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Portable non-gas generator charging Prime

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by pianohawk, Nov 13, 2017.

  1. pianohawk

    pianohawk Junior Member

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    I’m very interested in knowing if these kinds of generators can charge my Prius Prime!

    1.


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    Thank you,

    Colby
    Northern CA
     
  2. priuscatprimeguy

    priuscatprimeguy Senior Member

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    you will need at least 120 VAC capable of delivering 12 amps continuously:D for five hours and ten minutes:eek: so that's 120 VAC times 12 Amps = 1440 watts continuously
     
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  3. priuscatprimeguy

    priuscatprimeguy Senior Member

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    Or you could go the 8 amp route, but the the charging time is much longer than 5 hours and ten minutes so 120 VAC times 8 Amps = 960 watts for forever.:eek: it takes 6.3 KWH full battery capacity so about 7 hours to charge
     
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  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    just put it in charge mode.:rolleyes:
     
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  5. priuscatprimeguy

    priuscatprimeguy Senior Member

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    DUH!!!!!!:rolleyes: done in a half hour:D
     
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  6. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

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    The car will charge very efficiently in charge mode or preferably in ECO and in the process lose none of the range that was charged at home. The amount of gasoline used is minicule. Much more efficient than a auxially generator.
     
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  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    idk, #2 above looks pretty interesting.
     
  8. Andyprius1

    Andyprius1 Senior Member

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    I agree, only if his needs are tiny, for camping or he waits for perfect solar conditions, in winter?
     
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  9. Dm84

    Dm84 Member

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    I have a 20 kw whole house generator and would not even think of charging my car while it was running. Every manual I've read says not to charge the car off a generator.
     
  10. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    If the generator can run central air, I think it should be able to charge a car.
    That said, if your plug in already has a generator, which could also provide auxiliary propulsion, built in, just use that. Odds are it will be more fuel efficient than charging with a generator.
     
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  11. walterm

    walterm Active Member

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    Interesting - I wonder why they would say that? I'd think that if a generator is capable of sustaining the load of charging then it would be fine. I tried using the supplied 110-volt charger with my portable generator to charge the car and it seemed to work fine - I was running the generator for its regular periodic operation and it seemed more sensible to use the energy to charge the car than to just waste it into a resistive heater for a load.
     
  12. David M Pashman

    David M Pashman New Member

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    I have not tried charge mode but plan on it soon. What amazes me is how little the tech support people know about their own product. Lame
     
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  13. David M Pashman

    David M Pashman New Member

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    If the generator is pure sine wave, can handle resistive as well as inductive loads, has an output of at least 3500 watts for 220, or 1500 watts 120 it will be fine. If either 220 or 120 is higher you will need more watts. My 220 is closer to 230, my 120 is spot on. My 220 charger is the max current Toyota will allow on 220 which is 16amps
     
  14. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    See where it says "220Wh" or "270Wh"? A full Ev charge for your Prime will demand 6,300Wh.
     
  15. Since2002

    Since2002 Senior Lurker

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    Of course the next question is why does the OP want to use gasoline to charge the traction battery? Even using charge mode it's not going to be as efficient I don't think as just driving the car in HV.
     
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  16. pianohawk

    pianohawk Junior Member

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    Great to have several responses on the thread. Here’s the context of my initial request:

    I drive 50 miles to work one way. I teach music at a high school from 6:45am-noon and then at a junior high from 12:30-1:45pm. Unfortunately, my school district will not consider installing EV charging stations at this time. To reduce household expenses (monthly gas costs) I’d like to charge my Prime again after my drive to work (after having charged it overnight at my house) while I’m teaching in the mornings using a NON-GAS portable generator or power storage system (charged via my garage standard 110v outlet during the day which is supplied by my roof solar panels).

    I hope this makes more sense in context. I do NOT want to put the vehicle in charging mode while driving as it SEVERELY affects MPG during my 70mph, 45 min commute.

    Please keep the info coming! I don’t understand much about voltage, wattage, and capacity so any direct links to products on Amazon.com or elsewhere that may provide the solution my wife and I are seeking would be sincerely appreciated. : )

    Have a great day!

    Colby
     
  17. Lee Jay

    Lee Jay Senior Member

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    Colby, the bottom line is you'd have to have a battery that's bigger than your Prime's battery to make that happen. That's a multi-thousand dollar battery, a multi-hundred dollar charger for the battery, a multi-hundred dollar inverter, and at least a hundred pounds of extra weight.

    See if the school would let you use an outside outlet. Maybe a suitable extension cord and 5 hours on L1 would help you.
     
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  18. pianohawk

    pianohawk Junior Member

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    Sad

    The school will not allow staff to use the outlets to charge vehicles.
     
  19. pianohawk

    pianohawk Junior Member

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    Long charge time is ok, the car is just sitting in a lot. Would you be able to find a link or two to products that have the specs you posted about?
     
  20. pianohawk

    pianohawk Junior Member

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    Would you be able to find a link or two to products that have the specs you posted about?