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Best way to charge the PiP?

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by inferno, Nov 26, 2014.

  1. inferno

    inferno Senior Member

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    I've been playing around with this in my head...

    2012 PiP, KillaWatt, I notice there has been a discrepancy in the amount of energy drawn from my 110V plug versus what the car is saying that is actually coming in. I know this is normal, especially with 110V and 220V may be different. However, I wonder if this is in fact due to the age of the batteries since it's 220V?

    Now...What's the best way to charge the PiP?

    I don't want to go the plugin carport (Leviton) way and have a car charger there. I want to be versatile. What's the disadvantage in installing a 220V outlet with high ampridge wire? I notice some Car chargers that can be mounted plug into these systems anyway.

    Remember, I want to minimize loss and phantom drains which I'm sure carports would do 1-2W always on and not charging.

    Over the past few years, anyone know the efficiency of 110V versus 220V and the losses associated with it? I know the PiP can't take the "SuperCharge" other EVs and Plugin Hybrids can...

    Will the stock charger work fine in a 220V and would it be that much faster? I saw another charger wire floating around here that is supposed to be more efficient.

    What do I gain from a mounted Leviton (or the likes) charger versus a wire going in a 220v plug.
     
  2. gallde

    gallde Active Member

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    Why are you worried about 1W standby on a device you'll use daily? Anyway, the stock charger is 110v only. I plug into a heavy-duty extension cord next to my driveway. I set the car's timer to charge at 5am to the car doesn't sit all night with a full charge which Toyota recommends against. Charges in less than 3 hours, so it's always ready for my commute.
     
  3. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    I've noticed similar "funny business" with mine. Whenever I plug in, even if I switch off EV mode, my mileage is better. And the EV miles seem to mysteriously disappear also. I'm quite sure the marketing people have fiddled with the computer programming.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    best thing is to send it out for refurb to 120/240, then you can use it whenever/wherever. i think it's around $250. not sure why a carport would affect energy use, mine is in a garage. i don't think taking the walls down would change anything but the air temp.
     
  5. ETC(SS)

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

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    Best way to charge the PiP?
    Worry-free, and often ;)

    I wouldn't burn too many lumens of brain energy trying to account for every electron flowing from the outlet to the front tire.
    You're going to lose a few along the way, and the KillaWatt might be lying to you....and we know from experience that the Pip WILL lie to you.

    Having said that, L2 charging will be more efficient in all areas except financial....and even then, if you know or suspect that you're going to get another car with a plug, say.......one with a larger battery, why not start using the L2 charger right away? :)

    If I were to buy a BEV/PHEV/EREV/EIEIO today, I'd immediately install an L2 charger, and I can charge at work...but my situation might be a little different than yours.
    I can install it without hiring an electrician or pulling permits. I also PLAN on buying a corded car the next time I have to (it's going to be a while though....I dislike car payments!)


    It's more about convenience than it is about saving pennies.
    Good Luck.
     
  6. iplug

    iplug Senior Member

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    If saving money is the primary aim, upgrading to 220-240V charging ability doesn't usually make sense. But for convenience it may be worth it to you.

    You will probably find lots of discussion on phantom power drain on this site. Manufacturers may not publish specific numbers, however. For example, I have a Clipper Creek L2 charging station now. None of the materials online or included I could find lists standby power data. Their website notes only minimal standby power consumption. I don't know if this applies to most L2 charging stations, but on one review there is mention that the reviewed Clipper Creek model: stays in a very low-power standby mode, drawing power only to light the single status LED, until it is plugged in. (ClipperCreek offers high-quality 3.6kW charge station for $395).

    My L2 charging station is wall mounted, but I have it on a NEMA 14-50 plug and the unit can me taken down easily if needed. This NEMA plug can be used at many RV parks if one really wanted to take it along for travel.

    For me, I enjoy keeping the L1 EVSE in the car in case there are opportunities to plug in when traveling. It's nice not to need to routinely plug/unplug the L1 EVSE at the electric outlet and move it in/out of the car each day. The L1 EVSE may last longer this way too.
     
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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    the beauty of L2 is, you can wait to charge before you go. which is what toyota recommends.;)
     
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  8. Chabelo

    Chabelo Junior Member

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    didnt know that; where does Toyota recomend against leaving it charge at night? I set the timer to start charging at 9 pm at home when price goes down to .09/kwhr...
    mine charges up in about 1 hour at a charge point station (1.9kw) for FREE btw, i think thats the best place to charge!
     
  9. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    No worries. the PiP can be left plugged in without damaging anything. The timer is to delay charging so that you can take advantage of cheaper rates.
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i thought leaving it plugged in would eventually degrade the battery.
     
  11. GregP507

    GregP507 Senior Member

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    The charge-controller will maintain the battery at the optimal charge level.
     
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    huh, i thought it would maintain it at the full level.
     
  13. inferno

    inferno Senior Member

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    Someone earlier said it would just stop the charge altogether. I think it's the mechanism based on the action. IE, if I leave it plugged in for a year and the battery completely drains, the charger plug will not start until I unplug and replug it.
     
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    that wouldn't be good, would it.
     
  15. Chazz8

    Chazz8 Gadget Lover

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    Optimal level = full level (ready to drive) = stop charging altogether (when battery is full)

    You are all correct.
     
  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    optimum for driving, but not for storage.
     
  17. drash

    drash Senior Member

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    Page 93 of the owners manual summarizes best practices for charging and using the HV battery. Lithium based batteries don't like being left fully charged or mostly charged for long periods of time. The physics are well understood for this.
     
  18. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    thank you.(y)
     
  19. inferno

    inferno Senior Member

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    What's "long periods of time". I can I leave it full overnight? Is it bad to leave it full for a week...? What's the limit
     
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    unfortuantely, toyota doesn't specify. are you a gambler? do you like your chances?