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Testing the Rivian as a ‘backup’ power source

ajdelange

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The problem isn't size. It's the tuck protecting itself from multiple grounds. It will run individual appliances if they are isolated from ground. E.G. a work light, waffle iron etc. But do experiment before you head off into the wild.
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the long way downunder

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I tested 1750 watts and it worked fine. 2200 tripped it.

This was with a resistive load ie a hair dryer and space heater.

There's some buffer in there but it might not be as much as you need.

Although it's not the 2000 of your yeti I suppose it's probably tripping for other protective reasons unrelated to draw.
You pulled 2200 out of an R1?
 

lefkonj

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This has been well documented before, if memory serves me. You can power 1 or 2 things but not a small panel like that. It isn't built for it.
 
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This has been well documented before, if memory serves me. You can power 1 or 2 things but not a small panel like that. It isn't built for it.
It it’s well documented please provide sources. I have seen tests of it running power tools and other comparable loads so a small panel should be irrelevant if it is only pulling 500-800W.

I think it is useful to have this discussion for both my attempted use case or similar cases where people want to power a small camping adventure or tear drop
 

ajdelange

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I'll say it again. It's not the load - it's the grounding. Use an isolation transformer and you'll be fine.

An interesting experiment would be to measure the voltage between the truck's ground pin and the transfer switch cable ground pin. Probably not 0.
 

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Dark-Fx

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I'd check to make sure your neutral wire on the expected leg. Sounds like it could be detecting a short.
 

ajdelange

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I suspect that the truck is detecting "objectionable current" (any current that is not ground fault current) on it's ground pin and shutting itself down based on that.
 
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jjswan33

jjswan33

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Yes it lasted for about 5 seconds before tripping the breaker on the r1t
Thats good information. If it lasted 5s before tripping the Rivian probably has 3000W of surge (typical of 1500W inverters)
 

the long way downunder

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Yes it lasted for about 5 seconds before tripping the breaker on the r1t
Well, I guess that goes to show Rivian knows power systems … 50% over is a lot of head room … not cheap (which is why most portable power stations are 10% below "rated" … : )
 

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the long way downunder

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Yes it lasted for about 5 seconds before tripping the breaker on the r1t
What's the reset process? I assume another menu pops up or does it just go to "off"?
 

Autolycus

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Sorry to go off topic a little, but these both feel like interesting and possibly important to a number of people. To highlight them:
A tech at Rivian told me the charge port is undergoing a complete redesign. Hopefully Rivian will offer V2L and I imagine the charge point is the logical/easy place to tap into power for a Rivian-designed winch (though I'm told the winch project was recently cancelled .)
 

pc500

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Well, I guess that goes to show Rivian knows power systems … 50% over is a lot of head room … not cheap (which is why most portable power stations are 10% below "rated" … : )

I was surprised too. The small 400 watt inverter in my Dodge pickup trip like a hot one right at 400 watts.
 

140 degrees

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Interesting thread. My question is whether anyone has tried powering a chest freezer or large refrigerator using the Rivian. If we have a multi-day power outage, I'd like to keep the contents of my freezer from thawing out. I'd also like to drive over to my friend's house and save their frozen food! It is the surge currents from the compressor, I am concerned about.
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