12 volt concerns

[C.R. Rivian]

12 volt batteries have always been the most common point of failure in ICE vehicles...hence the ubiquity of jumper cables and portable battery jump chargers. 12 volt batteries usually last a while and then, poof, they don't work. Sometimes failure is fairly quick. The 12 volt in my former Ridgeline died not long after I bought the truck and had to be replaced. My Kia Niro EV notes that if, for example, the headlights are left on, the 12 volt may run down and the battery may need to be jumped or charged before the car can be used. In the case of the Niro, there is a way of getting into the car with a key if the 12 volt battery dies...the R1T needs the via the port near the hitch receiver before being able to get in the car. In all my vehicles, including the Kia EV, I have kept a jumper battery/cables to use as necessary and kept this plugged into a 12 volt socket to be ready. That won't work in the R1T since I won't be able to get in to access such a unit...not a problem if I'm home, but could be a bummer on a trip. Take the jump starter into the tent/trailer/b&b, I guess.

Rivian issues/concerns:

1. Is it possible to wear down the 12 volts by keeping the lights on, for example, or do the 12 volts recharge from the main battery continuously? In the Niro, the 12 volt recharges when using the main battery only.
2. I assume that the 12 volt batteries are generally recharged by the main battery when the R1T is in use but have not caught that in the manual.
3. Is there a detailed guide to getting to the 12 volt batteries if (when) they need to be replaced? If so, please link.
4. Can the 12 volt batteries be user replaced as can be done in an ICE vehicle or is Rivian service required?

I know this is, I hope, way premature for a truck I've had for less than a month, but, well, better to find out now than be questioning in a crisis...

Thanks!

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[CommodoreAmiga]

There is a procedure to get into the frunk without power. You could keep a jump box in there. It’s not super convenient, but it could prevent you from being totally stranded.

 

[C.R. Rivian]

Good idea...I usually have a multi-tool with a screw driver...

 

[ajdelange]

1. Is it possible to wear down the 12 volts by keeping the lights on, for example, or do the 12 volts recharge from the main battery continuously? In the Niro, the 12 volt recharges when using the main battery only.
2. I assume that the 12 volt batteries are generally recharged by the main battery when the R1T is in use but have not caught that in the manual.
3. Is there a detailed guide to getting to the 12 volt batteries if (when) they need to be replaced? If so, please link.
4. Can the 12 volt batteries be user replaced as can be done in an ICE vehicle or is Rivian service required?

1)Normally no as the traction battery will recharge the 12V batteries if they get low enough. If the traction battery is also discharged they I think your answer is "yes".

2)I believe the traction battery will recharge the 12V batteries at any time (as long as it has sufficient charge).

3)Not AFAIK but it shouldn't be too hard. Take out the frunk tub and have a look.

4)Again don't know but can't imagine it being too difficult.

 

[Zoidz]

12 volt batteries have always been the most common point of failure in ICE vehicles...hence the ubiquity of jumper cables and portable battery jump chargers. 12 volt batteries usually last a while and then, poof, they don't work. Sometimes failure is fairly quick. The 12 volt in my former Ridgeline died not long after I bought the truck and had to be replaced. My Kia Niro EV notes that if, for example, the headlights are left on, the 12 volt may run down and the battery may need to be jumped or charged before the car can be used. In the case of the Niro, there is a way of getting into the car with a key if the 12 volt battery dies...the R1T needs the via the port near the hitch receiver before being able to get in the car. In all my vehicles, including the Kia EV, I have kept a jumper battery/cables to use as necessary and kept this plugged into a 12 volt socket to be ready. That won't work in the R1T since I won't be able to get in to access such a unit...not a problem if I'm home, but could be a bummer on a trip. Take the jump starter into the tent/trailer/b&b, I guess.

