Gen1 Quad - New Mode Requested: Dual Motor

[KBabione]

Our Gen1 Quad R1S was in the SC for a 12V issue and they gave me a Performance Dual Motor as a loaner. We had it for two weeks and it made me wish that I had a "Dual Motor" mode in my quad that acted like the PDM in All Purpose. The PDM would use both motors as you accelerate and then would seamlessly shift (no "clunk" in my loaner) to using the front motor only.

On longer trips in our Quad, I'll use conserve once I'm up to speed on the highway if I'm not going to get to my destination in a single charge in AP mode. Conserve mode in my Quad is front motors only...It won't kick in the rear motors when I accelerate. Here's my typical scenario:

• Accelerate up to speed on the highway in AP mode
• Turn on Driver Assist when I'm at speed
• Curse and turn off Driver Assist so I can change drive modes
• Change to Conserve mode
• Re-engage Driver Assist
• When close to the exit, turn off Driver Assist and then switch to AP mode

"Dual Motor" mode would eliminate the need to change modes - I could put it in that mode when I'm leaving my garage and leave it there for the entire trip. I also don't understand why you can't change modes when Driver Assist is engaged - why does it care?

Thoughts? I'm trying not to be whiny (I love our quad), but "Dual Motor Mode" would be much more useful to me than the way the current Conserve mode operates.

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[COdogman]

Just stay home.

 

[portdirect]

The clutches in gen1 quads doesn’t work in a way that enables the high cadence of (dis)connects that “dual motor mode” requires. “Dual motor mode” is actually precisely how conserve works on gen2 tri and quad motors. From experience our tri motor in conserve feels almost identical to our dual motor.

 

[petersra]

I agree that something like this would be nice. The lack of power available on my Gen 1 quad in conserve is at times really jarring when I need to turn off of the highway or accelerate from a light. No issues like that with the tuning of my DMP.

 

[CrazyOne]

I know it's slightly inefficient, but I prefer a full time system to a system that engaged and disengages clutches all the time.

 

[1stPlace]

The clutches in gen1 quads doesn’t work in a way that enables the high cadence of (dis)connects that “dual motor mode” requires. “Dual motor mode” is actually precisely how conserve works on gen2 tri and quad motors. From experience our tri motor in conserve feels almost identical to our dual motor.

This is the answer, though I think the question/request is moot. Gen 1 people have to be satisfied with what they currently have eventually (I am also a Gen 1 owner).

Also @KBabione I would be careful changing in and out of conserve at speed. It's more likely the reconnect into all purpose, the re-engagement, where you might develop a problem at some point. Better under 25 mph. Best at a stop.

 

[RandomMcRandomFace]

I just traded in my gen 1 quad for a tri. The tri is so much smoother and seemingly more powerful . . . And I definitely prefer the conserve mode. While dumb financially, I am so far quite pleased with the swap.

 

[Time2Roll]

Just start in conserve mode already. Does the vehicle really need to get up to speed in five seconds?

 

[godfodder0901]

Just start in conserve mode already. Does the vehicle really need to get up to speed in five seconds?

For me, AP is more about driving dynamics. Conserve just feels terrible compared to AP.

 

[Rod]

Our Gen1 Quad R1S was in the SC for a 12V issue and they gave me a Performance Dual Motor as a loaner. We had it for two weeks and it made me wish that I had a "Dual Motor" mode in my quad that acted like the PDM in All Purpose. The PDM would use both motors as you accelerate and then would seamlessly shift (no "clunk" in my loaner) to using the front motor only.

On longer trips in our Quad, I'll use conserve once I'm up to speed on the highway if I'm not going to get to my destination in a single charge in AP mode. Conserve mode in my Quad is front motors only...It won't kick in the rear motors when I accelerate. Here's my typical scenario:

• Accelerate up to speed on the highway in AP mode
• Turn on Driver Assist when I'm at speed
• Curse and turn off Driver Assist so I can change drive modes
• Change to Conserve mode
• Re-engage Driver Assist
• When close to the exit, turn off Driver Assist and then switch to AP mode

"Dual Motor" mode would eliminate the need to change modes - I could put it in that mode when I'm leaving my garage and leave it there for the entire trip. I also don't understand why you can't change modes when Driver Assist is engaged - why does it care?

