1. Welcome to 4Runners.com!

    You are currently viewing as a guest! To get full-access, you need to register for a FREE account.

    As a registered member, you’ll be able to:
    • Participate in all 4Runner discussion topics
    • Transfer over your build thread from a different forum to this one
    • Communicate privately with other 4Runner owners from around the world
    • Post your own photos in our Members Gallery
    • Access all special features of the site

Power draw while camping

Discussion in '5th Gen 4Runners (2010-2024)' started by StarGazer, May 28, 2021.

  1. May 28, 2021 at 9:35 AM
    #1
    StarGazer

    StarGazer [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2021
    Member:
    #19058
    Messages:
    19
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2021 Silver 4Runner
    New 4runner owner. I typically will camp for a week at a time out of my vehicle and I’m curious about how to avoid drawing down the battery. With the rear door/hatch light switches off, can it be left open at night when sleeping without drawing the battery down? With my old Expedition I would pull fuses for all interior lighting.

    Also, from what I have read, it doesn’t look like there is a way to prevent the door courtesy lights from turning on. That means there will always be some drawdown when the doors are open. Correct?

    Finally, when stargazing I really need to keep it as dark as possible. So, for the lights I can’t switch off, are there red LED options that allow for dimming their brightness? The discussions I’ve read want their lights as bright as possible. I need them red and very dim if not off.

    Any tricks to share?
     
  2. May 28, 2021 at 10:25 AM
    #2
    Agent_Outside

    Agent_Outside A Guy A Girl and A Trail

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2018
    Member:
    #8098
    Messages:
    1,933
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    Built 2011 T4R Limited
    If you leave the rear hatch open the lights will time out, you’re good either way.
     
  3. May 31, 2021 at 5:00 AM
    #3
    markmb45

    markmb45 New Member

    Joined:
    Feb 22, 2020
    Member:
    #13243
    Messages:
    42
    Gender:
    Male
    South Ogden, Utah
    Vehicle:
    2013 4Runner Trail Edition
    3” OME Lift, JBA UCA’s, 275/70R17 General Grabbers, ARB air compressor
    I had the same concern while camping with the rear gate open. The rear latch controls the rear lights and the dash light. I use a Phillips screwdriver and push the rear gate latch into the locked position. Lights go out. In the morning just reach up and pull the handle to open the latch. One warning though, don’t slam the gate shut with the latch closed.
     
    StarGazer[OP] likes this.
  4. May 31, 2021 at 6:08 PM
    #4
    CO&NC 4Runner

    CO&NC 4Runner New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 10, 2020
    Member:
    #12646
    Messages:
    48
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Eric
    Vehicle:
    2020 4R, Trd OR/P Super White
    Unless Toyota has changed the lights for 21 there is a on/ off switch on hatch light, same for map lights, overhead light between the front and rear seats at least for my 2020. In the off position they shouldn't draw any power.
     
    Moon Landing, Red_5 and StarGazer[OP] like this.
  5. Jun 4, 2021 at 1:53 PM
    #5
    Sandbuster

    Sandbuster Breaking Wind

    Joined:
    Jan 16, 2021
    Member:
    #19157
    Messages:
    697
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    Mike
    Central Florida
    Vehicle:
    2019 TRD Offroad
    Power Commander, LED lights upgrade, Eibach Pro Truck Series suspension upgrade (front & rear), Airbags (rear), dash integrated trailer brake control, Body Armor front bumper, Smittybilt 10K winch
    "Tricks to share" - yes, but you need to be a little handy with electrical work. This https://www.amazon.com/Continuous-S...t=&hvlocphy=9011780&hvtargid=pla-559820756133
    is a 300 amp continuous duty relay which can be used to totally disconnect your battery - but doing so has consequences like loosing preset radio stations, clock setting and possible ECU memory tables. Back in the 70s (BMT - before modern technology) and the absence of a good anti-theft system, I installed one of these and had it setup that every time I pulled the key out of the ignition it would disconnect the ground circuit for the relay causing the battery to go completely offline.. until I re-inserted the key and pushed a momentary switch under the dash that would lock the relay that grounded the battery disconnect solenoid. Worked really well but, like I said, you need to be a little handy with electrics.
     
    POOLGUY likes this.
  6. Jun 4, 2021 at 4:54 PM
    #6
    Dillusion

    Dillusion New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 10, 2018
    Member:
    #7998
    Messages:
    2,687
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    KYle
    Vehicle:
    2018 TRD OR
    Bruh I've heard some dumb ideas before but I'm speechless.
     
  7. Jun 7, 2021 at 9:19 AM
    #7
    Agent_Outside

    Agent_Outside A Guy A Girl and A Trail

    Joined:
    Dec 18, 2018
    Member:
    #8098
    Messages:
    1,933
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    Built 2011 T4R Limited
    A simple battery disconnect or a 10mm wrench on the battery cable can accomplish the same thing, but it’s not a relevant solution regardless.
     
