I am considering getting a 12v DC to 120 V AC converter to use in my 2007 LS460. I would be using it to charge my phone and other devices. It would be the type that plugs into the 12V port in the ashtray. Should I be concerned about frying any of the electronics? Advisable or not?

Thanks,
hms09

 

Wondering why you would bother. Almost every mobile device has chargers/adapters available that run on 12 volts DC. Seems unnecessary.

 

Can't tell anything about Lexus, but I've used it in my Mercedes for a long time with no issues.

I got this one : https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Buy one with a maximum capacity of 150 watts and you'll stay below the 15 amp fuse capacity of your 12 Volt port.

 

I use one daily, and have for years. Never an issue.

 

Thanks guys, I feel better about it now!

hms09

 

I had one years ago, it was pretty loud and annoying. Maybe current technology is silent or at least quieter.

 

Mine is small. Fits with at least 4 inches of room in front of it in the center console. Completely silent. No fans at all. Powers everything I need.

 

I am curious to know what devices/appliances you are plugging into the 110V outlet. Please share a picture of the inverter and details (part # etc.). Thanks!

 

I've used this one from Duracell to run my laptop with no complaints. For phones & small devices, I agree all you should need is a little USB plug-in like this that I just got. Definitely go for a ~2.4A for fast charging, as long as it's compatible with your device. Beware that many cheap plugins have inferior internals that can damage your device or even be a fire hazard. You can find some youtube videos showing dissection and analysis of the cube-like 110v i-Phone chargers that can be alarming. I'm no electrical engineer and make no claims regarding the internal quality of either item I linked to....

 

This brings up a question. If I wanted to use a USB adapter in the front console cig lighter, can I just leave it there permanently? Would that effect the battery?

 

Without a USB device attached, the adaptor is still using some energy (some adaptors have an LED) when plugged into the cig lighter and the engine is ON. But this is a really small amount of energy loss that should not affect a battery that is being charged.

I can't recall, but don't cig lighters work when the ignition is OFF? If they do, the plugged in USB adaptor will be draining a small amount of energy all the time, which could potentially drain the battery over 2-3 weeks. I have sometimes not moved my car for 2-3 weeks, and it starts right up even though the anti-theft system has been continuously active (2 flashing LEDs and other sensors). I doubt very much a plugged in adaptor consumes more energy than one LED. So you should be fine leaving the adaptor plugged in permanently. I always unplug mine, but logic says it shouldn't make a difference

 

In my RX, the lighter in the console is dead with the ignition off, so it will not have any effect. So is the USB Aux connector for the stereo. IDK about yours. BTW my wife says the stereo connection charges her iphone faster than the 2.4A USB lighter plug. The USB chargers in my link above don't have an LED.

 

In the 08 LS460, there is not a USB connection. That item was offered starting in 2010.

 

That picture right there is a garbage usb adapter. It's only 800 mAh
I have been in the cellular accessory field since 2002, that adapter right there is just something the store can make money on. Not a quality product at all. We call that the bullet shape car usb adapter, I wholesale tons of these units cause the price is right, but I don't use one myself...