Rivian as backup for house power

[mkhuffman]

Are you talking about the AC to DC converter for charging, which can’t run backwards?

It can if is designed to. I thought they designed it to run backwards but that is just my impression. Like Lucid does, for example. V2V using a special adaptor cable.

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[SRO]

My well pump would be nice, maybe the furnace too.

I’ve tried using the 110 outlet to run the nat gas heater but it didn’t work. I’m guessing that higher amps are needed to get the fan going? Does anyone know how to do it?

 

[Hopper]

I’ve tried using the 110 outlet to run the nat gas heater but it didn’t work. I’m guessing that higher amps are needed to get the fan going? Does anyone know how to do it?

We have a propane fired combi unit, but I’ve never tried to run it from the Rivian. We also have two refrigerators and two chest freezers, so we are way through the paltry 1500 watts.

 

[Polar]

It can if is designed to. I thought they designed it to run backwards but that is just my impression. Like Lucid does, for example. V2V using a special adaptor cable.

The R2 has been designed this way. This is where the confusion began, as its core info dropped when the Gen 2 R1 was coming out.

There have been zero statements regarding the R1 platform regarding AC output from the OBC. Other than the lack of such capability.

DC export (external inverter) for the R1 platform has already been proven via third party EVSE such as Sigenergy.

 

[SwampNut]

I’ve tried using the 110 outlet to run the nat gas heater but it didn’t work. I’m guessing that higher amps are needed to get the fan going? Does anyone know how to do it?

I've never seen a gas heater that doesn't run on 240v, other than very small garage-type heaters. Is this something that heats your whole house? And you can just plug it into an outlet? What exactly failed? Did the truck report that there was an overload? Did it just not start? When I overload it with our travel trailer AC it is obvious.

 

[SwampNut]

It can if is designed to.

Right, but why would you think the R1 has the extra cost and complexity added, and then simply crippled? Makes no sense. The hard parts are either direct DC export, or having an onboard inverter. If it were the latter, "turning on" the inverter would be trivial, why would they not? In fact why would they not give you a bigger AC plug like the other trucks do? Logically, I'd say there is no inverter (other than the 1500w).

 

[Zoidz]

I've never seen a gas heater that doesn't run on 240v, other than very small garage-type heaters. Is this something that heats your whole house? And you can just plug it into an outlet? What exactly failed? Did the truck report that there was an overload? Did it just not start? When I overload it with our travel trailer AC it is obvious.

They are very common in small to mid BTU ranges.

Electrical	115v 1 Phase 60 Hz
Max Breaker Size	15 Amps
Min. Breaker Size	11.3 Amps

https://hvacdirect.com/80-000-btu-8...s-furnace-upflow-horizontal-gr9t800803bn.html

 

[Time2Roll]

I’ve tried using the 110 outlet to run the nat gas heater but it didn’t work. I’m guessing that higher amps are needed to get the fan going? Does anyone know how to do it?

Yes I assume better surge performance is needed to start the fan.

Some type of home battery/inverter/solar system where the battery can be charged with a separate charger plugged into the Rivian inverter.

This could be as simple as a moderate battery powering 3000 watt inverter. Then use the Rivian to keep the battery topped up.

https://diysolarforum.com

I have a Powerwall based system and is not really compatible with a separate power source.

 

[SRO]

I've never seen a gas heater that doesn't run on 240v, other than very small garage-type heaters. Is this something that heats your whole house? And you can just plug it into an outlet? What exactly failed? Did the truck report that there was an overload? Did it just not start? When I overload it with our travel trailer AC it is obvious.

I don’t get it either. My whole house furnace just plugs into one of my homes 15A circuits. I don’t know why it won’t run off my Rivian. I get no warning from my Rivian.

 

[Polar]

I don’t get it either. My whole house furnace just plugs into one of my homes 15A circuits. I don’t know why it won’t run off my Rivian. I get no warning from my Rivian.

Look up “Floating Ground” - it’s a common issue on 12V > 120V inverters

 

[SRO]

They are very common in small to mid BTU ranges.

Electrical	115v 1 Phase 60 Hz
Max Breaker Size	15 Amps
Min. Breaker Size	11.3 Amps

https://hvacdirect.com/80-000-btu-8...s-furnace-upflow-horizontal-gr9t800803bn.html

My heater is a Goodman.

 

[SRO]

Look up “Floating Ground” - it’s a common issue on 12V > 120V inverters

Ill check it out.

 

[mkhuffman]

Right, but why would you think the R1 has the extra cost and complexity added, and then simply crippled? Makes no sense. The hard parts are either direct DC export, or having an onboard inverter. If it were the latter, "turning on" the inverter would be trivial, why would they not? In fact why would they not give you a bigger AC plug like the other trucks do? Logically, I'd say there is no inverter (other than the 1500w).

Good questions. I assumed it would become available via a future software release, but as you said, they have not done that yet so probably they are referring to DC, not AC export.

I don't think the hardware necessary to run the AC to DC converter backwards is that significant. It just needs to be part of the design from the beginning.

I think the 120V is on its own 12V to 120V inverter, and it is not a DC to AC conversion going on.

 

[SwampNut]

I don't think the hardware necessary to run the AC to DC converter backwards is that significant.

Based on......??? Do you have any idea how much simpler it is to turn AC into DC?

I'm not an EE, I have an EE-adjacent background, BTW. I can build a converter in five minutes from parts laying around in the house. I cannot build an inverter.

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