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Aftermarket Charger Recommendations for the Prime?

Discussion in 'Prime Plug-in Charging' started by HappyJuice8000, Jan 1, 2017.

  1. PT Guy

    PT Guy Senior Member

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    Plug-in Advanced
    It isn't just a cord. It is a Level 1 EVSE (electric vehicle supply equipment) charging station. It includes a controller and the special SAE J1772 connector. It plugs into a standard 120 volt household circuit and charges a fully depleted Prime battery in about 5 hours.

    A Level 2 EVSE connects to a 240 volt circuit and charges the Prime battery in 2+ hours. Public charging stations have this type. You can get one for your home if you wish.
     
  2. shebobg

    shebobg Junior Member

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    Five
    Am I missing something here....new to Prime....when I try to change from Ev mode it won't let me so how do you go to Hv mode for highway and then switch back to Ev mode for local near home?
     
  3. I'mJp

    I'mJp Senior Member

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    Dont' drain the battery in EV until it auto switchs to HV, I cant get it to switch back after that.

    Other than that, push the button works for me.
     
  4. PT Guy

    PT Guy Senior Member

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    There is no need to complicate things. Just drive. The car is smart enough to take care of anything. Use one of the higher power options on roads where you need it for safety...Normal or Power, not ECO...when quick merges are needed. Maybe fiddling with the buttons will save a cup or two of gasoline--or maybe it won't.
     
  5. vern748

    vern748 Member

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    Hi

    If you press and hold the "EV/HV" middle button on the lower right of the dash, for a sec or so, the car will go into charge mode. Charge mode will appear on the dash. You can charge to 10 mile of EV power and then the system will revert to EV Auto mode. You will use more gas charging the batteries and this is best accomplished going down hill.
     
  6. Chris Jones

    Chris Jones Member

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    How did the Alibaba EVSE cable work out?
     
  7. MikeDee

    MikeDee Senior Member

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    I just installed a Leviton Evr-Green Mini. Nice, compact 16 amp L2 charger.
     
    bisco likes this.
  8. Nancy S.

    Nancy S. New Member

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    The best charger on the market-and that includes OEM-is the Aerovironment combo charger. Works on 110 AND 240. I love mine! I actually got in with my used Leaf from the dealer. And you can buy them used on Ebay or local garage sale sites: Craigslist, Letgo, Offerup and Close5. I've even sold a couple of them. $600.00+ new.
    But if you just want a charger that will work with your car any will do: Ford-Chevy-Nissan-Fiat-VW. Probably the Leaf is the cheapest and it comes with a case. Most people only want the one that came with the car but most of us charge at public charging stations which are all different makers. I buy and sell them on Ebay and I test every single one on my Leaf to make sure they work. I have used every OEM charger on the market. Even a Coda-which I had never even heard of before I got my Leaf and starting buying and selling chargers.
     

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  9. ArcPrime

    ArcPrime Active Member

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    I went to level 2 charging station at local Walgreen. After 70 minutes its charged 1/2 of the battery. Then tried to charge at home. After charging my prime two nights its not an easy task at home. I need to use an extension cord yes I know Toyota says don't use extension cord. I found one extension cord from local HD $16.97 Husky, 15 ft. 14/3 Banana Tap. It's Rated at 125-Volt/13 Amp/1625-Wat. Should I buy it or get a heavier cord?
    Thanks,
     
  10. NR427

    NR427 Member

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    Get a 12 guage cord
     
  11. ArcPrime

    ArcPrime Active Member

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    Thanks I will get a 12 gauge 25 ft extension cord. Was thinking a 50 ft one, but I don't really need a 50 ft with 24 ft charging cable.
     
  12. Phildgreat

    Phildgreat Member

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    I purchased a 25 ft. 10 gauge cord on amazon which may be overkill but it works wonderfully. I use it daily and it doesn't get warm one bit.. I have an outstanding thread out here you can reference.

    Charging Question at 120v | Page 2 | PriusChat
     
  13. ArcPrime

    ArcPrime Active Member

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    Charged my car with 25 ft. 12 gauge cord from Amazon last night. It worked well. 25 ft is too long for me I could use a 15 ft. extension cord.
     
  14. JoePriusPrime

    JoePriusPrime Member

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    Location:
    Denver, CO
    Vehicle:
    2017 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    There's a lot of choices on Amazon and many other websites that was mentioned. The top 3 brands I'm considering is:

    ChargePoint plug-in Station with 25' cord $674 (Station needs installation)
    JuiceBox Pro 40A NEMA 14-50 plug 24' cord $599 (Box needs installation)
    ClipperCreek LCS 20P NEMA 14-50R plug 25' cord $395 (easy plug-in and portable)

    I'm leaning towards the ClipperCreek at this point if anyone has experience with it, please let us know. Thank you.
     
    HappyJuice8000 likes this.
  15. alexcue

    alexcue Active Member

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    Prime Advanced
    I've settled on this one from ClipperCreek. HCS-50, 40 Amp Level 2. Kinda overkill for my Prime, but my kid is getting the Tesla, so I'm future proofing myself. Essentially it isn't costing me nothing. I have a bunch of American Express rewards saved up, so I'll just use those on Amazon. Then get the local LADWP rebate for it. My only cost will be for the installer, since I don't have a 240 box yet and it it will be outdoors.

    If I didn't have the option of the rebate I probably wouldn't get it though. Not cost effective.
     
    Prius from Dad likes this.
  16. Civic4982

    Civic4982 Member

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    I've got the same cord.

    Works great and a quick install to add a new 220V to my garage made it worthwhile.

    For $150 plus the cost of the install ($350) I'm set.

    It's a nice quality product for a bargain of a price.

    The seller representative , Amy, was also super nice.

    She custom made a longer 35 ft cord for me.


    iPhone ?
     
    Prius from Dad likes this.