How long can I use my Tacoma bed outlet before it drains the battery?

May 16th, 2020 by

 

Using Your Tacoma Bed Outlet Without Killing the Battery

Newer model year Tacoma models have an available 120V/400W bed power outlet. This is great for all sorts of activities, but, if your Tacoma isn’t running while you use it, the battery could be drained.

So then, how long can you use your Tacoma bed outlet before it drains the battery?

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How Long Before the Battery Dies

People unloading the bed of a 2020 Tacoma

It depends. Some things will draw more power than others. For instance, you probably wouldn’t be able to run a table saw for as long as you could a boom box. Charging a phone, tablet, laptop, etc., for a few minutes will probably be okay, but leaving one plugged in all night might not be. Even if your device is fully charged, the charger will continue to draw power. Battery age also affects drain rate.

If you want to keep things plugged in for a long time, starting your Tacoma and letting it run for a while every 30-45 minutes will keep the battery from dying. If you absolutely don’t want to risk your battery dying, either keep your Tacoma running while using the outlet or keep a pair of jumper cables in your Tacoma.

Common Items and Their Running Wattage

This list only shows running wattage, not starting wattage. Some things run at the same wattage they start at, some use a lot more to start up than they do to run.

  • Drill – 600 watts
  • Circular Saw – 1400 watts
  • Table Saw – 1800 watts
  • RV Refrigerator – 180 watts
  • Coffee Maker – 600 watts
  • Microwave – 1000-1500 watts
  • Laptop – 200-250 watts
  • Phone Charger – 30 watts
  • Vacuum – 1400 watts
  • Radio – 50-200 watts

Having Trouble Starting Your Tacoma?

You may need to replace your battery. Especially with our harsh Midwestern winters, batteries lose their ability to hold a charge and conduct current over time. If you think your Tacoma needs some juice, bring it in to Arlington Toyota. We’ll swap out your old battery for a new one in a jiffy. Just schedule an appointment, and you’ll be good to go.

Posted in Toyota Model Features