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bumper plug or no bumper plug

Discussion in 'Prius PHEV Plug-In Modifications' started by adric22, Aug 3, 2010.

  1. adric22

    adric22 Ev and Hybrid Enthusiast

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    That is the question..

    I just ordered an Enginer 4Kwh kit for my 2008 prius, but I'm debating as to whether to install the bumper plug.

    In my 2002 I installed the plug but I found the plug was so darned tight that most extension cords wouldn't fit. Eventually I had to grind down some of the metal on the ground pin to help the situation. But that was the least of my problems because the wires kept working their way out of the plug. It may be because they were soldered at the tips, I'm not sure. I'd tighten the screws down as tight as a could, but they'd come out eventually and I'd have to take the bumper off the car again in order to put them back in. And to make matters worse, I took the kit out of the 2002 and I'm selling the car and now I have a plug in the bumped permanently.

    So 95% of the time I wound up just opening the trunk and plugging in directly to the charger. Since the car is always charged in my garage, that hasn't been a problem. Obviously it would not be desirable in a public charging situation but so far I've never found anywhere to plug in in public.

    So I'm just curious if any of you other PHEV drivers opted to leave off the bumper plug.
     
  2. JeffreyDV

    JeffreyDV New Member

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    I like having the bumper plug. On the Gen2 it is very easy to install, no bumper removal needed.
     
  3. markderail

    markderail I do 45 mins @ 3200 PSI

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    Can just the bumper plug be bought? I'd like to wire my EBH and internal ceramic heater together, instead of having two wires dangling in the winter.
     
  4. adric22

    adric22 Ev and Hybrid Enthusiast

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    Yes.. I bought a second one on the internet, but I can't remember where at the moment. I think it was amazon. The plug is made by marineco and is meant for boats, I think.
     
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  5. MJFrog

    MJFrog Active Member

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    If there's an RV dealer or RV supply store close by, they usually have them for sale.
     
  6. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    Usually eBay as a large supply of Marinco connectors
     
  7. 2007-Prius-hybrid

    2007-Prius-hybrid New Member

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    I vote plug... especially because I am on the road, and would like to plug in at hotels...
     
  8. scottsim

    scottsim New Member

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    It works for me, no connection issues...95% of the time I charge in my garage, occasionally at Costco, and at work once or twice.
     
  9. 2007-Prius-hybrid

    2007-Prius-hybrid New Member

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    Wholesalemarine.com has the same plugs enginer uses. I know this because Jack forgot mine, and had one shipped to me from them.. They are 14.99
     
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  10. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

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    Is this the part? On-Board Charger Inlet from Wholesale Marine Can the plug installed on the hatch? I'm thinking on the right side of the license plate facing down. Of course I'd have to run a heavy gauge wire through the hatch. I want the plug on the outside of the vehicle but I don't want it on the bumper. I want it to be inconspicuous
     
  11. sub3marathonman

    sub3marathonman Active Member

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    In the hatchback area floor, on the driver's side is a small triangular piece, which I chose as the plug location. I too wanted to be inconspicuous, but there is another benefit. I can keep the cord plugged into the recharging receptical in the car, and only plug into the electrical outlet. So that is half as many plugging operations as with a bumper plug. One thing though is that I keep a small towel bunched up to put between the hatchback and the latch so the hatch can be closed when the car is charging. Now, with this setup, if you somehow were able to find a public recharging place, which is non-existant here in Florida, you could run the cord out a slightly opened window and leave the hatchback locked.

    What I don't understand with the bumper plug and people wanting to recharge in public is what is stopping somebody from walking off with your extension cord? With my method they couldn't do that. Also, you don't run into the problem adric22 did if you ever remove the kit.
     
  12. stealth_mode

    stealth_mode New Member

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    You could have mine for free - as I live in europe and I can`t use the US-bumper plug. you would only have to pay shipping.
    if you are interested I`ll find out how much it would be.

    this is my solution for the plug with a male CEE + dust cap - i do not know the impact on drag/mpg... but the bike rack hub is there anyway.
     

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  13. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    Great concept and I like the bike rack you have installed.
     
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  14. tjs4689

    tjs4689 Junior Member

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    Camping world sells cords for both 30 and 50 AMP and jacks for 30 and 50 AMP service. These part are higher quantity materials than most dime store extention cords. I am sure you could find something similar in 15 AMP. I would have liked to see something like the Rewinding Electric Extension Cord Storage as part of the design of the kit I have. The Kit link shows the current on bumper installation I have.
     
  15. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    The accessories you are mentioning are way to expensive for the Enginer's kit users, mostly all of them are "budget" minded.
     
  16. skschoch

    skschoch New Member

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    Because I live in sunny California, and because I haven't yet cleaned the junk out of my garage, I park in my driveway. My wife had the idea to use a rewinding extension cord like the one you mentioned, so it comes out under the eaves:
    [​IMG]

    Here's the inside:
    [​IMG]

    (More pictures here.)


    A ChargePoint charging station will lock your cord.
     
  17. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

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    If Enginer is using the cheap nice person standard AC plug does this mean that we can't use the public charging station when the real PHEVs and BEVs come out? Public charging stations use 220v. It has 5 terminals
     
  18. dan2l

    dan2l 2014 Prius v wagon

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    I assume you are talking about the J1772 plug. Did you know that 2 of those 5 pins are 110v?

    Also, dd you know that todays public charging stations put out 110v through a standard AC plug?

    Thanks,
    Dan
     
  19. cproaudio

    cproaudio Speedlock Overrider

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    Yes I know 2 of those are 110v but all the public charging stations I've seen demoing didn't have the standard 110V AC plug. They're all using the J1772 plug. If they did they must have hidden it somewhere
     
  20. Flaninacupboard

    Flaninacupboard Senior Member

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    the UK ones have the socket under a flap...