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2020 Prime: looking for 220V charger

Discussion in 'Prime Plug-in Charging' started by JeremyM09, Aug 30, 2022.

  1. JeremyM09

    JeremyM09 Junior Member

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    We're building a new detached charge and will be having 220V service to the garage for the first time.

    I'm looking for a 220V charger for my 2020 Prius Prime. We don't have any smart billing or anything for utilities. Might be nice to charge overnight to not sit with a full battery.

    Otherwise, I have no idea what I'm looking for as there are many options. Electrician is starting to ask what type of plug and there are so many other garage discussions I want to get this decision out of the way.

    Recommendations or things to think about appreciated.
     
  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    These are just my opinions.

    Your prime will only draw 16 amps, so the cheapest 240 volt receptacle is a NEMA 6-20r


    You could get a cheap EVSE



    A better choice is a NEMA 14-50r receptacle, as they are widely used in RV parks so your EVSE would be compatible on road trips.



     
    #2 JimboPalmer, Aug 30, 2022
    Last edited: Aug 30, 2022
    jerrymildred likes this.
  3. pghyndman

    pghyndman Active Member

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    Check for state and utility company incentives. We just installed a ChargePoint Home Flex and got back a $1000 incentive check and will get back $200 for monitoring Jun - Sept every year (was throttled back three times for several hours, but still more power than the Prime used). It takes far less time to charge and is actually more efficient as well.

    Don't cheap out... future proof your installation for subsequent EVs that may benefit from a more powerful supply. Hey, you can even unplug the charger to run a welder or whatever from the outlet.
     
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you can just use the oem evse with an adapter
     
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  5. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

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    Looks like single phase 120Vfrom here. Are you telling me your charger cord is two-phase (240V) power?
    2020 Toyota Prius Prime Battery Charging Cable. CHARGER, LID, Electrical - G906047130 - Genuine Toyota Part

    Ou
    r utility company allows us to elect our billing style. We chose variable rate which changes based on time of day. We dropped down to about 9 cents per kilowatt at 11:00 p.m. till 6:00 a.m. . The peak time is from 1:00 to 6:00 p.m. in the afternoon and at that point it's about 18 cents per kilowatt. We have our thermostats programmed to shut off during that time. You'll have to look at the particulars of what programs they have available and decide what's right for you. Press the variable rate is a great thing. Downstairs we have a 5-ton heat pump and upstairs is a two-ton system. Before variable rate billing we were paying about $500 a month for electricity even though the flat rate bill was around 11 cents per kilowatt. Now I've got the bill down to around $300 a month. The two photos show the upstairs and downstairs thermostat settings based on time of day. I'll override it if I'm going to use the second floor of the house
     

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  6. JeremyM09

    JeremyM09 Junior Member

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    Thank you for the response. I do have the OEM charger douglasjre links to above, and am looking to replace it with a 220V charger.
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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  8. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

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    Does that charger have a 30 or 50 amp terminal arrangement
     
  9. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

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    Is a reason because higher voltage has more thermal efficiency?
     
  10. triggerhappy007

    triggerhappy007 Active Member

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    I would have them put in an industrial 14-50 outlet like a Bryant below. There are too many stories of Leviton outlets being melted. Also, install a 40A UL listed EVSE for future proofing.

    https://www.ebay.com/itm/313530976662
     
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  11. pghyndman

    pghyndman Active Member

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    Absolutely. If you need to put in wiring anyways, you should seriously consider going to 14-50 to handle future requirements (...and you can use the outlet for a welder, table saw. etc to boot). Many utility companies and municipalities offer incentives for the installation (we got a $1000 to help with our upgrade, a no-brtainer).
     
  12. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    It would be a make-your-own adapter, from you or from some hobbyist, as a previous member was doing here. The needed adapter should not be sold by any large reputable commercial outfit because it is a dangerous electric code violation. User beware, and be particularly aware of any other household members who might cluelessly and destructively plug some 120V appliance into the 240V-carrying socket.

    If one wants a foolproof safe solution, get a real 240V EVSE.
     
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    oh well, op hasn't been seen since wednesday, i hope he didn't try that
     
  14. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

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    Whatever you do don't buy it on eBay. Fleabay is notorious for selling fake imposter crap from China
     
  15. triggerhappy007

    triggerhappy007 Active Member

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    It's fine if you buy from a known company like Granger. You can order it from Granger themselves, but Ebay saves you $5.
     
  16. douglasjre

    douglasjre Senior Member

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    I said I had enough
     
  17. drash

    drash Senior Member

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    Amazon has this on a lightning deal today (9/6) only for another 4 hours or so:

    Limited-time deal: Autel MaxiCharger Home Smart Electric Vehicle (EV) Charger, 40 Amp Level 2 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Enabled EVSE, Indoor/Outdoor Car Charging Station, with in-Body Holster and 25-Foot Cable(6-50 Plug) https://a.co/d/eOWZx3J

    Either 6-50P or 14-50P


    iPad ? Pro