PSA: Do not leave your key fob sitting on the charging pad.

[joelster]

I thought that I had seen this discussed before but a search came up with nothing.

I picked my R1T up from the body shop yesterday after getting my bumper replaced. While I was there they mentioned that Rivian has made a huge deal about telling them to never leave the fob sitting on the charging pad. Not only does it potentially damage the fob, it sounds like it can also lead to other issues, including 12 volt battery failure. I guess that leaving it there cause the systems to stay on and work overtime.

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[SoCal Rob]

If it is that critical, Rivian should put it in the owner’s guide. The closest thing I could find is, “To avoid damage to the charging pad, don't put metallic or magnetic objects on the pad. The charging pad is only meant to hold a compatible device with a rechargeable battery, such as a phone. Don't leave items such as NFC or credit cards on the pad. While the charging pad will not damage an NFC card, the presence of a card on the pad can prevent charging.”

If placing the key fob on the charging pad is equally bad as or worse than placing a keycard / credit card on there then they should call it out in that block of text.

Really, I hope Rivian comes out with a new fob which is completely sealed and uses a rechargeable battery which can be recharged on the charging pad so we don’t have to buy and dispose of batteries. Our Land Rover LR3’s key fobs were sealed with a rechargeable battery inside. The battery got recharged while the key was in the ignition and the vehicle was on. The R1s don’t have an ignition key or switch, but it would be nice if the fob could be recharged by placing it on any phone charger, including the one in the R1.

 

[joelster]

If it is that critical, Rivian should put it in the owner’s guide. The closest thing I could find is, “To avoid damage to the charging pad, don't put metallic or magnetic objects on the pad. The charging pad is only meant to hold a compatible device with a rechargeable battery, such as a phone. Don't leave items such as NFC or credit cards on the pad. While the charging pad will not damage an NFC card, the presence of a card on the pad can prevent charging.”

If placing the key fob on the charging pad is equally bad as or worse than placing a keycard / credit card on there then they should call it out in that block of text.

Really, I hope Rivian comes out with a new fob which is completely sealed and uses a rechargeable battery which can be recharged on the charging pad so we don’t have to buy and dispose of batteries. Our Land Rover LR3’s key fobs were sealed with a rechargeable battery inside. The battery got recharged while the key was in the ignition and the vehicle was on. The R1s don’t have an ignition key or switch, but it would be nice if the fob could be recharged by placing it on any phone charger, including the one in the R1.

Agreed on all points.

 

[moosetags]

That's a very good idea.

Brian

 

[opnwide]

Well, at least Rivian’s charging pad does something.

 

[usulio]

At this point, I am wondering if I can pull some wires out and disable the charging pad altogether.

 

[Jiji]

At this point, I am wondering if I can pull some wires out and disable the charging pad altogether.

The less-than-elegant OE charging pad can be replaced with one of the many aftermarket MagSafe replacements found in the forum that hold the phone(s) in place and actually charge them.

You can disconnect it (watch any of the replacement charge pad videos) but my partner always seems to always have a close-to-dead phone so I went with an upgrade that I am very happy with.

 

[goldburger]

this makes it seem like adding the aftermarket MagSafe chargers without unplugging the OE charger will cause damage to it.

 

[NY_Rob]

At this point, I am wondering if I can pull some wires out and disable the charging pad altogether.

Yes you can.. pull up the rubber mat with your fingers only starting from the pocket in the front... the coil assembly base-plate lifts up by pressing in 2 (IIRC) tabs using a small screwdriver, and the harness cable unplugs from the center console. It's about a 2min job.
It's 100% reversible and non-destructive unlike some procedures where the clips break... these clips are the "push to release" type.

 

[RWerksman]

this makes it seem like adding the aftermarket MagSafe chargers without unplugging the OE charger will cause damage to it.

I'e made the choice personally to not do that, even before everything that I put together to replace it. JerryRigEverything videoed his pad attempting to 'charge' his tape measure:

Yes you can.. pull up the rubber mat with your fingers only syarting from the pocket in the front... the coil assembly base-plate lifts up by pressing in 2 (IIRC) tabs using a small screwdriver, and the harness cable unplugs from the center console. It's about a 2min job.
It's 100% reversible and non-destructive unlike some procedures where the clips break... these clips are the "push to release" type.

Here are picture of the clips to undo, and the connector:

 

[joelster]

I use a USB cable to charge my phone so maybe I'll just unplug mine. All it seems to do is make my phone hot anyway...

 

[usulio]

Thanks for the instructions. Pretty easy. Three tabs to press in - far left, far right, and center.

 

[baker]

How many volts is the harness cable?
Anyone make a mod to convert it to USB-C?

 

[joelster]

How many volts is the harness cable?
Anyone make a mod to convert it to USB-C?

Well, there's already two usb-c ports in the console bin so that seems kind of redundant.

 

[SoCal Rob]

Well, there's already two usb-c ports in the console bin so that seems kind of redundant.

If anyone wants gear guard’s drive cam/dash cam functionality then they only have one available port in the console bin because the other has storage attached.

Since Rivian eliminated the under-dash 12V outlet, if someone has one available port in the console bin and two devices they want to charge then converting the charging pad’s power supply to USB-C seems better than stringing cables from the second row.

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