Bed power outlet -- what can it power?

[Maveriac]

I am not complaining; okay I am, but has anyone really used the 115V in-bed power outlet to run say a skill saw or small shop vacuum ? I can't get mine to power even an electric razor. It will run about 2 seconds, then stop. Yes, I tried following the instructions to no avail. I admit that I am totally ignorant when it comes to electrical issues. Help ???

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[rclee]

Dan, 400 watts is not a lot of power. The main reason for the outlet in my opinion, is for running a laptop or one of the chargers for battery powered tools. Not the tool itself. I ran a flat panel tv from my bed outlet. I have heard that some MTC members found a crock pot that is below the 400 watt limit and cooked a meal and I think I read that they did that while driving. I don't think I would try that

 

[SkeeterB]

I don't know about the 115v, but the 12v is useless. Vair compressor runs off 12v in cab, but runs VERY slow off one I put in the bed with the pigtail. I suspect too much voltage drop over the length of the wire run.

 

[JBryant]

Dan, 400 watts is not a lot of power. The main reason for the outlet in my opinion, is for running a laptop or one of the chargers for battery powered tools. Not the tool itself. I ran a flat panel tv from my bed outlet. I have heard that some MTC members found a crock pot that is below the 400 watt limit and cooked a meal and I think I read that they did that while driving. I don't think I would try that

Not going to power much. Laptop will work fine from the one in the back seat. Battery chargers work ok. It will actually take about double that amount to reliably power an electric drill or skill saw.

 

[S. fisher]

Is the power in the bed a true power inverter? If so then the vehicle needs to be running in order for it to work.

 

[rclee]

Is the power in the bed a true power inverter? If so then the vehicle needs to be running in order for it to work.

Yes the key needs to be on for it to work. I have a hybrid, and I think the Eco needs the engine running for alternator power.

 

[Big Kahuna]

15 amps max combined. So maybe 7-10 amp rated wires on each side?

 

[Maveriac]

Thanks for the feedback to my post. I will keep the 400W limit in mind and my expectations low. I may have been expecting it to power a city bloc ; kind of like the earlier Ford Lightning commercials envisioned; at least in my opinion.
I can see it now; a contractor at the job site using all the power tools from the Ford Lightning power bank and then packs up to go home and the Lightning is dead along with his cell phone. Weird huh ?

 

[S. fisher]

Yes the key needs to be on for it to work. I have a hybrid, and I think the Eco needs the engine running for alternator power.

Every inverter I have ever installed on a vehicle requires the engine to be running. It‘s a quick and dirty way to turn your vehicle into a generator. It does kill the life of the alternator over time, as they are designed to run the electrical system in the vehicle, it won’t hurt every once in a while. I’ve only ever used them to power battery chargers and occasionally a saw. But only if the job didn’t require an actual generator.

I have never used a hybrid that way, so I have no idea how they would work.

 

[Maveriac]

Thanks for the reply. I tried it running as well as not running. I am not very savy when it comes to anything realted to electricity. I guess 400W is the max. Thank you

 

[Ranch]

Thanks for the feedback to my post. I will keep the 400W limit in mind and my expectations low. I may have been expecting it to power a city bloc ; kind of like the earlier Ford Lightning commercials envisioned; at least in my opinion.
I can see it now; a contractor at the job site using all the power tools from the Ford Lightning power bank and then packs up to go home and the Lightning is dead along with his cell phone. Weird huh ?

A Lightning comes with a much more powerful inverter when compared to a Maverick.

A built-in inverter puts out 2.0, 2.4, or 7.2 kW through one 240-volt outlet and either two or four 120-volt outlets based on spec.

That's a 2000 watt to 7200 watt inverter. I've found that I need at least a 2000 watt inverter to run my circular saw.

https://www.motortrend.com/features/2022-ford-f-150-lightning-home-power/

 

[Maverich]

I've used the three pronged outlet in the truck bed when the truck is running to inflate an air mattress using the mattress's internal pump on multiple occasions. Worked great. Great camping hack!

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