Q for owners: does 12V outlet stay on at all times?

[R1Sky Business]

Do the 12v outlets remain on at all times so as to keep fridge connected. I know the 120 plugs turn on/off from screen. Thanks in advance

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[ajdelange]

Yes, I'm sure they do as they just connect to the 12V batteries through a fuse. The 120V system, OTOH, requires active electronics which require overhead draw even when the load is 0 and would thus drain the batteries even if nothing is plugged in.

 

[jjswan33]

Yes. Tested both front truck and gear tunnel. I was wrong, not always on.

Also another nugget. I discovered you can lock the doors with the front trunk open and you can’t shut the front trunk door with the button with the doors locked.

 

[R1Sky Business]

Yes, I'm sure they do as they just connect to the 12V batteries through a fuse. The 120V system, OTOH, requires active electronics which require overhead draw even when the load is 0 and would thus drain the batteries even if nothing is plugged in.

Would this then drain the 12V batteries, and the main battery pack keeps the 12V juiced up at all times???

 

[ajdelange]

Yes.

 

[R1Sky Business]

Would this then drain the 12V batteries, and the main battery pack keeps the 12V juiced up at all times???

Yes.

Much obliged sir.

 

[OverZealous]

The 120V outlets only switch off because they require an active inverter, which wastes power if you aren't using it.

The 12V plugs simply wire directly into the 12V power system.

I don't think we have enough information yet to determine if the Rivian is smart enough to keep the 12V batteries (there's 2) topped off when not in use. Both Tesla and Hyundai/Kia have issues with this (or have had, might not be a current issue). I hope they have the system smart enough to automatically top off the 12V occasionally (even once every 24 hours would be enough).

 

[Dark-Fx]

The 120V outlets only switch off because they require an active inverter, which wastes power if you aren't using it.

The 12V plugs simply wire directly into the 12V power system.

I don't think we have enough information yet to determine if the Rivian is smart enough to keep the 12V batteries (there's 2) topped off when not in use. Both Tesla and Hyundai/Kia have issues with this (or have had, might not be a current issue). I hope they have the system smart enough to automatically top off the 12V occasionally (even once every 24 hours would be enough).

I'm not actively monitoring the 12V battery level, but I've had my fridge plugged into the 120V outlet in the bed and on since I got it a few days ago. No issues so far, and it has stayed on when the truck is off.

I'd guess that Rivian actually has two separate 12V batteries because one is meant to buffer accessories and the other is closer to a starter battery.
I was wrong here. Apparently they are doing something even wonkier and have the truck split power side-to-side, and have two APUs. Probably something to do with planning the 800V charging split and still maintaining 400V system compatibility.

 

[R1Sky Business]

I'm not actively monitoring the 12V battery level, but I've had my fridge plugged into the 120V outlet in the bed and on since I got it a few days ago. No issues so far, and it has stayed on when the truck is off.

I'd guess that Rivian actually has two separate 12V batteries because one is meant to buffer accessories and the other is closer to a starter battery.

Is there a benefit in plugging in to 120 vs 12V?

 

[ajdelange]

other is closer to a starter battery.

?

 

[ajdelange]

Is there a benefit in plugging in to 120 vs 12V?

That would depend on the fridge. I have an ARB with a 12V compressor. When used on 120V the line is converted (rectified) to 12 VDC in the fridge first. There is a conversion loss so the fridge is less efficient. Then in the vehicle 12 V would have to be converted to 120V only to have that reconverted to 12 in the fridge. Two conversion losses are sustained in this case. The vehicle batteries ultimately supply these so the vehicle batteries would discharge faster.

 

[crashmtb]

Is there a benefit in plugging in to 120 vs 12V?

There is no option to plug in to 12v in the bed.

 

[astonius]

There is no option to plug in to 12v in the bed.

On that note, it should be relatively easy to tap into the 12v system from the bed right? The lights and gate release run on 12v.

Really wish they'd given us one of each port in the bed instead of two 120v.

 

[crashmtb]

On that note, it should be relatively easy to tap into the 12v system from the bed right? The lights and gate release run on 12v.

Really wish they'd given us one of each port in the bed instead of two 120v.

You’d think so.

there must be some sort of annoying engineering/design compromise behind not having 12v in the bed. I agree, one 12v and one 110v would be way more useful. It’s that way in the gear tunnel. Why not in the bed?

 

[Dark-Fx]

You’d think so.

there must be some sort of annoying engineering/design compromise behind not having 12v in the bed. I agree, one 12v and one 110v would be way more useful. It’s that way in the gear tunnel. Why not in the bed?

Length and size of wire most likely. Efficiency could actually be pretty close without them putting a massive 12V wire all the way to the bed. 150A on 12V versus 15A on 120V. I still might look into running 12V to the bed myself though.

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