1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Extra long charging cord?

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by Ichiro, Mar 9, 2012.

  1. andyprius

    andyprius Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 21, 2005
    2,212
    188
    0
    Location:
    Sacramento, California.
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    Did you really mean inches? ( "= inches ) I was thinking 18-20 feet should be plenty. (for my situation)
     
  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,713
    49,402
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    i meant inches from the wall plug to the box with lites and buttons. then it's the rest of the cord for a total of 20' to the plug for the car. i'm not positive tho, it's hard to find a picture of the total cord not all rolled up.
     
    1 person likes this.
  3. ukr2

    ukr2 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2007
    1,009
    275
    31
    Location:
    Victor, NY
    Vehicle:
    2021 Prius Prime
    Model:
    XLE
    Bisco,

    I installed a new outlet slightly below eye-level just inside the garage and run the cord under the door when it's closed.

    I installed a 2-gang box with a 20 amp switch on the left that powers the 20 amp GFI duplex outlet in the right position. I have a Kill A Watt plugged in and a 4-5' cord with its right angle plug into the Kill A Watt. I plug the EVSE into the 4-5' cord and hang the EVSE box on a hook I installed 2' off the floor.

    The switch is to reset the Kill A Watt after each charge, so I didn't have to unplug and plug it in each time.
     
    2 people like this.
  4. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2005
    19,859
    8,163
    54
    Location:
    Montana & Nashville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2018 Chevy Volt
    Model:
    Premium
    You can pull 30amps on 10/3 ... but the plug and receiver become the weakest links. Look at a plug chart and see the difference in heartyness between a 15 amp ... 20 amp and 30 amp plug. You also have to account for how long your cord is too ... not just amperage.

    .
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,713
    49,402
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    thanks uk! i just finished installing a 15 amp gfci at eye level, should be perfect. i ran 12-2 w/g in case i want to change to 240v down the road.
     
  6. CharlesH

    CharlesH CA HOV Decal #5 on former PiP

    Joined:
    Nov 27, 2005
    2,785
    1,152
    0
    Location:
    Roseville, CA
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Why does Toyota tell us to use a GFCI outlet when their EVSE has GFCI functionality? How many levels of protection are needed, anyway :confused:
     
  7. drees

    drees Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2007
    1,782
    247
    0
    Location:
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    I believe that most electrical codes mandate the use of GFCI protected outlets in garages.
     
  8. tomkessler

    tomkessler Junior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 12, 2012
    28
    14
    0
    Location:
    Campbell, CA
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    You only get GFCI protection from the point where the GFCI is. So it's better to have it built into the breaker or at least the outlet. Yes, having it in the EVSE and breaker is redundant, but it just might save your bacon (or not fry it!) if you happen to plug into an outlet that doesn't have a GFCI.
     
  9. drees

    drees Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2007
    1,782
    247
    0
    Location:
    San Diego, CA
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    The only reason you'd really want GFCI in the outlet that you're plugging your EVSE in to is if you're using an extension cord. Otherwise, GFCI isn't necessary and often can cause nuisance trips if they are too sensitive (your typical outlet GFCI is more sensitive than the GFCI in the EVSE).
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

    Joined:
    May 11, 2005
    108,713
    49,402
    0
    Location:
    boston
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius Plug-in
    Model:
    Plug-in Base
    so far, my $7. gfi is working perfectly.