BillA
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- #1
I dismounted the screws securing the 120 volt / 2400 watt (20 amp) bed outlet to see if it would be possible to tap it for a pigtail installation so the power would be more readily accessible under the ‘Decked’ drawer system.
I was dismayed to discover that the wiring harness connecting the outlet is manufactured using what looked like #18 AWG copper wire.
While granting that motor vehicles are not covered under the National Electric Code, even under the most generous (90*C) installation column 18 gauge wire is only rated for 14 amps (1680 watts) on table 310-16 of that Code.
I abandoned any plan involving altering the wiring harness connection to the outlet and left it as-is from the factory . I plugged in a short store bought 20 amp pigtail and used it to make the power more accessible ‘below Deck’ and will commence looking for a compatible ‘in use’ cover for the outlet since the pigtail will be there all the time.
I praise Toyota for the innovative provision of a more powerful outlet, sourcing it from the Traction battery, and enabling the automatic start of the truck as needed to provide power. I recognize their wisdom and experience in the manufacturing of great vehicles, but I’m an electrician, and plan on replacing the fuse on that branch circuit with one sized more appropriately.
In my opinion the proper thing for Toyota to do would be to replace the wiring harness with one featuring conductors robust enough to carry the potential ampacity without overheating.
I was dismayed to discover that the wiring harness connecting the outlet is manufactured using what looked like #18 AWG copper wire.
While granting that motor vehicles are not covered under the National Electric Code, even under the most generous (90*C) installation column 18 gauge wire is only rated for 14 amps (1680 watts) on table 310-16 of that Code.
I abandoned any plan involving altering the wiring harness connection to the outlet and left it as-is from the factory . I plugged in a short store bought 20 amp pigtail and used it to make the power more accessible ‘below Deck’ and will commence looking for a compatible ‘in use’ cover for the outlet since the pigtail will be there all the time.
I praise Toyota for the innovative provision of a more powerful outlet, sourcing it from the Traction battery, and enabling the automatic start of the truck as needed to provide power. I recognize their wisdom and experience in the manufacturing of great vehicles, but I’m an electrician, and plan on replacing the fuse on that branch circuit with one sized more appropriately.
In my opinion the proper thing for Toyota to do would be to replace the wiring harness with one featuring conductors robust enough to carry the potential ampacity without overheating.
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