EBH Plug Location

wouldn't leaving the hood up allow more heat to escape?

 

There is a cap/cover that comes with the EBH to keep it covered when not in use. I can't help with the forgetting to unplug it. As you said there are several ideas on here about that.

 

You will be more inclined to plug it in if it's as easy as possible.
Bonnet up will allow heat to escape easier.
More wear on hinges and bonnet catches.
more time messing with it.

Spray inside of plug with DW40 each fortnight to keep salt out.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(GeoDosch @ Aug 25 2007, 01:25 PM) [snapback]502031[/snapback]</div>

To be honest with you I did not read efusco's reply the way you took it. In fact he took the time to give you a nice detailed reply and at the end gave you the option of choice.

To use your analogy of "brainstorming" - it is by definition giving free flowing ideas with no evaluation until all the ideas are gathered. On one hand you state this is what you wanted "brainstorming" and in the previous sentence you say: "And the reason I posted the question was to give the group a chance to shoot holes in the logic." ===> so which is it?

The only reason I posted this reply is because lately a few treads have gone off track and got too personal for no reason.

Good luck with your EBH install, I wish I had a place to plug it in so I can then get it.
Gabe

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patsparks @ Aug 25 2007, 11:37 AM) [snapback]502006[/snapback]</div>

I would not advise to spray WD40 on the plug , it is flamable and have even seen it catch fire when someone sprayed their refrigerator fan motor with it. not a good sight.
so a spark could ignite it.

If so severe weather I would wrap the plug ina piece of rubber inner tube held with a rubber band.

but as someone else mentioned there is a cover that protects the plug.

 

Could a computer cord be used and the power in plug from an old power supply from a computer be attached in the underside of the bumper or in front of the lower grill?
This would give an invisible plug, which you could show ignorant people who ask, "Where do you plug it in?"

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(patsparks @ Aug 25 2007, 05:24 PM) [snapback]502151[/snapback]</div>

I had been thinking about using a computer cord. You could use an old desktop power supply, gut the inside and connect the IEC320 Inlet to the EBH cord. You would have to seal it up good to prevent water and road grime from getting in.

Then I found this nice little converter cord for $1.87 here at Monstronix.
[attachmentid=10915]
AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION 0681-1 Power cable - NEMA 5-15 (F) - IEC 320 EN 60320 C14 (M) - 1 ft

Wayne just installed my EBH today, and the plug does not look bad sticking through the grill.

With the IEC320 Connector, you could hide it in the grill and push the computer cord through the grill and into the Inlet, but you would need to fashon a plug to protect it when not in use.

 

I've been thinking...

Has anyone tried placing the plug so that it fits right under the tow-circle plastic cap thing?

I've pulled off my circle, but only saw the inside of the bumper being made of foam and a shaft of sorts that leads to the socket for the tow-hook?
(afraid to disassemble it to get a better picture of how it is put together)

But I imagine that it would be a great place to hide the plug... assuming it is feasible to locate the plug there (and remove it in the event the prius needs a tow...)

 

I have my plug coming out from the the existing hole under the front passenger tire. The advantage is that the plug isn't visible. A disadvantage is that the cord has to be run in the shortest distance from A to B (EBH to fender) as the EBH supplied wire just barely makes it to this location. The other disadvantage is that if you live in an area with snow, then, may times, you have to kneel in the stuff to plug the EBH in.

I agree to avoid using WD-40. Many times this stuff is worse than nothing at all. In this case, because it is oil based, dirt will collect on the WD-40.

Cheers,
-bob

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(priussoris @ Aug 26 2007, 04:32 AM) [snapback]502070[/snapback]</div>

I didn't mean when it was powered up. yes it will catch fire if sprayed on a spark or flame. It's the propelant that burns easily not the product so much. Spray the plug before a drive so the engine is not as hot as after driving.
Reading previous posts I must be wrong. Only been using it for 25 years in the trade, oh well.

 

You could put the plug in the upper grill, done that a few times. I've also run it under the front bumper tucked up in the under-body pan under the radiator (not my choice).

The tow eyelet can be done, but the bumper cover has to come off. Also the cap for the hole, how would one remove it everyday since it's not meant to be removed except in emergency.

It's also possible to mount the plug at the base of the windshield, only problen is the accumulation of ice/snow/water. Need to make a proper drip loop so the spark plug igniters don't get wet, TSB in 2004 for that problem.

Inside the engine compartment is doable also, but the effort and heat loss (best to block the grill also) would negate most of the benefit.

Having gone through a winter and seeing others who have gone through a few, the grill location (wherever)-combined with proper use of the protective cap-does an excellent job. And if you lose the cap, Canadian Tire sells spares.

Wayne

 

I guess I might be contacting Canadian Tire. Yesterday, the plug cap must have dematerialized, becuase I placed it firmly over the plug and tucked it into the grille just like you showed me to Wayne.

Really, I think I am going to buy a 1 ft. long IEC320 male to NEMA 15-5R converting cord similar to the one in my post above and tuck the Male IEC320 plug in behind the grille. There is enough room to push the IEC320 Female (typical computer cord) in through the grill. Then for a Plug, I will just cut the end off of another computer cord and seal up the cut off cord with a rubber cap.

And of course, I will seal up the interface between the convertion cord and the EBH plug so no water will get in.

Maybe I'll attach a photo once I finish with this.

I actually corrected the post above, becuase the link was to a 6 ft long cord. This one is 1 ft long for $1.87, but I think they make it up in the shipping, so I am off to a brick and morter store in my area at lunch time.
Monstronix.
[attachmentid=10915]
AMERICAN POWER CONVERSION 0681-1 Power cable - NEMA 5-15 (F) - IEC 320 EN 60320 C14 (M) - 1 ft

 

With a cable tie I mounted my plug behind the front license plate. Out of the way but still accesible. Course it didn't help when my wife drove off without detaching extension cord first. She did not know that I had plugged the car in so some kind of visual signal is the right way to go when more than one person drives the car.

 

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Arrallen @ Sep 7 2007, 10:52 AM) [snapback]508647[/snapback]</div>

Great Idea. I just thought of that idea too, and then I saw your post. I moved my plug to that location and replaced it with an IEC320 configuration. I attached mine to the bottom of the plate and frame with a very large P clip and I cut the end off another computer cord to fill the plug when not in use. The end of the plugging plug cord goes up through the grill and tiewrapped behind the grill as a teather. I just pull that one out and connect the electicly connected one at night.