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Level 2 Charging at Home - What would you do?

Discussion in 'Prime Main Forum (2017-2022)' started by Husker4theSpurs, Sep 15, 2021.

  1. Husker4theSpurs

    Husker4theSpurs Active Member

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    Papillion, Nebraska
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    Other Hybrid
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    We have a PHEV Volvo XC60 that I plug into our wall (its factory charging cord is a NEMA 6-20 so I had that plate installed on the wall rather than buy a Level 2 wall charger) currently.

    I have been plugging in the Prime in the next space over but using the standard 110 and I'm finding I miss being able to more quickly charge the Prime.

    We will be selling our XC60 and the Prime will become our only PHEV sometime in the next 3-6 months. Is there a converter I can buy to safely take the Prime's included cable from the 110 to work on our NEMA 6-20 plug? One other problem I have is that our current space to plug it at 240 will be on the opposite side of the Prime's plug (yes, I could just back it in all the time ... which I wouldn't mind, but my wife will be the primary driver eventually).

    We also have a 3rd car garage space that has 240 wired to it, but I haven't done anything with it as far as Level 2 charger or whatnot. That space would have the charger on the "correct" side for the Prime however. I'm wondering if I should just bite the bullet and buy a Level 2 wall charger and have it installed over there and be done with it and start parking the Prime over there instead. We currently have our largest vehicle parked over there and due to the shape of our garage and the way you have to pull into 2 of the stalls it makes it easier to park the largest car over there.

    Any suggestions as to what you'd do? Is there an easy solution (and safe) as in an adapter to be able to plug in the Prime to that NEMA 6-20 and not have to buy a wall charger? Or should I just invest in a nice wall charger for that third space? Waiting for that slow charge on 110 is torture :) Finding I am running around in the Prime almost all the time. Way more fun driving in EV mode than I'd figured.

    Thanks!
     
    #1 Husker4theSpurs, Sep 15, 2021
  2. JimboPalmer

    JimboPalmer Tsar of all the Rushers

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    #2 JimboPalmer, Sep 15, 2021
    Husker4theSpurs likes this.
  3. john1701a

    john1701a Prius Guru

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    Minnesota
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    2017 Prius Prime
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    Prime Advanced
    I would look into getting a level-2. There tend to be rebates avaiable from electricity providers (we got $500 for each EVSE) along with time-of-use discounts. For us, it is now 4 years later and the garage is standing ready for a bZX4 to take advantage of that setup.

    btw, I have been backing into the garage for about 6 years now. The electric power at low RPM is great for that.
     
    #3 john1701a, Sep 15, 2021
  4. vvillovv

    vvillovv Senior Member

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    Prime Plus
    I'd have the 240 volt outlet moved to a more convenient location and get a portable 240 volt EVSE.
    Or have the NEMA 6-20 converted to a 240 volt 40 AMP circuit if possible.

    It helps if you know the amp rating of your 240 volt circuit. If it's a 60, 80 or $100 AMP circuit I might go with a wall mount or two instead, for all the bells and whistles that are built into most all the wall mount units available at present.

    All depends on how much I'd be willing to spend and if I'd be planning for future EV's.
     
    #4 vvillovv, Sep 15, 2021
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i ran the 25' cord across the ceiling. plenty of length to get from the left wall. over the car, and back into the inlet.
    i hung an 18" diameter plastic plant pot horizontally from the ceiling above the passenger door to coil it up on.
     
    #5 bisco, Sep 15, 2021
  6. Husker4theSpurs

    Husker4theSpurs Active Member

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    Thank you guys for the input! I ordered an adapter for the time being ... who knows how long this pickup will take to come in however!
     
    #6 Husker4theSpurs, Sep 27, 2021
    bisco likes this.
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