Rivian issues/concerns:

1. Is it possible to wear down the 12 volts by keeping the lights on, for example, or do the 12 volts recharge from the main battery continuously? In the Niro, the 12 volt recharges when using the main battery only.
2. I assume that the 12 volt batteries are generally recharged by the main battery when the R1T is in use but have not caught that in the manual.
3. Is there a detailed guide to getting to the 12 volt batteries if (when) they need to be replaced? If so, please link.
4. Can the 12 volt batteries be user replaced as can be done in an ICE vehicle or is Rivian service required?

I know this is, I hope, way premature for a truck I've had for less than a month, but, well, better to find out now than be questioning in a crisis...

Thanks!

From other posts, my understanding is that Rivian uses two 6 volt batteries in series to provide the 12 volt power, not two 12 volt batteries.

 

[guernsej]

I plan on routing charging leads from the battery to somewhere that's accessible from outside the vehicle. Nothing thick enough to jump the car, just enough for a portable solar panel to float the 12V when I'm out "adventuring" to minimize the need for DC-DC charging from the main pack and to trickle charge enough to get things unlocked if the battery dies.

AGM SLA batteries will last a surprisingly long time if they spend most of their life around 13.5-13.8V.

 

[kneebuster]

The Rivian has jump start wires near the trailer hitch. See pg 13 of the Tow Operator Guide at https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/2932510/Rivian_tow-operator-guide-en-us-20210923.pdf

 

[C.R. Rivian]

From other posts, my understanding is that Rivian uses two 6 volt batteries in series to provide the 12 volt power, not two 12 volt batteries.

Please provide a source for that...It's been decades since I've seen a 6 volt battery. Takes me back to my VW hippie van...

from the manual:

...which brings me to another point, the manual is woefully inadequate. For example, I don't think there is anywhere that tells about changing the driver side screen to show efficiency vs. tire pressure vs. roads. There should be technical information about the 12 volt system, for sure. Any sources for more technical data would be appreciated.

 

[Zoidz]

Please provide a source for that...It's been decades since I've seen a 6 volt battery. Takes me back to my VW hippie van...

...which brings me to another point, the manual is woefully inadequate. For example, I don't think there is anywhere that tells about changing the driver side screen to show efficiency vs. tire pressure vs. roads. There should be technical information about the 12 volt system, for sure. Any sources for more technical data would be appreciated.

This Thread, post #5 states 6 volts.

This Thread, post #67 states 6 volts.

The manual says two 12 volt batteries. ?

I have not seen that anyone who has taken delivery has pulled one, or put a voltmeter on one, to confirm which it is.

 

[R_1_T]

This Thread, post #5 states 6 volts.

This Thread, post #67 states 6 volts.

The manual says two 12 volt batteries. ?

I have not seen that anyone who has taken delivery has pulled one, or put a voltmeter on one, to confirm which it is.

Or just look at them to see if they're connected in series or parallel. Maybe read the label on the battery...

 

[Zoidz]

Or just look at them to see if they're connected in series or parallel. Maybe read the label on the battery...

I already tried examining photos. Cables run in different directions, not obvious if series or parallel from the photo. Need an owner to check this out.

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

The Rivian has jump start wires near the trailer hitch. See pg 13 of the Tow Operator Guide at https://f.hubspotusercontent10.net/hubfs/2932510/Rivian_tow-operator-guide-en-us-20210923.pdf

Thank you. This was a helpful read.....very much so.

 

[Riviot]

I already tried examining photos. Cables run in different directions, not obvious if series or parallel from the photo. Need an owner to check this out.

 

[emoore]

This Thread, post #5 states 6 volts.

This Thread, post #67 states 6 volts.

The manual says two 12 volt batteries. ?

I have not seen that anyone who has taken delivery has pulled one, or put a voltmeter on one, to confirm which it is.

I'd believe the manual over hearsay.

 

[C.R. Rivian]

Or just look at them to see if they're connected in series or parallel. Maybe read the label on the battery...

Got lots of stuff in the two level frunk...just too lazy to open everything up so thought I would check. This is the 1st vehicle I've had that I haven't been able to get all the technical specs from manuals...

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