Cheap Charging Cables

Hi Everyone,

My name is Gioia. I just purchased my 2020 Prius Prime a few weeks ago. I'm not super electrically savvy (although I have a fair grasp of mechanics), and I'm looking for advice about either purchasing a level 2 (220V) charging cable, versus maybe getting one of the adapters that a very knowledgeable gentleman on this forum makes and sells. This is the cable I was looking at on Amazon, and I was wondering if you thought it looked ok?

Do you think the adapter would be a safer bet, or the charging cable? The advantage of the whole cable is that I could put that inside my car, and charge it at an RV park that's on my way home, and offers free charging for EVs, and then leave the original cable at home and not worry about loading it into my car every day.

Also, I was looking at another Amazon-offered charging cable, but it's not as high an amperage as the first one. Would this one be ok, or better to get the more expensive one if I opt for a cable?

Thanks. It's good to meet everyone!
Gioia

 

congrats and welcome!

i see no reason to go beyond the $20. upgrade

 

Congratulations on your new PRIME purchase. As for the charging cable for your new PHEV, it's your call, but most members of PC who purchased the adapter from @Rob43 seems to be satisfied with the results (and cost of course), and many of cheaper cables sold on Amazon are not up to the quality standards of OEM or high end EVSE. Thous I don't have a personal experience with them. For me, charging over night at 120V using OEM cable works fine. No need to speed it up and it would cost too much upfront to install dedicated 240V receptacle outside of my house.

Just curious, are you willing to sit at RV park for 2 hours just to gain ~25 miles of EV range which is about $1.50 worth of gasoline cost. I sure have better use of my time and my 2 hours is certainly worth more than $1.50.

 

That's a great point!

 

Of course, in your local, it maybe worth ~$2 of gasoline saved.

Still, not enough to convince me to sit at RV park for ~2 hours for free electrons.

 

In my opinion:

Either spend for a high quality EVSE unit like a ~$400+ dollar ClipperCreek that's built in the USA, or use your very well made Toyota Prius Prime EVSE with an adapter.

If you don't want to spend the Big $$$ for a brand new ClipperCreek EVSE, I have a Perfect condition ClipperCreek LCS-20P (16 Amp) for $259 shipped.


Rob43

 

Hi Rob43,

I might take you up on that. As for waiting for muy car to charge, the RV park has a lovely little restaurant there, and I was going to take some of my grading with me to work on while I have some food and get away from my office for a while. So I won’t be sitting there wasting my time.

gioia

 

Hi Rob43. I need to Wait until the end of the month, but if you still have it then, I may be interested. Thanks!

Gioia

 

Hi Rob43,
Do you still have the ClipperCreek LCS-20P available? I’d like to purchase it. Can you accept PayPal?
Thanks,
Gioia