1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Is the stock 120v charger weatherproof?

Discussion in 'Prime Plug-in Charging' started by mkarolian, May 3, 2019.

  1. mkarolian

    mkarolian Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2012
    56
    5
    0
    Location:
    Boston, MA
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    I'd like to mount it outside, but I'm unsure if it is weatherproof.
     
  2. mkarolian

    mkarolian Junior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 18, 2012
    56
    5
    0
    Location:
    Boston, MA
    Vehicle:
    2015 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    walterm and Prodigyplace like this.
  3. Prodigyplace

    Prodigyplace 2025 Camry XLE FWD

    Joined:
    Nov 1, 2016
    11,801
    11,363
    0
    Location:
    Central Virginia
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    XLE
    Congrats!

    Please be sure to update your profile here.
     
  4. noonm

    noonm Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2019
    575
    595
    0
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    If you want anecdotal experience, I have no indoor/garage area to charge my Prime so I've always used the stock charger with outside plugs. I'm also not very good at disconnecting the charger before storms, so its been through snow, rain, sleet, ice, etc. So far, no problems except that the cord may need wiped down with a towel as it can get pretty dirty after a storm.

    That being said, probably the weakest link of the charge is where it plugs into the 120v socket. For safety reasons, I would only plug it into outdoor GFCIs and try my best to shield this end of the charger from the weather.
     
  5. bruceha_2000

    bruceha_2000 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2004
    3,054
    301
    19
    Location:
    Northwest VT
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    Any outdoor outlet must be enclosed in a weatherproof box if it is used in less than dry weather.
     
  6. noonm

    noonm Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2019
    575
    595
    0
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    Good point and mine is enclosed (as per local regs).

    The trouble I found is that the box wouldn't close with the huge 120v connector plugged into the outlet and it needs to be closed for the weather protection to work properly. So I bought a 6in extension cord with a low profile, right angle plug. Unfourtunately, I couldn't find an outdoor version rated to 20 amps, so I had to settle on an indoor, 20 amps one. I haven't had any issues with this setup so far as only a few inches of the cord extend out of the box. It's held up well even under snow/rain/thunderstorms.
     
    EyePrime likes this.
  7. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2018
    2,233
    1,596
    0
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    I had the same problem on a recent road trip where I needed to plug in my Prime to an outdoor receptacle (normally at home I plug in while in the the garage and the receptacle has no cover). I carry a 25 foot 12 gauge extension cord with me on the road, and I used this to make the connection. Then, stuck a 5 gallon bucket over the whole deal to minimize water on it. Pretty hillbilly, but it worked.

    The other problem I note with the stock charging cable is that the short pigtail between the plug and the control box on the cable is too short. if you plug into a wall socket on the road, there is no support for the control box. That also led me to use the extension cord so I could put the control box on the ground or under the car.

    power at state park.jpg power in rain.jpg power in travel garage.jpg
     
  8. bruceha_2000

    bruceha_2000 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Jan 2, 2004
    3,054
    301
    19
    Location:
    Northwest VT
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Advanced
    My controller hangs 100% of the time, whether in use or not. Since they put a short connector on it, I ASSUME they built everything to take the weight.
     
  9. noonm

    noonm Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2019
    575
    595
    0
    Location:
    NJ
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Plus
    5 gal bucket isn't a bad idea, though I would probably want to elevate the cord off the ground inside the bucket to avoid water flow.

    Here's my setup right now:
    [​IMG]
     
  10. jb in NE

    jb in NE Senior Member

    Joined:
    Apr 13, 2018
    2,233
    1,596
    0
    Location:
    Nebraska
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius Prime
    Model:
    Prime Premium
    It was on a brick under the bucket.