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Extra Charging cord

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by panache, Apr 1, 2018.

  1. panache

    panache Junior Member

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    Hi all

    Since last week, I'm the proud owner of a 2017 Prime :)

    I would like to get a 2nd charging cable, one to have in my carport and one to keep in the car; at work I can park near a building where there is a 110 V outlet . I would like to keep the OEM one mounted to the carport for ease (get a hose reel to roll up the cord and attach the converter semi permanently to the wall).

    However, I only have a 15 A 120 V outlet in the carport. I see some inexpensive level 1 cords on ebay/amazon, such as these and they come with different brand labels but seem all to be made by the same manufacturer:

    http://a.co/f4atXeC

    but they are all rated at 16 A. My electrical panel is already full and the carport is some distance from the house so electrician quoted me $450 to upgrade to 20 A, 240V which is not worth it to cut charging times in half -- most of the time I'll be parking overnight anyway.


    Are there any inexpensive generic level 1 1120 V chargers that are only rated at 12 A? I see clipper creek makes some but $400 is kind of hard to swallow.

    Thanks!
     
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  2. VVTiBob

    VVTiBob Member

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    D1330006-A0E3-4A72-B8C1-B0AE24B880F3.jpeg There are several ways to free up space in a panel. Dual or twin breakers that take up only one breaker slot freeing up a slot for a new breaker. Remember, people rarely are running their panels to capacity or rating. Especially with scheduled charging in our Primes.
     
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  3. Blue-Adept

    Blue-Adept Active Member

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    I picked this up from Amazon. 110 and 220. Works fine. I installed 220 on a 50 amp breaker for about $275.00 on a 75 foot run. Wire was the most expensive part.

    Duosida
    4.5 out of 5 stars 156Reviews
    Level 2 EVSE Portable Electric Vehicle Charger (240V, 16A) - Faster Charging Speeds
     
  4. SaraBBrown94

    SaraBBrown94 Active Member

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    Why not just get a couple HEAVY gauge(like 12 or thicker) extension cords and keep the charging cord that came with the car wound up in the back of the car? That way you can just pull the charging bundle out of the car, plug it into the extension cord and plug it into your car. Then when you leave, unplug the bundle and toss it in the back.

    TWO outdoor, long, heavy duty, GFCI equipped extension cords will not even run you half the cost of one extra charge cables. Not to mention you can get them from almost any Home Depot or Lowes.

    Large gauge cords are important so they don't get hot and melt from the load. I use a 25ft 12 gauge so I can reach my window from my apartment's parking lot. lol
     
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  5. panache

    panache Junior Member

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    Thanks for the feedback! I already have a lot of the dual breakers in the panel so it seems for some reason the cost to upgrade to 20 A, 240 V is $450, so I would prefer to not deal with the cost of uprading to 240 V at present especially the normal 5 hr charge is adequate for 99% of my needs. Especially after adding on another $250+ for an EVSE that will be money better spent elsewhere IMO.

    not sure that would work so well in my situation as my carport is on a bit of a slope and when it rains puddles form. I would not want the power brick to be flooded if it is just rolled up on the ground and connected with an extension cord.
     
  6. SaraBBrown94

    SaraBBrown94 Active Member

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    nono.Just the extension cords stay outside. You can get little caps to cover the female side opening so water doesnt corrode/ rust the connectors. The cord that came with your car with the block and stuff, travels with you in the car. Just like wind up the cord and throw some zip ties on it so it stays wound up. Then just plug the extension cord into it and it into the car.

    I included a diagram.
     

    Attached Files:

  7. panache

    panache Junior Member

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    So you have to keep the window open to run cords in and out? It's an idea but not sure how workable that is for me.
     
  8. SaraBBrown94

    SaraBBrown94 Active Member

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    The cord that comes with the car is very rugged/durable. I left mine buried in a foot of snow all winter attached to the extension cord. The cord can be wet when charging as well. You don't have to keep it in the car. In fact, I would just toss the bundled up cable under the car in it's shadow when it's charging. That will also prevent it from getting run over or hot from the sun if you live in a warm state. It's really not a delicate cable. lol
    If you're concerned with getting your trunk wet or dirty, just get a shallow Rubbermaid container to put the cord in when the weather is messy. Since the cable would be constantly tied up in a roll, you can just toss it in there.
     
