Charging across midnight

I have never had my 2024 stop on me when not expected.

The only issue I have is not knowing how to set the charge times to differ on weekends easily if I want a stop charge time.

I figured you need a stop charge time to make sure it doesn't start the moment you plug it in, but I guess the logic is probably just "now that I've been plugged in is it start time?" Rather than "am I within the run time?"

 

Yes, that's right. If a charging event has only a start time it only starts charging at that time. Tough luck if you missed it.

If you set both start and end time, then it looks to see if it's within that period, and if so then starts charging immediately.

 

So far I have overlapping times for the different time of use rates on weekends here. Friday start stops make it wonky if I don't.

The "overnight" shortcut button on the app sets it for midnight to 6am which is far shorter than the off peak times locally. The rates that give super low overnight are only worth it if you have a level 2 charging higher capacity EV. The tradeoff for peak time pricing isn't worth it for running A/C, water heater, electric range etc. Not for the 10kwH of the Prius anyway at level 1.

 

You can force an immediate start charge by either your dashboard controls or my favorite - unplug the charging cable as soon as the green lamp flashes, then plug it back in immediately. That forces a charge now and over-rides the schedule. No need to mess with your set schedule.

Hope this helps...

 

On the dashboard controls, if you have the "ACC customization" option off (or on, maybe, I can't remember which), then it will pop up something on the central display every time it shuts down saying when the next charge event is, and with a "charge now" button, which is far more convenient than having to find the option manually.

(The ACC customization basically removes the separate ACC mode and makes the car handle power a bit more automatically, including staying on for a short while after shutdown, including showing that display.)

 

I am testing a new method: turning off schedules, and plugging it into an Eve HomeKit-enabled smart plug. I can just ask Siri to charge it, and/or set up my own schedules. Huge boost in convenience, and I can track usage over time.

The plug is rated for 15 amps (1800 watts) so it should be safe to use. It also has a safety shut-off if it pulls more than 11 amps. But I won't use this method if it is even slightly unreliable or if the device gets warm.

 

I've done something similar to this using a Sonoff plug connected to Home Assistant. The convenience and data were great. Unfortunately, I learned there is a ~20% efficiency penalty when charging at L1 (120V), so I plan to switch this out for a L2 arrangement soon.

 

Yes, that's what the Gen 4 does, but the function has been removed from the Gen 5. No idea why. Start and end for G5 are just simple start and end times - it will charge whenever it's plugged in between those times.

 

Honestly, the weirdest change that doesn't make sense to me. But then I figure, as a nearly daily driver, I don't see the issue if its at full for 2 to 3 hours before driving most days. Not a big deal. And if it sits at 100% for a day or two every couple weeks, probably also not a major concern.

 

My own schedule is start at midnight every day - that's enough time to definitely be ready by a morning departure starting from empty, approximating a "7am departure" setting. (Charging at 8A 230V here, so full charge is at least 6.5 hours). If you're concerned about time spent at 100%, that's still a lot better than no schedule.