How to add high wattage inverter and additional AGM battery to Gen 4 Prius

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by RichieMoore, Jan 6, 2019.

  1. RichieMoore

    RichieMoore New Member

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    I want to convert my Prius 2016 Eco 2 into a full time camper similar to what many people have done to Gen 2 and 3 Prius.
    Due to a number of significant changes made to the Gen 4 platform there are a number of issues.

    The change in the rear suspension to a Wish Bone configuration, placement of the Lithium Battery under the rear seat and the 12v Battery under the hood has caused significant changes to the Rear Storage Area.

    The Rear Seats do not fold down flat so the rear storage floor is about 2" lower than the read seat backs.
    My Eco 2 does not have a spare tire, although there is a shallow wheel well, but it is filled with a thick high density form that holds a jack and tire repair components.

    For camping, I want to add a second 12v AGM battery to power an inverter to supply 110v power for various devices: computers, wifi, refrigerator, microwave and lighting.

    Does anyone have any experience and/or examples of doing this.

    For example, has anyone added a second 12v AGM battery with a 1000 or 2000 or 3000 watts inverter.

    Where did you locate the second 12v battery in the Prius. How was the 12v battery connected into the Prius 12v charging system.
    Was a DC to DC converter required to deal with the mismatch in the capacities of the original 12v battery and the added 2nd 12v battery?
    Is an Isolation switch needed?
    What route for the wires connection the charging system to the second 12v battery?

    Any comments would be appreciated.
     
    #1 RichieMoore, Jan 6, 2019
  2. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    There was someone who was trying to run some medical equipment through an inverter when camping - you might find it in search (or GOOGLE search).

    You say "a second 12v AGM ...)". The existing 12v battery isn't AGM if that matters to your plans.

    And there have been a couple of people who did some camping conversions, one I could remember was
    JimmyPri on PriusChat

    He's done some YouTubes, some of which are re camping in a 2016:

    Wonderful Wandering Topics - YouTube

    But not sure if he's done anything different with battery or 110/240 volt.

    Of course, if you keep your PRIUS running, it will keep the 12v charged - though not sure what drain your 110v items will cause.
     
    #2 alanclarkeau, Jan 7, 2019
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  3. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    lots of camping and inverter threads here, don't think the gen4 is any different except for a lack of flat floor to lie on
     
    #3 bisco, Jan 7, 2019
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  4. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

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    1000w units seem to work fine drawing from the stock 12v battery, at least when the car is left in ready mode to replenish the battery.

    I would not plan on drawing more than 1000w through this arrangement, because the car's DC-DC converter can't keep up with a higher demand. Put another way: the car can make tons of electricity at high voltage, but it can only convert a fraction of it to 12v.

    If you need more power, consider a high-voltage inverter connected to the traction battery or bring a generator.
     
    #4 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Jan 7, 2019
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  5. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

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    But - keep an eye on what other items the 12v system is driving. A higher load on the system could decrease the eventual life of the 12v battery - in effect the system is to support the ancillary functions of the vehicle (lights, wipers, "entertainment", fans, door locks, window winders, dashboard displays and the computers etc).
     
    #5 alanclarkeau, Jan 7, 2019
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  6. priusloc

    priusloc New Member

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    Any success in the Gen 4 watt inverter?
     
    #6 priusloc, Jan 28, 2024
  7. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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    #7 ChapmanF, Jan 28, 2024
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