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Using the Primes 120v Charger at 240 Volts, Cost $20 !!!

Discussion in 'Prime Plug-in Charging' started by Rob43, Mar 16, 2019.

  1. VTBIGDOG

    VTBIGDOG Active Member

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    Good luck getting that plug into that receptacle.

    Posted via the PriusChat mobile app.
     
  2. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Good idea, but it doesn't look to me like the plug and receptacle match. The center connectors look different, at least in the picture.
     
  3. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    LOL,

    Ye, of little faith....


    Rob43
     
  4. Joeteck

    Joeteck Junior Member

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    *** This does not work any longer. I just did this conversion. Still charges at 120v.

    Installed a 20a dual breaker, NEMA 10-30 outlet, bought a NEMA 5-20 to NEMA 10-30 converter.
    Checked continuity, Both hots went to each leg, including outlet from and to breaker.
    Tested with meter, 120v at each.

    Still charges @ 120v.
    Just a "FYI". So don't waste your time like I did.

    Time to shop for a REAL 240v charger.
     
    Arctic_White likes this.
  5. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    Post up the Exact model number of your charger to see if yours is different.

    Everyone with a G9060-47130 Toyota Prius Prime charger has had complete success with this.


    Rob43
     
    #45 Rob43, Apr 5, 2019
    Last edited: Apr 6, 2019
    bruceha_2000 likes this.
  6. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Just curious. Did you have 240 between the two legs? If it's wired properly and the converter you bought is behaving as expected, I don't see electrically how it could not work.
     
    bruceha_2000 likes this.
  7. bruceha_2000

    bruceha_2000 Senior Member

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  8. Joeteck

    Joeteck Junior Member

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    ******************* FALSE ALARM *******************

    This method works perfectly!
    When I charged my Prime with 20 miles left on charge
    I was expecting it to show 5 minutes, but showed 30 minutes.
    So I thought it was not working correctly.

    When I drove 15 miles today, and plugged in with 10 miles left

    IT SHOWED: FULL CHARGE IN 1:30 MINUTES

    MUCH BETTER.
    THANK YOU ROB43!

     
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  9. zorrobyte

    zorrobyte New Member

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    Technically speaking, the slower you charge & discharge a lithium battery, the more cycles you'll see out of it:
    Fast and Ultra-fast Chargers - Battery University

    When it comes to the Prius, I wouldn't split hairs too much over it. Like most EV mfgrs, the battery is built over spec to account for some losses over time. For example, my new Prime has a capacity of 105.3%, providing some overhead as the pack ages.

    Just plan for a pack rebuild in 10-15 years to get your EV range back if you plan on keeping the car forever. By then, rebuild prices would have fallen and lithium pricing in general.

    Heck, maybe by then graphene supercapacitors would have fallen in price enough to retrofit for ~5 minute charge time.
     
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  10. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    Based on an upcoming trip later this summer I decided to build this second 10 AWG 6 foot long adapter which uses a NEMA 10-50 receptacle and a NEMA 10-30 plug. The Airbnb that I'll stay at for a week+ does not have any type of car charger setup, just the typical 120v slow outlet. After some inquiry I had them take pics of their dryer outlet, it uses the fairly common NEMA 10-30R (receptacle). My current 25 foot conversion cord that I built in post #1 uses a NEMA 10-50P which doesn't work at the Airbnb, so my 10-50P will plug into my new 6 ft long 10-50R, and then the 10-30P will plug into the Airbnb's dryer outlet. Total length for all cords is roughly ~55 ft, this is still completely fine based on the chargers amp draw while using a 10 AWG copper wire.

    This once again shows how Super Cheap it is to build your own conversion plug, total cost for this mini project was $17 dollars and it only took minutes to assemble. If you have a conveniently located 240v outlet, building and using a 120v to 240v conversion cord for fast 2 hr and 25 minute charging is a very satisfying project.

    GoGreen Power 6' 3-Wire Dryer Cord, Gray, 27106 - Walmart.com

    Leviton Surface Mount Receptacle 3 Pole, 3 W 50 Amp Nema 10 - 30 R Blk Csa Bx 78477100219 | eBay

    P = Plug
    R = Receptacle

    Rob43

    thumbnail_(29)_-_Edited_(2).png thumbnail_(31)_-_Edited.png thumbnail_(32)_-_Edited.png thumbnail_(37)_-_Edited.png thumbnail_(38)_-_Edited_(1).png
     
    #50 Rob43, Apr 8, 2019
    Last edited: Apr 9, 2019
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  11. Peng Xiao

    Peng Xiao Junior Member

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    Bought an adapter for $50,
     
  12. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    Good, tell everyone about your new charging experience after you have a few days of using it.


    Rob43
     
  13. bruceha_2000

    bruceha_2000 Senior Member

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    Looks good and easy.
     
  14. Peng Xiao

    Peng Xiao Junior Member

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    Actually I cancelled this order, and ordered


    for only $16.1
     
  15. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    Good for you.

    It's fun putting it together, take some pics if you can.


    Rob43
     
  16. Peng Xiao

    Peng Xiao Junior Member

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    I think I will not use the adapter cord often, cheaper is better.
    I only have dryer outlet indoor, so the cable need to go through garage door and let the door partially open.
    Any here's my calculation, to fully charge the car need about 6.5 KWH. Our electric rate is $0.18, so that's $1.17. Suppose EV can run 25 miles, if use gasoline, 25/55 = 0.45 gal. Current gas price is $2.65, so 0.45 gal is $1.2. EV $1.17 vs gas $1.2, only 3 cents saving per charge.
     
  17. Salamander_King

    Salamander_King Senior Member

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    You live in high electricity rate area as I do. As you stated, in those areas at a current low gas price, the EV is not a saving. I have been watching the gas price going up last few months, and every time it goes up, I grin with pleasure. I can't wait to see it gets above $3.
     
  18. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    Curiously, does your electric company offer off peak rates ?


    Rob43
     
  19. Peng Xiao

    Peng Xiao Junior Member

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    They do, but you need pay higher rate for on peak, which is 7am to 9pm. For winter maybe ok, for summer the AC use much more electricity. The Prime is only 6.5 kWh and not everyday. Not a good choice. I did use the EV rate when I was in GA with a Nissan Leaf.
     
  20. Peng Xiao

    Peng Xiao Junior Member

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    Tried first time, got full charge in 2.5 hrs, the highest temp on EVSE is 89 degree.
     
    bruceha_2000 and Rob43 like this.