  8. Jul 6, 2021 at 8:31 AM
    #8
    VentureTRD

    VentureTRD New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2021
    Member:
    #21811
    Messages:
    207
    Gender:
    Male
    Blowing Rock, North Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2021 TRD Venture Nautical Blue Metallic
    Goodyear DuraTrac Tires P265/70R17 AEM Air Filter TRD Radiator Cap TRD Pro Leather Shift Knob TRD Pro Rubber Floor Mats Agency 6 Recovery Shackle Lamin-x Amber Fog Light Covers Red LED Interior Lights LasFit LED Turn Signals
    I installed all Red LEDs for night photography, they draw far less current than the bulb types.

    I replaced the 2 lights under the sun visors with white LEDs, just in case you need a white map light.
     
    Last edited: Jul 18, 2021
  9. Jul 6, 2021 at 3:33 PM
    #9
    Rock-N-Roll

    Rock-N-Roll TRD Amateur

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2021
    Member:
    #21037
    Messages:
    204
    Gender:
    Male
    First Name:
    James
    Colorado
    Vehicle:
    2021 T4R ORP w/ KDSS
    I'm new to the 4runner so take this with a grain of salt because I am just starting to learn myself. I have a 2021 as well.

    I was playing the radio in mine with the back hatch open and after an hour (or maybe 2) the radio would turn itself off. I would turn to engine back on, get the tunes back, turn the engine off after a short while and in another hour or so the radio would die and I'd repeat the process. I'm guessing that it won't let you kill the battery but I'm just guessing here. I do keep a battery powered jumpbox when I travel just in case I need to jump myself.
     
  10. Jul 6, 2021 at 6:41 PM
    #10
    StarGazer

    StarGazer [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2021
    Member:
    #19058
    Messages:
    19
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2021 Silver 4Runner
    Thanks for the input. Just got back from Yellowstone and Glacier. The Oregon Star Party is my next big adventure in just a few weeks. I’ll be trying out different scenarios to make sure I've got all the lights either turned off, shielded, or red. Again, I need it dim and red not bright and red - still looking for specific recommendations. Also, I’ll have a solar panel along to try to extend my deep cycle battery charge to power my scope, camera, and laptop for as long as possible. I could use that to charge the 4runner battery if I screw up and it gets drained.
     
  11. Jul 7, 2021 at 12:13 AM
    #11
    ElectroBoy

    ElectroBoy Ad astra

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2020
    Member:
    #15823
    Messages:
    1,939
    Gender:
    Male
    Bay Area, CA
    Vehicle:
    2018 ORP
    Several of the interior bulbs are 168/194 bulbs. Try going to your local auto parts store or Amazon and getting a 2-pack of red LEDs. Try them in your door foot lights and overhead lights. They just may be dim enough for your use.
    Philips 194RLED Ultinon LED Bulb (Red), 2 Pack

    A vendor for the festoon type bulbs is superbrightleds.com

    I’ve used their bulbs but check them out electrically and physically before installing. I’ve found a few where the solder or glass seal wasn’t good, which they will replace for you.
     
    Last edited: Jul 7, 2021
    Moon Landing and Toy4X4 like this.
  12. Jul 7, 2021 at 5:51 AM
    #12
    iamincrediboy

    iamincrediboy New Member

    Joined:
    Dec 16, 2020
    Member:
    #18551
    Messages:
    527
    Gender:
    Male
    South FL
    Vehicle:
    2005 V8 4Runner Limited - Silver
    You're correct, the Runner is smart enough to know "battery is connected, Accessory power is on, [something] is using power, turn off after XX time" so it doesn't kill the battery. Mine does the same thing when I'm working too long with the doors kept open and the puddle lights stay on, eventually they just shut off.
     
    Rock-N-Roll[QUOTED] likes this.
  13. Jul 7, 2021 at 7:01 AM
    #13
    VentureTRD

    VentureTRD New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2021
    Member:
    #21811
    Messages:
    207
    Gender:
    Male
    Blowing Rock, North Carolina
    Vehicle:
    2021 TRD Venture Nautical Blue Metallic
    Goodyear DuraTrac Tires P265/70R17 AEM Air Filter TRD Radiator Cap TRD Pro Leather Shift Knob TRD Pro Rubber Floor Mats Agency 6 Recovery Shackle Lamin-x Amber Fog Light Covers Red LED Interior Lights LasFit LED Turn Signals
  14. Jul 15, 2021 at 10:32 AM
    #14
    StarGazer

    StarGazer [OP] New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 11, 2021
    Member:
    #19058
    Messages:
    19
    Gender:
    Male
    Vehicle:
    2021 Silver 4Runner
    Thanks for the recommendations on the LED lighting. I ended up getting a set of 10 Oxilam red bulbs for 10.99 via Amazon. Just replaced the door lights and it was quick and simple. I think the brightness is fine (shouldn’t be overwhelming at a very dark location). I might end up replacing some of the other interior lighting as well.

    Another plus with the LEDs is they don’t get hot. I covered an interior light in my old Expedition with black electrical tape on a previous star party trip and it melted the plastic diffuser (I think due to the trapped heat/IR). With these LEDs I can tape them over if I find the brightness too obnoxious without worrying.
     
To Top