Connect charging cable to 240V outlet?

Thanks, that is interesting to know, so Toyota including that reason also for having a charge timer would indicate too long on a full charge could have an effect if done on a regular basis. I wonder if Toyota actually specifies a recommended time limit for having a full charge while just sitting unused.

I had heard another reason was some people get cheaper electric rates during certain times, so you would have to hope the time you get cheaper electric rates is close enough to the time you will next drive your car that would car would not sit long after finishing charging, and since some people work 2nd or 3rd shifts and might need to charge during the day I wonder how that works out for people with unusual schedules.

 

Occasional instances are not an issue. If they were, the car makers simply could not put a warranty on the battery.

But absent warnings and guidelines, numerous customers would immediately top off the battery after every single use, for the full life of the battery. Numerous commuters with free charging at work would have it fully topped up 163 hours a week, year-round. The accelerated aging would then be quite noticeable.

Unlike home recharging, most braking and coasting isn't prolonged enough to be amount to a full charge. There is a difference between deep and shallow charging.

On the few long downhills that do produce full charges, the car is getting back 'free' energy that has real value. If properly controlled, this value received should exceed the cost of accelerated battery aging. Home charging is not free, it costs real money, so the value tradeoff is different.

And if the battery is too hot, the car does reduce the regenerative recharge rate.

 

unfortunately, toyota does not recommend anything specific. likely, the vague instructions are legalese to keep them out of the 'the manual said to do this and that's what i did' lawsuits

 

I would think that if 240V promotes premature battery aging, then it would void the traction battery's warranty.

 

Level 2 charges cost $150, not $350. I wouldn't mess with homemade adapters.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/EVSE-Electric-Vehicle-Charger-EV-Level-2-220Volt-16A-for-Leaf-Volt-Prius/263387254095

 

I owned that exact Chinese junk, it fail the first day I had it...

Knowing what I know, I wouldn't plug my lawnmower into it.

The American Toyota OE 120v EVSE is the EXACT same unit as the European model, the only difference is the 240v country plug. Once the American version gets 240v it operates just like it's in Europe.

I build one of the finest adapters available today, right here in the USA.


Rob43

 

Thanks for the info!

 

The US OEM EVSE is limited to 12 Amps. Is that also true in Europe? That is why using a third-party EVSE (like a public charging station), which can provide the 16 Amps that the car's internal charger will accept, will deliver a full charge in 2 hours, whereas pushing 240 V into a US OEM EVSE takes about 2 and a half hours for a full charge.

 

That's correct, the OE EVSE is limited to 12 amps.

If you need to charge up a bit faster than 2:27 minutes when at home, you will need to spend the $$ to buy a chinese built EVSE or spend the $$$$ for a better built (ClipperCreek LCS-20) EVSE unit.


Rob43

 

Just curious, why would that “Chinese junk” linked in the earlier post uses a 14-50 plug if it only uses 16 A?


iPhone ?

 

NEMA 14-50 is a common receptacle. Very common in RV Parks, where you could park next to one away from home.

Ideally you want an adapter that fits what you encounter while traveling.

One of the 'Chinese junk' has 5 plugs

 

Right now, installing a 240V outlet just for my PRIME is cost-prohibitive, and not needing multiple charges in a day, faster charging time is not something I need. However, if I am to install a 240V outlet in the future, I want L2 EVSE with a smartphone app that I can record and control charging session. That functionality alone is worth $$$$ for me.