Thoughts? I'm trying not to be whiny (I love our quad), but "Dual Motor Mode" would be much more useful to me than the way the current Conserve mode operates.

I've had my R1T since March of 2022. Got a Dual Motor Max Battery Gen 2 Loaner and was able to road trip it from NJ to NC for the holidays.

I absolutely loved the range of it and updates (I had the loaner right after the hands free update came out).

There is a good chance I may switch for that mileage difference (the tech was just a perk).

I understand where you are coming from...

 

[emoore]

This is the answer, though I think the question/request is moot. Gen 1 people have to be satisfied with what they currently have eventually (I am also a Gen 1 owner).

Also @KBabione I would be careful changing in and out of conserve at speed. It's more likely the reconnect into all purpose, the re-engagement, where you might develop a problem at some point. Better under 25 mph. Best at a stop.

Thought it was suggested by Rivian to engage conserve at speed by not under load.

 

[1stPlace]

Thought it was suggested by Rivian to engage conserve at speed by not under load.

I don't think I've seen any official suggestion by Rivian. Nothing in the manual that I remember reading. Some people reported on this forum being told stuff on delivery. I wasn't told anything. I just had a jarring experience on the highway once. I imagine at constant speed it might be safer, though you cannot change drive mode while cruise control is on. Acceleration or deceleration for that matter might cause misalignment in re-engagement.

 

[VSG]

Also @KBabione I would be careful changing in and out of conserve at speed. It's more likely the reconnect into all purpose, the re-engagement, where you might develop a problem at some point. Better under 25 mph. Best at a stop.

I don't think that recommendation has any basis in reality, other than "fear" something "might" happen.

The disconnect on the Gen 1 Quads was designed to switch at any speed - the links to the actual disconnect are available somewhere in these forums - I looked it up once, it's a third-party design. It uses dog clutches, which don't have a rapid engagement, hence can't switch instantly upon acceleration. This is why most people will suggest switching to Conserve only at constant speed, so the engagement is predictable.

I switch to Conserve on the highway, after I'm up to speed, and only if I expect to be traveling at the set speed for a long time (i.e. not on a congested highway or on a short trip). Conserve DOES save energy on long road trips. I've been doing this for 3.5 years and 36k miles so far, with no problems.

 

[1stPlace]

I don't think that recommendation has any basis in reality, other than "fear" something "might" happen.

The disconnect on the Gen 1 Quads was designed to switch at any speed - the links to the actual disconnect are available somewhere in these forums - I looked it up once, it's a third-party design. It uses dog clutches, which don't have a rapid engagement, hence can't switch instantly upon acceleration. This is why most people will suggest switching to Conserve only at constant speed, so the engagement is predictable.

I switch to Conserve on the highway, after I'm up to speed, and only if I expect to be traveling at the set speed for a long time (i.e. not on a congested highway or on a short trip). Conserve DOES save energy on long road trips. I've been doing this for 3.5 years and 36k miles so far, with no problems.

I'm not concerned about conserve mode engagement or disconnect. I'm concerned about re-engagement or reconnect of the motors. I'm not a hater of conserve mode for range and long trips. I do question the reason to use it for any other reason, though. And what you are saying confirms there is some risk to switching, if speed is not constant, which Rivian has not educated its customers on.

 

[VSG]

And what you are saying confirms there is some risk to switching, if speed is not constant, which Rivian has not educated its customers on.

I'm not sure I would go as far to say it's risky. My preference to switch when the speed is constant is because I have decades of experience driving a manual. Missing your shift points and popping the clutch is a good way to earn a new transmission.

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