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Road Trip Plug In Options

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by markabele, May 22, 2013.

  1. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    Hello all, as some of you know, I'm about to take a 1200 mile trip in my new PiP.

    Just curious as to what the best resources are for finding spots to plug in every now and then while out on the road. Now obviously it's not worth it time-wise to plug in at every stop. But maybe during some meals and obviously for hotel stays I'd like to be able to plug in. Thanks for any help and resources you can provide!

    Mark
     
  2. Ken Blake

    Ken Blake Active Member

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    I have Plugshare, Recargo, Blink, and Chargepoint on my iPhone 5. Between them, I have all or most of the charging points covered. Google also has an EVSE map, but I've found that it's not comprehensive.
     
  3. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    Do you have to have one of Charepoint's cards to use their stations?
     
  4. Ken Blake

    Ken Blake Active Member

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    I have both Chargepoint and Blink network cards. I seldom have the opportunity to use the Chargepoint one, most of the public chargers in my area are Blink network.
     
  5. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    And it takes about an hour and a half for a full charge from these chargers?
     
  6. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    Just about any motel has electrical plugs out side for winter frost plug heaters for there customers to plug in for the night. Just ask when you check in, usually these are free. Have a great trip! :D I would not bother during the day, I was in way to much of a hurry to get home. Just me. :p
     
  7. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    Wouldn't I run the risk of someone stealing all my cables if I do that?

    And I understand what you are saying, but I love taking it slow on road trips.
     
  8. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    At the motel you can park so that you can see your car as it is charging and I use an extension cord put it through two different windows then rolled up within an inch, so that most of the charging cable is in the car just two feet out to the plug in on the car.

    Your right about traveling slower, but I kind of look at this as kind of a business trip, get it and get it home but is just me!
     
  9. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    I will probably drive it kind of slow too, being new and all. Plus between driving a bit slow and some free charging along the way I'm hoping to stay above 60 mpg, maybe even 65.
     
  10. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    (y)
     
  11. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    Not unless they want to break your windows, because one end of each cord is in your car. You would have just about two feet out to were you plug in to the car and the extension cord is out the other window to the motel plug in may be 10 feet or so. I would plug in after I ckeck in, and un plug just before going to bed. Nothing is perfect but they would have to make a lot of noise to take things.
     
  12. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    Better yet would be a charging station I can just plug in when I get up in the morning. :)
     
  13. retired4999

    retired4999 Prius driver since 2005

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    Yea! while eating a big breakfast. :p
     
  14. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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  15. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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    I think probably the easiest option for me is to find a hotel within walking distance of a free level 2 charger then just get up drive it over to the spot then walk back, shower, eat, then walk back to leave.
     
  16. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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  17. markabele

    markabele owner of PiP, then Leaf, then Model 3

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  18. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    No, but the plugs for most motel room A/C units are the strongest (fastest) receptacles in a motel room, but oddly wired.

    It would be nice if every motel had a charger, but every motel has AC receptacles.
     
  19. CharlesH

    CharlesH CA HOV Decal #5 on former PiP

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    Maybe they do in areas where it actually gets significantly below freezing during the winter. Having been raised in Texas and transplanted to California, I have only second-hand knowledge about engine block heaters. :)
     
  20. CharlesH

    CharlesH CA HOV Decal #5 on former PiP

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    Actually, that is true in Europe, but in the U.S., charging stations are almost always equipped with the big J1772 plug used by the PiP. The point being made by the earlier poster was that many hotels use a power plug for their air conditioning units that is different from the standard 120V plug used in the U.S., the latter being what is used by the EVSE (power adapter) that Toyota provides with the PiP.