Keeping level 1 charger permamently plugged?

  • Thread starter Thread starter ozy
  • Start date Start date
  • Replies Replies 17
  • Views Views 3K
O

ozy

Active Member
I’m intending to use the level one charger that came with the car. However I noticed that if I keep it plugged in to the wall socket it has an orange light that remains on indefinitely. Is that a problem? I’d rather not unplug the cable every night from the wall.
 
I would say it’s OK since the manual does not warn against it. Before I got my Level 2 EVSE, I kept mine plugged in and it stayed as cold as my unheated garage, so I would say the parasitic drain is negligible. The orange led just indicates you’ve got power going to it and it’s ready to use. I also used a 12 gauge extension cord with no problem and not even any warming up of cord, connections, or breaker. If you have it plugged in outside just be sure to protect all the connections from rain or snow. There are threads on that.
 
ozy said:
I’m intending to use the level one charger that came with the car. However I noticed that if I keep it plugged in to the wall socket it has an orange light that remains on indefinitely. Is that a problem? I’d rather not unplug the cable every night from the wall.
Click to expand...

We leave our level 1 charger plugged in, both to the wall outlet and the car, all the time (except during thunderstorms). I measured the power usage of the OEM charger and it’s negligible. I’ve read nothing that says we shouldn’t do that.
 
I always keep my L1 plugged in. Was away for four days and the charger was cool and felt the same as the ambient temperature of my unheated garage (45 F). I left the car unplugged because I was curious if there would be any battery drain. Plugged the car in, the green light went on and then shut off after a few seconds because the battery was still full I know it was only a few days, but I expected some minor runoff of the battery - even if it was only a few minutes of charging.
 
Sandroad said:
We leave our level 1 charger plugged in, both to the wall outlet and the car, all the time (except during thunderstorms). I measured the power usage of the OEM charger and it’s negligible. I’ve read nothing that says we shouldn’t do that.
Click to expand...
Thanks for mentioning thunderstorms. We're good about unplugging our sensitive electronics during storms but neglected the charger. It would be expensive to replace so we'll be sure not to forget from now on!
 
Linkmodo said:
Honda manual even suggest you mount the big adapter block on the wall for when plugged in permanently in the garage somewhere. So I'd say it's perfectly safe to do so.
Click to expand...
I can't find where either the Owners Manual or the Owners Guide discusses mounting the Control Box (as the manuals call it) on a wall. However, the Control Box does include two tabs with holes that would make mounting it on a wall possible. I agree that if it's meant to be mounted on a wall, then leaving it plugged into a wall outlet would be expected.
 
I agree, perfectly safe, doesn't waste much power (tiny amount compared to car). Mounting on the wall is safer for the unit, less likely to damage the cord or something.
 
I agree with all post above. I plan on keeping my L1 charger pluged into the outlet and the car while Im on an extended vacation. I have in writing from the dealer recommending to keep it pluged in to both.

Sent from my SM-G955U using Inside EVs mobile app
 
You could use a (properly rated) surge protector between outlet and charger which would allow you to switch the charger circuit on/off as well as protect the charger from surges.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
I have mine plugged in since the first day I got the car. I put 2 screws to mount the brick on the wall. Has been 6 years now and not have any issue with it.
 
I plug mine into a mechanical timer to help preserve battery life by only charging as much as I need, usually around 75%.
 
David Towle said:
I plug mine into a mechanical timer to help preserve battery life by only charging as much as I need, usually around 75%.
Click to expand...
You can use scheduled charging on the app instead of a mechanical timer. The car won't charge beyond 80% of batt capacity anyway. So you don't really need to stop at 75%.
 
megreyhair said:
The car won't charge beyond 80% of batt capacity anyway.
Click to expand...

Battery capacity and state of charge are separate metrics.

Would you expand on your comment?

We know that target cell charging voltage is 4.09v, which is considered to be approximately 90% SOC for a 3.7v nominal cell. 4.2v would be considered 100%.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top