s00nish Production Update on Chargers

[Sojhinn]

For all chargers:

We recently switched to a leather bowl for our chargers and while it initially looked great - as time has gone on it’s not worn nearly as well as anticipated and doesn’t meet our standards. Lesson learned that longer-term testing is required.

We strive to be better than OEM, and the leather bowl isn’t.

As a result, we’re working on moving away from 3D printing and using a more durable material that stands on it’s own without lining the bowl area. We have been meeting with suppliers, and will hopefully have a timeline for all chargers s00n…ish. (think injection molding)

For Gen2 (2025+ Model Year) chargers:
Rivian’s implementation of USB-C power delivery is not good, to put it politely.

By comparison to our charger for the Gen1 vehicles where we use a step down and none of the USB Ports, we have to use the USB ports in Gen2 due to the NFC reader being incorporated in to the charger itself.

Testing extensively over the last month, we’ve found that when connecting two pucks to the same USB port, the ports reset frequently, don’t deliver the spec’d wattage, or default to a lower voltage - meaning the charger won’t deliver 15W, let alone the 25W announced by Apple earlier this week (that we DO plan to support).

We had a solution in place that offered full power to two pucks using one USB port, but unfortunately that stopped working too after the latest Rivian software update.

Our current plan once we have manufacturing for the base itself sorted out is to ship the chargers with Qi2 pucks. If you want to use both, you’ll have to occupy two USB-C ports (e.g. one in center console, one on rear display). We have heard through the grapevine that Rivian has a fix planned, and when that happens we will send out the needed parts at no additional charge to make sure you can charge with both pucks at full power from a single USB-C port.

We are not currently accepting new orders for either product until we have exact timelines available and have put the updated versions through their paces.

We apologize about this delay. We feel like it’s the only way we can provide a truly OEM+ experience and be proud of what we’re sending out.

Steve & David

Sponsored

 

[andisimose]

Thanks for the update. I have owned my gen2 for about an hour and I miss my gen 1 s00nish charger. While the gen2 oem charges fine I really hate how hot regular wireless charging makes a phone.

 

[Sojhinn]

Thanks for the update. I have owned my gen2 for about an hour and I miss my gen 1 s00nish charger. While the gen2 oem charges fine I really hate how hot regular wireless charging makes a phone.

Yeah its really crazy how hot phones get on the new charger. I think in the end this delay will help everyone though. I'm also hoping to mitigate materials issues in the long run. I'm hoping we have a cool solution here shortly.

 

[mango]

Looks like the upgrade sku is still available for purchase. I actually just ordered one before seeing this thread order#42329323

Happy to be on hold and in line for the redesign. Hoping to upgrade to the 25w pucks as well

 

[Sojhinn]

Looks like the upgrade sku is still available for purchase. I actually just ordered one before seeing this thread order#42329323

Happy to be on hold and in line for the redesign. Hoping to upgrade to the 25w pucks as well

Yeah that shouldn’t have been active. Going to disable that now. Congrats you win! Happy to take care of an OG customer.

 

[shandel]

For all chargers:

We recently switched to a leather bowl for our chargers and while it initially looked great - as time has gone on it’s not worn nearly as well as anticipated and doesn’t meet our standards. Lesson learned that longer-term testing is required.

We strive to be better than OEM, and the leather bowl isn’t.

As a result, we’re working on moving away from 3D printing and using a more durable material that stands on it’s own without lining the bowl area. We have been meeting with suppliers, and will hopefully have a timeline for all chargers s00n…ish. (think injection molding)

For Gen2 (2025+ Model Year) chargers:
Rivian’s implementation of USB-C power delivery is not good, to put it politely.

By comparison to our charger for the Gen1 vehicles where we use a step down and none of the USB Ports, we have to use the USB ports in Gen2 due to the NFC reader being incorporated in to the charger itself.

Testing extensively over the last month, we’ve found that when connecting two pucks to the same USB port, the ports reset frequently, don’t deliver the spec’d wattage, or default to a lower voltage - meaning the charger won’t deliver 15W, let alone the 25W announced by Apple earlier this week (that we DO plan to support).

We had a solution in place that offered full power to two pucks using one USB port, but unfortunately that stopped working too after the latest Rivian software update.

Our current plan once we have manufacturing for the base itself sorted out is to ship the chargers with Qi2 pucks. If you want to use both, you’ll have to occupy two USB-C ports (e.g. one in center console, one on rear display). We have heard through the grapevine that Rivian has a fix planned, and when that happens we will send out the needed parts at no additional charge to make sure you can charge with both pucks at full power from a single USB-C port.

We are not currently accepting new orders for either product until we have exact timelines available and have put the updated versions through their paces.

We apologize about this delay. We feel like it’s the only way we can provide a truly OEM+ experience and be proud of what we’re sending out.

Steve & David

I love the complete transparency about where things stand and what your plans are.

 

[Sojhinn]

Quick update: Our manufacturer had the mold fail for the injection molded piece. We are waiting for a redesign on the mold and samples still.

They said they will get samples out to us next week.

I apologize it's taking so long but this is out my hands and I can't make it go faster.

 

[Mellowyellow]

As a hopefully soon to be first time customer, I’m waiting patiently….soon……..

 

[Sojhinn]

As a hopefully soon to be first time customer, I’m waiting patiently….soon……..

...ish?

 

[Donald Stanfield]

I wondered how you would handle the Gen 2 issues with the card reader moving to the charger. Are you still able to use the card reader with your solution installed? The charger is the one thing I'm not looking forward to in gen2 because I also have your charger installed in my gen1 and the magsafe works extremely well.

 

[Sojhinn]

Yup. We have tested key reading. Not an issue at all. The charger is designed around the new NFC reader.

The bigger issue are the USB ports in gen2. Lots of problems there....

I wondered how you would handle the Gen 2 issues with the card reader moving to the charger. Are you still able to use the card reader with your solution installed? The charger is the one thing I'm not looking forward to in gen2 because I also have your charger installed in my gen1 and the magsafe works extremely well.

 

[Phatman113]

It's nice of Rivian to still provide a crappy charge plate, so as to ensure that you still have a product to offer.

 

[andisimose]

The bigger issue are the USB ports in gen2. Lots of problems there....

So no planned option to use the factory harness like gen1? Regardless I can’t wait for this!

 

[Sojhinn]

Nope. It’s built into the can bus and the nfc reader is there.

I’lll try to figure out a way to remove most of it at some point.

So no planned option to use the factory harness like gen1? Regardless I can’t wait for this!

 

[nemith]

Great transparency and ownership of the issues. Seems like you guys have matured and grown a lot as a company. Look forward to the new product.

Sponsored