  9. Digloo2

    Digloo2 Active Member

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    First, I'd get another quote or two from other electricians. Also, have someone check the actual load rating of the wiring. Older home builders installed 15A breakers in places like carports even though they used conduit capable of 20-25A circuits. If the wiring can support it, you might just need a new breaker.

    Second, you might want to consider replacing the 15 A circuit with a 20 A 120v and a 20 A 220v circuit. If the 15 A circuit is on one breaker, it can be replaced with a dual breaker, if you can get one that's both 120v and 220v. If not, I'm sure it can be combined with another 120v circuit to free up a spot for a 220v breaker.

    Running two wires will take the same labor, but twice the cost for wiring. You could use the same wire for both circuits, which might not actually cost any more given the other costs of using two different wires.

    Finally, consider running a 240v wire from an existing stove or dryer line.
     
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  10. trentofdestiny

    trentofdestiny Master Finagler

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    It is against the electric code to run one breaker and wire both 120 and 240 appliances to it. Depending on the length it may make more sense to wire a large gauge wire to a sub panel in the garage area and then run short branch circuits of both voltages.

    As for a device you can use right now, the Toyota cord from the Prius Plug-In (before the Prime) was only capable of drawing 12A since that's all the car could draw. It had a 15A plug on it. You should not require a 20A circuit for any appliance unless it has a 20A plug to connect to your house (like a standard plug but one of the two main prongs is turned 90 degrees so it's horizontal)


    iPhone ?
     
  11. pineprius

    pineprius 15th Hole #4

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    Since you state charging will be overnight, just get the least expensive level 1 cord, and set your Prime to accept maximum 8 Amp charging on the screen. No need to worry about higher demand on the 15 Amp carport circuit. See page 123 in owners manual for 8 Amp setting procedure. I did.
     
    #11 pineprius, Apr 3, 2018
    Last edited: Apr 3, 2018
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  12. panache

    panache Junior Member

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    No need to worry about higher demand on the carport circuit. See owners manual for 8 Amp setting procedure. I did.

    Good info. How does this impact remote a/c?
     
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i don't understand how most 120v evse can be 16 amps, aren't most 120v circuits 15, except in special situations?

    doesn't the charger in the car control draw?
     
  14. a_gray_prius

    a_gray_prius Rare Non-Old-Blowhard Priuschat Member

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    I'd also be interested if anyone has any experience with cheap chargers - I'm out of space in the garage and I'd like to just leave one mounted outside on the garage wall using an existing 120V outlet I have.
     
  15. trentofdestiny

    trentofdestiny Master Finagler

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    Pretty much anything which can hold 16A would have to use internal components rated for 20A or higher.

    120V, or level 1 chargers as they are known, provide for "up to" 16A but it is common for them to be capped at 12A due to this being 80% of 15A and breakers are always sized using the 80% rule. So a 15A circuit with only the EV cord on it should not draw more than 12A, otherwise you would need a 20A circuit.


    iPhone ?
     
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  16. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    so if you use a 120v 16a evse with the prime on a 20a circuit, will it charge at 16 amps?
     
  17. trentofdestiny

    trentofdestiny Master Finagler

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    I believe so. I have not had access to that type of equipment to try it. However, I have heard the Chevy volt chargers like to melt plugs because I assume it's trying to charge it 16 A which is too much for the 15 amp plug, it should be around 12


    iPhone ?
     
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  18. pineprius

    pineprius 15th Hole #4

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    You asked for the least expensive way to have 2 charging cords and limit your cost of charging at 2 locations without a time constraint. Time for personal responsibility. Read your owners manual for any impact on remote A/C.
     
  19. pineprius

    pineprius 15th Hole #4

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    The Prime permits 8A draw, pg 123 owners manual. I suspect many people plug into garage outlets rated at 120V 15A and have other draws on the single circuit which may trip breakers. Toyota must have suspected this with the ability to set EVSE draw at 8A. Most newer construction would have 20A circuit in garage for accessories.
     
  20. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    so the evse controls draw, not the charger?