AdventureMat Gen2 Magsafe Charging Pad for Gen2 Rivians - Progress Update with Pics

[Mcdubjr]

Hey everyone! I’ve had people reach out to me about bringing the StowNCharge to Gen2. However, with the key reader now being moved to the center console, I don’t think that will be possible. Instead, I’m considering reviving my AdventureMat style product for Gen2. I’ve been developing and testing the design on my Gen1 as a proof of concept to get a general idea of how it would look, but the goal is to adapt it for Gen2 models.

Features:

• Retains Built-in Charger: I’ve kept the existing charger because it’s essential for the key card functionality, but I’ve replaced the frame. This change allows for a larger front pocket and gives me more control over the overall fit and finish.
• Power Source: Currently using the USB ports in the center console with a splitter. I have both Anker and Baseus 2 to 1 cables, and both seem to work well for this setup. I’ve paired this with a QI2 charger that has a USB-C input port vs dedicated cable (using the AMEGAT MagFusion Aura puck), which works well so far.

Unknowns:

• Gen2 Fitment Assumptions: I’m assuming the built-in charger for Gen2 is roughly the same size as Gen1, so adapting it should be straightforward. However, without access to a Gen2, I can’t confirm this. Any feedback from Gen2 owners would be greatly appreciated.
• Key Card Range: One of my concerns is how close the key card needs to get to the charger. If it turns out the card needs to be closer, I might design a dedicated slot to ensure proper functionality.
• Gen2 USB Ports Bug: There’s a known bug with the Gen2 center console USB ports where they stop working. Obviously, this could torpedo the whole thing if Rivian can't get it together.

Looking for Gen2 Owners:
I’m located in South Orange County, CA, and I’m looking for Gen2 Rivian owners who would be willing to work with me on adapting and testing this product for Gen2 models. If you’re interested, please send me DM!

Next Steps:

• Fine-tuning the design to ensure it fits the Gen2 perfectly.
• Exploring potential solutions for the key card range, depending on how testing goes.

Here's some pictures of the current prototype - please let me know what you think or if you have any suggestions!

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[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Not a Gen 2 owner but what about an option to use the current design for people who don't use the key card reader? I've never used one once in 19 months of ownership. ?‍

 

[buffaloNYR1T]

Gen2 owner here- Not anywhere near San Diego so I wish I could help out more- But I can tell you definitively that the key card reader only works to detect the key card if it’s literally sitting on top of the pad - specifically on the driver’s half of the pad. I’ve had the key card in my hand above it, and it did not detect it until it was physically placed on the pad. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news! I hope you’re able to engineer away around that- Because while the new Center pad is better than the previous generation, the lack of MagSafe still means your phone moves just enough to disconnect charging.

 

[Mcdubjr]

Not a Gen 2 owner but what about an option to use the current design for people who don't use the key card reader? I've never used one once in 19 months of ownership. ?‍

I've probably only used for the Valet myself, but I think it's important to have as a backup. I certainly don't want to get blamed for stranding someone!

Gen2 owner here- Not anywhere near San Diego so I wish I could help out more- But I can tell you definitively that the key card reader only works to detect the key card if it’s literally sitting on top of the pad - specifically on the driver’s half of the pad. I’ve had the key card in my hand above it, and it did not detect it until it was physically placed on the pad. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news! I hope you’re able to engineer away around that- Because while the new Center pad is better than the previous generation, the lack of MagSafe still means your phone moves just enough to disconnect charging.

Thanks for the info! This would put it 10mm from the reader when at the top ledge so I feel there is still a chance it could work. I've played with some ideas to get it right on top but still hoping I don't have to go that direction.

 

[SeaGeo]

Power Source: Currently using the USB ports in the center console with a splitter. I have both Anker and Baseus 2 to 1 cables, and both seem to work well for this setup. I’ve paired this with a QI2 charger that has a USB-C input port vs dedicated cable (using the AMEGAT MagFusion Aura puck), which works well so far.

Have you gotten the baseus to give power to two devices at once consistently from the center console USB ports on Gen2? It kills my ports.

 

[SeaGeo]

Not a Gen 2 owner but what about an option to use the current design for people who don't use the key card reader? I've never used one once in 19 months of ownership. ?‍

Gen2 owners would need to use key cards for service at a minimum... Unless they want to give them their phone?

