max load from 12v socket?

[Mrklaw]

with rumours of rolling blackouts and Tesla’s not having V2L, whats a safe limit to continuously draw for a few hours from the 12v socket? Enough to run some table lamps with LED bulbs? a travel kettle?

Have battery banks and phones for hotspots and can buy a couple of rechargable camping lanterns, but curious if we have cars that don’t need to leave their engines running, can they be of practical use without a ‘proper’ V2L system

 

[NewbieT]

Model 3 Manual:

 

[NewbieT]

There’s a thread on the US forum on tapping into the 12v under the frunk but doing so could invalidate your warranty.

 

[Mrklaw]

12A at 12v so about 150w?

Yeah I've read about Tesla warranties if used as a 'stationary battery' but then when are you allowed to use it? surely a lot of people plug in tyre pumps or vacuums when parked which is technically a stationary battery? where is the line?

50W to drive a few LED lightbulbs is probably not much - we're not suggesting to run the AC off it

 

[Buzzliteyear]

Not something I would risk. What is the wattage of the kettle?
If it's less than 144W then it would work safely. some if you were using multiple items, the combined power would still need to be 144W.

 

[WllXM]

Not something I would risk. What is the wattage of the kettle?
If it's less than 144W then it would work safely. some if you were using multiple items, the combined power would still need to be 144W.

I'm afraid a kettle of 144W would make a barely lukewarm brew. They usually draw 2kW peak.

OP, are you suggesting using an inverter to convert the 12V socket into a 3 pin plug then?

 

[Buzzliteyear]

Just googled them I saw one at 90W, but takes 25 minutes to get to 98C

 

[KennethS]

How about something like this, which you can recharge as needed from the car. Portable Power

 

[NewbieT]

I think for a few LED lights you’d be ok. The beauty of an EV is the battery size. Might need Sentry on to keep the car awake so it maintains the 12v. Probably leave the car plugged in so it’s earthed, RCD off? I’m sure there will be a few doom sayers!

 

[adsheff]

You'd be better off buying one of those power unit battery pack things, and just charging it from the house mains - keep it charged up and then if the leccy goes off you have it ready.

 

[init6]

12A at 12v so about 150w?

Yeah I've read about Tesla warranties if used as a 'stationary battery' but then when are you allowed to use it? surely a lot of people plug in tyre pumps or vacuums when parked which is technically a stationary battery? where is the line?

50W to drive a few LED lightbulbs is probably not much - we're not suggesting to run the AC off it

People don't plug in tyre inflaters or vacuums for hours at a time. I'm sure it would be trivial for Tesla to discover that you'd had something drawing power for an extended period of time if you have any battery issues.

 

[Mr H]

Be cheaper to use a chinese solar panel with a leisure battery

 

[MrBadger]

Even cheaper to use a thermos flask. From what I remember from the 1970’s blackouts was that we knew when the power was planned to go off. So easy to boil up some water in advance and get the gardening tools out…

 

[thewishy]

For hot drinks, thermos or a cheap camping stove. It's just more practical

 

[DeejUK]

We successfully used a 12v kettle on a 3,000 mile round trip to Norway. It was very convenient, and worked really well. Driver, err, drove, and the passenger sorted the drinks.

Only downside is that about a month later we had to replace the 12v battery (for the first time) on our 2017 Model X. No idea if it was related or not, but we started getting warning messages after a software update.

 

[WllXM]

We successfully used a 12v kettle on a 3,000 mile round trip to Norway. It was very convenient, and worked really well. Driver, err, drove, and the passenger sorted the drinks.

Only downside is that about a month later we had to replace the 12v battery (for the first time) on our 2017 Model X. No idea if it was related or not, but we started getting warning messages after a software update.

Well, that sort of feedback is definitely encouraging me to never try it.

 

[thewishy]

FWIW, we used an MSR Windburner round Scotland to good effect. Most the charging spots had benches, so we were able to charge the M3LR and sit drinking tea

 

[rincewind]

Remembering of course that we're talking 12V DC here, not AC.