Toyota RAV4 Forums banner
Cancel
Create thread New Garage Forums

Clarification of RAV4 Prime charging options

Jump to Latest
1 - 20 of 30 Posts
R

roc856

· Registered
Joined
·
6 Posts
Discussion starter · #1 · (Edited)
Can someone tell me if my understanding is correct about my RAV4 Prime XSE with 6.6-kw onboard charger?

1. The included charging cable can be used at 120v only. Not 240v.
2. The car does not have a 3.3kw charger. Rather, the 6.6kw charger can be used to charge at less that 6.6kw. (E.g., a 16a charger plugged into a 6-20 outlet)
3. If I want to charge at 240v, I choose my power by my choice of charger.
4. If I chose a charger whose amperage exceeds that of the house circuit, it will trip the circuit breaker. The charger should be no more than about 80% of the outlet capacity.
5. The maximum a RAV4 Prime will charge at is 32a, no matter what the capacity of the charger is.
6. 240v at 32a is 7.68kw, which is more than 6.6kw. Perhaps it's not really 240v, but closer to 211v?

In anticipation of getting an EV, I had a 14-50 installed in my garage. I waited to buy a charger until the RAV4 Prime arrived, which it now has. But my thinking is that I don't want to pay for a 240v charger of any description, since a full charge is only a gallon of gas, we very rarely drive more than 42 mi. in a day, and if we're charging overnight, 120v will do just as well as 240v at 32a. Is that thinking on the mark?
 
#3 ·
The charging cable provided with the vehicle will work at either 120 or 240V. It will draw no more than 12 amps at either voltage regardless of the amp capacity of the circuit. You simply have to procure a plug-to-socket adapter for the charging cable to plug into a 240V outlet.

I have found that if you routinely only charge your vehicle at home and are not concerned about charging speed, a 120V outlet (15 or 20 Amp circuit) will work just fine in fully charging the vehicle overnight. I have a 240V outlet but have only used it twice in the first year of ownership as I found the 120V charging works fine to meet my particular needs.
 
#6 ·
There are several threads that address the fact that the provided cable works perfectly well at 240V, although it is NOT listed for this voltage. This has been confirmed by many based on trial-and-error. In this case, the trial works!
 
#8 ·
I also have the 6.6 charging option on my prime. Since you have the 14-50 outlet, I recommend buying a Grizz-Le charger. It can be configured for different amperage outputs via the dip switches. It will charge your Prime in 2.5 hours.
I used the included charger on a recent vacation and it took 13 hours to fully charge via a standard receptacle.
 
#9 ·
Pittsburgh said:
I also have the 6.6 charging option on my prime. Since you have the 14-50 outlet, I recommend buying a Grizz-Le charger. It can be configured for different amperage outputs via the dip switches. It will charge your Prime in 2.5 hours.
I used the included charger on a recent vacation and it took 13 hours to fully charge via a standard receptacle.
Click to expand...
That’s what we do too. We have a ChargePoint Flex because our utility gave us a rebate for buying it and a recurring rebate for keeping it connected to WiFi.

We use the included cable when we go camping or out of town. It’s a nice way to charge the car if you’re away from your normal EVSE but still have access to power and are not in a hurry.
 
#10 ·
veinless said:
Isn’t it the same cable on Euro models, just with a different end?
Click to expand...
I have speculated that and the supplied cord is equipped with a special connector between the power pigtail and the main charger body to allow installing a different outlet type. Its not apparent to most folks as there is retainer pin that needs to be moved to allow the connector to be unscrewed. That said I have not yet seen anybody actually try removing a euro 240 volt connector and screwing it into a US charge cord. Even if it is possible, the charge cord is not "listed" for this use even though it may work perfectly well. I am unwilling to buy a Euro equipped charger to try it. If someone is willing to give me one, I will pay the postage and try it;)


Image

l
 
#12 ·
That is not a listed device and it will defeat the purpose of the sensing element located in the actual plug. Nor will it magically change the listing label on the charger. Will it work? probably as long as the actual wall outlet is in good condition and wired properly. If there is corrosion or the internal contacts of the outlet (happens in outdoor locations on occasion, the outlet could heat up and cause a fire without the charger shutting off as the sensing element in the plug is now some distance away from the actual outlet.
 
