Does one need to go to Leviton for level 1 charging? I have no need for rapid charging---will be doing it overnight. So I just assumed I good plug my prius into a standard electrical outlet in my garage. But my dealer is telling me I need to get a charging unit for even level 1 charging. Is this true? I had thought for routine charging you could use a regular outlet.
Your Prius Plug-in came with a level 1 charger. It's in the storage bin in the back of the car. It plugs into a regular 120v outlet.
I know they recommend a separate dedicated circuit with a GFCI installed, I don't know if it is truly required. The circuit to my washer & dryer in the garage is a separate circuit from anything else in the garage. I installed a GFCI in the outlet box and was planning on using that. I can certainly arrange that neither the washer or dryer is in use when the PIP is charging. I think this should meet the requirement.
it may be harping on semantics, but the charger is contained within the battery pack within the vehicle. The EVSE, or Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment, is what plugs into the outlet on the wall and sends either 120 volts or 240 volts to the charger. Toyota recommends the following from the FAQ page: "The Prius Plug-in draws approximately 12 amps during charging. If the circuit is undersized or being used by other appliances, the vehicle may not charge. In addition, just like adding too many appliances to a circuit, this action may also trigger a circuit breaker or fuse." I had a separate 15 amp GFCI circuit installed with oversize wiring, so that in the future if i decided to go to a level 2 or 240volt EVSE station, then the wiring would already be there. I also remember during my days as a TV news cameraguy all the homes burnt down due to electric overload, especially at Christmas. 12 amps will generate a lot of heat on inadequate wiring. Why take a chance?
Don't you think that might be a little much for someone that doesn't realize the car came with what they're asking about? I'm just trying to keep it simple.
Thanks all. Wonder why my dealer told me I had to order from Leviton for level 1 charging. I can't say I understand all the stuff about dedicated circuit--but the outlet is in the garage, and I don't really expect anything else will be using electrical outlets in the garage during the night
in general i don't think toyota dealers are all that well educated on the car. after all, it will go without any wall charging whatsoever, so they don't really *need* to learn about this stuff the way a nissan dealer would, leaf-wise.
I'm just trying to keep the terminology straight. Beats me about what you're wondering about. I think Inginner's (aka pEEf's) warnings at My Nissan Leaf Forum • View topic - Low Mileage User - Can I save $$ and skip the 240v Charger? and My Nissan Leaf Forum • View topic - How people use Leaf in Europe - QC as needed are good ones. http://www.toyota.com/prius-plug-in/ answers many of your questions. Toyota tends to refer to the included level 1 EVSE as a charging cord or cordset. Also, if you search for 80% at http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?p=66578 and http://www.mynissanleaf.com/viewtopic.php?f=9&t=616, the discussion there might give you insight into why Toyota calls for a dedicated 15 amp circuit.
