which works out to 360 watts.

Electric shaver, charger for cordless tools when travelling for work.

Does the outlet have two or three prongs? If it's two it will rule out my laptop.

Does the outlet have two or three prongs? If it's two it will rule out my laptop.

It has a 2 prong outlet.

That's 30 A at 12 Volts, not 120 Volts, which works out to 360 watts.

Ahh..that makes sense. I wonder at what point the invertor would trip though? I thought it was the amperage that determined how much draw would trip circuits. (note: I am mechanically retarded so I really have no clue about those things..)
Thanks!
Randy

It is the amperage that determines when the fuse will blow. However, the fuse is on the 12 volt side, before the inverter.

Thank you kanus..I appreciate the info! (of course I won't remember it 3 days from now but that's besides the point)

From page 149 of the manual the output of the inverter is 150 Watts.

"ELECTRICAL POWER OUTLETS — IF EQUIPPED
There is a standard 12-volt power outlet in the instrument
panel and a 115 Volt (150Watts Maximum) outlet in
the center console on certain models for added convenience.
These outlets can power cell phones, electronics
and other low power devices.

NOTE: Due to build in overload protection the inverter
will shut down if the power rating is exceeded.

UNDERSTANDING THE FEATURES OF YOUR VEHICLE 149 3"

I haven't used mine yet, but I plan on using it when I go to the beach to charge my computer so we can watch movies.

You should be ok with the laptop as long as the charger has a two prong plug and does not draw more than 150 watts. The rating of the laptop power supply should be printed on it. Unfortunate for me mine says it draws 130W but stills brings the inverter to its knees.

I used mine with a battery charger for digital camera. Also used it with the cell charger.

You should be ok with the laptop as long as the charger has a two prong plug and does not draw more than 150 watts. The rating of the laptop power supply should be printed on it. Unfortunate for me mine says it draws 130W but stills brings the inverter to its knees.

Does your computer come with a microwave? That is incredible 130W. Mine's draws 65W. I was wondering if you are running it with a bad battery and it's not charging and totally supplying power. Either way you should be able to run a laptop easily off of this. I ran my laptop off an after market inverter for months in the desert.

Yeah... Dell only sells 65 & 85 watt models. I assume this is almost standard across the board.

Anyway, get yourself a 3 to 2-prong adapter and keep it in the vehicle. I use mine for:

Cell Phone Charger
Digital Camera Battery Charger
Air-Mattress Pump
Laptop

I tried to use mine for my small Craftsman vacuum, but it didn't work (bummer). The calculation is handy!

things i have used it for?
for work, would bring a typerwriter, and type documents i needed at locations,
multipage documents that need to be typed cant be printed,
used it to charge digital camera batteries,
used it for air mattress,
power an electric weed wacker at land that i have,

Well it is not truely a laptop but a mobile workstation Dell Precision M90 and it sucks electricity like it was made of good Canadian Beer. Lucky to get an hour on battery. Make a heck of a DVD player though.

http://www.dell.com/content/products/productdetails.aspx/precn_m90?c=us&l=en&s=bsd&cs=04

POWER:
Power Supply:
130 Watt AC adapter

Does your computer come with a microwave? That is incredible 130W. Mine's draws 65W. I was wondering if you are running it with a bad battery and it's not charging and totally supplying power. Either way you should be able to run a laptop easily off of this. I ran my laptop off an after market inverter for months in the desert.
Not even my 160w aftermarket inverter will run the thing

BTW
Looks like you may be a service member. Thank you from a greatfull Canadian.

I use it to charge my bluetooth- works great and very fast-
perfect, since I kept having to remember to bring in the bluetooth to put in the charger in the house- now it never leaves the car- and I have not had to find it around the house since the Patriot came home!!

workstation Dell Precision M90

Wow. Very nice.

110 Outlet: uses?

I use mine to power the foot bath.

I use mine to charge my blue tooth. I'm hoping it's enough to power a blender for the games

It's a ok idea, but I really wish it had a 12V there instead for the Ipod. That's the reason I am getting one of those guys:

http://i12.ebayimg.com/04/i/000/a8/71/b6cc_1.JPG

Another great thing would be, if there was a 12V in the center console...maybe I will put one in myself...

