Prius Camping/Living: Climate/Temperature control & Power Management with Renogy 2000w inverter

Подписаться 1,2 тыс.

Просмотров 11 тыс.

50% 1

Video showing my inverter set-up and how I manage temperature/climate control. I use power via my Renogy inverter when camping without hook-ups (sometimes leaving my car in ready mode, other times turning the car off and running off the 12v), and a power cord when I'm camping at a campground or other place with an outlet available.
Definitely don't recommend the 2000w inverter I have, unless you add a second 12v battery and understand the risks of drawing that much power. I keep my usage under 1200w at a time. I encourage you do to your own research before installing anything like this. And definitely recommend professional installation and consultation.
I sleep comfortably as long as the temp inside of the car is between around 45 to 65 degrees. Forgot to mention in the video that I do use a thermometer because I like knowing what the temperature is in the car (link below). I put the second sensor in my fridge so I can also monitor the temp in my fridge.
Better explanations of how the inverter system works in a Prius:
• How "climate control" ...
• Prius Pure Sine Wave I...
• Installed Pure Sine Wa...
Better explanation of how to start the car with a dead battery:
• Toyota Prius -Tip on h...
Renogy Inverter amzn.to/3IjeIyw
Power Strip amzn.to/3lpDvrH
Mini Cooker amzn.to/3jLBMg1
Coffee Maker amzn.to/3YOj0n3
Fridge amzn.to/3YOj0n3
Mini Space Heater amzn.to/3lyIxSD
Battery rechargeable fan amzn.to/3jOWknG
Self Jump Starter amzn.to/41xOL6l
Window Visors amzn.to/3E1q5sn
WeatherTech Shades amzn.to/3IfWb6e
Window Mesh Socks/Sleeves amzn.to/3YHZEzY
Thermometer amzn.to/3YMJCF4
The links above are affiliate links. This means that, at zero cost to you, I will earn an affiliate commission if you click through the link and finalize a purchase.

Опубликовано:

15 окт 2024

Ссылка:

Скачать:

Готовим ссылку...

Добавить в:

Мой плейлист

Посмотреть позже

Комментарии : 47

@dougt8215 Год назад

Two new things I learned in this video was using the parking brake to minimize the shake when the car starts and how to start the Prius when the 12v battery is dead. I used one of those car starter power banks (which I had just gotten for Christmas) to start, when accidently I left my Inverter on a few weeks ago, but next time it happens, I will try holding down the brake until that sound stops and then holding the Start button to override the dead battery. I have that same wall outlet heater in my Prius RV running off the inverter, and I like that it is digital so I don't have to manually regulate it. I also have a 2000W Inverter, which runs a microwave fine. I put black felt on my WeatherTech window shades so that they are less noticeable (looks like a heavily tinted window car). Thanks for putting out another Prius video.

@sweetoldbertha Год назад

Thank you for your kind comments! I’m actually in the process of refurbishing my window shades, may post a video of that as well.

@Dr.G Год назад

Great video as usual. I have a 3000 watt inverter and draw 12-1500 watts. I have found that the 12v battery won’t maintain that voltage for more than a few minutes. Even with the car in the ready mode. The hybrid battery can not replace the wattage being drawn at that rate. Lowering the inverter draw to around 1000 watts is maintainable for extended periods of time in my case. (Gen 2.) I have also heard that you should not draw more than half the rated maximum of your inverter for extended periods of time. Not sure about that info though. You also need to be sure the battery to inverter cables are large enough to allow maximum current to flow through the system. There are charts for wattage, cable size, and length requirements. In the end electrical systems can be dangerous so if you’re not familiar with them its best to get professional help.

