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220V Prius Prime Charging Cable

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by Navy Chief, Dec 7, 2016.

  1. Navy Chief

    Navy Chief New Member

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    I just purchased a Prime. It came with a 110 volt charging cable. The manual refers to charge time with 110 and 220 cables. I called Toyota of Orange and asked about a 220 volt charge cable. I was told Toyota did not make a 220 cable. I find that difficult to believe. Has anyone heard differently?
     
  2. PriusC_Commuter

    PriusC_Commuter Active Member

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    They didn't for the Prius Plug-in in nor the Toyota RAV4 EV, so I wouldn't expect them to make one for the Prius Prime. There are plenty of options for L2 chargers nowadays, as the J1772 plug is a well established standard.

    I would recommend the Chargepoint Home if you would like a WiFi enabled option:
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0124KHJZ2/?th=1&psc=1

    This is a good alternative if you need a portable L2 charger:
    https://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00J8O1XQE/
     
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  3. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    Look up evr-green mini.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    congrats and welcome! the dealer is correct. the charger inside the car will accept both 120v and 240v, but toyota only supplies a 120v cable. it's more common for people to already have a 120v outlet available, and it keeps the cost down for buyers who have no interest in 240v charging.

    you can hacve the cable converted to a dual voltage unit for a few hundred dollars if you desire.
    all the best with your new prime!(y)
     
  5. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Only Tesla has their own level 2/220V home "charger"/EVSE unit. Everybody else directs you to one of the many third party units available.
     
  6. MNdriver

    MNdriver Senior Member

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    I have a naive question. I need to negotiate charging my [future] Prius Prime in the shared garage of my condo building. Does the charger store and display how much electricity has been used? I'm wondering if I'd be able to use to to figure out how to reimburse my condo association for charging.
     
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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no, but you can buy an inexpensive meter that plugs into the wall, and you plug into it. it will do what you need for about $25.
     
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  8. Pedal Logic

    Pedal Logic Active Member

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    Hi MNdriver,

    One solution would be to add up your mileage as you go and divide by the Prime's miles/kWh rating. This would give you the actual kWh consumed by your vehicle. Might add an extra 10% to that number to account for the differences between real-world mileage and what Toyota self-reports to the EPA. Even after all that, you would still have to have a cool association board. GL!

    Marc
     
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  9. MNdriver

    MNdriver Senior Member

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    Thanks! I have not yet broached the topic with my condo board. Hoping to find a solution that they will be happy with.
     
  10. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    Living in Minnesota, you have a great resource available to you.

    Check out the website... MN PEV Owners

    Look up on Facebook... MNPEVOC

    That's the plug-in owners group here (I'm in Minnesota and attend all the meetings) who have been working hard to help establish plugging infrastructure. There is much wisdom to share about the what & how for getting shared charging-stations installed.
     
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  11. PriusC_Commuter

    PriusC_Commuter Active Member

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    You would need to get a WiFi enabled charger (technically EVSE) that has this type of capability. I believe the Chargepoint Home does (but I don't know how it deals with sharing the usage info with others):
    Home EV Charging Station for Electric Car - ChargePoint
     
  12. MNdriver

    MNdriver Senior Member

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    Yep, thanks John, I'm part of the Facebook group already, and I went to a lunchtime meeting this past summer about EVs in multiple family dwellings. Haven't been too vocal in it because I don't have a plug-in - yet! Hope to rectify that very soon.


    Merged


    Just looked into this a bit. Yikes, this is going to get expensive. I hope the simple meter bisco mentioned will be acceptable with the condo board, although I have my doubts.
     
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  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    check out the kill a watt meter. theft might be an issue though.
     
  14. MikeDee

    MikeDee Senior Member

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    These seem overpriced. What about the Siemens VC30GRYU Versicharge 30-Amp Electric Vehicle Charger with Flexible Indoor/Outdoor and 20-Feet Cord? I think I'll get one before the end of the year to get the tax break.
     
    #14 MikeDee, Dec 9, 2016
    Last edited: Dec 9, 2016
  15. EV-ish

    EV-ish Active Member

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    I think it true that a 30% tax credit that covers the EVSE and electrician is available through 2016 if UL listed equipment is bought.
     
  16. MikeDee

    MikeDee Senior Member

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    How long is the 110v charge cable that comes with the car? Any issue with using an extension cord if it isn't long enough?
     
  17. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    I think it's 24 feet. The OM says no to extension cords. As an EE, I say yes to properly-rated extension cords. GFCI-protected, either by the breaker, the outlet or the cord, and 12AWG.
     
  18. PT Guy

    PT Guy Senior Member

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    Just for clarity--
    It takes an EVSE, Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment, also called a Charging Station. The 240 volt EVSE is Level 2. (120 volt EVSE is Level 1).

    1)The charger is inside every electric car.
    2) The EVSE is a smart controller that communicates with the car's charger and decides when to slow down the flow of electricity and when to shut it off.
    3) Some EVSE controllers are a box on the wall. Some are a box built into the cord (as we have with the stock charge cord).
    4) The 240 volt Level 2 EVSE will charge much faster than the 120 volt version, but where's the payback? It'll cost $300 to $500 or more plus the cost of the electrical installation. The Prime only goes 20+ miles on a full battery, then it'll use gasoline, anyway. And, it just sips the gas.
     
  19. ttait

    ttait Active Member

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    I'm looking at the Duosida level 2 cable. The advantage for me is the quick charge time. If I come home between errands, a level 2 charger will get me enough power for short trips in a reasonable time. The meter spins the same for both level 1 or level 2, the advantage is time. I've actually found them on Ali-baba (the Chinese amazon) for under $140 not including shipping. These are the same EVSEs that are sold on ebay and amazon. I haven't bitten the bullet yet because I don't know the cost for shipping or how long it takes to get. Probably will soon, though. I have the skills to install the outlet.
     
  20. MikeDee

    MikeDee Senior Member

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    I wouldn't use anything that's not UL (or equivalent) rated.


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