No way. never do that! It looks like there's no seal at all, so any rain going in would likely drain right out, leaving just the droplets seen in the photos. I'm anal, so when I get mine I plan on sealing the top and sides with a gasket of some sort, and either leaving the bottom unsealed for drainage or sealing that as well. I don't like to leave any openings as not just rain gets in. I had a wasp nest behind the gas door on my pickup once (When gas was $5/gallon, it wasn't getting used so much.) I was rather surprised when I opened that gas door....
Bisco may be writing that drilling is OK as a little tongue and check - so to say. Looking to gasoline caps, these filler panels typically have a hole and a tube to drain for any spilled gas. Not knowing your car and this specific area and what is located in that area, yes Bisco is correct drilling could be risky. Toyota more than likely tested charging in the rain, yet there always seems to be on going TSBs. Maybe this is an issue, ask the dealer. Weather-stripping could be a simple inexpensive cure. Good luck.
I think it's highly likely there's no disease. This thing can get rained on while it's open and a charge cord is inserted. I wouldn't worry about it.
The flap is just there for appearance and aerodynamics. Like with the gas tank, the real seal is in the cap underneath the flap.
Yes, but I think it has one built in because the instructions for the charging cable describes that it has a "Charge Circuit Interrupting Device."
I don't think that's the same thing as a GFCI. Even if it were, it would only protect the cable downstream of the device. That's why you want one upstream.
correct me if i'm wrong, but a ground fault interrupter circuit is supposed to trip when 120v are flowing through your body to ground, yes?
A GFCI trips whenever the current in the hot wire + the current in the neutral wire doesn't add up to zero, thus indicating another current path.
thanks. is my example one of those instances, and the primary reason for the code? iow, is it to protect people from shock, or houses from burning down?
It's not to prevent houses from burning down, just shock. Two other devices prevent fires - circuit breaders and AFCIs (arc fault circuit interrupters).
I wish Toyota engineers make the charge area weather proof in the rain when parked not charging. A simple design change will make it possible .
I charge in the rain all the time with my hardwired level 2 charger. The only thing that would make me think twice is if I know lightning is coming.
