1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

New to the Prius

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by ctscoob, Aug 9, 2019.

  1. ctscoob

    ctscoob Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2019
    56
    36
    0
    Location:
    CT
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    Hello! Newbie here! I just switched from a ‘16 Tacoma to a ‘20 Prius Prime Limited. It’s dark gray with the black interior, and I had tints added to the side windows. This is my first hybrid. I was considering a Tesla, but couldn’t justify the price. The reliability and MPGs of the Prius Prime seemed like the next best thing! I’m still learning all the features but so far so good! The garage I park in for work has free charging, and my commute is only 22 mi round trip. Soo, I’m anticipating minimal gasoline usage in my future.
     
    Arctic_White, drash, GTprii and 6 others like this.
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    107,571
    48,862
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    congrats and welcome, all the best!(y)
     
    ctscoob likes this.
  3. huskers

    huskers Senior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 21, 2005
    2,542
    2,485
    0
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    You should never use gas on your commute is it is that short. You will love the car once you grow with it. Congrats and welcome to this site.
     
    ctscoob likes this.
  4. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2014
    1,373
    1,044
    0
    Location:
    VA, BMW Race Car, BMW R1200R, BMW 330Ci, Ford F350
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    OP,

    Welcome to PriusChat !

    *****************************

    When you charge at home for nights & weekends, do you have any type of conveniently located 240v receptacle ?


    Rob43
     
  5. ctscoob

    ctscoob Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2019
    56
    36
    0
    Location:
    CT
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    No, but I have an unused one in my basement I am thinking about having relocated into the garage.
     
  6. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2018
    2,233
    1,595
    0
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    Congrats on the new ride. Note that in winter below 14F the engine will run to provide cabin heat. But I would bet that annually 95% + of your commuting can be done on EV.
     
    ctscoob likes this.
  7. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2014
    1,373
    1,044
    0
    Location:
    VA, BMW Race Car, BMW R1200R, BMW 330Ci, Ford F350
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Sounds good, I'm just trying to give you fast charge options for when you're not at work.

    I have no idea if it's possible for you to run a 10 AWG extension cord from your 240v basement outlet to where it would need to terminate, but that would be substantially cheaper than any other method.

    Using your OE Toyota EVSE unit, charging times will drop down to ~2 1/2 hours.


    Rob43
     
  8. ctscoob

    ctscoob Junior Member

    Joined:
    Aug 9, 2019
    56
    36
    0
    Location:
    CT
    Vehicle:
    2020 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Limited
    Thank you. I just upgraded my electrical service at home to 200amp last summer when I had a pool put in. I have a lot of empty spots for breakers, so I might just have my electrician add one and install a 240v charger for me.
     
  9. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2018
    2,233
    1,595
    0
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    You can put in an L2 charger for a few hundred bucks and might get some of that back from your electric provider. But for the cheaper route you can install a dryer receptacle and run your stock EVSE with a $43 (approx) conversion pigtail.
     
  10. evpv

    evpv Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2010
    689
    337
    8
    Location:
    West Coast
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Delete
     
    #10 evpv, Aug 11, 2019
    Last edited: Aug 12, 2019
  11. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2014
    1,373
    1,044
    0
    Location:
    VA, BMW Race Car, BMW R1200R, BMW 330Ci, Ford F350
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Prime Advanced

    DO NOT USE THAT ADAPTER !!!

    THEY MELT AND ARE AN EXTREME FIRE HAZARD.


    Rob43
     
    Arctic_White likes this.
  12. evpv

    evpv Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2010
    689
    337
    8
    Location:
    West Coast
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Theory or fact? Link...
     
  13. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2014
    1,373
    1,044
    0
    Location:
    VA, BMW Race Car, BMW R1200R, BMW 330Ci, Ford F350
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    FACT....

    The one I personally tested got REAL HOT, I luckily discovered it before any disaster or fire.

    Multiple reports of melting before and after I bought mine....

    Your Amazon seller tells you they're rated at up to ~3750 watts IIRC, the actual Chinese manufacturers state a maximum of 1800 to 2000 watts depending on who's selling it. This rating is roughly ~800 watts BELOW our needs, thus overload and fire.


    Rob43
     
    Arctic_White likes this.
  14. evpv

    evpv Active Member

    Joined:
    Apr 19, 2010
    689
    337
    8
    Location:
    West Coast
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    701464C7-A0D1-4C15-89C4-A262B55D66BB.jpeg

    Thanks for the heads up, Amazon issued me a refund. The unit shows 10 amps @ 230v molded into the plastic. Misleading “15 amp max” specs on the Amazon listing.
     
  15. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Sep 24, 2014
    1,373
    1,044
    0
    Location:
    VA, BMW Race Car, BMW R1200R, BMW 330Ci, Ford F350
    Vehicle:
    2013 Prius v wagon
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    I build these adapters all the time, I use the best materials & 100% copper 10 AWG wire. If you want one let me know, it will outlast your car...


    Rob43