NEW - RIVIPARTS Ultimate MagSafe Charging Pad Kit

[RWerksman]

Hello my dudes! Two things really quick:

First, I've been testing USB-A to USB-C adapters for folks who want the fastest charging speed and plan on using the OEM Apple MagSafe Charging Pads with the Power Kit. I've identified a matching adapter that both works well and fits easily. I'll be posting the link to the item on the Power Kit page tomorrow, and we'll be reselling them too.

If you already have a pre-order in for the Power Kit and want to add one of two of these to you order, please be on the lookout for an email about how to do so.


Second, I've also been going through the process of charge speed testing. I've tested with three different magnetic wireless charging pads using both the Power Kit and the center console. The results are a little surprising. Here is what I got using the center console:

Apple OEM Pad - 5.0V at 1.22A (6W)
JSAUX MagSafe Pad - 5.0V at 1.5A (7.5W)
Generic, Transparent Pad - 5.0V at 1A (5W)

Interestingly, it looks like the center console tops out at 5V - likely 5V at 2A for a total of 10W. Even when connecting via a wired connection, I've seen nothing to indicate that it puts out more than 10W, but I could be wrong.

If you compare that to an ideal situation for the Apple MagSafe Pad, it's even more interesting. Theoretically, the Apple OEM MagSafe Pad does peak at 15W for wireless charging. That however requires 9V and 2.22A, and even if a the supply can provide that, it both a slow ramp up to that speed, it requires your iPhone to be at under 80% charge, and it's thermally limited. Considering the lack of power from the center console, those other requirements won't even enter into the picture. At 6W though, it's disappointing.


As of this posting, I'm still working through the numbers for the numbers coming out of the Power Kit. The Apple OEM Pad really doesn't like the USB digital tester that I'm using, and I want to make sure I meet all of the requirements for a 'best case' test. I'm hoping to have that done soon. I'll post here when complete.

Regarding the JSAUX pad, I also have more testing to do there too. As of this post, I've repeatedly seen 9.00V at 1A (9W) on a nearly full iPhone and 9.00V at 1.27A (11.5W) on a Galaxy Z Fold 3 which theoretically tops out at 10W. That's 3W faster on the iPhone and 4W faster on a Samsung device - both an excellent percentage increase. I'm going to retest again to validate the 11.5W speed and breakout the Pixel 7 which supports 20W. (the pad is only rated for 15W tops)

Finally, it's also worth nothing that the generic pad pretty much sucked everywhere. It also refused to charge on the Power Kit, likely due to either a very limited power table in the pad firmware or a problematic USB-A to USB-C adapter. (the adapter is included in the box with this and the JSAUX charger) I'll confirm this in the next post.


Aaand this post is a wall of text. Sorry about that! I hope it helps number-geeks, and I suddenly realize why Kyle's videos can be so long. Hopefully this long post makes up for it in density though.

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[RWerksman]

Just a quick charging update. I've completed my testing, and here are the results. All of these are off of the Power Kit:

Apple OEM Pad - 5V at 2-2.5A (10 to 12W)
JSAUX MagSafe Pad - 9V at 1-1.25A (9-10W)
Generic, Transparent Pad - 5V at 1A (5W)

Overall, charging speeds using the Power Kit were faster to substantially faster than the console USB-C connection. Nearly DOUBLE the speed when using the OEM Apple Pad and 25% faster when using the JSAUX connector. I feel confident that this is as fast as you can get in the Rivian.

That said, I did not see a full, fat 15W out of the Apple pad. The more I read about it, the more it seems likely that the theories that the only way to get that are to use the OEM apple power brick to feed the OEM Apple Charging pad. Peaking at 12W is pretty good though, but I would really love to have that 15W.

I also believe at this point that the JSAUX pad can certainly charge Android phones at 15W.


