2012 Plug-in Prius - Ten questions, including about my Canadian 2012 Technology Package

Do you have a link? I note the Nissan Leaf chargers go for only about $300 on eBay.

 

Bought a 30 foot 12 gauge black extension cord, for CAD$60. Pricey. The 50 foot was actually 1/3rd cheaper, but was in bright pink. I don't think my wife would like a bright pink extension cord in front of our house.

Since there are no designated parking EV parking spots in workplace garage, I am considering buying another one to keep in the car.

 

Interesting. Clipper Creek sells a portable charger that's compatible with the Prius for $495.

ClipperCreek | EV Charging Stations | EVSE | Electric Vehicle Charging
Charging times: LEVEL 1 vs CLIPPERCREEK LCS-25

 

Hmmm... I can't seem to find a black 12 gauge extension cord shorter than 10 m (33 feet). The absolute shortest I can find locally is 25 feet in bright colours. So, I'll still with this $60 10 m cord then.

 

Exactly, I didn't want to compromise on the waterproofness. This cable is very thick, with completely molded plugs, for outdoor use. It seems a little bit thicker than other outdoor 12 gauge cables too, which I'm hoping to mean it has better outdoor longevity for the casing.

The bonus is it also has three plugs, so that will be helpful when I'm not charging the car, to run a couple of garden tools or whatever in the summer.

 

Thanks for the advice. I just found at one of the automotive / hardware chains a welding extension cord - 25 feet 8 gauge (!) - for 80 bucks. Casing is rated for below freezing temp. The shortest is 7 m (23 feet) but again in bright colours.

According to this website, the voltage drop from 120 V at 12 Amps with a 10 metre (32.8 foot) 12 gauge cable is only 1.6 volts.

Calculate Extension Cord Voltage Drop

6 gauge: 0.4 V (0.3%)
8 gauge: 0.6 V (0.5%)
10 gauge: 1.0 V (0.8%)
12 gauge: 1.6 V (1.3%)
14 gauge: 2.5 V (2.1%)
16 gauge: 4.0 V (3.3%)

At 50 feet, these are the numbers:

6 gauge: 0.6 V (0.5%)
8 gauge: 0.9 V (0.8%)
10 gauge: 1.5 V (1.3%)
12 gauge: 2.4 V (2.0%)
14 gauge: 3.8 V (3.6%)
16 gauge: 6.0 V (5.0%)

For 10 metres, 12 gauge does seem like the best bang for the buck, as others have already suggested. Mind you, the Prius charging cable is already 24 feet long. I don't know what gauge it is though.

 

In my case I'd still have to install an outdoor 220V outlet, and it'd still just be a single cable available, so it'd just make more sense to get Level 2 wall mounted one (and leave the portable one in the car for work). Although if I could find a Level 1 portable one for cheap locally I'd buy that and mount it to my wall.

 

Is this the right part number? I am thinking to get the carpeted cargo mat for my 2012 PiP.

Amazon.com has it and ships to Canada but the description mentions the Prius v, which I think is an error.

It is out of stock at Amazon.ca. Ships 4-6 weeks.

I assume getting it a dealer would cost way more. Or does anyone in Canada have discount OEM parts pricing? I see that a lot of the U.S. dealers do but they usually don't ship to Canada either.

Genuine Toyota Accessories PT206-00121-10 Carpet Cargo Mat:Amazon:Automotive

I was also looking at the rubber tray but that would block access to the charger storage compartment. I'm thinking the carpet is flexible enough so access to the storage compartment is easy. I suppose I could just put the charger in a bag though in the back. However, the rubber tray is not in stock locally either.

Genuine Toyota Accessories PT206-00121-10 Carpet Cargo Mat

Edit:

After reading this thread I've decided to get the rubber mat.

OEM Plug In Prius Rear All Weather Cargo Mat Photos | PriusChat

 

I checked the labelling of the Toyota charging cord. It's 14 AWG actually, not the 12 I was expecting. A very thick casing for 14 AWG though.

I was getting sick of putting away the extension cord every morning, and then unraveling and untangling it every evening. I couldn't find a 12 AWG cable on a reel, and the empty plastic extension cord reels at Home Depot looked rather flimsy. Plus the hose reels for garden hoses were way too big. So I went to a local hardware store and picked up a 3/8th inch air hose reel. Considering my 12 AWG extension cord is only 30 feet, a 50 foot reel would have been a better fit, but I got a 100 foot reel just because it was on sale and much cheaper (CAD$30 at Princess Auto). I unravel all the way to charge (to avoid heat buildup), so for this reason too it's better to get a long enough extension cord but not too long. (In case you're wondering, that white box is not a dryer vent, so no heat issue there either.)









No idea how long it will last since its steel, but it is at least powdercoated so hopefully it will keep a few years before starting to rust out.