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What 240v Charger do you use?

Discussion in 'Prime Plug-in Charging' started by Joeteck, Mar 24, 2019.

  1. Joeteck

    Joeteck Junior Member

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    I just picked up a left over 2018 Prius Prime Premium yesterday 7 Miles on it. Pic is my avatar.
    I asking the community of Prime owners to share what you have. If you like it, and recommend it.
    I am currently going to install an outside water proof NEMA 10-30 outlet for my prime.

    Please provide links on what you like / own.

    Much appreciated!

    JoeteckTips
     
  2. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    I use the stock Toyota OE 120v charger, then it gets plugged into your NEMA 10-30R and I charge at 240 volts. Charging time is roughly 2 hours & 25 minutes to a full charge, cost is about ~$20 dollars.


    Rob43
     
  3. Joeteck

    Joeteck Junior Member

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    Wait what? How is that possible? It is only 120v charger. It does not say it can do 240v on it. For that to work it would need two hots and a neutral. Can you provide pictures of your setup? Now you've sparked my interest big time.
     
  4. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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  5. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    Here you go:
    Using the Primes 120v Charger at 240 Volts, Cost $59 !!! | PriusChat

    In my thread read post number 2, then buy yourself "1a" & "2" for a Total of ~$18 dollars shipped.


    Rob43
     
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  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    can't beat that (y)
     
  7. Joeteck

    Joeteck Junior Member

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    I cant figure out how your wiring 120v plug to 240v.

    Sounds like its not to code.
    Thats the only confusing part.
     
  8. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    It's not to code. That doesn't necessarily mean it's going to catch fire. But as long as he has properly sized wire, connections, and breaker, connections are tight, he's not selling it with the house and he can control who has access to it, it's no more dangerous than a lawn mower. Probably safer. You should see the stuff farmers wire up in their barns!! :eek:
     
  9. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    Yep, everything I've done on my end is Way Overbuilt to maximize safety.

    I recommend to anyone doing this mod that they also Over Build for safety reasons, it only cost a few more dollars to buy into 10 AWG wire & plugs/receptacles that are rated for 20 amps or better.


    Rob43
     
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  10. Joeteck

    Joeteck Junior Member

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    I bought a molded type since there will be high current.
     
  11. Tha_Ape

    Tha_Ape Active Member

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    I'm using a 16A/240V BougeRV charger ($190) with a NEMA 6-20 plug. Full charge is 2:10.
     
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  12. DavidA

    DavidA Prius owner since July 2009

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    eMotorWerks 40A (overkill for Prime) EVSE. Plugs to 40A 240v circuit. Charges the Prime from 0 to 34 miles (reported) in 2 hours flat. 10 minutes longer in severe cold due to battery warming. My 120v house wiring usually reports 124 volts, so that's why it might take a little less time than most 240V EVSE's
     
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  13. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    "JuiceBox" is how most people refer to the eMotorWerks brand chargers. We have 2, both the Wi-Fi enabled model. They work great for our Primes. Being able to check status, adjust settings (like maximum draw and maximum charge), and view history is really nice. A full recharge takes us 1-hour 50-minutes.

    Keep in mind that a 40-amp line (sustained delivery of 32 amps) will provide 200 miles of range in 8 hours. So, a 40A setup is really overkill for most of your need is overnight charging. Remember, you'll almost certainly want a second charger for your household at some point. That means taking into account now how much your service-panel can provide for capacity overall.

    You'll also want to consider how to take advantage of your local electricity discount opportunities. In our case, we were the very first customers for our Co-Op to request dual time-of-use lines. With that, our billing lists activity from each vehicle individually, showing the quantity of kWh usage for each pricing category (based on timing when electricity is drawn). It's quite nice. All we needed to do was pay for the extra meter ($75) and can ($70) during installation of the line.

    Another thing to be aware of is the 240-volt outlet type. Having such a standard outlet is important when shopping for a charger (adapters are available). NEMA 14-50 is by far the most common for new installs. But that's likely not what you have currently for other appliances, like a clothes dryer. It can support a maximum capacity of 50-amp, but the line doesn't need to be that powerful. In our case, we have 8-gauge wire connected to 40-amp breakers.

    There isn't much else to consider technically. All you really need to know are those basics. The electrician providing an estimate for cost for running line(s) is the only thing that will vary for individual homes, since service-panel access and where you would like to physically locate the charger will obviously differ.
     
    #13 john1701a, May 19, 2019
    Last edited: May 19, 2019
  14. Data Soong

    Data Soong Junior Member

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    I've found a high percentage of unhappy customers for every unit I've researched with complaints of early failure and poor support even with the "highly end" chargers you'll see mentioned here, so I'm going with a pigtail adapter to a 240V plug and the Toyota 120V charger home. I'm still working on deciding on a portable charger for work or local visits since mounted the Toyota charger. It only needs to be a Level 1, since there aren't any 240 receptacles anywhere I'd be using it, so starting over on research. 120V exterior outlets are rare as hens teeth.

    I'd really like to get my hands on Toyota's level 2 charger for a day to see if the only difference is the plug and the label.
     
  15. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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  16. Performer

    Performer New Member

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    I have a 2021 prius prime xle. Can I plug the charger provided by the dealer to this outlet in my garage using an adapter I found at amazon?
     

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  17. Diemaster

    Diemaster Active Member

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    I got a Jucebox 40. Overkill for the Prime but it was the closest to the 30A circuit I had in the garage for a welder. I'll sell it with the house one day. Then I can say it's electric car ready.
     
  18. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    No. That adapter is from a 30 Amp 240 Volt receptacle to a 50 Amp 240 Volt plug. The adapter advertised above by Rob43 is from a 30 Amp 240 Volt receptacle to a 20 Amp 120 Volt plug, which it powers with 240 Volts.
    NEMA 10-30P to NEMA 5-20R
     
    #18 JimboPalmer, Jan 3, 2021
    Last edited: Jan 3, 2021
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