Plug-in charger cable organizer?

Not sure why the PiP doesn't like the Volt's EVSE, but the Volt is perfectly happy using the PiP's EVSE to charge. Go figure.

Another quirk of the Volt (or it's EVSE) is that it doesn't like if there is any other EVSE on the same circuit as it is, including another Volt. At work we have to share a single 120V circuit amongst 3 or 4 cars. The Leaf & PiP EVSEs are perfectly happy sharing the circuit. But if there is a Volt EVSE already plugged in, and I plug in my PiP, the Volt will eventually stop charging and it's EVSE will start blinking it's trouble lights.

Thankfully in the next month or two work will be replacing the old legacy EV chargers (used either an inductive paddle, or a funky AVCON connector) with new chargers that support the new J1772 connector, so we won't have to compete as much for charging purposes.

 

Bisco et.al, here's my EVSE in the medium Cordpro. Three pix. The EVSE stays tidy now in amongst the usual odds & ends in the trunk.

 

I just use an old shack bag I have no more use for.

 

I just throw the CordPro'd EVSE into the cargo area, where I usually have a gym bag, other things.

I almost always have the Prius cargo net strung up, usually for groceries etc, so getting into the EVSE slit compartment is a PITA anyway - my warning triangle and my 1st aid kit and spare chemlights live in there for emergencies.

 

thanks dad! that's quite tidy.

 

Nice organization of the level 1 evse. OK, I'll be the first one to ask why Toyota sent the letter (proper charging BS)about not charging with the cord in a reel. Maybe cable heat? Personally, my Leviton 2 evse has the cord hanging in a loose reel on the hook because it is located about 3 feet from PIP charging port. Never had any issues with it.

 

probably the inductive effects of rolling might reduce the Emf somewhat, or repeated rolling up may eventually crack the outer insulation. Gives Toyota an excuse for future problems. It is basically all BS.

 

I always completely unroll any electrical cord I use. I've seen what can happen when you don't and it isn't pretty.

This admittedly is probably a worse case scenario but it has stuck with me ever since I saw it happen. Someone at work was running a floor buffer and had it plugged into one of those trouble light reels that had a plug near the bulb. The light was not on but after a few minutes we smelled that unmistakable stench of an electrical meltdown. The cord in the reel had built up so much heat that it fused the whole assembly into a big molten mass.

Needless to say it was quite a hazardous situation and one that taught me a valuable lesson. Always unroll your cords completely when in use. I'm sure the Prius Plug-in cord can take being coiled up during use better than that trouble light but remember that that cord cost $1200 to replace!

Calvin

 

I thought about the dangers of running high electrical draws through coiled cords. I tried the CordPro because I had one already for my yellow extension cord. the CordPro-coiled EVSE cord never heated up while charging when I tested it several times, including in full strong sunlight. It's probably because the amperage is not high for the cord gauge. the CordPro instructions have guidance to "reverse-coil" electrical cords inside - there are two compartments inside the CordPro with a connecting hole, so that half the cord loads in one direction and the other half loads in the other direction. The "reverse coil" is supposed to balance out the magnetic loads when the cord is under tension. Anyway, my EVSE never heats up inside, and there's a bit of room to spare in there with the EVSE coiled up which helps I'm sure. Buffers are famed for drawing a high load when they're running. I hope this helps.

 

My cord never even gets warm, granted from the breaker to the car is all 10 gauge.

 

I got my CordPro the other day and it doesn't appear that you can put the EVSE in the way the instructions say. Did you cut the divider to be able to wrap the cord onto both sides or are you just using one side?

Calvin

 

Calvin,

Good catch. I took the blue EVSE car plug end, unscrewed the three screws from the blue handle, took the blue shell apart and fed the EVSE cord & plug through the CordPro's center panel slot. Then the blue clamshell handle just comes back together secured by the three screws. It's really easy - about three minutes total.

It was so quick to do I had forgotten to mention it in my post. Regrets.

I hope this helps.

 

Thanks for quick reply. I knew from the way your post read that you were using both sides I just didn't know how you did it. Pretty smart and simple, always the best combination.

Calvin

One more question. This handle has interesting screws in it. Are they pentalobe and if they are, what size?

Calvin

 

Can't answer that one...

 

It seems like most people who mount the charger outdoors just hang it up on a wall and leave it exposed to the elements. My GFCI outlet is weather-protected, but I was wondering if it is worthwhile to build a wooden box to protect the charger while it is not in use. Has anyone run into any problem leaving the charger outdoors in the rain?

 

It is not even a charging system. The charger is built into the car.
It provides a connection between household power (either 120Vac or 240 Vac) and the car. The cable contains a ground fault interrupter, receives and OK signal from the car, and sends back a signal telling the car the maximum amount of current the charging cord can safely deliver. That same signal also sends fault conditions to the car.
Prices will drop, and features will be added as competitors work to gain market share in this new business.

 

Would it be fair to say that the J1772 plug probably costs around $20 to build, but is sold for around $500? There are no electronics in it; only a connector. And likely patents on it prevent anyone else from selling it any cheaper.

 

Calvin,

Sorry - I meant to reply earlier and then forgot about this post. I just learned about IPhone's 'Pentalobe" screws and remembered your question, which puzzled me back in August.

The screws are Torx 5-point star "security" screws, and the much more common six-point star Torx bit will not work. I happen to have a 100+ bit set that included these 5-point star bits.

Those looking to find the 5-point Torx security bits - Sears online has them available fairly cheaply.

Final note about the CordPro / EVSE assembly: the diamond slot in the center CordPro panel is large enough to fit the J1772 EVSE plug through once the blue clamshell is removed. The trick is flexing the diamond hole by putting thumb pressure from opposite sides at the narrow point of the diamond opening. This will stretch the opening in three dimensions, and the J1772 plug and then the handle micro-switch will slip right through.

The CordPro works much better with the long EVSE cord slipped through the center divider hole because wrapping and unwrapping the EVSE is very quick and the two ends of the EVSE do not get in each other's way. Additionally, when the EVSE is partially uncoiled from the CordPro and plugged in, the electricity flow in opposing directions through the two chambers of the CordPro shell is supposed to prevent heat buildup (this is theoretical knowledge I picked up somewhere).

Again, regrets about a lack of understanding of your question and a tardy reply.