Gen2 owner here- Not anywhere near San Diego so I wish I could help out more- But I can tell you definitively that the key card reader only works to detect the key card if it’s literally sitting on top of the pad - specifically on the driver’s half of the pad. I’ve had the key card in my hand above it, and it did not detect it until it was physically placed on the pad. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news! I hope you’re able to engineer away around that- Because while the new Center pad is better than the previous generation, the lack of MagSafe still means your phone moves just enough to disconnect charging.

You can get it to work. I've tested with @s00nish

 

[Mcdubjr]

Have you gotten the baseus to give power to two devices at once consistently from the center console USB ports on Gen2? It kills my ports.

No, I haven't tested on Gen2 yet - thanks for the info. I wonder if the Anker is better, it seems like it has better specs. However it seems the port just isn't happy when you draw too much power. Hopefully Rivian still plans on fixing it.

Gen2 owners would need to use key cards for service at a minimum... Unless they want to give them their phone?


You can get it to work. I've tested with @s00nish

Worst case scenario is that you can actually pop off the top piece without too much force, it's a snap fit piece.

 

[Mcdubjr]

Just met with a very cool and generous Gen2 owner from the forums and learned a lot. Good news and bad news.

Good news:
Devoid of the existing charger, everything fit really nice and looks better than Rivian's fit, IMO.

Bad news:
Swapping out the existing frame for mine might be too much to ask of a customer. In addition to the screws on the bottom side, there are also 6 screws on the top which are underneath tape, which are pretty small (I believe it was T6 and T10 to remove them). This holds a thin plate (nfc card reader I suppose). The thin plates attaches to the existing charger and the frame. The frame is sandwiched between the charger and the plate and both have to be unscrewed. It would be a very DIY activity that I think a lot of people would not be comfortable with.

Didn't get a chance to test the Anker cord with two phones...

Anyways, I've got some figuring out to do - which is the fun part .

 

[SeaGeo]

Didn't get a chance to test the Anker cord with two phones...

I know the Anker like cord I have doesn't work right now. It can't even charge my Thinkpad directly off the outlets. Rivian really needs to get this fixed, it's quite frustrating.

 

[Mcdubjr]

I know the Anker like cord I have doesn't work right now. It can't even charge my Thinkpad directly off the outlets. Rivian really needs to get this fixed, it's quite frustrating.

Is it the Anker "like" cord or the Anker cord? I ask because I did some testing and realized the Baseus one I have doesn't actually work on Gen1 either. The Anker cord does work on Gen1. Also, is this with the halloween update? Thanks!

 

[SeaGeo]

Is it the Anker "like" cord or the Anker cord? I ask because I did some testing and realized the Baseus one I have doesn't actually work on Gen1 either. The Anker cord does work on Gen1. Also, is this with the halloween update? Thanks!

It's the baseus, it works realiably for me on anything *but* my Gen2 Rivian. It works with a single device plugged into it though.

I ran out of time to try the Baseus on the Halloween update with two devices before I had to leave town, but I know that I still cannot charge my laptop off it. At which point I figured it wasn't worth grabbing the stuff to check the baseus late at night.

I may grab an Anker to test, I'm just dubious of anything that's not a very simple connection will work.

 

[Mcdubjr]

Another progress update. I've switched over to a simpler design that only requires removing the rubber mat. So install is super simple. It snaps in nice and secure. Still need to test Anker cable on Gen2 and keycard.


Here's the latest photos and videos:

 

[SeaGeo]

After an brief glimpse of hope with an Anker smart cable, it too failed to work reliably. It killed the USB fuse. I suspect it was from having the magsafe chargers on the anker when I woke the vehicle up, but it also could have been just trying to put two phones on two magsafe chargers.

 

[Mcdubjr]

After an brief glimpse of hope with an Anker smart cable, it too failed to work reliably. It killed the USB fuse. I suspect it was from having the magsafe chargers on the anker when I woke the vehicle up, but it also could have been just trying to put two phones on two magsafe chargers.

Oh, that is so disappointing. Anker cable has been working great on my Gen 1 and I hoped its controller was going to work. Not sure there are great alternatives. Perhaps running a cable to the rear ports or using a pass-through power bank as a buffer? Don’t really love those ideas.

I was really happy with how it was shaping up aesthetically too. I made a change to show the chargers as I think it helps a lot with overheating and I think it looks great. But I’m afraid this is in a bit of limbo because of the usb issue.

 

[SeaGeo]

Yep. Been waiting around in limbo for two or three months now for Rivian to fix my the USB firmware.

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