Outside Charging

Something like this?

 

I am actually afraid that someone can steal the charger cord and sell on ebay. Can Toyota add a lock system for the cord?

 

SAE J1772 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

I charge my Volt outside all the time. Even in the rain. The charge plug, and the charger itself are all water proof so you do not need to worry! At first I worried about stuff getting inside the electrical connector.. I do spray it once a week though with the electrical contact corrosion preventitive they sell at auto zone to try to keep the inside working like new (do it on aircraft so figure why not the car)..... The WORST thing you have to worry about using the 120V charger is someone stealing it.. I hide mine behind my trash cans, and I tape over the green lights so it doesn't draw to much attention.. Once my 240V charger come in next week I will be mounting it in a lock box on the side of the house. So whenever it is not in use I will be putting a lock on the door. I also wanted to put it in an enclosure to protect it from the elements as much as possible..... Either way the cars can be charged outside. The Volt has an alarm that goes off, and it texts me if anyone but me or my wife unplug the car. Hopefully with Entune the PiP will do something similar so you know if someone is trying to take your cable.

 

Just thought I would add too for some humor since we are talking about people stealing the 120V cord. This is a thread we have going on the Volt forums. Thought you guys would get a kick out of it: Portable 110V cord anti-theft device .

 

You may be able to be first into this niche.
I can find plenty of plug locks, but you want to be able to lock it when in use.

PowerStop Power Plug Lock

Locking Device for Power Cord Devices - PPL Motor Homes

Here is even one that locks them in use, but again via the plug, not the cord

Farm Innovators Cord Connect Cord Lock, Watertight Connection For Outdoor Extension Cords at Songbird Garden

Strain relievers

Twin Cleat Cord Lock | Fastenal


But no lock for the cord itself while in use.

Mind you, many J1772 plugs also have lock loops built in, so you can't unplug it.

 

Neat idea, but it almost looks like I could slip the loop open around the mirror and just slide that cable off. Then again, Maybe the mirror is too big for that.

Attaching to the wheel might be a good idea too.

 

I just figured someone would break his mirror off if they wantd the cord that bad.. Replacements are usually $680-$800 from the dealer.. So it is worth quite a sum to the right person. Apparetly a lot of people buy a spare when they buy their Volt. I did not, and do not have any issues with the cord. I was half tempted to buy one of those supped up Leaf units, and that may be a route the PiP guys want to go as it is cheaper than the Toyota $1000 install. I just worry about someone snagging the cord, as should anyone when doing the oppertunity charging.

 

The charging-stations available at the ramp where I park for work are totally exposed to the elements. So, I'll be witnessing the durability of unpleasant charging circumstances firsthand.
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On the Volt it is built in to security system as I mentioned above.. If you pull out the charge cable and do not have the SKS key it sets off the alarm, and will text my cell phone that the cable has been removed from the car. The only problem is you then either need to run back to the car or whatever the case is. I do not charge in public though, but a lot of people do it would seem. I just charge the car whenever I am home. I suggest PiP owners do the same... Although the one guy who put the protector around his cord and drives over it is pretty smart. Only problem I see is if someone wants it just for the copper they will just cut it all off.

 

All of my vehicles, except the scooter and our bicycles, will live their entire lives out in the elements so yes, I will be charging outside.

 

When I was asked this question in the office I replied, "The car gets wet."

 

The way the connectors are designed plugging them in while it is raining is a non-issue.. On aircraft we have similar connectors sometimes with even more power/current running through them and we take them on and off in the rain all the time for trouble shooting purposes.. The charge cord plug is not always energized anyway. The car has to first talk to the charger, and then the charger tells the car how many volts/amps are available, then the car tells the charger how many volts/amps it want, and then the car starts charging. In the Volt this process takes about 5-10 seconds, and then when the car accepts the charge the dash light goes green and the horn beeps once. So you do not have to worry about say in the rain the plug arcing/sparking when you try to connect it in to the recepticle. In reverse when you grab the plug, and depress the handle it stops charging the car immediately for removal. At first I had these same concerns, but now after plugging in so many times I don't worry about it anymore. My only concern is the pins inside the recepticle corroding which is why I spray them with an electronics approved corrosion control substance.

 

I second this statement....

 

This is the reason why the EVSE charging interface has a GFCI.