@sweetoldbertha Год назад

Absolutely agree! Actually forgot the mention in the video that I upgraded wires, when I switched everything over to the new Prius. After more research, realized the ones that came with the inverter weren’t ideal. I’m definitely still learning, especially when it comes to the electrical stuff

@ingeborgohler2401 6 месяцев назад

Better late then sorry

@SkyGizmmo 18 дней назад

Camp Prius club member since 2016. ❤

@geedoubleu641 Год назад

I started a thread a few years ago at Priuschat about power issues and got a lot of help from people who seem to know a lot about electrical engineering. I was warned against pulling more than 1000 watts from an inverter in a Prius for some reason. I even got scolded by FChapman a little for buying a 1200w unit, but that's fine because he's very smart and also helpful. I suggest checking out that forum before messing with the electrical system. ✌️

@sweetoldbertha Год назад

Very good point! I meant to mention something about that amount of draw in the video, but I forgot (though I did add something to the video description). From my research, 1300-1400 should be the max though there are definitely people out there using larger inverters, especially when used with second 12v batteries installed (which was my original plan). Still, people definitely need to do their research before doing any of this. And I am definitely no expert on the subject!

@joshjenkins3815 7 месяцев назад

400 of those watts runs all of the electronics that runs the hybrid system, extracting 1400 watts is risky and could damage the system, hence why 1000watts is safe.

@bobosity Год назад

BTW... love all your videos. You are very plain-spoken. Easy to understand!

@sweetoldbertha Год назад

Thanks so much! Let me know if there's anything else you'd like to see a video about. Feel like I'm out of ideas lol

@bobcrawford4210 Год назад

set your e-brake before you put you hit the park button and it will minimize the cars rocking.

@bobosity Год назад

Are you currently living full-time in your car? If so, are you saying that you currently keep the 2000-watt inverter at a lower draw, and do not have a backup battery? That this set up meets all of your wattage needs? I am only planning on camping for a month or so at a time. I am trying to figure out my electricity needs. I have low watt (700) microwave. I was hoping to find a low-wattage hot water pot. And I was thinking about using a rice cooker.

@sweetoldbertha Год назад

I do currently live in my car full time. I do try to keep it under 1000-1200 watts, and no back up 12v battery at this time. It's definitely more than what I need. I meant to include the wattage of each of my appliances in the video. The mini cooker I have will boil water, so I didn't replace my hot water pot once it died. I don't ever run two cooking appliances at once (actually now, my only appliances are the mini cooker and coffee maker). But the good thing I found, when I did draw too much when it was hooked up to the camper, is that the inverter just shut off when I attempted to draw too much. Hope this helps!

@mrsomebody7345 Год назад

nice video, mine jumps too a little everytime it starts up. i was wondering if it was normal for priuses.

@sweetoldbertha Год назад

Funny thing, my 2012 Prius didn't jump as much as my current one (which is a 2015 but wasn't maintained nearly as well).

@bobosity Год назад

What about a video on your budget? And another one about auto expences (thinking tires, breaks, tune ups).

@sweetoldbertha Год назад

Oh that’s good! The budget one especially would probably be helpful to folks thinking about this lifestyle.

@ginnyrose1 9 месяцев назад

Do you have another video that shows more in depth installation of the outlets?

@sweetoldbertha 9 месяцев назад

I don’t but this is all it is. I just secured it to my bed platform. Hope this helps. Let me know if you have any questions amzn.to/3tAEfP1

@cfldriven 9 месяцев назад

Should not go beyond 1000watt inverter to stay within what the DC to DC can provide. Here is a how-to for those interested in generating power with their Prius ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-LKAuxiRSkNg.html

@sidhoward 11 месяцев назад

Do you keep track of the usage of the 12V considering its damaging to the battery if its drained more then 50%

@sweetoldbertha 11 месяцев назад

No it’s not something that I worry about. The hybrid battery recharges the 12v as needed. There are affordable monitors for the 12v on Amazon if that’s something you’re interested in keeping an eye on.

