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Using the Primes 120v Charger at 240 Volts, Cost $20 !!!

Discussion in 'Prime Plug-in Charging' started by Rob43, Mar 16, 2019.

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  1. randomwalk101

    randomwalk101 DYI'er

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    2 hours charging is great!!!
    Works flawlessly Thanks Rob!!
     
    #81 randomwalk101, May 30, 2019
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  2. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    You are Very Welcome !

    Yes, charging up your Prime in 2 to 2 1/2 hours using the stock OE 120v EVSE at 240 volts is EXTREMELY satisfying !!!

    I will post up some "build" pictures in the next day or two of me building your 8 gauge 4ft long conversion pigtail.

    (y)


    Rob43
     
    #82 Rob43, May 30, 2019
  3. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    One of the biggest reasons to use your OE Toyota 120v EVSE at 240 volts with a conversion Pigtail vs a ~$200 dollar China built 240v EVSE is this:

    The FREE ~5,000+ miles you'll get driving around on your battery by saving $150 dollars or more.


    Rob43
     
    #83 Rob43, Jun 7, 2019
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  4. alinica2001

    alinica2001 Member

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    Did anyone used standard 120V charger at 220-240V with 50Hz ? Yes, I'm not in US, I'm in EU.
     
    #84 alinica2001, Jun 11, 2019
  5. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    No, not that I'm aware of.

    Personally if it were me, I would plug it in to your 220-240v / 50Hz outlet without fear, I say this because all USA units are marked "120v" with no 240v reference. The only difference I've seen between the European EVSE's and USA EVSE's is the back sticker & country plug, like already stated; It's millions of dollars cheaper for Toyota to manufacturer one single Dual Voltage EVSE for worldwide usage vs manufacturing multiple different EVSE's for all the different countries.


    Rob43
     
    #85 Rob43, Jun 11, 2019
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i thought there wasn't any 120v in eu?
     
    #86 bisco, Jun 11, 2019
  7. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    I'm guessing that a US spec Prius Prime got shipped back to his home in the EU, I'm sure he will clarify later.


    Rob43
     
    #87 Rob43, Jun 11, 2019
  8. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    $13 dollar adapter update:

    For those of you that have a NEMA 6-20R outlet near your Prime, I Do Not recommend this simple $13 dollar 6-20P to 5-15R adapter anymore. It is now producing heat, I did not use my temp gun on it but it was warm enough that I wouldn't use it again. Everything was cold throughout the entire system except when I touched this adapter. So again, I don't recommend it, please build or buy a higher quality adapter that utilizes better quality internals for you Level 2 charging needs.


    Rob43

    Screenshot_2019-05-05_at_7.59.13_PM_-_Edited_(1).png
     
    #88 Rob43, Jun 17, 2019
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  9. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    I performed a mini charge-up test yesterday, 0% to 100% in exactly 2 hours and 26 minutes using the OE Toyota EVSE at 240 volts.

    This could be your results too when you use your OE Toyota EVSE at 240 volts !


    Rob43
     
    #89 Rob43, Jun 22, 2019
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  10. PriusPrimeGrey

    PriusPrimeGrey Junior Member

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    I plan to make NEMA 14-50P to 5-20R adapter to use with my Prius Prime OEM charge cable.
    Here are some questions I have:
    • Cable type: Since I will be plugged to 14-50 outlet, do I need to use 6-2 romex cable (two 6 gauge wires plus bare copper ground), or 8-2 cable sufficient? I plan to make it as short as possible.
    • Wire polarity: Do I need to worry about the wire polarity for each 120V leg (red/black) when connect to 5-20R? For neutral leg on 14-50P, just leave it out?
    • NEMA 14-50 outlet can draw up to 50 amps of current at 240V, but Toyota OEM charger will regulate to the appropriate amperage (at 240V) for the vehicle?
    Any help/suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
     
    #90 PriusPrimeGrey, Jul 16, 2019
  11. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

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    Given that you don't seem electrically inclined, your best bet may be to buy one already made from @Rob43.
     
    #91 jb in NE, Jul 16, 2019
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  12. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    1) Don't use Romex, it's just not flexible enough. I'd recommend stranded copper 10/3 AWG, it works great and is easy enough to manipulate. 8/3 AWG is much harder to work with, so I don't recommend it. Build it at roughly 12" in length, this is an easy to build short length.

    2) Look at my posted pics, the way I have it wired is the correct way.

    3) The OE Toyota EVSE will only draw what it needs, in this case, it will only draw about 12 amps (actually a little less).


    Rob43

    PS, Yep, I'll definitely build you a great Pigtail if you want.
     
    #92 Rob43, Jul 16, 2019
    Last edited: Jul 16, 2019
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  13. PriusPrimeGrey

    PriusPrimeGrey Junior Member

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    Rob43, thank you for the prompt response.

    Since 14-50P to 5-15R (or 5-20R) 240V is a totally non-standard way to connect wires, I'm trying to be very careful.

    For those who successfully made DIY adapters, how do you connect 14-50 X & Y legs to 5-15 X & W legs shown below? Or does it even matter which hot wires to connect 5-15 X & W legs?

    wiring-diagram.jpg
     
    #93 PriusPrimeGrey, Jul 17, 2019
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2019
  14. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    I look forward to your progress & success !


    Rob43
     
    #94 Rob43, Jul 17, 2019
    Last edited: Jul 17, 2019
  15. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    On the 5-15 outlet, the house wiring hidden in the wall and breaker panel may serve up either X or Y to the X terminal of the outlet. You can't know without digging in to the breaker panel, and it doesn't matter. Your numerous house outlets ought to be reasonably evenly split between them to keep the supply from the outside transformer somewhat balanced.
     
    #95 fuzzy1, Jul 17, 2019
  16. mveras1972

    mveras1972 Member

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    I am planning to install a 6-20R outdoors for 240V charging, and I am planning to run 12/2 wiring underground. However, when shopping around I saw that 12/2 wires have black, white and GND only. There isn't one that is black, red and GND. Does this matter? Only the 12/3 wires have a red wire, but since I am installing a 3-prong outlet using 12/3 I would leave a non-used wire. I know the electrons could care less which color the wire is running on, but I am asking due to possible electrical code implications.

    By the way, I can use 10/2 instead of 12/2 if that's better. Please advise.
     
    #96 mveras1972, Jul 22, 2019
  17. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    Does not matter.

    Since your main run of wire is underground & totally stationary, buy solid copper Romex.

    If your budget allows, I'd use 10 AWG, if not 12 AWG is still OK.

    Post up any relevant pics when your done...


    Rob43
     
    #97 Rob43, Jul 22, 2019
  18. mveras1972

    mveras1972 Member

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    Certainly, I will post pics. In regards to the outlet, since it is outdoors, I am having trouble finding a GFCI 6-20 outlet. Is there such a thing?
     
    #98 mveras1972, Jul 22, 2019
  19. Rob43

    Rob43 Senior Member

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    I don't believe so.


    Rob43
     
    #99 Rob43, Jul 22, 2019
  20. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

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    Make sure you check the electrical code for wire protection underground. It is different if you direct bury or if you put in conduit, If it is direct bury you need type UF cable, for example.
     

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    #100 jb in NE, Jul 22, 2019
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