TMC is an independent, primarily volunteer organization that relies on ad revenue to cover its operating costs. Please consider whitelisting TMC on your ad blocker and becoming a Supporting Member. For more info: Support TMC
  1. TMC is currently READ ONLY.
    Click here for more info.

Can you run a PC from Tesla 12v with an inverter?

Discussion in 'The UK and Ireland' started by Yev000, Mar 1, 2021 at 12:18 PM.

  1. Yev000

    Yev000 Active Member

    Joined:
    May 3, 2019
    Messages:
    1,117
    Location:
    Knaphill
    Got an idea to run my desktop PC while camping. Does anyone think it is possible to run it using an 500+W inverter from the 12v plug? Or is there a better way of doing it?
     
  2. GRiLLA

    GRiLLA Member

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2020
    Messages:
    406
    Location:
    UK
    A laptop?
     
    • Funny x 3
    • Like x 2
    • Love x 1
  3. Yev000

    Yev000 Active Member

    Joined:
    May 3, 2019
    Messages:
    1,117
    Location:
    Knaphill
    No a laptop will be easy. I want to see if my gaming PC would run VR in a field somewhere....

    So I need 5 plugs. 2 for base stations and 2 for pc, monitor and headset. Should 600-700w maybe? Maybe less.
     
  4. GRiLLA

    GRiLLA Member

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2020
    Messages:
    406
    Location:
    UK
    I hate camping too, but I put my foot down and refuse to go.
     
    • Funny x 4
    • Like x 1
  5. Medved_77

    Medved_77 TM3 SR+ | MSM+Black | No FSD

    Joined:
    Jan 20, 2020
    Messages:
    1,776
    Location:
    Scotland
  6. Yev000

    Yev000 Active Member

    Joined:
    May 3, 2019
    Messages:
    1,117
    Location:
    Knaphill
    Not about camping.

    My room is ~ 4x4 meters and ceiling is ~ 2.1 meters. And It's too low and too small to really go all out in VR. I need something like 3 meter ceiling and 7x7 space... So football field somewhere would be ideal :D
     
  7. Mr H

    Mr H Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2020
    Messages:
    1,404
    Location:
    Manchester
    for that kind of consumption you need to connect directly to the 12v battery, there is a connection under the rear seat
     
  8. Yev000

    Yev000 Active Member

    Joined:
    May 3, 2019
    Messages:
    1,117
    Location:
    Knaphill
    Yeah, that's what I thought....

    Is there just the single 12v plug?
     
  9. Yev000

    Yev000 Active Member

    Joined:
    May 3, 2019
    Messages:
    1,117
    Location:
    Knaphill
    Dont you mean the high voltage battery? The 12v lead acid will probably die pretty quick.
     
  10. Yev000

    Yev000 Active Member

    Joined:
    May 3, 2019
    Messages:
    1,117
    Location:
    Knaphill
    What about the USB-c ports? is there something that can be done there?
     
  11. MorrisonHiker

    MorrisonHiker S 100D 2021.4.11

    Joined:
    Mar 8, 2015
    Messages:
    9,151
    Location:
    Colorado
    Based on posts in other threads, if Tesla finds out, they can void the warranty on the 12V battery.
     
    • Like x 1
  12. Mr H

    Mr H Active Member

    Joined:
    Jan 6, 2020
    Messages:
    1,404
    Location:
    Manchester
    the 12v connection that feeds the 12v battery from the main pack is accessible under the rear seat, the 12v battery will be constantly topped up as it's needed
     
  13. tkizzy

    tkizzy Member

    Joined:
    Jun 8, 2015
    Messages:
    175
    Location:
    Napa, CA
    I tried to run a cobra irad 200 from a 2015 model S that worked fine in other vehicles and the voltage seems to sag and it made a slowing down sound from high frequency to low freq and turns off after a few minutes. Haven’t tried in a couple years, dunno if that behavior could be fixed via software update....
     
  14. M3noob

    M3noob Supporting Member

    Joined:
    Aug 22, 2019
    Messages:
    490
    Location:
    Beyond the pale
    Take a generator with you.
     
    • Like x 1
  15. paulk

    paulk Member

    Joined:
    Jan 26, 2019
    Messages:
    88
    Location:
    hartford, ct
    i think the 12v plug is tied to a 15A fuse, so i wouldn't use more than 150 watts. if you want to attach a 500 watt inverter it should be attached directly to the battery with a fused connection, likely more work than you want to do.
     
  16. Yev000

    Yev000 Active Member

    Joined:
    May 3, 2019
    Messages:
    1,117
    Location:
    Knaphill
    Seems that way. Shame really. I guess I need a cybertruck with the connection in the bed.
     
  17. NewbieT

    NewbieT Member

    Joined:
    Aug 16, 2019
    Messages:
    907
    Location:
    North West
  18. davidmc

    davidmc Active Member

    Joined:
    May 20, 2019
    Messages:
    1,468
    Location:
    Leicester

    12v plugs if lucky can give 180w

    They don't have high amps 9-15amps if lucky. Model 3 i believe is around 12amps with around 16 peak out of the 12v socket.

    Also your PC - what is the power supply rating? 600w? or higher?

    The GPU will use most of the power is such as a Nvidia 3070 will consume around the 220w mark, especially in VR
     
  19. Durzel

    Durzel Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 17, 2019
    Messages:
    2,593
    Location:
    Bath, UK
    • Like x 1
  20. Plagued

    Plagued Member

    Joined:
    Apr 9, 2019
    Messages:
    199
    Location:
    Uk
    I had a similar thought, but not to try and get a full gaming rig up. I've got the tow bar option on mine, which in theory has a 12v outlet designed to power a caravan when traveling, so run a fridge etc. While it's still no way going to allow 600W as even without finding any actual "fuse" ratings from Tesla the standard hook up wiring is only AWG13 and it's unlikely that they'd over engineer this. But I was wondering if I could power the caravan from the car while it's parked up, and therefore run the fridge, lighting, charge phones .. and maybe an oculus quest ;) also all external so no wires hanging out of windows and plugs designed to protect from rain.
    While the car can't tow the caravan as it's over 1ton and also the range would suck, maybe it could power it...
     

Share This Page

  • About Us

    Formed in 2006, Tesla Motors Club (TMC) was the first independent online Tesla community. Today it remains the largest and most dynamic community of Tesla enthusiasts. Learn more.
  • Do you value your experience at TMC? Consider becoming a Supporting Member of Tesla Motors Club. As a thank you for your contribution, you'll get nearly no ads in the Community and Groups sections. Additional perks are available depending on the level of contribution. Please visit the Account Upgrades page for more details.


    SUPPORT TMC