Over-charging

Discussion in 'Clarity' started by Tim Wingler, Aug 19, 2019.

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  1. Tim Wingler

    Tim Wingler New Member

    I have a Clarity that I drive 3 times a week for 50 miles. I have a Level 1 charger and I leave it plugged in all the time. Is that a good policy or should I be unplugging it after it is fully charged?
     
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  3. sniwallof

    sniwallof Active Member

    To be on the safe side, unplug when thunderstorms are near. I leave my L2 plugged in most of the time, except for thunderstorms or if I'm doing a project where the plug sticking out is in my way as I walk by.

    On the other hand, with L2, one advantage of staying plugged in is for remote climate pre-conditioning. I think that's less of an advantage for L1, don't remember, others can answer that one.
     
  4. craze1cars

    craze1cars Well-Known Member

    Leaving plugged in is fine. It can’t overcharge.
     
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  5. ryd994

    ryd994 Active Member

    Even your phone knows to stop when full. How can a car that's 40x more expensive not?
     
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  6. fargledaer

    fargledaer New Member

    I drilled a hole through one of the battery packs so that excess charge can get out when the electrical pressure gets too high. Be careful though, it started an intense but small fire in my garage. Luckily my infant son was harnessed to my chest at the time so I avoided the worst of the blast and was able to extinguish the fire before it got out of control. Anyway, I don’t have to worry about overcharging anymore which is pretty great.


    [Moderator note: He's kidding. Don't drill holes in your batteries. :)]
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Aug 19, 2019
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  8. Tim Wingler

    Tim Wingler New Member

    Thanks for the input. I read where leaving it plugged in would have a negative impact on the battery temperature. Smart appliances occasionally burst into flames for one reason or another. However, unplugging during thunderstorms sounds like a good idea. Thanks.
     
    Domenick likes this.
  9. metabubble

    metabubble New Member

    When the battery is full, the charger is notified and a relay switch is stopping all flow of electricity.

    Unplugging during a thunderstorm is recommended though, because lightning can also travel over the signaling wire and damage your car
     
  10. fotomoto

    fotomoto Active Member

    No, that doesn't typically happen with PHEV's; cheap Chinese electronics are a different story though. As stated, possible voltage surges from a very close lightning strike could cause damages but other than that there are only positives (pun intended) to keeping it plugged in: won't miss a scheduled charge (BTDT), battery and electronics conditioning when needed (cooling mainly), and cabin pre-conditioning are the big ones. NOTE: 120v can't usually keep up with pre-conditioning so one tends to lose some EV miles/range.
     

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