Using 12V Car Outlet In An Emergency

[Steadfast]

I have not seen this mentioned before but any EV can be used to provide power to your home if you have a battery or portable solar generator. You can simply charge the battery or generator with the 12V outlet in your vehicle and then run your home from the generator or battery. It's not the same as being able to plug directly into your vehicle but in the case of an emergency and having no heat or your food going bad, it is an option.

 

[brianc35]

How many amps can it support though? the 12v system is not design for large loads and the thin wires will get hot.

You'll likely trip fuses after 400 watts or so, which isn't much when you're talking 120 upconversion

 

[bwilson4web]

My Tesla 12V socket is rated at 50W. However there is a 12V buss bar rated at much higher (400W?) to power big audio systems. But I have no interest in trying to back-door a vehicle-to-grid in my 2019 Model 3.

When my late wife became homebound, I added a natural gas fueled, 16 kW, automatic, emergency generator.

Bob Wilson

 

[Fastnf]

When I had a 2019 Kona I used to connect a 1200 watt inverter directly to the kona 12 volt battery and leave the Kona in run. It would run my internet, lights and refrigerator during power outages. There are many older post on doing this. I now have a lighting with 9.6 kw. I used it to power my sons house last week during a power outage. I didn't need it at home as I have solar and a back up battery.

 

[Steadfast]

How many amps can it support though? the 12v system is not design for large loads and the thin wires will get hot.

You'll likely trip fuses after 400 watts or so, which isn't much when you're talking 120 upconversion

What are you talking about? I'm talking about plugging it into your portable solar generator. Most come with the adapter. You must be thinking about something else.

See post #4.

 

[Steadfast]

When I had a 2019 Kona I used to connect a 1200 watt inverter directly to the kona 12 volt battery and leave the Kona in run. It would run my internet, lights and refrigerator during power outages. There are many older post on doing this.

Thank you. This is exactly what I am talking about. And yes, it is important to leave your EV in "run" or "on" so you don't drain the 12V battery.

 

[brianc35]

I see, i read it wrong.

so, you're saying to recharge the portable electric generator with the car. got it. Still, this takes a very long time and likely won't keep up with any amount of consumption in the home. Better off with a couple panels rated at higher throughput

 

[Steadfast]

I see, i read it wrong.

so, you're saying to recharge the portable electric generator with the car. got it. Still, this takes a very long time and likely won't keep up with any amount of consumption in the home. Better off with a couple panels rated at higher throughput

Yes, or better yet, a dozen 600W panels with adequate battery backup. However, the point is, in a pinch, this can be of help.