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Is a Level 2 charger really 100 percent better?

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by davidbw, Apr 11, 2012.

  1. davidbw

    davidbw Member

    Joined:
    Feb 14, 2004
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    Location:
    In front of my computer
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Normally when I charge my Prius at home it takes three hours, and when I initially plug it in, the Prius system estimates that it will take three hours to charge. And after charging it would say 13 miles.

    Several times I would try using a Chargepoint public charger. I thought it being a Level 2 charger that it would take 1 hour and a half to charge my Prius. However once the Prius is plugged in it says two to two and a half hours to charge, not an hour and a half. The Chargepoint charger itself would say it is delivering 2.4 to 2.6 kw; the Prius would say it is receiving 1.5 to 1.8 kw. I have yet to fully charge the Prius at a Chargepoint charger, but the Prius would say "8 miles" after a 90 minute charge.

    Is the Prius charging at a slower rate because I am charging immediately after arriving at the charger as opposed at home when I set the timer to start charging at 3 AM?
     
  2. pfile

    pfile Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2005
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    Location:
    bay area, ca
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i've never seen the prius pull more than 1.9KW (as shown on the car's display) while charging at L2. i've never taken care to start with a cold battery, though.
     
  3. CharlesH

    CharlesH CA HOV Decal #5 on former PiP

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2005
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    Location:
    Roseville, CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Isn't the in-car display showing what is going into the battery, not what is coming in at the plug?