Maximum wattage inverter?

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by George W, Jul 15, 2026.

  1. George W

    George W Senior Member

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    Is there a spec sheet on what the maximum wattage inverter I could run off of my Gen 4 prius? So far I've run my TSW 1K inverter with an angle grinder, jig saw, belt sander, and a 100 watt per channel stereo amplifier.

    The power tools were all old Craftsman brand that maxed out around 450 Watts, even under load. Thank you.
     
  2. T1 Terry

    T1 Terry Senior Member

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    Does a Gen 4 Prius have V2L from the traction battery? Or are you using the 12v lead acid battery to power the inverter?

    T1 Terry
     
  3. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    .....just a swag but they probably fuse the DC-DC converter at 100a.
    I wouldn't go much above a 1000w inverter, which has been done many times here in the forum.

    MAYBE 1500w if you carry a spare fuse..... :D

    Good Luck!
     
  4. ChapmanF

    ChapmanF Senior Member

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  5. George W

    George W Senior Member

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    12 V battery
     
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  6. George W

    George W Senior Member

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  7. T1 Terry

    T1 Terry Senior Member

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    That limits things. My MG4, via V2L powered 4000w of patio heaters last night to dry the paint on the bin door panels from my Winnebago in a makeshift bake oven in a shipping container. I only have 3600w courtesy of the workshop next door and I need that in the motorhome.

    T1 Terry
     
  8. George W

    George W Senior Member

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    The 12 volts on the Gen 2 is a different battery than a Gen 4. This is why I was asking. The Gen 2 12 volt battery is only equivalent of a motorcycle battery, and it's limited by the 125 amp fuse.

    The June 4 is more like a regular car battery That's rated for 525 cold cranking amps. This is why I don't quite know what the fuse protecting it is rated at
     
  9. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    The Prius uses a dc-dc converter to charge the aux (12vdc) battery from the traction battery and eliminates the need for a belt-driven alternator. I suppose it also isolates the 12vdc system from the traction battery.
    If it's fused at 125a that means that a 1000w inverter should be OK under most circumstances.

    Some drive-by electronics geek might point out that in some cases some 1000w inverters CAN very briefly draw more than 125a if you're bumping into the limits of the inverter (YOUR inverter - not the Prius inverter.) But generally speaking consumer 1000w inverters - don't.
    It will take a lot longer for the Prius'125a DC-DC fuse to figure things out than whatever is protecting your inverter - which is why they call them "slow blow" fuses.
    To be completely safe it you're paranoid about these kinds of things FIND the 125a fuse and get a spare - especially if you're doing a lot of toolie or campy things - but if you're running old-school corded Craftsman tools you're going to be OK - even if you short out the saw very briefly when you cut through the power cord. ;)