So, what have we learned here? I guess I'll TL;DR:

• Charging using the Console USB-C port works, but it's slow.
• Charing using the Power Kit is about as fast as you're going to get in the Rivian.
• The Apple OEM Pad is slightly faster than the JSAUX pad, as you would expect for the extra cost. Both options fast charge an iPhone though.

 

[Snazzy Labs]

Nice! Glad to hear of improved charging speeds—a nice improvement over the center console (which I agree, always felt a bit slow) to boot! Even more pleased I got my preorder in for one now.

Any plans to update the Printables MK4 files to the production-ready revision? Thanks!

 

[RWerksman]

Nice! Glad to hear of improved charging speeds—a nice improvement over the center console (which I agree, always felt a bit slow) to boot! Even more pleased I got my preorder in for one now.

Any plans to update the Printables MK4 files to the production-ready revision? Thanks!

I've uploaded it and updated the listing on Printables. You're good to go!

BTW - the Mk4 TPU pad is identical in this version.

 

[goldburger]

The Apple OEM Pad is slightly faster than the JSAUX pad, as you would expect for the extra cost. Both options fast charge an iPhone though.

My JSAUX pads are sloooooow af. Like 1% every 10 min

 

[RWerksman]

My JSAUX pads are sloooooow af. Like 1% every 10 min

That seems abnormal. I'd suggest trying to swap USB-C pornts, checking the battery health on your iPhone, and or contacting them about it. The two that I run on the daily have been pretty great.

That said, I'm running a production intent power kit which is rated for 3x the power of the Rivian USB-C port, so, you know..

 

[Riv1S]

Really great work! Since I have a Galaxy and my wife has an iPhone, would the ideal setup be to purchase the power kit and then use one JSAUX pad and one OEM Apple pad?

 

[Tonicart]

Any update on ship date for pre-orders?

 

[RWerksman]

Shipments are expected to start on March 7. Everything has arrived or is in transit right now.

 

[timgradywy]

Ordered. Thanks!

 

[RWerksman]

Quick update:

Looky here!

I'm now expecting to start shipping items tomorrow instead of Tuesday the last items arriving look good. It will probably take me a few days to roll through everything though. These will ship in the order the orders were received regardless of where you live or proximity to a service center.

There is stock available from this order if you're still looking to get one. I'd suggest ordering soon though. I'm working on a second stocking order, but it's likely to be a bit out.


One more thing - if you haven't subscribed to the newsletter, I'd suggest that you do so. There is a special 48hr sale I'm planning, a souped-up new version of an existing product that will be launching, and a very special announcement coming up regarding the future of what I'm doing and the shop.

 

[MichaelD]

These will ship in the order the orders were received regardless of where you live or proximity to a service center.

LOL

Subscribed. Can't wait to hear what you're up to!

 

[RWerksman]

Shipping Update:

After 3 days of shipping, every single pre-order pad is on the way to their new home. The only current outstanding orders arrived after the shipping cutoff today. If you placed a pre-order, please check your email for your tracking number. It's was automatically sent to you sometime in the last 72 hours when I boxed up your order.

Thank you so, SO much to everyone who placed a pre-order. I'm super stoked to hear back from everyone about what they think and to start to see reviews and pictures of them installed.

If you're looking to pick one of these up, there has never been a better time to do so. They are in stock and are now shipping daily.


Better yet - download the STL file and print it for little to no cost on your 3D printer. I've open sourced the design for this and everything I've made right from the beginning. It's published with a Creative Commons license that encourages personal use and remixing.

 

[Blueassassin]

This thing is cool. I wasn’t going to switch the wireless charge pad out because it worked ok for me. This option though I really like keeps the phone from moving around. Also wasn’t a fan of something 3d printed but not that I have it it’s amazing quality I really didn’t know 3d printing has gotten so good.

 

[Blueassassin]

Also you get the option on the lower Matt for a clean texture finish or with small bored to hold a small amount of liquid. I added some chilliwich that I got a sample of and really dig it.

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