Socket "two" me - more better: installed 12 volt outlets under the dash

[Joules Burn]

Now that I have irritated the grammarians…

The good news - I got my R1S a year ahead of schedule. The bad news - they took away the 12 volt outlets in the dash and the frunk. (I do hope it was a supply chain issue and not a cost cutting attempt or utility decision, lest we question the validity of their future decisions.)

I decided that i really didn’t need an outlet in the frunk for any immediate purpose. Consequently, I opted for two 12 volt outlets under the dash where I am going to need them. Hence, more better.

Amazon has a variety of options. Many may be delivered in a Rivian van.

The fuse panel is in the most UN-user friendly location possible.

There are two driver-side panel covers - one just behind and the other to the right of the knee airbag. Each has a #25 torx screw and really tight straight insertion clips.

The center panel is accessed by removing the portable speaker, pulling up the rubber mat, and popping open the panel with a plastic pry tool. (Really tight clips here too.)

I used the 20 amp fuse locations of F46, 12 volt port one and F51, 12 volt port two. Other folks have explored that uncharted territory and documented the fuse layout in other posts.

I couldn’t find a pigtail adapter with connectors that held snuggly. I didn’t want them becoming disconnected on a bumpy road. Consequently, I went with standard spade connectors with the positive line and put the fuses in the outlet housing. Fuse access will be much easier in the future. I do NOT want to crawl under there again!

For the ground terminals, I found a pre-drilled hole in the top of the metal frame at the right of the center panel. A #12 self-drilling hex head screw threaded perfectly tight.

The mounting spot for the socket assembly is just above the rubber mat edge.

Now I can plug in a satellite based GPS and a communications transceiver when I want to adventure out of the soccer-mom parking lot.

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[Oldsmobile_Mike]

Now I can plug in a satellite based GPS

Nice write-up and documentation! Thanks for sharing it. I'd be idly curious to see your rig when you have it plugged in. This is a dumb question, but aren't all GPS's "satellite based"?

 

[240vPlug]

Nice work! This is what I used. I only needed it to run my screen for my travel trailer rear camera.

OBD2 to 12v Outlet:

https://amzn.to/45scSEF

 

[DTown3011]

Now I can plug in a satellite based GPS and a communications transceiver when I want to adventure out of the soccer-mom parking lot.

I am one of the lucky ones that has a 12v in both the frunk and under the dash. I was just about to ask what you were actually going to plug into these, as I literally have never used either of them. I stand educated!

 

[Joules Burn]

Nice write-up and documentation! Thanks for sharing it. I'd be idly curious to see your rig when you have it plugged in. This is a dumb question, but aren't all GPS's "satellite based"?

I've noticed that most vehicle GPS operates on cell coverage - which can go away. Also, the Garmin system has served me better on many occasions.

 

[pangpang77]

That's a pretty sweet install. Didn't know those 20AMP fuses were for the 12V ports. Question, do they power down when you shut the car / when it goes to sleep or do they stay on?

 

[usulio]

I've noticed that most vehicle GPS operates on cell coverage - which can go away. Also, the Garmin system has served me better on many occasions.

Nice install! To expand, the GPS coordinates come from a satellite, but yeah, the maps data to show what's there can be saved locally or coming in over a cell connection. I think Rivian's maps are not loaded over cell connection, though (just based on experience)?

 

[Hillbilly]

Nice work! This is what I used. I only needed it to run my screen for my travel trailer rear camera.

OBD2 to 12v Outlet:

https://amzn.to/45scSEF

I run my trailer camera through the rear tunnel pass through and mount to the rear window. When you invert the image you can look at what's behind your RV by looking in your rear view mirror. It's been awesome for me and I prefer it to a windshield mount.

 

[Joules Burn]

That's a pretty sweet install. Didn't know those 20AMP fuses were for the 12V ports. Question, do they power down when you shut the car / when it goes to sleep or do they stay on?

Both of those locations are "always on".

 

[Joules Burn]

Nice install! To expand, the GPS coordinates come from a satellite, but yeah, the maps data to show what's there can be saved locally or coming in over a cell connection. I think Rivian's maps are not loaded over cell connection, though (just based on experience)?

I'm still trying to determine if Rivian is cell of satellite but the Garmin DriveSmart is a very reliable satellite based system with free lifetime updates. It can tether with your cell phone for traffic info as well.

 

[Joules Burn]

Nice write-up and documentation! Thanks for sharing it. I'd be idly curious to see your rig when you have it plugged in. This is a dumb question, but aren't all GPS's "satellite based"?

My Mach E was cell based and would disappear frequently.

 

[kozak79]

You can also mount it under the dash where the plug used to be and tuck the wires under the trim there. I have dashcam wires tucked there.

 

[hilld]

Only issue is that the fuses are there to protect the wiring, in your case, that is not the case. The fuses should go near the fuse block not near the actual receptacles. If there is a short in the wiring, the fuses won't blow.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Anyone know of a low profile (short) single surface mount socket that could fit in the original factory location? I only wish to install a single socket, using a add-a-circuit fuse tap to one of the two fuses OP indicated. Maybe even one that has a cover to look as stock as possible?

 

[Ingo B]

Now that I have irritated the grammarians…

The good news - I got my R1S a year ahead of schedule. The bad news - they took away the 12 volt outlets in the dash and the frunk. (I do hope it was a supply chain issue and not a cost cutting attempt or utility decision, lest we question the validity of their future decisions.)

I decided that i really didn’t need an outlet in the frunk for any immediate purpose. Consequently, I opted for two 12 volt outlets under the dash where I am going to need them. Hence, more better.

Amazon has a variety of options. Many may be delivered in a Rivian van.

The fuse panel is in the most UN-user friendly location possible.

There are two driver-side panel covers - one just behind and the other to the right of the knee airbag. Each has a #25 torx screw and really tight straight insertion clips.

The center panel is accessed by removing the portable speaker, pulling up the rubber mat, and popping open the panel with a plastic pry tool. (Really tight clips here too.)

I used the 20 amp fuse locations of F46, 12 volt port one and F51, 12 volt port two. Other folks have explored that uncharted territory and documented the fuse layout in other posts.

I couldn’t find a pigtail adapter with connectors that held snuggly. I didn’t want them becoming disconnected on a bumpy road. Consequently, I went with standard spade connectors with the positive line and put the fuses in the outlet housing. Fuse access will be much easier in the future. I do NOT want to crawl under there again!

For the ground terminals, I found a pre-drilled hole in the top of the metal frame at the right of the center panel. A #12 self-drilling hex head screw threaded perfectly tight.

The mounting spot for the socket assembly is just above the rubber mat edge.

Now I can plug in a satellite based GPS and a communications transceiver when I want to adventure out of the soccer-mom parking lot.

Nice write up, and great idea. Assuming the outlets are held by screws directly into panel without anchors of any sort, I'd be interested in seeing how it holds up to shearing caused by inserting/removing plugs. I suppose it'd be fine if you're 1) gentle and/or 2) don't plug/unplug often?

I dig your user name. Clever.

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