So I'm going to do a little tailgating today in my 2011 lariat. I plan on powering a 19" tv to watch the 49er/saint game. I'm a little embarrassed the limited knowledge I have in understanding voltage. Anyway I have a cigarette lighter, which I know not to use. I plugged my vector power inverter into the 12v power point and it seemed to power the tv for a short test. The power point behind the center console is not labeled, but according to the manual it is 110v.

Anyone have any advise on which power point I should be using?


Thank you.

 

I wish i had a 110 volt outlet in my xlt. Lucky you! If you do have one, then go ahead and use it. Is it a normal 110 style outlet? If it is another standard round outlet, then it should be 12 volts.

The normal 12 volt outlet on the dash (cigarett lighter) is on a high current circuit, and would be fine to power an inverter.

 

Look on your inverter to see the max power draw. Most Cig lighter plugs are on 15amp fuses. Also see what the TV draws in Watts. If it is within the power range of the inverter it will work, BUT the picture on the TV won't be that great being powered by an inverter because of the voltage that the inverter puts out.

 

According to the manual you should not use the cigarette lighter socket for any electrical accessories.

So if you want to use a power inverter, it goes into the 12v auxiliary power point. It has a max capacity of 180 watts. It has an unmarked round cap.

Or if you have the AC power point, you can plug your TV directly into that, as long as it isn't more than 150 watts. Unless your TV is an antique and uses a CRT, in which case the owner's manual advises against it.

The AC power point, if you have it, is located on the back of the center console. it has a rectangular cap which is marked "AC 110V 150W"

The wattage of your device is normally marked somewhere on a data or spec plate.

 

If you have the factery power inverter out let looks like regular houshold plug it is rated at 115 volts and max 150 watts if your tv draws 150 or less watts i would run it directly from the built in unit if it draws more than 150 watts use the vecter but you will probably have to use the lighter plug be cause the 12 volt power point is nly fused for 10 amps that about 140 watts at 14 volts [engine running] a little less engine off

 

Remember though that the 110v power for your TV is actually coming from your 12v DC truck battery - The inverter is changing the power from DC to AC.

Be careful not to run your battery down. Does the truck have a safeguard for that? I don't know.

I would try to reduce any other battery draw such as lights, etc..

Is there a way to leave doors open and turn off interior lights like domes? On my other trucks I could do that but not sure of my 2011.

 

The AC power point, if you have it, has an overload protection feature that will shut it down before it is overloaded or the battery is discharged.

The DC power point, if you are using an inverter, needs to have the engine running to get full capacity usage. There is no safety feature to prevent battery discharge.

 

BTW - this was a helluvah game!


(GO PACK! )

 

I really dropped the ball by bringing a sd tv forgetting that tv stations are no longer broadcasting in analog. Thanks for the advise.