I've FIXED/(Modified) The frustrating Camp Speaker

[shadow_tek001]

I had an issue with the beeping/"bonging" sound once. I then remembered to turn it off before putting it in the dock in my truck. No issues since.

It can sometimes be a pain to get the pairing process started when I do use it, but after that it's been fine.

Even when I've turned it off, it just turned itself back on... Super annoying

Sponsored

 

[shadow_tek001]

Very interesting video- thanks. I might just have to make that mod.

What was the brand/part number of the battery voltage monitor that you used?

I got it here:
https://amzn.to/4sRL4F6
But note that you do need to set it up to work on a lithium iron phosphate, 3s battery.
You do that by holding the test button until it goes into configuration mode, then press it again to cycle between lithium ion, lithium-Iron phosphate, and lead acid. If memory serves, lithium iron phosphate is the green light. Then press and hold the button to set that, after which you then use the button to cycle through how many batteries are in the series, make sure three lights have lit up, then hold the button to set that.

 

[shadow_tek001]

OP, you have WAY more problems with the speaker than most. Have you ever considered that it might be an issue with your vehicle? There have been a number of people over the years who have reported that Rivian had to repair something in their center console because the speaker wasn't getting charged.

My speaker only occasionally does the blooping thing (like once ever 6 months to 1 year?) and I figured out early onto check the charge first then if it's charged a simple reset will do the trick.

I complained about it several times to rivian, and nothing ever changed. They just kept replacing the speaker.. I seem to get the correct charging voltage from the truck, so if it is the truck, I have no idea.... But considering the speaker can literally be sitting out on my shelf, and randomly turn itself on and force connect to my phone, I don't see how that could be the truck.

 

[pointless]

Funny how a simple on off switch would solve almost all the issues..

Exactly!

 

[metagamers]

I had the camp speaker beeping noise on my Gen 1 R1S - did everything possible to fix it to no avail. Lived with it for a long time but then finally decided since I am still under warranty to have mobile service come out and check things out. Long story short they ended up replacing my speaker but also said the latch speaker center console was not charging correctly (after a test) and removed and replaced it. Since that time I have had no issues BUT I only kept the speaker docked for another 2 months as I replaced it with the official Rivian Storage Drawer.

Side note: regardless of what the Rivian gear shop says, the drawer does indeed work on my Gen 1 R1S without any issues (performance, locking and unlocking or fit). When I asked the mobile tech about the drawer (since I was only considering it at that time of repair), he said he was not sure why the website indicates Gen 2 compatibility only as the rail and locking system on Gen 1 are the exact same as Gen 2.

 

[s4wrxttcs]

I haven't watched the video, but I intend to.

I regularly use my Camp Speaker when I work out on my elliptical machine. Where I turn it on and I wait to be blasted with the dong.

Then there is the tough part. What I mean by regularly is actually semi-regularly and my Apple Watch never reconnects to the Camp Speaker that it remembered. Instead I have to choose a new one. I recall having to clear out old ones as well.

I removed the Camp Speaker from my Rivian quite awhile ago due to it making stupid noises, and I leave it plugged into a DC wall regulator except when I use it.

 

[cwintermeyer]

Am I the only person with zero issues with it?

You are not.

 

[Dasoss]

Holy cow, that was involved. I I'd be pretty amped about the idea of adding a hard switch, but that job looks like a giant pain! Good on you for diving in and figuring it out though! Maybe someday in the future I'll take it on. I love the camp speaker, the sound quality is first class and the light is really handy when it gets dark out. But yeah... the power problems really kill it's usability.

I would like a good long-range AM/shortwave radio in place of the camp speaker. It could be an SDR controlled by an app. It woul have an external antenna input. I have a CCrane Radio 2E. It works great at night in the boonies.

 

[jimmymatt]

You are not.

No problem with it in 2.5 years but don’t use it much.

 

[Mousetrap]

Where I turn it on and I wait to be blasted with the dong.

That sounds like a different problem, I had to double-check what thread I was in!

(But seriously, I wish they could do a firmware update and quiet it down, it's so loud!)

 

[Dasoss]

See here:

Oh, by the way, I think that those square diaphragm thingies are "passive radiators." That's a misnomer because they don't necessarily radiate significant sound. They are analogous to the port in a bass-reflex speaker design. They work with the internal volume of the speaker housing to lower the bass roll-off frequency of the speaker. This helps compensate for a small box. It's a nice piece of design. The trade-offs are possible distortion at higher volumes and cost, versus compactness. A port is just a cheap tube with the right dimensions after all.

Sponsored