Going on a camping trip with your family this weekend? What electronic devices are you thinking of bringing? You might want to prepare a list because thanks to the 110V outlet in your car, you don’t have to limit yourself to the small 12V socket on your console anymore.
Having a 110V outlet in your car is just like having a portable charging station. It’s convenient, free, and helps you save on energy. Unfortunately, it does have its limitations, and some appliances won’t work even if they’re small and portable.
While plugging devices and using your car’s power to operate them is great, you just cannot do too many or sometimes even two at the same time, depending on how many amps they pull. If you are using a device plugged into the outlet but it doesn’t work, check the fuse. If it pops the fuse again, it’s possible that the device is just pulling too much amperage.
If you’re using a device plugged into the outlet, but it doesn’t work, check the fuse. If the plugged-in device pops the fuse again, it’s possible that it’s just pulling too much amperage.
–Anthony Harlin, ASE Certified Master Automobile Technician
With this in mind, here are some examples of devices that are compatible with most 110V outlets:
Long road trips are a great way to bond with your family, but fighting over who can charge their phone first with the limited power outlets on the center console is certainly no fun. Luckily, a lot of SUVs and minivans now come with a 110V outlet that can help solve this problem.
Passengers in the backseat can plug their phone charger into the 110V outlet, which is typically located in the second row. 110V outlets can also charge your phone a lot faster than standard USB ports, so everyone can have their turn.
If you’re a professional who is constantly on the go because of your job, having a 110V outlet in your car is great. You can easily charge your laptop, tablet, camera batteries, and other similar devices even while on the road.
Don’t forget to unplug your laptop before exiting your car. Devices like laptops can drain your car battery if you leave them plugged in for too long, especially if your engine isn’t running. Just to stay on the safe side, limit your charging time to around two hours only.
While a 110V outlet might not be enough to power most appliances, there’s a clever workaround you can try. Instead of directly plugging your electric cooler or heater into the outlet, you can plug a portable battery bank into the outlet instead.
110V outlets are great for charging portable battery banks, and it’s a popular practice among truck owners to just bring a portable battery bank and use it to power their cooler or mini fridge when they’re traveling.
Finding durable 12-volt cooking appliances for your car can certainly be a struggle, but it’s a struggle you can finally let go of thanks to 110V outlets. You can now enjoy a fresh smoothie during a camping trip. All you have to do is bring a blender and plug it into your 110V outlet.
Just be sure to pick a blender that doesn’t exceed the maximum wattage rating of the vehicle’s outlet and keep blending sessions brief to preserve your car battery.
Tired of using sleeping bags on camping trips? With a 110V outlet in your car, you can now plug in your electric pump and use it to blow up your air mattress. Lots of campers do it, and even the head of long-range product strategy at Kia acknowledges that it’s one of the most common uses of their 110V outlets.
You never know when you’ll need your power tools for emergencies, and that’s one thing manufacturers like Ford understand. Most Ford F-150 trucks come with a 110V outlet that you can safely plug your power tools into, as long as they’re compatible with your car’s wattage.
If you can, try to invest in rechargeable power tools. According to Ford, it’s best to use the 110V outlets for recharging the batteries of power tools instead of directly powering them.
A 110V outlet is the standard AC outlet you’ll find in your home. It is becoming a common feature on the second row or cargo area of many SUVs, minivans, and trucks. While it can certainly provide more power than your standard USB port, it isn’t limitless.
Most 110V outlets only have a 150-watt rating, so it’s only good for small electronic devices. Using it for too long can also drain your car battery, which is why they typically only work with the engine turned on.
They’re great if you’re in a pinch and need to charge your laptop or phone, but be careful not to go overboard. Using an extension cord and plugging in multiple devices at once can cause the outlet to overload and start a fire. For your own safety, double-check the wattage of your devices before plugging them in.
Some electric vehicles (EVs) also come with a 110V or 120V power outlet. Thanks to the vehicle-to-load (V2L) feature, you can charge your phone, microwave, and even another EV using the EV battery. All you have to do is get an adapter for your car’s outlet and plug it in.
Any information provided on this Website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to replace consultation with a professional mechanic. The accuracy and timeliness of the information may change from the time of publication.
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Rather helpful info 👍🏼