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Not charging at home - GFI tripped

Discussion in 'Gen 1 Prius Plug-in 2012-2015' started by Pasaman, Sep 23, 2016.

  1. 480max

    480max Junior Member

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    Did you figure out this issue? I am having the same problem with my 2014 PIP. I was charging for 1.5 years without issue, then one day the outlet started tripping.. I have replaced the GFCI (20A, twice) and still having the issue.

    It charges for about 2.5 hours (Just short of a full charge) then trips.

    I am going to try another outlet and try to determine if its the outlet or the charger
     
  2. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Is there another load on the circuit?
    Is the GFCI installed correctly?
    No offense intended, but I've seen them installed incorrectly.
    You can also use a power strip and load the circuit to about 80-percent with a test load that's not a Prius (you probably don't need portable heaters in AZ but I'm sure you have a hairdryer, vacuum cleaner, etc.)
    Lastly, if the car sits inside (garage) you can temporarily install a non-GCFI outlet and and see if the symptoms change......monitoring carefully ....or take it somewhere else with an outside GCFI and see if that trips out.
    In addition to heaters, they probably don't use much road salt in your part of AZ, but if your car has an interesting pedigree and you're handy with a multi-meter, you might start looking for corrosive damage.
    I'm presuming that the car charges normally in other places, otherwise little furry animals might also be involved.
    Replace your cabin air filter.
     
  3. 480max

    480max Junior Member

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    Thanks for the ideas!

    No other load on the circuit..
    GFCI is installed correctly. (I hired an electrician to troubleshoot after the 1st GFCI replacement)..
    Tried the power strip. I could not trip the GCFI..

    I will try several other GFCI and see if I can recreate the problem.. Guess that will tell me if its the cord or the outlet
     
  4. Pasaman

    Pasaman Active Member

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    My issue appears to be resolved. Since the weather has cooled down I have not had 1 problem charging my car. It has not tripped one time. I park my car outside my garage (car doesn't fit in small garage) and leave the garage door open. The sun at times hits the charger that's plugged into the wall (it's near the garage door).

    Since it's not happened since summer/fall I am left to believe it was overheating or something? No clue but I doubt it's a coincidence. The only load on the circuit is the garage door which I don't touch while charging, and one LED light bulb and some Fluorescent garage lighting (low power).
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    you didn't do anything, it just started working again?
     
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    also, try plugging in somewhere else, use your evse, not theirs.
     
  7. Pasaman

    Pasaman Active Member

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    I changed nothing.
     
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  8. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Welcome!
    Looooove troubleshooting!
    Be sure and tell us what it was.

    Hmmmm....
    The last GFCI that I had to re-install.....WAS installed by an electrician but we'll presume for now that since you hired them specifically to troubleshoot the outlet, and since they probably charged close to 3 figures, that the outlet is OK.
    Sounds like the cord is the next thing to check.
    Water, blunt force trauma, and dental abuse seem to be good first things to check for.
    If you know a guy who knows a guy maybe you can borrow another Pip cord.
    Is the Pip an inside or outside pet?


    Don't forget to replace the cabin air filter.
     
    #28 ETC(SS), Dec 16, 2016
    Last edited: Dec 16, 2016
  9. 480max

    480max Junior Member

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    I just dropped my car and charger at the dealership.. It is still under warranty, so we will see what they say.

    The car is parked inside every night, water is not an issue (Its the desert)..

    What started this whole thing, something melted the original GFCI that the charger was plugged into... Which started the whole issue of replacing GFCIs..

    I suspect the cord has a short in it... The car trips the outlet when it gets to 95-98% charge, does not matter how long the car charges
     
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  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    please keep us posted!(y)