Installed frunk wired solar-capable 12v battery tender to reduce vampire drain

[mudito]

My nderstanding (perhaps wrong) was that the jump leads do not reliably trickle charge both 12v batteries in Gen1, two battery setups. Also, I wanted a place I could lock my power station in and have no chance it's stolen or unplugged. Next I was going to see if any way to run my usb cables to cab out of sight so could leave at like an airport or something all locked up. Lastly, I wanted a setup where eventually I can charge USB devices in the frunk via solar when it's locked.

You're right, those leads are NOT directly connected to the batteries. You did it right.

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[SeaGeo]

Where did you run the other end of your USB cables for your solar panels?

 

[CaptainX]

Nice work!
Thank you for Sharing.
Can someone with common sense but no real electrical experience do this type of change? Seems so, I have been following all the posts on this.
Also, does this type of change/modification invalidate the warrantee in anyway?


Thank you again!

Following.

 

[Ervan]

Where did you run the other end of your USB cables for your solar panels?

I ran them up to about where the frunk struts are — and terminated to a waterproof connector which I’ll connect to solar when charging the Anker.

 

[SeaGeo]

I ran them up to about where the frunk struts are — and terminated to a waterproof connector which I’ll connect to solar when charging the Anker.

Cool. For some reason I had the impression you were running them through the cab interior and back. Hence the confusion.

 

[gordonrands]

Nice work!
Thank you for Sharing.
Can someone with common sense but no real electrical experience do this type of change? Seems so, I have been following all the posts on this.
Also, does this type of change/modification invalidate the warrantee in anyway?


Thank you again!

As someone with absolutely no engineering knowledge or experience (although I do have a son-in-law who is an aerospace and mechanical engineer who might be interested in this challenge!), is there any chance that either Rivian or one of the various developers of accessories will develop a reasonably priced system for accomplishing this? One that won't have to be removed before taking it in to a service center?

 

[Socalx]

I have a dumb question. If the issue is the stock batteries are too small and run out during the night to the point of having to be topped up by the vehicle, (vampire drain) why aren’t we simply looking at putting in batteries with more capacity?

 

[MikeWilliams_R1T]

I have a dumb question. If the issue is the stock batteries are too small and run out during the night to the point of having to be topped up by the vehicle, (vampire drain) why aren’t we simply looking at putting in batteries with more capacity?

the short answer is most are still covered by warranty. Ohmmu has a pretty good looking replacement with more capacity but it’s $500 now (when it’s in stock) and considered aftermarket.

I can definitely see the utility in the lensun hood stick-on solar panels that keep the 12v topped up. That, and a better battery after the warranty period.

If I were away from a charger for extended periods and outside, it would mitigate vampire drain and let you keep some of the accessories running like gear guard. Think airport parking or even the parking lot at an apartment or office.

 

[Zoidz]

I have a dumb question. If the issue is the stock batteries are too small and run out during the night to the point of having to be topped up by the vehicle, (vampire drain) why aren’t we simply looking at putting in batteries with more capacity?

I suspect that after the warranties start expiring, you will see homebrew and aftermarket solutions to install a larger battery in the frunk. One possible complication would be that Rivian has tuned the High Voltage -> 12 Volt hardware charging algorithm to optimize for the factory 18AH battery. Installing a 50AH battery could "confuse" the algorithm and throw errors such as "Why is it taking so long to charge this 18AH Battery? It must be going bad so I'll just throw an error to the driver display and phone home to Rivian to let them know".

 

[Ervan]

Cool. For some reason I had the impression you were running them through the cab interior and back. Hence the confusion.

I do plan on finding a way to do that, as I think it’d be great for leaving truck, like at airport or when backpacking and leaving truck at trailhead.

s00n…

 

[Ervan]

One that won't have to be removed before taking it in to a service center?

fwiw, I’m going to service center in April and will absolutely not be removing this for that.

Frankly, I’d be a bit shocked they’d raise a fuss on warranty given the well settled cases on this and zillions of cars with battery tenders, but shrug… Maybe bc I get discount legal through work I’m willing to take the risk hehe.

I’ll let y’all know if they fuss.

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