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Do EVs (and PiPs) represent a phantom drain?

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by inferno, Nov 23, 2014.

  1. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    I get it!!

    "Indicator light..."
    "Enlighten us...."

    Good One!
    :)

    If you want to save money?
    Don't worry about the parasitic loss.

    If you're into saving the energy?
    Unplug after charging - or figure out a way to place a timer on the charging circuit that draws less than your brick - remembering that you'll be feeding them both when the car is charging. Good luck with that, BTW.
    You'll probably not recoup your investment, but OTOH you don't have to worry about leaving car always plugged into a live outlet. Modern Irons have automatic shut-offs but a remarkable number of people still insist on unplugging them for safety.
    I always get the same nasty looks when I ask them why they don't unplug their electric range or clothes dryer - but that's people for you.

    You can always get a car with a larger battery... :eek:
     
    #21 ETC(SS), Nov 24, 2014
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2014
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i wonder if the L2's vary in power off energy use?
     
  3. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    I always thought they consisted of cord and a circuit-breaker and not much more. If they are running a microprocessor for some strange reason, then perhaps.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    mine has a decent size led display that stays on, not sure what else.
     
  5. Zythryn

    Zythryn Senior Member

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    This is another benifit I see to plugin vehicles.
    I have met a number of owners who never tracked, and had little concern over how much electricity they use.
    That changed though, once they bought a plugin vehicle.
    Many started tracking all electric use in their homes much more closely.
    And I know a few for added enough solar to not only offset their car's usage, but also contribute toward their household use.
     
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  6. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    ^ The microprocessor in the EVSE has to be able to communicate & handshake with the car to commence charge. It has to be able to recognize a vehicle generated wave pattern (square or sine tooth IIRC- not just a simple 5 volt presence) via the pilot lead in the EVSE supply cable. It can also be set to regulate current flow, etc.
    Yes- all that could probably be done via old school RF circuitry- but it's easier/cheaper to use a microcomputer to do the work.
     
  7. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    I don't know about EVSEs, but motivated companies can make devices with very low phantom losses. I looked up Apple iMacs and new 50" (Samsung, IIRC) LED TVs this past week. Both have less than 0.5 watt standby consumption.
     
  8. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    It seems to me that if you own a hybrid, you have spent a lot of money to save a little money. Certainly, I'll never see the break-even point before 200, 000 miles. If the charging system is consuming power through phantom-draw all day long, it makes about as much sense as spending $10 to save $5.
     
  9. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    I'm sure it can do all that without burning up a lot of watts all day long.
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i wonder if mfg.'s have this spec in their literature.
     
  11. inferno

    inferno Senior Member

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    I think it's a little bit of both regarding owning hybrids. If I went base Prius 2010 then I would've already broken even with a new Corolla base. I got the III package with Nav and JBL speakers, and I'll probably break even around 120k (right now I'm 70k). Of course gas hasn't skyrocketed, if it does hybrid drivers save more.

    But anyway, I'm satisfied with my Prius and not only am I saving money on fuel, I'm saving money on not wasting my time to fuel up! Now I have a PiP, and I waste more time 'fuelling' up via Electricity. But it's like treating gas at around $2.70 which uh...right now it almost is in MA. However, now that we have Solar the ratio of what the price might be of equivalence (this month it'd be a 3rd) - then we have real savings plugging in . With solar this horrible month of sun we would be paying $0.8 a gallon using electricity.
     
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it is kinda funny when gas prices go up, and people trade in perfect good suv's that are already paid off, for prius to 'save money'. and they get hammered on the trade.
     
  13. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    It works if you just focus on one thing; less money spent at the pump.
     
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    zackley. seems many can't see the forest of the trees. i suppose they sleep better, and that can reduce your medical bills.:cool:
     
  15. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    That's the real savings!!(y)
     
  16. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Just remember, they are the same bozos who bought the SUV because of a lull in fuel prices.
     
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  17. inferno

    inferno Senior Member

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    What is the purpose of buying an SUV? A paradox to buying a sports car? SUV bigger and badder? Sports car smaller and faster? Both inefficient? Although...Toyota has proven the hybrid sports car concept which will be part of the IV tech
     
  18. SageBrush

    SageBrush Senior Member

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    Lots of reasons, and some variation between owners.
    1. Is a perception of safety that big cars give
    2. Is a perception of strength, or power
    3. Is the utility of height for snow, and ease of access for fat and old people
    4. Is the preference to sit high
    5. Is succumbing to the marketing of the vehicle as an 'outdoorsy' brand
    6. Is combining some of a truck's utility with a car's luxury. Towing, e.g
     
  19. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    It also lets the world know you are an @$$hole.
     
  20. se-riously

    se-riously Active Member

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    Speaking for my father who owns a CR-V,

    1) Is a reality that with his back issues, needs a taller vehicle that he can more easily enter/exit.
    2) Is a reality that few vehicles exist that cost less than $25K that meet requirement #1.
    3) Is a reality that a Prius, Prius C, and Prius V fail requirement #1.
    4) Is a reality that the CR-V is one of the more fuel efficient vehicles that meets requirement #1.
    5) Is a reality that the CR-V holds a reasonable amount of a cargo, and a smaller footprint for parking in urban environments.
    6) Is a reality that the CR-V does well in crash tests including the small overlap, while Toyota's RAV4 doesn't.

    Let's not be guilty of the same stereotypical mentality that labels Prius drivers as wannabe greenies that slow traffic down.
     
    Simtronic and ETC(SS) like this.