#13 ·
peakbagger said:
I have speculated that and the supplied cord is equipped with a special connector between the power pigtail and the main charger body to allow installing a different outlet type. Its not apparent to most folks as there is retainer pin that needs to be moved to allow the connector to be unscrewed. That said I have not yet seen anybody actually try removing a euro 240 volt connector and screwing it into a US charge cord. Even if it is possible, the charge cord is not "listed" for this use even though it may work perfectly well. I am unwilling to buy a Euro equipped charger to try it. If someone is willing to give me one, I will pay the postage and try it;)


View attachment 185378
l
Click to expand...
I’ve had no luck convincing a European owner to post a part number .
 
#14 ·
I have seen used euro chargers for sale on foreign Ebay sites that look identical with 240VAC listing but most of the time the owners limit shipping to the US as they dont want the hassle of shipping and someone buying a charger that would not work in the US. Euro 240 AC outlets do not look like US outlets. It would be a lot easier for one of our Euro members to take apart their charger and see if the configuration is the same.
 
#15 ·
roc856 said:
I have seen this elsewhere, also, but not in any of the documents that came with the car. Is this an official statement, or rather folklore?
Click to expand...
It does seem to work, based on what you can read about it, but I think it would be called an "out of scope" operation.
 
Save
Reply Quote Like Like
#16 ·
I originally installed a Level 2 (240V, 32A) charger at home for use with my Prime simply because I’m often out late in the evening, and then leave early the next morning. So I wasn’t able to fully charge with the supplied charging cable that needs 12 hours to do the job. The L2 charger never draws 32A, but tends to top out a few amps below that, and a full charge can be accomplished in about 2.5 hours which definitely addresses my original concern.

However, I’ve gained an unexpected benefit (which may not be of use to the original poster of this thread if you never drive more than ~40 miles in a day). I frequently drive more than 40-50 miles in a day, though most often that’s broken up into two or more trips with significant time back at home between them - usually for lunch. Having the ability to recharge the Prime at a rate of about 20 miles per hour means that I’m able to drive as much as 80-100 or more miles a day without using any gasoline. Which of course makes me a happy camper. :)
 
#17 · (Edited)
it works.
I have used it on my dryer output which is Nema 14-30. seems like other member pointed out the amps draw is limited.
European outlets do not look like US outlets (120 or 240) so it is not a plug and play
www.worldstandards.eu

Plug & socket types

www.worldstandards.eu www.worldstandards.eu

Also they amp rating is also like the US. volts may be 240 but amps is like 16 so still an improvement but not as much we would think.

my for now solution is using a Splitvolt 24A NEMA 14-30 EV Charger running off my dryer plug. Car claims 3hrs and 10 mins empty to full (0 miles EV to around 48-50miles EV). I need to time it but it feels its even faster.
 
#18 ·
My head is spinning reading all these options - please take pity on me and advise, I just picked up my XSE Prime with the 6.6 charger, and even though yes, its just a gallon of gas, I want to use electric as much as possible but over night charging is not an option since I live in a city and park on the street, however at both daytime jobs, I have outlet access.

So 2 regular charge locations, first location a few times a week ( 4-5 hours per day) , the building has a 14-50 wall mount outlet outside in a weatherproof box - pretty sure its 40 amp

Second location, longer charge time possible, is a very easy to access older 3 pin dryer outlet, the plug is easy to reach and within 20 feet of where I can park my Prime,

Whats the best solution for a 32 amp capable EVSE so I can take advantage of both charge locations?
 
Discussion starter · #19 ·
In your situation, it's convenient to charge as rapidly as possible. So you want a 240v cable that can handle 32a or more. Charging will be at 32a at most.

Some, perhaps most, charging stations have their own cable. But if there is only a socket, you'll need your own cable.
 
#20 ·
Bembel said:
Second location, longer charge time possible, is a very easy to access older 3 pin dryer outlet, the plug is easy to reach and within 20 feet of where I can park my Prime,
Click to expand...
Is it actually a dryer outle (NEMA 10-30) or a NEMA 6-50? They are similar, but the dryer plug has the ground pin with a right angle bend it, while the 6-50 has all flat blades.
 
1 - 20 of 30 Posts
About this Discussion
29 Replies
12 Participants
Last post:
nickg_6
Toyota RAV4 Forums
posts
1.1M
members
174K
Since
2004
Rav 4 World is the internet's largest Toyota Rav4 SUV and EV online forum community. Discuss towing, modifications, and more.
Full Forum Listing
Explore Our Forums
4.3 General 4.3 Mechanical 4.5 RAV4 Hybrid (except Prime) 4.5 RAV4 Prime 4.3 Exterior