Standard Prius Prime Charger (G9060-47130) supporting 240V

Has anyone confirmed with Toyota that this EVSE was designed to work on 240 volts, and that doing so will not void any warranties? I understand that a lot of users have tried it and it works . Thanks.

 

no, and it probably would void the warranty, if something broke, they were able to detect that you were using it that way, and they could pin the problem on that

toyota is never going to give anyone verbal or written approval to use their products in any way not described in the literature.

 

Yeah, I agree on this one. Although a slim chance they will know about it unless you tell them. But if the repair involves the traction battery, it is warranted for much longer than standard warranty (8-10 years).

 

What has been confirmed is that the internal circuit board is the same as the European 230 v adapter, they just have different plugs at the 'house' end.
For liability reasons (lawyers) they are not going to officially state you can run 240 though a 120 plug.

 

.
Placeholder

 

But it only works at ~2.8 kW when macgyvered into a 240V power source.
A proper L2 EVSE charges at 3.3 kW.
Have you seen how inexpensive 16A L1/L2 EVSE's have become?

You could open your dusty old billfold just a little and get a real L2 for home use and leave the stock L1 in your car for mobile use.

Plus you don't have that dangerous adapter lying about your garage just waiting for Uncle Bernie to plug in a shop vac while you are gone......

 

No, they still seem to be $200-$500, for the cheap ones.

 

Two reasons to take it with you: 1) keep it away from Uncle Bernie! 2) if you find a compatible 240 volt receptacle, you can charge twice as fast. NEMA 14-50 is the most common. (the Prius Prime does not need a 50 Amp outlet, only 20, but it is most common and physical size is the only down side)

 

One thing I have not seen discussed is that the plug assembly is modular. Has anyone ever taken it apart? Searched online for modular parts separately?
So say the manufacturer puts on the U.S. module on a universal electronic adaptor?
Anyone in Europe here with same module, different plug?

 

Can't get the amazon link to post.
This:
Book Engine Level 1-2 EV Charger(100-240V,16A,25ft) Portable EVSE Home Electric Vehicle Charging Station Universal
Order Summary
Items: $174.99
Shipping & handling: $0.00
Your Coupon Savings: -$8.75
Total before tax: $166.24
Estimated tax to be collected: $0.00
Order total: $166.24

Don't be a cheap azz. Get the real deal. You know you can afford it!!

 

The included cable has a peak Amperage of 12 Amps while a cheap Chinese knock off has a peak of 16 Amps.
But as the battery fills, neither runs at it's peak because the battery would over heat.
So the difference in time is only about 20 minutes.

So you can spend 20 minutes more and use a reliable EVSE by a major Japanese firm with a $50 adapter built in the US, or spend 20 minutes less and use a $160 EVSE by a Chinese firm you have never heard of and will never hear from again.

Your call.

 

I'd do neither, I'd get a good level 2 charger, or just keep charging with my L1. The car is worth far more than any charger, so I wouldn't risk it.

And btw, that $50 dollar adapter probably was made in China as well.

When it comes to high levels of electricity, I don't skimp, there are too many ways to get bitten.

 

Better EV's and PHEV's have a proper TMS that never allows 'overheat',, (or underheat).
All EV's and PHEV's have a 'current taper' as the SOC nears 100%.

I guess with the Prime's small pack and limited TMS the difference could only be 20 minutes.
Has this actually been tested?

 

+1

I don't need to have my car charged full in 2 hours. For me L1 works just fine. If I ever want to have L2, it is most likely for my future BEV or second PHEV with bigger battery. For that, I want a full internet connectivity with reporting function, so I don't have to record my Kill-a-watt meter ever day. lol

 

My daughter lives in Bellingham WA and has one of @Rob43's adapters, I live in Greenwood MS. I see her after Christmas, now all I have is hearsay on Priuschat. I do not own either the adapter or a Prime.

(My older brother, youngest brother, and daughter own PHEVs of a sort. My sister, younger brother, and I are 'stuck' with hybrids)

 

some have confirmed from various manufacturers that the OEM portable evse will come with a one-year warranty. If you really feel stressed out changing the plug, you can always wait till the warrantie is over, & that way you're really not out anything - if it were to blow up, which it wont.

.

 

As I understand it, the official Toyota cable has a thermocouple in the plug to help protect against overheating. Do not change the plug! It won't work again. Use an adapter, that retains the current plug.

(I would never use @Rob43's adapter if there was an easy way to just put a proper 240 volt plug on the end of the official cable. It is the only way to retain that thermocouple)

 

My My My..... What a bunch of talk....

I WILL SAY IT AGAIN, THE CHINESE BUILT EVES'S ARE JUNK. THEY FEEL HOLLOW & WEIGHT MUCH LESS THAN THE TOYOTA EVSE UNIT. THE ONE I PERSONALLY OPENED UP HAD "COLD" SOLDER JOINTS IN IT. THEIR CHARGE HANDLE DOES NOT FIT THE PRIME PROPERLY, IT'S VERY TIGHT AND FRUSTRATING TO USE....DAY AFTER DAY AFTER DAY.



Rob43

 

Do you data to show they are junk? Or just a 'feeling'?
A 16A EVSE is a 20A STDP relay and a small circuit board for the brains of the operation. It's either ON or OFF.
There is no reason for it to be big or weigh more that it has to.

If I was you, I'd be concerned about openly marketing a potentially dangerous (and maybe illegal) adapter that puts 240V on a 120V outlet.
Do you ever worry about someone messing up with your adapter and then Uncle Bernie lawyers up when he catches the kids garage on fire after plugging a shop vac...?

 

Since you are openly supporting these Chinese built EVSE units, do you have data that says they are well built?


Rob43