@sidhoward 11 месяцев назад

makes sense. the hybrid battery will passthrough charge the 12V(while the 12V is being used from the inverter) until the hybrid batter needs to be recharged by the gas engine ya? @@sweetoldbertha

@claudiamunson7904 Год назад

Thanks for sharing this info - have a 2nd Gen Prius and want to start car camping. When you are at a campsite with electric hookup can you run the Prius AC or Heat from the external electric hookup? Can you charge the hybrid battery from the external electric hookup instead of charging it from the gas combustion engine? Can you charge the 12 volt battery from the electric external hookup. Thanks .😊

@sweetoldbertha Год назад

I can’t charge the 12v battery or hybrid battery from an outside source. I can use my fan and heater using an outside power source. For AC, I depend on the car’s AC so have to leave the car in ready mode for that.

@kevinhughes9801 Год назад

Great vid

@slippery_slobber 11 месяцев назад

Instead of a heat pad why don’t you use the car to heat the car?

@sweetoldbertha 11 месяцев назад

The car heat causes the engine to cycle on much more often and also doesn’t do much for heating the rear of the car (and uses more gas). So use the heating pad most cold nights. And the small space heater if needed.

@johnmonk66 Месяц назад

why a plug in heater when the car has its own heater? does it use a lot less electricity?

@sweetoldbertha Месяц назад

It’s more efficient so the engine isn’t turning on and off all night. Also makes a difference to have the heat source near the bed at night.

@patrickgabriel4351 8 месяцев назад

I’m curious about your remote in the back of the car to help start your car if you need that extra power. Because I know in my Prius I have to press the break in order to start the car. How do you handle that from the back?

@sweetoldbertha 8 месяцев назад

It’s just a remote start system (meant to be used outside the car), but it can be used inside the car to start the car. So pressing the brake isn’t necessary.

@skychaser59 Год назад

The link to the fridge shows the coffee maker.

@jinhur8193 7 месяцев назад

Hows ur hybrid and 12v battery holding up after a year? Jus curious

@sweetoldbertha 7 месяцев назад

The car had over 200k miles on it when I bought it, and I tested the hybrid battery when I bought it, and it didn't have much life left in it. So I did end up replacing the hybrid battery last summer. As for the 12V, it was an off brand replacement (no idea how long it'd been installed), but I replaced it a couple months ago.

@KietPixels 5 месяцев назад

The inverter may be emitting a lot of emf, which can cause forgetfulness and kill brain cells. Stainless steel cover or reflectix can prevent emf from traveling to your bed area. An Emf detector can help you check if there are any leakage. Usually when the inverter is on.

@sweetoldbertha 4 месяца назад

Very interesting! Thanks for the info. I will have to look into this. Definitely need all the brain cells I have left lol

@yusufknowsit7674 Месяц назад

Prius in general and all hybrids cause brown fog and killing of brain cells, a lot of people report headaches

@ericbishton2779 2 месяца назад

Why not just recharge a power station from a DC charge cord in the cigarette lighter plug in the Prius rather than bother with connecting an inverter? Wouldn’t a quality power station provide plenty of power for camp cooking and whatever, making an inverter unnecessary?

@sweetoldbertha Месяц назад

It would take awhile to charge from a cigarette lighter plug. Using the inverter provides on demand power and uses the car as a generator when left in ready mode. I'm sure there are instances where a power station might work better for some people (like if someone does a lot of tent camping away from the car), but for me, this was the best option.

@ericbishton2779 Месяц назад

@@sweetoldbertha ok, I can definitely see the convenience of that. I guess the combo of both creates more options. Right now I’m preparing to lose my home and looking for the simplest setup. I’m somewhat handy, but very cautious with electrical work. I wouldn’t want to get any of the wiring wrong (from what I’ve seen on other channels) and paying for it to be done might be pricey. Maybe I’ll ask around about wiring costs to find the best starting point.

@flaggov6949 Месяц назад

@@ericbishton2779I'm going to use a power station when I camp because I already have one. It rarely hurts to start with what you already have.

@sweetoldbertha Месяц назад

@@ericbishton2779 I’m sorry to hear that. Please feel free to reach out if you have any other questions. For me, this was the best solution. However the 2000 watt inverter is more than I need and was also more expensive that the less powerful options.