ES Series 12V Power Outlet Limitation
 

I have a 2019 ES350, and the owner's manual says the following about the 12V power outlets: "Please use as a power supply for electronic goods that use less than 12
VDC/10 A (power consumption of 120 W)". This creates a problem for me, which I'll describe in a moment, but I'll first say that I'm skeptical that this instruction is to be taken at face value. For one thing, there is no sybol indicating that this is either a "warning" or a "notice," and for another, the cap on the power outlet says "12V" on it, and for another, the instruction uses the word "please," which suggests to me that this instruction is not mandatory. Having said that, I take instructions involving electrical matters seriously, and so I don't feel that I can simply ignore this.

Now for my problem. I've recently purchased two DeWalt cordless tire inflators that I want to be able to power using the ES350's 12-volt power outlets. The DeWalt owner's manual says that the tire inflator is rated to draw 10 amps, which is more amperage than the Lexus owner's manual advises.

Is it safe to use the DeWalt tire inflator? 10 amps is a very moderate rating for a tire inflator---some draw 15amps.

Thanks for any advice!

I bet it is enough. The fuse for the power outlet is rated at 20A.

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Thank you. Two questions:

• Do you (or anyone else here) have any idea as to why the ES350's Owner's Manual advises to use the power outlets only with devices rated at less than 10-amps?
• I could look under the hood to check a fuse in this situation (which I've not yet done), but I'd rather have documentation for the fuse ratings. I'd expected that the Owner's Manual would have that documentation, but it doesn't. Can you point me to a good source for that?

Thank you.

Have not looked but if the fuse is 20A and both the 12V outlets are used at 10 A that would be the 20A service. The wire gauge has to be large enough from each of those to be fused at 20A. The only other explanation could be the receiver inlet is only rated for 10 amps which is probably what it is.

Yeah, thanks, that occurred to me, but the wording in the Owner's Manual is unclear, so I wasn't sure.

In addition to what's already been posted, I'd guess that if the outlet can handle a hair under 10A@12V, it can handle the full 10A.

Just raising this question once more, in the event that anyone can answer it. Thanks for any info.

They tell you Max 10A to be on the safe side because you have two power outlets and if you use them on the same time…

The only readily available documentation on the 7th generation fuses that I could find is what is printed on the fuse box cover for the driver’s side instrument panel fuse box. I speculate that the same would hold for the engine compartment fuse boxes but I haven't opened them up to find out.

On the driver’s side instrument panel fuse box cover there is a 15A fuse labeled "P/OUTLET NO.1" which is the only label suggesting it may be for the 12V power outlet circuit. [That's taken from my 2019 ES 350 Ultra Luxury fuse box cover.] A 15A fuse on a 12VDC/10A maximum circuit seems reasonable since that will handle without trouble the maximum load with a reasonable margin for brief surge currents during equipment connecting, starting, etc.

Update: To satisfy my curiosity, I checked the engine compartment's driver's side fuse box. The fuse sizes and circuit labeled positions are on the inside of the fuse box cover. There is a 15A "P/OUTLET NO.2" labeled position but that position in the fuse block is empty.

Ok I was curious and found a p/outlet NO 3 under hood for 15A and under dash for NO 1 for 15A on 2020 ESh. This is not a 20A circuit. Without seeing the diagram I am thinking both 12V outlets are on the same 15A fuse NO 1 and the other being the usb ports. Others in past years saying NO 1 is the 12V outlet.

Thank you for these two replies. You inspired me to check my power outlet fuses, and I found that they were each the same rating as yours: 15A. So, I'm going to ignore the limitation indicated in the Owner's Manual ("less than" 10A) and use my 10A tire inflator with the power outlet.

I had the same dilemma. So instead of straining my car's electrical system, I bought an AC to DC converter so I can use my DC powered (cig lighter) tire inflator from my garage power instead. I have successfully inflated tires from the ES power system but felt bad about it later. I've also run said inflator off a little Kia so it seems cars can run it just fine. Still though, wires get hot. you don't want to stress them too much too long.

I've got an AC to DC converter as well, but I want to be sure that my tire inflator is able to be powered by the car when I get a flat away from home.

If the circuit is fused at 15A the wiring is designed to handle that continuous.