But as for the 110V...I got no use for it...

If anyone has tried getting discolored spots out with a hairdryer, they won't need an extension cord.

I actually love that it has this option - great for our laptop or charger

cell charger, my new cell didn't come with a car cigeratte adapter, but with the patriot I only need the wall charger

Flux capacitor so I can travel with Marty McFly and Doc Brown. jk.

Flux capacitor so I can travel with Marty McFly and Doc Brown. jk.

Hey, at least the Cuisenart thingy will work though! (or whatever the food processor was that powered the DeLorean)

Hey, at least the Cuisenart thingy will work though! (or whatever the food processor was that powered the DeLorean)

Yeah, I guess the factory electrical system won't put out 1.21 jigawatts. What was I thinking !? :wow:

I use a small LED night light....gives a bit of light to the console/cup holder area.

;)I use a small LED night light....gives a bit of light to the console/cup holder area.

Small Shop Vac, no more quarters at the car wash:)

I think this will be the wierdest use posted so far. I have a 4 month old baby that is breast fed. My wife & I went out on a date and used it to power her pump (http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/products/breast-pumps/352/pump-in-style-advanced-breastpump-shoulder-bag-2008) as we skipped a couple feedings.

Oh my....

Whatever you decide to stick in the outlet be sure you do not exceed 150watts.

Cell phone charger = :)
Laptop = :)
Baby Breast Pump = :eek: ( :) )
12v Adapter (why not use supplied?) = :)
Hair Dryer = :(
Microwave = :(
Food Processor = :(

I think this will be the wierdest use posted so far. I have a 4 month old baby that is breast fed. My wife & I went out on a date and used it to power her pump (http://www.medelabreastfeedingus.com/products/breast-pumps/352/pump-in-style-advanced-breastpump-shoulder-bag-2008) as we skipped a couple feedings.

i use it for my ipod charger and for air matress pump

Or......you could buy a bigger inverter and install it under the console, (there is plenty of space) then wire in a real 3 prong outlet where the factory one is/was/could have been.

You can buy Inverters and any home supply store, like Menards, in theit auto or tool department.

I just might try that.

Oh my....

Whatever you decide to stick in the outlet be sure you do not exceed 150watts.

Cell phone charger = :)
Laptop = :)
Baby Breast Pump = :eek: ( :) )
12v Adapter (why not use supplied?) = :)
Hair Dryer = :(
Microwave = :(
Food Processor = :(


Well, at least no one has mentioned an electric vibrator yet...;)

A cord would be inconvienent. I think they all use batteries.

well, maybe you can charge up the batteries with it??


I used the power outlet yesterday to charge up the batts on a Dewalt drill.
Had no issues... Basically it was a waste for me because I didn't end up needing the drill anyway... But like a condom, you will wish you had it if you didn't bring it..

You would have to worry about killing the battery if you drew too much power for too long when you were parked.

I'm so glad to be rid of the Chevy HHR for one very odd reason. They put the battery in back with the spare tire. I hated that. I was just so wrong. Fortunately the Patriot has the battery up front where it belongs.

... They put the battery in back with the spare tire. I hated that. ...

And the way it is stuffed in there it is almost like an after-thought. I also hate the power window switch location in the HHR- too easy for the doggie to work the windows.

You would have to worry about killing the battery if you drew too much power for too long when you were parked.

I don't think the inverter has power with the ignition off...
I haven't tested this, however the cig lighter doesn't work with the i-off

A cord would be inconvienent. I think they all use batteries.

But batteries are a constant purchase.

I'm waiting for a nuclear powered one!:pepper:

Great idea!! Glow in the dark babbies, no need for night lights!:banana:

I use it mostly for my Ipod, it's nice that it's right under the little Ipod holder, I just leave it in there and never have to worry about charging it or loosing a charge! (so to answer that question out there, when the engine is off, the outlet is off, no worries about the battery)

As for the weirdest use, I think it might be some competition for the breast pump. I'm a music major, my friends and I like to go out into the woods and play music out in nature, now we're able to take my electric piano and jam out on the keys.


