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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. jerrymildred

    jerrymildred Senior Member

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    Also, to restate what's been said many times, if you have the dryer plug on one end of the cord and a regular 120V on the other end for use with your original equipment EVSE, you're assuming what could be a very nasty risk of someone connecting something to that cord that can't handle 240V. It's best to secure it to the EVSE or take some other measures to ensure that no one mistakes it for a 120V extension. At least stow it in the car with the EVSE when not in use. I would keep it connected to the EVSE and secure it with tape or something to be on the safe side.
     
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  2. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    Thank you for the kind words! (y)

    How's your fast charging working out for you ? Hopefully well.


    Rob43
     
  3. VancouverBlade

    VancouverBlade Junior Member

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    Just adding my thanks to Rob43 for this adapter. I got mine just after Christmas and it's been working perfectly. Really fast shipping to Canada and Rob was very responsive.
     
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  4. kimseongjae

    kimseongjae Junior Member

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    My 2020 PP charger may charge at 240v./20A. However, the charger comes with a 14 AWG. Has anyone replace the cord to a 12AWG wire? Keeping the original charger and the connector.
    Upon closer inspection i found this. Is this cable rated at least 20amp? 2x14 awg.
     
    #224 kimseongjae, Apr 30, 2020
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2020
  5. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    Your Prime only "Pulls" 12 amps (it's really about ~11.7 amps), so there won't be any issues.

    On a side note, most other car manufactures use a 14 AWG cord on their EVSE units.



    Rob43
     
  6. kimseongjae

    kimseongjae Junior Member

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    Hi Rob,
    Upon closer inspection of the cord, I found this on the cord. 2x14awg. Is this cord rated at 20A. meaning I can run an adapted 240v. charging set up using the OEM 12A charger? Also, how is the OEM charger at 12A able to charge at higher amperage using the NEMA 10-30, 20A set up?
     

    Attached Files:

    #226 kimseongjae, Apr 30, 2020
    Last edited: Apr 30, 2020
  7. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    Yes, of course you can.

    I own an OE EVSE from another major auto manufacturer that was designed to operate at 240 volts and 15 amps, it has a 14 AWG cord.



    Rob43
     
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  8. kimseongjae

    kimseongjae Junior Member

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    Thx. Rob!!!
    Moving to a new place on Sun. I will set up your recommended 240v/20A charging set up seen on Youtube/Joeteck.
     
  9. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    Good for you.

    Concerning your 240v/20A statement below, it should really say 240v/12A because that is much more accurate.

    "I will set up your recommended 240v/20A charging set up"



    Rob43
     
  10. Old Bear

    Old Bear Senior Member

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    If I understand your question, you are using the OEM "charger" at 240 volts and you are considering replacing its 14 AWG cord with a 12 AWG cord. If so, there is no need to do this. The wire size relates to its current carrying capacity. Your adapting your charger to 240 volts increases the voltage carried by the cord but will have very little effect on the current -- hence no need to change wire size.

    (I will leave it to others to provide the treatise on Ohm's law and the relationship of wire size to resistance per linear foot, voltage drop, etc., etc., etc. :) )
     
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  11. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    A 240 Volt adapter will not change the Amperage. It will still peak at 12 Amps, just like 120 Volts.

    Amps times Volts = Watts so 240 Volts will double the Watts and 1/2 the time.

    As long as the receptacle is rated for at least 20 Amps it can be used. A larger amperage receptacle will not effect charging, as the EVSE will only use 12 Amps.

    I would not try to alter the cord, it is safe right now, and messing with it can only make it less safe.
     
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  12. CharlesH

    CharlesH CA HOV Decal #5 on former PiP

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    Isn't there also the issue that the factory EVSE has a heat sensor in the plug, so if you replace the cord, the EVSE may (will?) complain about a defective heat sensor.
     
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  13. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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  14. Bill Norton

    Bill Norton Senior Member

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    And having a 120V outlet around your house with 240V on it will "only make it less safe".:mad:

    Don't be so dang CHEAP (frugal?) and buy a proper L2 and get the full 3.3kW your PHEV was designed for !!(y)
    My $170 L2 is working fine after +2 years!
     
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  15. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    Gary,

    I'm glad you like your Rob43 adapter, that's great ! (y)



    Rob43
     
  16. eecc

    eecc New Member

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    I received the Rob43 adapter earlier this week (Thanks Rob43!). It was well packaged and arrived in about a week. The cable feels very sturdy, good build quality. I've used it a few times now and it works 100% with the OEM plug. There's no excess heat in the plug or box. Having a sub 2 hour full charge is very convenient now.
     
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  17. mveras1972

    mveras1972 Member

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    I can’t believe how quick time flies. In September it’s going to be 1 year since [mention]Rob43 [/mention]built my adapter. Still using it perfectly fine. No issues at all.


    iPhone ?
     
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  18. Floppy187

    Floppy187 Junior Member

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    Just wanted to say the adapter that Rob43 made for my worked perfectly each time I used it and wouldn’t hesitate to order from him again.

    Was fortunate enough to pick up a Clipper Creek Level 2 charger for cheap but will keep Rob43’s adapter in the car for situations where a 240 outlet is available when away from the house.


    iPhone ?
     
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  19. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    I'm glad you're really enjoying your new Rob43 adapter !



    Rob43
     
  20. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    Awesome !

    Your Rob43 adapter will probably outlive your Prime.



    Rob43
     
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