1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Can a British EVSE Cable be Used on an American Car?

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by kenmce, Apr 21, 2014.

  1. kenmce

    kenmce High Voltage Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2004
    1,507
    491
    0
    Location:
    NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    I found a 240 volt Pip EVSE charging cable for sale in Britain. It is made by Toyota, it has the same SAE J1772 plug for the car end. If I get it a 240 volt socket with the right receptacle for it to plug into, can I use it as a level II charger for my north American car?

    Who would I even ask about this?
     
  2. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2005
    3,686
    699
    2
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    More likely that you will have to replace the AC plug end.
     
  3. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    12,470
    6,862
    2
    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
  4. Ian Mayo

    Ian Mayo Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2012
    32
    10
    0
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    The UK plug is on a replaceable 'pigtail' which unclips from the brick. I suspect that other 'pigtails' are available with different countries plugs on, but what is wrong with just cutting off the UK plug and fitting a US one?

    Fitting a UK socket would stop you accidentally plugging into a 110V socket by accident. (Do you have different plugs for 100 and 220V?)
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i guess my only question is, does it run on 60 hertz?
     
    GrumpyCabbie likes this.
  6. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

    Joined:
    Sep 6, 2005
    3,686
    699
    2
    Location:
    Long Island, NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Electric Vehicle
    It should, the EVSE doesn't relay on timers at all and the built in GFCI doesn't care about the 50/60 hz .
     
  7. DadofHedgehog

    DadofHedgehog Active Member

    Joined:
    Jun 17, 2012
    681
    281
    0
    Location:
    northern Virginia
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Advanced
    Where did you find it? Have a URL?
     
  8. kenmce

    kenmce High Voltage Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2004
    1,507
    491
    0
    Location:
    NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    Agreed. Not a problem though.

    I'm assuming not, but if it is otherwise compatible, the male plug can be changed over to a US version.
     
  9. kenmce

    kenmce High Voltage Member

    Joined:
    May 4, 2004
    1,507
    491
    0
    Location:
    NY
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    Limited
    Sweet.

    If all the other parts are compatible? Nothing.


    Yes, they will not interconnect.
     
  10. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2014
    3,002
    480
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    If you are asking if it can be jury-rigged to work, I'd say "probably yes."
    If you ask me if I'd recommend it, I'd say "no."

    Even though the voltage is the same at L2, North America has 60 Hz power, and Europe is 50 Hz. Does that make a difference? I wouldn't be the one to test it out with my car.
     
  11. rxlawdude

    rxlawdude Active Member

    Joined:
    Mar 31, 2011
    701
    219
    0
    Location:
    So Calif
    Vehicle:
    2015 Tesla Model S
    But the power that the Prius gets is going to be 120 or 24oV 60Hz here in the US. The RELAYS pass whatever wall power to the actual charger in the car.

    Now, the electronics in the EVSE itself, that may be a different story but with switching power supplies being the norm for electronics these days, I'd not expect a problem. But agree with Greg, I wouldn't want to be the guinea pig for this.
     
  12. IanIanIanIan

    IanIanIanIan Member

    Joined:
    Sep 20, 2013
    152
    56
    0
    Location:
    Royal County of Berkshire, UK.
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius Plug-in
    And the good news is:

    I have just had a look at the info plate on my UK EVSE it says;

    Part No. G9060-47230 IP67
    INPUT 220V-240V ~
    10A 50Hz/60Hz

    So no problems. I will put up a photo later (having breakfast at the moment)
     
  13. Ian Mayo

    Ian Mayo Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2012
    32
    10
    0
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Here you go.

    [​IMG]
     
    kenmce likes this.
  14. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    12,470
    6,862
    2
    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    Whew, the receptacle I posted above IS the right one for the UK plug!
     
  15. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2009
    6,722
    2,120
    45
    Location:
    North Yorkshire, UK
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    lol don't you just love our plugs!?! :eek: 1952 technology at its best.

    One concern I'd have over using the UK lead on a US 220v supply is that our 220v household supply is only 10A. I believe the 220v supply you can have installed in the US is of a higher amperage. The picture of the UK lead shows a 10A rating (2.2 kwh?). You don't want to end up over stressing it or have it catch fire.
     
  16. Astolat

    Astolat Member

    Joined:
    Jun 1, 2013
    229
    73
    0
    Location:
    Guildford UK
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    N/A
    With the caveat that I know absolutely nothing about electrics, does it make any difference that we in the UK have an earth pin (the middle one) and, as I understand it, the US doesn't?
     
  17. Ian Mayo

    Ian Mayo Junior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 1, 2012
    32
    10
    0
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    That is odd. Our household supply is fused at 100A and has breakers on each ring-main, which support many sockets, of 30A. Each socket outlet is rated at 13A continuously and indeed the maximum power consuming appliances (our kettles and two fan heaters) are fused at 13A. My wall mounted EVSE is on a 20A dedicated spur and on installation I was given the chance (at extra cost) of a higher power EVSE on a 32A spur which, of course, I don't need for a PiP.

    My voltage is nominally 230VAC (as is Europe) and is sitting currently at 241.9V and 49.9Hz.
     
  18. GrumpyCabbie

    GrumpyCabbie Senior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 14, 2009
    6,722
    2,120
    45
    Location:
    North Yorkshire, UK
    Vehicle:
    2010 Prius
    Model:
    III
    The mains coming into most modern houses will be about 100 amps (80 in some old terraces). The socket is rated at 13A but you'll find that it's actually 10A. They're called 13 amp sockets historicallyy but they never are in practice as they were designed for upto 250volts/13 amps. I'm not an electrician so don't know the exact ins and outs, but I think it's to do when our voltage was reduced form 240 to 230 to bring us in line with Europe (with some local variations) the amps dropped too. Is it ohms law?

    We need an electrician who's registered to clarify why, but it's why the rating on the picture above is only 10amps at 230 volts, or 2300 watts. If it were 13 amps it would be rated as such. It's rated 10 amps for a reason. I think the specialised 220 volt circuits in the US (mainly for tumble dryers and dishwashers etc) are higher rated as they have a heavier duty plug to handle the higher amps. It's a dedicated circuit over there like we have for cookers which are 30 amp or something.
     
  19. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2014
    3,002
    480
    0
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    I believe most devices are rated at a higher level than that which they are expected to routinely operate. It's necessary to ensure reliability.
     
  20. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

    Joined:
    Apr 14, 2009
    12,470
    6,862
    2
    Location:
    Greenwood MS USA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Three
    In theory, any new homes since 1960 have grounded plugs, but older home like mine do not.

    [​IMG]