Can you use a Leaf charger with a Prius Plug In?

Yes. Both the LEAF and Prius Plugin 120v EVSE charge cords are made by Panasonic. I've personally tested compatibilty of the 2011-2012 LEAF 120v EVSE charge cords with the 2012 Prius Plugin and I suspect later years probably remain compatible. This isn't always true as there have been some compatibilty issues between 2011 LEAF 120v charge cords and 2011 Volts and Volt EVSE charge cords and Prius Plugins. As usual, these kinds of multi-company standards are sometimes interpreted differently in the early product years. The compatibilty between the LEAF and the Prius Plugin is probably a good bet since they use the same 120v EVSE cord supplier.

 

Leaf EVSE is all I have! It has worked fine for almost a year!

 

Does Nissan Leaf Charger 29690 3NF0E work with the 2012 Prius Plug-in? This is a later version Panasonic model for Nissan.

Jeff and Jerry, what model Leaf chargers did you use on the Prius?

 

before everyone yes's you to death just make sure before you make your ebay purchase, that it is a US version portable evse. Asian and European versions are a different story.
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I use one of those pups at work. Works fine, especially with the Leaf owner's cooperation. He charges all morning, then plugs mine in around noon, and I have my 11 miles of truly "free" EV for the ride home.

EDIT: I'm referring to the L2, 240V, wall-mounted Nissan EVSE.

 

Sorry, I didn't record the exact LEAF charge cord part number so I don't know.

 

Thanks anyway.

I think I'll hold off on it. I'm thinking it has a maximum length of 22 feet after that rectangular unit, which means it's pretty much the same length as the Toyota one. Those 3 feet are precious. In the spring, it will be fine, but as soon as I get a snow build up at the wall, I'll be pushed back a bit further.

I also have a spot where I think I can run a 240 V line easily via flexible conduit on the outside of the house. Perhaps when prices drop more and I actually buy a higher capacity EV/PHEV (like say a 2017 Prius Plug-in with 25 mile range ) I'll install it.

 

The nice thing about the portable J1772 (Nissan) is that it can be modified to either deliver a charge from 120v, 208v, or 240v which ever is handy! The guy who performs the mods is in the San fran Bay area. He has done tons of 'em for satisfied customers ... of which I am one. It's a cheep way to go L2.
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The place in Berkeley does a great mod to Nissan portable chargers that lets you plug into 240V "dryer or RV outlet" with plug adaptor and charge twice as fast, or plug into 120V outlet and it works the same as always. No need to have an electrician install a special charging station. see EVSE Upgrade - Low-Cost EV Charging Solutions

 

I'm not keen on buying a modded charger, especially when it only saves a couple of hundred bucks. I'd rather just buy a proper L2 NEMA4 wall mounted charger, and keep my existing charger unmodded. My ideal situation (if I understand this correctly) would just be to install an outdoor NEMA 14-50 outlet (with the appropriate housing), and then buy a wall-mounted L2 30 amp charger with a 14-50 plug on it.

In fact, in my case, the cost would be nearly exactly the same if I wanted to keep my regular un-modded Toyota 120 V charger in my car.

To go with the upgraded Nissan Leaf charger, I'd have to buy the charger, and then pay for the upgrade, and I'd have to get the 14-50 outlet installed too.

To go with a name brand L2 wall-mounted charger, I'd just buy the charger and install the 14-50 outlet.

Total cost for both methods is in the same ballpark.

 

After verifying that I don't qualify for the charger rebate, and investigating the costs, I ended up ordering a LEAF portable charger off eBay after all. It was US$259 but US$317 all-in shipped to Canada.

Hopefully it works.

Ordering a new Level 1 charger would have cost twice as much, and after installation and electrical inspection a Level 2 charger would have cost way more.

 

The cost to upgrade your own Leaf charger is $20. It's no worse off as far as reliability is concerned, and the process is easy. I think it's crazy the guy in SF is charging $260 for $20 worth of upgrades. I'd do it for much less, if interested.

 

In order to mod any L1 EVSE so that it charges at 3 different power levels - you not only need a switching power supply, you'd need to manufacture a new controller board. The unit's single level power supply alone costs almost $20, not counting disassembly /reassembly/labor, custom controller board. So yea, if you don't mind working for peanuts - and are foolish enough to take on a project involving 100's of mods (and bitching customers continually asking lots of the same questions, already asked and answered) without even factoring in liability insurance, lease of a building, electricity, one y'all warrany/support, web/domain/advertising & other utilities, go for it. Let me know how that works for you.

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I won't mod the Leaf charger. I don't want to risk my insurance, even if the risk is low.

If I really wanted a level 2 charger, I'd rather just spend more money and get a proper level 2 charger. However, in my case the cost of the charger alone is not the issue. The issue is the extra cost for the charger plus the install cost (with permit and inspection), given that I don't qualify for the charger rebate here in Ontario.

I just want a charger that I can leave outside and not have to worry as much about locking (since it will be screwed into the wall), and which I don't have to put in the trunk every time after a charge even when it's all wet after a rain. (At my workplace I'm in a covered garage, so I'm good to go there.) If it has to be a 2.5 hour charge time, then so be it. I guess 2.5 hours isn't bad, at least when I hear about the Leaf or Tesla charging times, even with level 2 chargers.

Also, I got more clarification on the so-called NEMA4 outdoor plug-in level 2 chargers. They technically aren't really outdoor rated, or at least the two I looked into aren't. The charger itself is outdoor sealed, but the 14-50 plug isn't outdoor rated. OTOH, the 120 V level 1 models are outdoor rated, despite having a plug.

 

Who makes the BMW i3/i8 level 1 portable charger? The reason I ask is because some guy on eBay is selling one for $200, which is significantly cheaper than even the used Leaf chargers.



It does look remarkably similar to the Clipper Creek portable charger.

ClipperCreek | EV Charging Stations | EVSE | Electric Vehicle Charging



Too late for me though since my Leaf charger is already on the way.

 

I'd say you have your answer. I would have no reservations on using a BMW EVSE on the Prius.

The units themselves are merely semi-intelligent switches, so there isn't much to them that could be screwed up. That's the beauty of designing to an industry standard; the units are interchangeable.

I'm encouraged that the EV market adopted standards so quickly considering how long it took for cell phone companies to standardize their charging ports. Tesla is like the Apple of charging ports in that they choose their own design, for reasons I'm not aware of.

 

Well, the reason for the questions is the problematic Volt charger. Doesn't work for the Prius.

BTW, that BMW i3/i8 charger listing is now gone. That was quick. $200 was a great price for a quick sale.

 

IIRC, the 2011-12 EVSE doesn't work with the PiP, the 2013+ does.

 

DUDE!!! if I'd seen that I'd have been tempted to buy if only to make a couple hundred resale. Still - realistically I would keep it for another reason. It's very robust for doing mods. Each plugin gen/rev gets better than the prior. 1st pip & 1st leaf L2 charge @ 3.5kW's. Newer leafs charge @ 6kW's. As traction packs get bigger - NO one will want 3.5kW charging. So yea - hoping/preying Gen II pips will have bigger packs & quicker charging. - most prospective PiP buying folks will be wanting more range & faster charge times. My ideal eBay find would be one of these bad boys; a Tesla portable evse. It was discovered you could remove the Tesla charge head - install the J1772 plug (some are rated to 70amps!) ... and by acquiring the various 20 - 30 - even 40amp plug adapters - it'll charge as fast as 10kW

No need to ever worry about whether or not your evse will keep up with the next generation 's plugin. The downside .... heavy duty copper components ain't cheep

But in the mean time - enjoy your leaf evse!
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