120 VAC power outlet mod?

The 120 VAC power outlets are rated at 400 watts when the vehicle is in park and is reduced to 100 watts when driving per the 2023 owners manual.

That seems completely backwards but we know Toyota doesn't always use common sense when designing.

Has anyone modified the 120 VAC system to get 400 watts while driving?

 

TW vendor sells a mod for this
https://guildoutfitters.com/products/400w-in-motion-harness-by-redside-electric
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads...ith-30”-extension-by-redside-electric.746715/

 

Another vote for guild outfitters kit...just installed in my ‘19 limited T4R where the inverter is in the P side wheel well...discovered how to easily access through top dish area...deciding on where I want the extra outlet...easy install and just works...

 

Looks like they may simply ground a wire at the inverter. They may have disconnected the speed wire also. Not sure looking at their website pics.
Has anyone got the inverter wire diagram to see which wire would get grounded to simulate "Park" or disable "speed" input?

 

Another option;

https://www.ktjo4x4.com/collections/in-cab-power-outlet-products

 

I went with the guild outfitters kit after finding out several wiring changes were required. Sometimes it's more convenient with a plug and play kit

 

I have not done this mod myself but the theory is solid. And others have successfully done it as described in these threads.

 

I used to wonder about the reasoning. But I read somewhere that Toyota probably did it that because maybe the alternator may not be able to guarantee 400 watts at the AC socket, and and sufficient extra capacity to charge the battery, and maintain needed electrics for the ignition, brakes, other electric features. So they capped it at 100w while in drive to avoid potential impact on the electrical capacity needed while the vehicle is in motion. That’s probably not a big factor in most situations, since not many people are going to need 400w while driving. However, since our 4runners have an electrically driven vacuum pump for the brakes, loss of braking effectiveness could be a failure mode Toyota wants to avoid.

That electric vacuum pump gets a hearty workout using a-trac and the other 4x4 traction programs. Something to keep in mind if that socket is drawing 400w while making use of those traction control features that depend on abs and brakes.

 

Well the factory Toyota alternator is rated for 130 amps maximum. It has to spin faster than idle to make that output. At idle rpm, it is only capable of ~80 amps.

400 watts is around 32 amps at 12.5v (engine off), a running engine is charging around 14v so 400 watts is 28 amps. Not that much. Of course the vehicles systems are probably using 40 amps just running normally.

 

There is a reason the engineers designed it that way.

Are you sure you want to make a change before you know why?

'Course you can always give your mod "the old smoke test"...

 

From an electrical power standpoint, it is preferred NOT to load an alternator at very low rpm, i.e. idling. Any extra load should be at an elevated rpm.

Remember jump starting another vehicle? It worked best if the assist vehicle raised their rpm.