Just curious, any of you ever thought of getting one of these USB portable chargers and leaving it plugged into the accessory outlet in the back? Not that I'm really ever away from power for long stretches of time but it seems like an easy power backup for cellphones and other portable devices. And, well, I never plug anything into that rear outlet so thought this is one way of using it. I figured I could somehow velcro it and let it reside their permanently.

 

I keep a 12 volt drill battery charger plugged in there. I tried plugging in my 18 volt drill charger and it won't run it. I do keep a small USB battery in the truck that seems to last for along time. It has a button on it to show the charge status,1-4 LEDs and it takes a few months to drop to 3 LEDs.

I guess the [type B]* in your picture indicates the 400W Canadian version, only 100W for me

 

The pic actually is just something I grabbed quickly off the internet. I have the same 100W outlet that you do. That's cool that you keep a drill charged up there. I have a small USB charger too which seems to keep it's charge for a bit of time. I may try and stow one back there and see how it goes.

 

I wish the US version had the 400W outlet. I have a new 50 Quart ARB fridge/freezer I would have like to run back there but that 100W outlet isn't going to cut it. I guess I'll run it off of one of my AGMs and a solar panel at camp.

 

I don't plan to mount anything permanent but I have this USB 5 ports that I will it with the rear plug when on the road. It has enough ports for the kids to charge their Ipad/Iphones from the back seats while it can also charge the portable batteries as well.

 

How difficult would it be to bring it up to 400w? Swap out the inverter (where is it?). The fuse would need to be a higher rating (if the US fuse box allows it) and is the US wireing capable of carrying 400w safely?

 

I had an FJ cruiser with the 400w option. I never thought much of it but now that I only have 100w I imagine it's an easy change???

any success stories out there?

 

I'll need to research further. Saw some posts on other forums that gauge of wire back there for the 100W isn't sufficient for 400W. Also some logic with the 400W models that lower wattage output while car is moving. That seemed odd. Then there is the deactivation switch up front in that blank spot on Premium models next to the heated steering wheel. I plan to check out some schematics in FSM.

 

i remeber the switch on the FJ. No switch next to the heated steering wheel button on the gx.

 

The Canadian GX does.

Or at least this 2010 Ultra Premium model in Canada.