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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.

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  1. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    Here's a picture of my last recorded temperature reading from dead to a full charge. I had about a ~14 degree difference, my ~74 degree temp gun reading was taken at about 2:15 (95% of charge) minutes into the charge cycle.


    Rob43

    thumbnail_(28)_-_Edited_(5).png
     
    #61 Rob43, Apr 17, 2019
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  2. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    Forum member "Joetech" made a helpful video about 120v to 240v Dryer Plug charging.

    Good job Joetech !

    WOW! Toyota Prius Prime 120v Charger charges at 240v?
    www.youtube.com/watch?v=E3it0SvRYoM


    Rob43
     
    #62 Rob43, Apr 18, 2019
  3. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    #63 Rob43, May 6, 2019
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  4. Q Ng

    Q Ng Junior Member

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    Thanks Rob43 for the detailed information, research you have done and the links. I have ordered all the parts and look forward to using the extension on my dryers 240v outlet. My gas dryer uses the 120v to start, so the 240v will be free.
     
    #64 Q Ng, May 8, 2019
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  5. utsug

    utsug Active Member

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    It says maximum 15A, but charging at L2 is 16A so this is a safety issue.
     
    #65 utsug, May 8, 2019
  6. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    Nope, that's where you are wrong...

    When someone uses the Toyota OE 120v EVSE at/for 240 volts, the amp draw is ~12 Amps. (It's really a tiny bit less than 12 amps)

    Also per the manufacturer of that $13 dollar adapter, they say it works up to 3750 watts, when anyone uses that adapter on their Prime they are pulling roughly ~2623 watts. This means that the adapter is only working at about ~70% of its rated capacity.


    Rob43
     
    #66 Rob43, May 8, 2019
    Last edited: May 8, 2019
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  7. bruceha_2000

    bruceha_2000 Senior Member

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    Great find Rob. That is the sort of thing that I figured must exist somewhere since all you are doing is connecting wires from one 3 'contacts' plug format to another.

    Seems like I can squeak into a program from my power company and get a free L2 charger. I can't get the rebate on the car because I bought it 17 days before the program started (like I had a choice and the program wasn't preannounced anyway).
     
    #67 bruceha_2000, May 10, 2019
  8. Tha_Ape

    Tha_Ape Active Member

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    I ended up buying a 16A/240V cable with 6-20 NEMA from BougeRV the other day ($190). The biggest push for me was having a dedicated cable at home so I could leave the 120V in the trunk (I often go places that leave me access to a 120V for hours at a time). The charger also came with the reverse of Robs find... a 6-20 to 5-15 adapter. For better or worse, I use 120V if I'm charging overnight and 240V if its during the day.

    That said, the cord gauge between the 240V charger and the stock Toyota one look identical. I wouldn't be surprised if the internals were identical too. I may get the $13 adapter just for giggles... waiting to make sure no one's charger has blown up yet though.
     
    #68 Tha_Ape, May 12, 2019
    Last edited: May 12, 2019
  9. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    That's great, I also like the idea of having two different and dedicated EVSE units for my charging needs.

    I have my Toyota OE (240v Level 2 performing) EVSE at home for my everyday ~2:25 charging, and I just purchased a used perfect working Non-Toyota brand 120v EVSE for $79 dollars on Ebay. I will carry my 120v used EVSE in my Prime so I always have the ability to charge if I need to.


    Rob43
     
    #69 Rob43, May 13, 2019
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  10. randomwalk101

    randomwalk101 DYI'er

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    I have a Nema 14-50r 240v outlet in my garage. Is there a similar adapter exist for this type of plug? Thanks
     
    #70 randomwalk101, May 14, 2019
  11. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    After a quick search, everything I found from $30 to $60 dollars did Not give a 240v output, so they would be useless.

    Both of these examples are 120v output:
    www.amazon.com/Parkworld-886245-Adapter-14-50P-Lighted/dp/B078XBC37F/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1BJ52CXV0MF7P&keywords=14-50p+to+5-15r+adapter&qid=1557866966&s=gateway&sprefix=14-50p+to+5-15%2Caps%2C587&sr=8-3

    www.amazon.com/AC-WORKS-AD1450520-Generator-Household/dp/B077MTF8QF/ref=sr_1_16?crid=1BJ52CXV0MF7P&keywords=14-50p+to+5-15r+adapter&qid=1557866966&s=gateway&sprefix=14-50p+to+5-15%2Caps%2C587&sr=8-16

    If you'd like me to build one for you, send me a PM.


    Rob43
     
    #71 Rob43, May 14, 2019
  12. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    You're very welcome.

    How is your progress on this, have you built your 240v conversion plug yet ?


    Rob43
     
    #72 Rob43, May 19, 2019
  13. Q Ng

    Q Ng Junior Member

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    Hey Rob, everything is working flawlessly with the Toyota evse. Charging time is cut by more than half. It used to be about 5 to 5.5 hr on 120v, now it is about 2 hours. Thanks again
     
    #73 Q Ng, May 23, 2019
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  14. Peng Xiao

    Peng Xiao Junior Member

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    Which way is better to the battery, 120v or 240v? So the battery can last longer.
     
    #74 Peng Xiao, May 23, 2019
  15. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    Maybe you should start your own thread with this question, because it is not thread specific.

    That way you can debate your question back & forth...


    Rob43
     
    #75 Rob43, May 23, 2019
  16. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    That's great to hear, congrats on your success !!

    Pictures, Pictures, & More Pictures!


    Rob43
     
    #76 Rob43, May 23, 2019
  17. randomwalk101

    randomwalk101 DYI'er

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    I want to thank Rob43 for the valuable tip of charging at 240v with stock charger and also want to thank him for making an 240v adapter for me. I got the adapter today and gave it a test. Wow the Prime now fully charged around 2 hrs from empty. Super happy and save a bunch of $$ from buying the 240v charger.
    Now some pics :) still need to put in a bracket to holder the charger properly :)
     

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    #77 randomwalk101, May 29, 2019
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  18. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

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    You might consider flipping that receptacle 180 degrees so the cord can go straight down without the loop on top.
     
    #78 jb in NE, May 29, 2019
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  19. randomwalk101

    randomwalk101 DYI'er

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    Why?
     

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    #79 randomwalk101, May 30, 2019
  20. utsug

    utsug Active Member

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    for strain relief
     
    #80 utsug, May 30, 2019
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