12v converter questions

[New2Jeep2022]

Hi,

I’m new to Jeep and camping. I’ve heard that you can use the 12v input with a converter and plug things in. I’m just wondering, if I wanted to charge a laptop what amount of W would I need? What about if I wanted to hook up a portable A/C?

Also, will using this drain your battery? I assume you have to have the car on for it to work?

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[Gaffer]

Hi,

I’m new to Jeep and camping. I’ve heard that you can use the 12v input with a converter and plug things in. I’m just wondering, if I wanted to charge a laptop what amount of W would I need? What about if I wanted to hook up a portable A/C?

Also, will using this drain your battery? I assume you have to have the car on for it to work?

The following is from the owners manual.

POWER INVERTER — IF EQUIPPED There is a 115 Volt, 150 Watt inverter outlet located on the back of the center console to convert DC current to AC current. This outlet can power cellular phones, electronics and other low power devices requiring power up to 150 Watts. Certain video game consoles exceed this power limit, as will most power tools

 

[New2Jeep2022]

The following is from the owners manual.

POWER INVERTER — IF EQUIPPED There is a 115 Volt, 150 Watt inverter outlet located on the back of the center console to convert DC current to AC current. This outlet can power cellular phones, electronics and other low power devices requiring power up to 150 Watts. Certain video game consoles exceed this power limit, as will most power tools

You couldn't use the 12v outlet in the back?

 

[Left Field]

Hi Amber,

In general our vehicles with a stock battery and charging system are not designed for running anything but small items and for short periods of time - otherwise you will be looking at a dead battery. This applies whether using the factory available 115V outlet or adding your own inverter, whether connected to one of the 12V outlets or even direct to the battery.

If you run the engine you can run larger loads (winches and air compressors for example) for short periods but it is not designed for sustained loads like an air conditioner.

Even running a string of 100 Watt camp party lights would run the battery down within a few hours.

Best to get a small portable generator if you'd like any significant camp power.

LF

 

[swozey]

You can charge your laptop from most high end portable power stations. I have an Ecoflow but a Bluetti, Rockpals, jackery etc all are nice. My Ecoflow charges my laptop something like 20-30 times before its drained. I'll go see how long my fridge will run out of curiosity.

Unfortunately these Jeeps/any car has problems with battery drain from this stuff. I've had a dead battery before after a short camping trip and being over confident. Now I have a solar panel, an $800 ecoflow and am planning on either a dual battery or adding one to my trunk.

 

[Ratbert]

You can charge your laptop from most high end portable power stations. I have an Ecoflow but a Bluetti, Rockpals, jackery etc all are nice. My Ecoflow charges my laptop something like 20-30 times before its drained. I'll go see how long my fridge will run out of curiosity.

Unfortunately these Jeeps/any car has problems with battery drain from this stuff. I've had a dead battery before after a short camping trip and being over confident. Now I have a solar panel, an $800 ecoflow and am planning on either a dual battery or adding one to my trunk.

How do you get a dead battery? I've accidentally left our Dometic fridge running after a camping trip. The Jeep turned off that aux port when the battery's voltage started to get too low.

 

[jjvincent]

I suggest you look into a jump box that has a 12V outlet. It'll serve two purposes, allow you to run and charge something like a basic laptop (not a gaming one) and jump the Jeep if needed. Plus, when you run the jump box dead, your Jeep will still have power to start. There are plenty out there and just look at the capacities/features/price that fits your need.

As for wattage, the laptop should tell you at least the amperage it will draw.

 

[Mgg253]

The solar generators are pretty remarkable. I just got a bluetti and am very happy with quality up front, I hope it continues to exceed my expectations when I put it into real use this summer. It sustains me for 3 days of work with my laptop without charging, a 220v dokio solar panel can easily charge it in full in 1 day of decent sun. I can run 500 watts continuously and it has 715wH storage capacity. This all said, a portable A/C unit will need considerably more power storage to run for any length of time. I’d imagine my power storage would last maybe an hour (depending on size of AC)

BLUETTI Portable Power Station EB70S 800W (Peak 1400W) Solar Generator 716Wh Backup LiFePo4 Battery Pack with 4 110V AC Outlets
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B095Y5233M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_Y4027THFKJA3C1Q4D18Z?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

DOKIO 220w 18v Foldable Solar Panel Kit (Lightweight 9lb) Monocrystalline Solar Cell with Controller 2 USB Outputs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B075SZMFP2/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_41SADVDBVVVXZG2M17R1?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

 

[swozey]

How do you get a dead battery? I've accidentally left our Dometic fridge running after a camping trip. The Jeep turned off that aux port when the battery's voltage started to get too low.

Couldn't tell you, I had a 12v fridge plugged in the rear 12v and maybe a usb fan. It was dead after 2 or maybe 3 days. I have the upgraded alt, etc.

 

[jjvincent]

I also suggest that you just search "boondocking". You'll find all sorts of solutions and many will be over the top but others are reasonably priced, don't take up lots of room plus portable. I boondock with my RV but for many years, did the same with my Eurovan. So, I figured it out as to what to do for a certain period of time without breaking the bank and taking up too much room (room is a challenge when loading for camping).

Some other options if camping for 2-3 days and thinking to store food, go for a good cooler that locks (because of animals) but has a vent (for the dry ice). The day before, go buy some dry ice, put it in zip lock bags then place them in the cooler. If you planned ahead, freeze and vacuum pack the food that can go bad. Place that in the cooler and you will be set for that camping trip. I'm a dork and even put in a wireless thermometer for my cooler (a pelican) and determined that I could go 3 days with the cooler running at -35F. Then by day 5 it was up to 10F. At least 4 days and you could keep ice cream in it. Best part is, at the end, the cooler will be mostly dry, so cleanup is easy.

 

[Ratbert]

Couldn't tell you, I had a 12v fridge plugged in the rear 12v and maybe a usb fan. It was dead after 2 or maybe 3 days. I have the upgraded alt, etc.

Oh, maybe they don't have protection on that outlet like they apparently have for the aux connections.

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