The Auxiliary Power Outlet (APO) system provides up to 2,400 watts of
120-volt AC power. With these power outlets, you can plug in most auxiliary electrical
equipment and devices with a maximum limit of 2,400 watts. If you try to use
equipment that requires more than the limit, a 20-amp protection circuit will cut
the power supply and a light in the APO switch will flash along with a Driver Information
Center (DIC) message that will flash 120V OVERLOAD.
When running APO, do not have the front of the vehicle obstructed. Leave at
least five feet (1.5 m) of space between the front of the vehicle and any other
object. This will allow airflow through the radiator and help to keep the SGCM cooler.
The power outlets are not designed for equipment with high initial peak starting
power of greater than 2,400 watts, such as some air compressors, table saws, etc.
Short Circuits, Overloads and Ground Fault Detection (GFD)
The 120-volt AC power outlets are protected against short circuits, overloads
and ground faults. If the system detects a short or overloaded circuit, it will immediately
shut down the outlets and the light next to the APO button will flash, while at the
same time a 120V OVERLOAD message will appear in the Driver Information Center (DIC).
After the fault condition is corrected, the system can be reset by pressing and releasing
the APO button. See "APO Operating Mode" for more information on the APO
button. Short circuits may occur because a defective extension cord or defective electrical
device is plugged into an outlet.
Some electrical devices, such as motor-driven appliances and tools, have high
start-up currents. During this start-up period, the 120-volt AC supply will attempt
to start the electrical device for up to 5 seconds. If the current does not fall below
the maximum 20 amp rating of the APO within this 5-second timeframe, the system will
shut down the outlets and the light next to the APO button will flash, while at the
same time a 120V OVERLOAD message in the DIC will appear. This type of situation is
unlikely, but if it does happen, press the APO button and try to start the electrical
device again. If the electrical device fails to start a second time, it is probably
because the device needs more start-up power than is available.
The Ground Fault Detection (GFD) system checks for leakage current to ground,
or the truck frame, that could potentially be a shock hazard, in much the same way
as the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupt (GFCI) outlets protect you in your home. The
GFD self-test is automatically performed during the activation of the APO system.
Thereafter, if the GFD system detects a significant leakage current, it will immediately
shut down the outlets and the light next to the APO button will flash, while at the
same time a 120V GROUND FAULT message will appear in the DIC. If this happens, unplug
all electrical devices and reset the system by pressing the APO button. Then plug
in each electrical device individually until the malfunctioning extension cord or
electrical device is identified.
If, after unplugging all electrical devices and cords and resetting the system,
either the 120V OVERLOAD message or the 120V GROUND FAULT message continues to be
displayed, have the vehicle serviced.
APO Operating Modes
The APO system is capable of being operated in two different modes:
• | Normal mode:
This is used while the vehicle
is running and in PARK (P), the vehicle is in Auto-Stop mode, or the vehicle is moving. |
• | Continuous mode:
This is used while the vehicle
is parked. |
Normal Mode
This mode can be activated while in any transmission gear position to supply
the outlets with 2,400 watts of 120-volt AC power.
To activate the normal mode do the following:
• | Press the APO button once |
If the system stops supplying 120-volt AC power unexpectedly and the APO button
starts flashing, the system has detected an overload or ground fault condition. To
reset the system see "Resetting the Short Circuit, Overload or Ground Fault
Detection (GFD) Circuit" later in this section.
The APO system will operate in the normal mode until you turn it off by doing
one of the following:
• | Pressing the APO button. The light in the APO button will turn off. |
• | Turning the ignition switch to ACCESSORY or LOCK. |
Continuous Mode
This mode can be operated only when the vehicle is not moving and the transmission
is in PARK (P) and will provide up to 2,400 watts of 120-volt AC power to the
outlets. Continuous mode can be operated with the key removed from the ignition. The
engine will run continuously in this mode to supply electrical power to the APO system.
To activate the continuous mode, do the following:
- Place the transmission in PARK (P) with the ignition in RUN and
the engine running. See "Ignition Positions" in your owner manual Index.
- Turn the ignition key to LOCK while the light is flashing. The light will
flash for up to 30 seconds. When the ignition key has been turned to LOCK, the light
next to the APO switch will stop flashing and remain on. The engine will continue
to run.
- Connect any 120-volt AC electrical/electronic device(s) to the outlets.
If you must use extension cords, be sure to use only UL® approved extension cords.
You can remove the key from the ignition at this point.
If the system stops supplying 120-volt AC power unexpectedly and the light next
to the APO button starts flashing, the system has detected an overload or ground fault
condition. To reset the system see "Resetting the Short Circuit, Overload or
Ground Fault Detection (GDF) Circuit" later in this section.
The APO system will operate in the continuous mode with the engine running until
one of the following occurs:
• | You press the APO button. The light in the APO button will turn off and
the engine will turn off. |
• | If the fuel level gets low. |
| A FUEL LEVEL LOW message will appear in the DIC and the horn will sound intermittently
for five seconds every minute for five minutes. |
| If the vehicle is left unattended for the full five minute warning, the engine
and APO system will shut down, unless the APO button is pressed during the five minute
warning period. |
• | An overload or ground fault condition is detected and not reset in five
minutes. |
• | Vehicle security is violated. |
• | Engine oil pressure becomes too low. |
• | Engine coolant temperature becomes too hot. |
• | The ignition key is moved out of LOCK. |
| This may display a low oil warning message and chimes which is a normal condition
when the APO button was not used to shut off the continuous mode. |
• | The hybrid power system becomes too hot. |
Resetting the Short Circuit, Overload or Ground Fault Detection (GFD) Circuit
To reset the Short Circuit, Overload or Ground Fault Detection (GFD) Circuit
while operating in both the normal and continuous modes, ensure any observed fault
is removed, and press the APO button. The light next to the button will illuminate
indicating that the system is supplying 120-volt AC power to the outlets. In the case
of an engine shutdown due to a ground fault while in the continuous mode, restart
the engine by turning the key from LOCK to START, then follow the instructions for
entering APO Continuous Mode earlier in this section.
For more information on the hybrid system, review the following Description
and Operations.