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Love my Prius Plug-in... but...

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by suzimai, Aug 3, 2014.

  1. suzimai

    suzimai New Member

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    2012 Prius Plug-in
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    Plug-in Advanced
    Dear Prius Plug-in owners
    I love my Prius Plug-in and only buy 8 gallons of gas per month (I have a 240 charger and charge multiple times per day). But... I wish I had been told to: 1) buy a Sears trickle charger and permanently plug it in to the tiny battery. In that way, before vacation, I could just back the Prius Plug-in up to the washing machine and plug the trickle charger in. On return, my Prius would be ready to go 2) buy a second "eyelet" or tow hook ($75). Why? To tie down the nose of my kayak at two points. 3) buy hooks to install in the 2 holes under the rear frame in order to tie down the stern of my kayak 4) buy two K-assist easy load kayak widgets that suction cup on to the rear glass and roof to make sliding my kayak onto the roof rack easier. 5) Finally, cans of compressed air work just fine to blow out the charger head and contact. No cleaning with damp cloths like the manual advises. Oh, I forgot: 6) negotiate with Gas&Electric to get cheap times to charge the Prius.
    Best wishes,
    Suzimai
     
    #1 suzimai, Aug 3, 2014
  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    I would have titled this "How to configure a Prius to carry a Kayak" so folks could search for it. If you like the idea, report your Post and ask a moderator to change it.
     
    #2 JimboPalmer, Aug 3, 2014
    potatoesLOL and asha like this.
  3. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    More specifically, a Prius Plug in. ;)

    SCH-I535
     
    #3 xliderider, Aug 3, 2014
  4. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    welcome to priuschat! great first post.:p
     
    #4 bisco, Aug 3, 2014
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    charger head and contacts? zoot alors! i must have missed something.
     
    #5 bisco, Aug 3, 2014
    Last edited: Aug 3, 2014
  6. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    I do not know about the toe hooks being in place for normal driving, gonna be kinda catostrophic if you hit someone.
     
    #6 Mendel Leisk, Aug 3, 2014
  7. usbseawolf2000

    usbseawolf2000 HSD PhD

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    Great nitpicks.
     
    #7 usbseawolf2000, Aug 3, 2014
  8. se-riously

    se-riously Active Member

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    Welcome to the forum. Before you go on vacation, you should switch to HV mode before turning the car off.
     
    #8 se-riously, Aug 4, 2014
  9. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i go on vacation without a trickle charger, what the problem?
     
    #9 bisco, Aug 4, 2014
  10. slcMPG

    slcMPG Member

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    What will HV do on turn off? The pip will default to EV on start up.

    As for the front I would get some of the under hood style straps.
     
    #10 slcMPG, Aug 4, 2014
  11. 3PriusMike

    3PriusMike Prius owner since 2000, Tesla M3 2018

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    I've been going on vacations for 30+ years and never brought a trickle charger.

    Mike
     
    #11 3PriusMike, Aug 4, 2014
  12. se-riously

    se-riously Active Member

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    Sorry, I wrote it poorly. Deplete the EV charge so that the car is in HV before going on vacation. This helps maximize traction battery life.
     
    #12 se-riously, Aug 4, 2014
  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    exactly.(y)
     
    #13 bisco, Aug 4, 2014
  14. Nick Di

    Nick Di Junior Member

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    Waste of time
     
    #14 Nick Di, Aug 4, 2014
  15. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Gotta get me a new Prius to see kayak tie-downs, but on a Gen2 I have 4 big tie down eye holes..one at each corner.
    But these days you do not need really tie downs, with all the nifty tie down accessories available at Amazon etc. The ones I am thinking you close under the hood or any door and you are good to go.
     
    #15 wjtracy, Aug 4, 2014
  16. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    Take a look at the Solar Chargers at Amazon- that should keep your 12v batt charged without plugging in at home...
    Schumacher SP-400 4.8W Solar Battery Charger / Maintainer
     
    #16 ny_rob, Aug 5, 2014
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