Got my PIP Monday! Initial observations...

i think is strange that with al the smart guys out there desiging these "standard" plugs they did not look at the french elecric car plug thats already around for years.
that plug is locked and can only be removed when opening the car with your remote control.

 

Running the AC requires the ICE to run? Are you sure or did you have heating on too?

 

There will be a new thread started in a few days revealing the key-lock solution I came up with to secure the charger. In the meantime, I still await delivery of my own PHV. Soon...
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yes, this heat and a/c thing is bothersome. are you in ev mode? my prius doesn't start the engine when i turn on the heat or the a/c, it only starts when it needs to based on software parameters. granted, you're not going to get heat if the engine hasn't run yet, but you should get a/c. what do you mean by 'shore power'?

 

The OP may have confused the setting issue. A/C is heating with humidity control if the temperature setting is above ambient temperature. Presumably when he just wants to dehumidify he'll need to try setting the temperature to LO to see whether just running the A/C will defog.

 

Thanks for the post.
With respect to locking you might try something like



Since I mostly charge at home and since I don't use it often so I did not want attach something all the time the in the above image. So I took another cable I had laying around, with loops on both ends (from a bike lock) and used a long-shank masterlock (like this)
which I've had for years and then instead of looping the cable and locking it to itself as in the picture, I just loop the cable though the wheel and lock the two cable ends and with the ESVE cable in the middle. It locks pretty snug and should be enough of a deterrent.

 

There is a hole thru the locking button on the Prius charger. With a nail sized pin thru it, you can't remove it from the car. I'll look at making a locking pin.

 

Congrats--enjoy.

 

I thought of a Cable Lock too, but all they need is a Bolt Cutter and they steal your Charger Cable.

Something needs to secure the Charger Cable so the thief needs to destroy it, rendering it useless to him (or her).

Using the window trick, that I mentioned before, can work, but looks crappy. If you're close enough to the outlet, loop part of the cable in through the window, clamp it with a locking clamp (see below), and snug up the window. If you need an extension cord, put the end of the cord and the plug-end of the cable in through the window and snug up the window.

 

I'd rather have them cut the lock than smash a window (which takes no tools at all). And is why I dismissed that approach.

Assuming the "lock" mentioned above is what is required by J1772, its easy to lift up the "lock" tab that connects to the car (can do it with a ball point pen). However a lock on the actual charge handel would also stop most people from trying.

I've not seen the PiPs ESVE so I cannot say for sure but when if if it has a handle and you use an extension cord the long shackle could go around the handle of the ESVE (and the head of the extension cord too). I could do that with the Volt, but never bothered .

Security is a balance of deterrent for thieves and hassels for the owner. Most people don't carry bolt cutters, so I consider the cable+lock sufficient deterrent. Heck I don't even lock the car all the time, let alone the ESVE.

 

Is the cable long enough to drive over? The weight of the car should adequately secure the cable.

 

People will really steal these cables? Do they then sell them on Ebay? Aside from plugging in a Pip, what use do they have?

 

They sell for about $1000 from the dealer? I'm positive they will show up on eBay or Craigslist when the opportunity arises. It's somewhat of an industry standard plug/cable for EV/PHEV charging.

 

Depends where you need to plug in but in general its long enough. Multipel Volt owners do park on it, but the manual recommends against it. If you do that you might get a cable protector such as this



To protect the insulation a bit. Have to make sure you park so people cannot just try to pull it out.


I considered that but that means parking, get getting out, moving the car, etc. I find it simpler to park, plug in, lock a cable. (which I've only done twice anyhow).

 

Here's a luggage lock by masterlock 4688D that will work fine to deter the casual thief. And it matches

 

thanks chuck, i didn't realize you were defrosting. that is a problem i have as well during certain weather conditions. i was hoping to find a 12v hair dryer for the windshield.

 

LurkAzusa,
Since I don't have my PIP yet, and haven't seen the charger yet, I didn't realize the J1772 plug had a way of locking the handle from being removed.

Does your lock work?
Why all the concern in the messages above?

Maybe even get a lock with stronger loop.