New Clarity owner and his dumb questions

The searchable PDF version of the Clarity Owner's Manual can answer many questions.

 

Or, maybe even better, continue questions in an existing thread on the topic! .

 

Yes, follow up questions that relate to the original topic is what creates a thread. Going “off topic” is generally frowned upon.

What is the topic of a thread that asks a series of random questions?

 

Randomized Help Thread.

Personally I love threads like this because there are always some surprising subjects that arise. They work more like my brain than strict "on one subject" threads.

 

I agree with your post almost word for word.

Friendly Advice: Throw in some paragraph spaces, as it is much more pleasing to the eyes and easier to read than 1 super long paragraph with no breaks.

Im not trying to be an ***.

 

You are correct. It only starts charging on timer if it's plugged in at the start of the session. Been there, got confused, figured it out.

Not sure, but probably not. iirc you cannot charge if the car is running. I don't think you can get heater if not running. Someone who lives in a cold clime might correct me. Being on Las Vegas I have never run the heat.

 

A hardbound copy can be ordered.

https://owners.honda.com/manualrequest/2018/Clarity%20Plug-In%20Hybrid

 

You can leave the charge timer set all the time. If you need to charge at any other time, just press and HOLD the charge button on the fob AFTER you plug the charger in. It will start charging immediately.

 

Yes, mine says the same thing on the back of the evse itself. The J1772 end in very faint letters lists voltage 120-277v.

The unit was manufactured by Panasonic and is identical to the evse provided with the Toyota Prius Prime. Plenty of those owners are running their units on 240v without issues.

The plug itself is of the 15A type... I went with the NEMA 5-20 receptacle to keep my modified cord at 20A at all connections. It does not get more than 10F above ambient temp of my garage, even when my garage is baking in 90F heat in summer.

 

Interesting - I thought the manual was available only on CD.

 

Expect the paper copy to take a while to get to you.

 

Would you consider that a Level 1.5 charger?

 

Kind of an artificial construct, this Level 1/Level 2 business. In the UK and Europe, house voltage is 240V. So do they all have Level 2 by default?

My late Volt could only charge at 3.3 kW due to its onboard charger capacity. Most consider that Level 2, but in truth the Clarity EVSE could probably accomplish that if fed 240V.

 

There’s noting artificial about a 12 hour charge time or a 2.5 hour charge time.

Utilizing adapters to provide 240VAC to the Honda provided EVSE appears to charge at ~3.3kW. Hence the 5.5 hour charge time. The PHEV Clarity has an onboard charger capable of charging at 6.6kW with the appropriate L2 EVSE.

 

I run my cars about 4 psi higher than recommended because I like the higher efficiency and don't generally find the ride quality too harsh.

 

So you'd like to make up a new name for it.
Fine.

 

The OEM EVSE will still be 12A. 12A @ 240V = 2.88 kW.

For some reason the 3.3/6.6 spec is for the older 220 V standard. In reality, the EVSE communicates the amps it can supply and the voltage will dictate whether it is 3.3 or 3.6, 6.6 or 7.2, etc