As for the three prong issue... that third prong is only a grounding unit, it's not necessary to get power to your laptop, I snapped that third prong off a week after I got it!

I have a telescope that has a clock drive that is powered with 120 volts. That outlet comes in real handy for that!:smiley_thumbs_up:

Has anyone located the inverter on the vehicle?
Perhaps an upgrade would be in order?

I have a 08 Sport w/o the AC outlet, i would love to add that feature in to make it look factory installed. Any one know part numbers to do this or pics ?

From the Parts manual, it looks like the inverter is in the center of the dash, below the HVAC controls. PN 04671954AG.

For $20, you can get 15A aftermarket inverter and throw it in your center console.

I usually use it for my cell phone charger. I never got a car charger when I got my phone. We usually use it for the portable dvd player too. It's great not to have to worry about carrying all those extra batteries too.

So it seems 150 watts output is the limit
My Coleman adaptor for the electric cooler shows
input 120 v @ 1.4 amps (163 watts)
output 12 @5.25 amps (63 watts)

To know the watts used by your device go to this site for a simple formula)

http://www.angelfire.com/pa/baconbacon/page2.html

It says input of device ( my Coleman adaptor) is 168 watts and my output is 63 watts.
Which is important?
Input (120 volts @1.4 amps = 168 watts)
or only the output (12 volts @ 5.25 amps = 63 watts)?

110 / 115 / 120 volts and amps of the input don't matter In the watts consumption?
Is only the output considered?

I don't think the inverter has power with the ignition off...
I haven't tested this, however the cig lighter doesn't work with the i-off

Now that was my next question. I thought the 110 V outlet was always live, isn't it?

A few figures that are at the limit of the inverter (150 watts)

Any device with 2 prong plug

110V @ 1.35 amp = 148.5 watts

115v @ 1.3 amp = 149.5 watts

120 v @ 1.25 amp = 150 watts


For a 12 volts adaptor, limit is

12 v @ 12.5 amps = 150 watts

I use it to charge the cell phone, easy to carry one charger on a trip instead of both. Also use it to recharge rechargable digital camera batteries on the road.

What about a blender....lol!

Dont judge me!

What about a blender....lol!

Dont judge me!

Check the voltage and ampers and calculate the watts...you'll know. Check the limits I mentioned or use the electrical formula on the site mentionned.

Volts X amps = Watts...should be written on your blender!!!!:D

The outlet saved me 30 bucks on a car charger for my new cell phone! I use it to charge the cell phone and the iPod. I could use it to charge my macbook, but it gets charged up at each hotel. I also have an inverter handy in my road gear bag just in case. My regular 12 volt outlet is used to charge my GPS.

Easy Bake Oven

Easy Bake Oven

ha ha! seriously? :wow:

i use it for cell phone, laptop, camera battery, nothing weird...

And yes the power inverter is located back behind the temperature controls, its a rectangular box that is silver(?) I think

to charge a toyota prius lol

I used mine with a battery charger for digital camera. Also used it with the cell charger.

If I am headed out of town I always use it to charge our camera batteries on the way. It's great not having your camera die.

What about a blender....lol!

Dont judge me!

blender = 350 watts
bake oven 1350 watts

so.....

I use the outlet for recharging batteries on short haul trips when I do not have the solar array with me. It works out pretty well for that. If I really need the power, I can always plug my Z-scale model train set in in there. :)

For your mobile phone and the likes all good. Anything more no go I wouldn't touch it. Doesn't matter if it's Jeep, Toyota bla bla bla the wirring on these things is sub standard. A good item for them to cut costs.

I've run a 6mm cable with its own waterproof wedge fuse holder with a 50amp fuse to the main battery in the back hooking up a hella plug and a cigarette lighter socket.
I plug in the 40L Engel, lights no probs. Here's a picture where I put the plugs in the back.

Only the pump for the air matress so far.

blender = 350 watts
bake oven 1350 watts

so.....

My easy bake oven is only 100 watts.

Arc welder

Chest freezer

Industrial Microwave oven

Table saw.

;)