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Best lock for charging cable?

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by Eug, Mar 16, 2015.

  1. Eug

    Eug Swollen Member

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    I don't have a garage (or more accurately, it was converted into a home theatre), so I charge the car on my driveway.

    Also, I charge my car at my workplace's parking lot.

    To protect this $1200 cable, I have a cheap luggage type combination lock on it, but it's... well... cheap. I'm afraid the elements (rain/snow) will damage it and one of these days I won't be able to remove the lock without cutting it off. Any better built locks that will fit? I do see a few out there that take keys, but they also look pretty cheap.

    Alternatively a lock that uses a cord would work.

    I'm not interested in something super secure necessarily, just something to thwart the casual thief, and something that won't break down after a month in the elements.

    BTW, I think it might be prudent to carry a wire cutter in the car, just in case this lock gets stuck. This is the lock:

    0461271_1.jpg
     
    #1 Eug, Mar 16, 2015
  2. StevoB

    StevoB New Member

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    There are a bunch of posts on this. One of my favorites is to use a longer skinny lock on the cable itself, then use a cable lock through that to whatever.

    Another is to drive onto the cable. If you don't like doing that to the cable you could cut a slot or two in a stick and drive onto the stick.

    When using a (beefy) extension cord I have considered connecting inside the car and running the cables through a window (I have rain deflectors). Probably too much trouble.
     
    #2 StevoB, Mar 16, 2015
    Eug likes this.
  3. Eug

    Eug Swollen Member

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    I just saw this on a Leaf site.

    EVSE-lock-via-Franck-7.jpg

    Brilliant. It protects the charger from the elements and keeps it clean. All you have to do is put the extension cord's end there. You then lightly close the trunk but not all the way, so it locks but doesn't crimp the cable. I'll have to see if that works on the Prius.

    In my case that idea works for me because at home I have to use an extension cord (12AWG) anyway. Unfortunately, in the winter that means the car would get cold really quickly though.
     
    #3 Eug, Mar 16, 2015
    Last edited: Mar 16, 2015
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    a good lock around the cable and door handle should suffice, and easy on and off.
     
    #4 bisco, Mar 16, 2015
  5. Eug

    Eug Swollen Member

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    How would you lock the cable? Do you mean putting a small cable lock in the hold on the cable handle, and then putting a second lock around the door handle and through the cable lock?
     
    #5 Eug, Mar 16, 2015
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no, they can't take the cable because neither end will slide through a bicycle lock.
     
    #6 bisco, Mar 16, 2015
  7. Eug

    Eug Swollen Member

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    Do you mean something like this?
    image_16288.jpg

    I guess that would work and would be more secure, but I'm slightly worried it'd scratch up the door panel over time.
     
    #7 Eug, Mar 16, 2015
  8. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    no, perhaps i'm theorizing incorrectly. i'm thinking just a padlock around the cable and door handle. does that make any sense?
     
    #8 bisco, Mar 16, 2015
  9. Eug

    Eug Swollen Member

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    This won't work. I just tried it. It kinks the cable too much for my liking and I can't lock the door anyway as the car just beeps at me for the trunk being ajar because I haven't closed it all the way (just the first "click").
     
    #9 Eug, Mar 16, 2015
  10. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    Well the 2013+ Leafs (including mine) have an electronic lock inside the charge port. You press a button in the car or on the fob and it either locks it forever until the switched is turned off or in "Auto" mode it keeps it locked until done charging (public charging option). Perhaps find a crashed Leaf and swap the charge ports. Should be a very simple 12v solenoid in there that with a button press will lock it into place. The worst the vandal could do is unplug from your house outlet (plug in inside and route under garage door, or go through a lockable exterior outlet cover) and then the rest of the cord would be tethered to the car.
     
    #10 2k1Toaster, Mar 16, 2015
  11. Eug

    Eug Swollen Member

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    #11 Eug, Mar 16, 2015
  12. 2k1Toaster

    2k1Toaster Brand New Prius Batteries

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    That is correct. However, it prevents the "casual thief" as you wanted. It doesn't prevent someone from hacking away to get the cord but it does prevent someone from walking past and trying to unplug it quickly. It doesn't move, they go away.

    I have also seen someone put the EVSE under the hood and just the house-side end was available. The thief would need to pop your hood to get your EVSE that way. Also not unstoppable, but more than good enough for the casual thief. In the PiP with the side port, that probably would work well stock...
     
    #12 2k1Toaster, Mar 16, 2015
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    how would you get the j from under the hood to the charge port?
     
    #13 bisco, Mar 16, 2015
  14. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    anyway, this will all be solved soon enough when we can refill in a few minutes like gaso.
     
    #14 bisco, Mar 16, 2015
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