My Airbnb charging kit

[Glembi2]

I get that one needs limit the current to 80% of a circuit’s rating. Does the same apply to extension cords and cables?

Specifically, if one gets a 50a extension cord, should they always knock down the current to 40a?

Does the same apply to a 40a J1772 extension cable - always knocking down the current to 32a? Or is a 40a J1772 extension cable an exception?

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[jeeden]

I get that one needs limit the current to 80% of a circuit’s rating. Does the same apply to extension cords and cables?

Specifically, if one gets a 50a extension cord, should they always knock down the current to 40a?

Does the same apply to a 40a J1772 extension cable - always knocking down the current to 32a? Or is a 40a J1772 extension cable an exception?

For regular extension cords, short is answer yes you should limit. Extension cords are not rated for continuous use at their load rating. You would always want to limit the amps to the lowest continuous limit on the circuit (breaker, wire, outlet, extension cord, etc).

I don't think the same would apply to a J1772 extension cable since they are specifically manufactured for charging EVs and therefore for continuous use, then you would want to make sure you are only limiting upstream of the mobile charger at the outlet, wire, breaker for the power source.

 

[Glembi2]

For regular extension cords, short is answer yes you should limit. Extension cords are not rated for continuous use at their load rating. You would always want to limit the amps to the lowest continuous limit on the circuit (breaker, wire, outlet, extension cord, etc).

I don't think the same would apply to a J1772 extension cable since they are specifically manufactured for charging EVs and therefore for continuous use, then you would want to make sure you are only limiting upstream of the mobile charger at the outlet, wire, breaker for the power source.

Awesomely - many thanks!

I need to decide between a 50a 30ft extension cord and a 40a J1772 extension cable. Based on your comment, I understand that they are the same in what current I need to set the truck to pull (both at 40a).

 

[jeeden]

Awesomely - many thanks!

I need to decide between a 50a 30ft extension cord and a 40a J1772 extension cable. Based on your comment, I understand that they are the same in what current I need to set the truck to pull (both at 40a).

I would seriously consider if you need that much power. We have the 32 amp cord that we run at 24amps and it is fine for us with roughly 6kw or 12 miles per hour of charging. If I'm using that cord it is because I'm staying somewhere overnight and don't want to or can't DCFC on the highway. I prefer the lower weight and longer length of cord vs a heavier or shorter 50amp cord (not to mention the expense).

It's like the camera argument. You can have the best DSLR with all the lenses in the world, but if you hate bringing it with you because it is so bulky and a burden, a cell phone camera that you always have with you will beat it everytime. Like the lower amp cord that is "almost" as good as the 50 amp, the cell phone cameras are now "almost as good" as the DSLR these days in addition to being convenient and always on you. The only reason to have the DSLR/50 amp cord is because you NEED not reasonable, but TOP performance

 

[Glembi2]

I’m completely with you on the camera comment. Good point about the weight differences. I’m trying to come up with the most common situations I’ll be in and pin down what will work - meaning standardizing on a 14-30 cord, a 14-50 cord, or a J1772 cable. I think everything is coming down to weight v time available to charge between outings. I’m guessing I can expect 10 hours of down time between day trips. As dryer plugs are 30a, max I would get is 24a anyways so the heavier cables would never be needed.

 

[No_Name5330]

I'm working on combining your list with the additional items others have mentioned here. I'm walking around with a yardstick (yes, no tape measures to be found) and realizing how short 30 feet is.

I'd appreciate seeing your final list once its complete! You can never be too prepared! Thanks in advance.

 

[Glembi2]

I'd appreciate seeing your final list once its complete! You can never be too prepared! Thanks in advance.

Will do.

To help me decide, I'm trying to capture likely scenarios in this Google Sheets workbook . One of the columns is whether and how much the current needs to be throttled to prevent bad things from happening. While the 14-30 extension cord option will always require a 14-30r/14-50p adapter, any set we put together would include that adapter anyways. If I understand how everything fits together, there are only two instances where I would not need to reduce the current drawn but the truck: when charging on on 120 v (god no, not again) and when pulling directly from a 14-50 plug and using the 14-50 extension cord. Everything else will need to have the current draw reduced.

 

[jeeden]

If I understand how everything fits together, there are only two instances where I would not need to reduce the current drawn but the truck: when charging on on 120 v (god no, not again) and when pulling directly from a 14-50 plug and using the 14-50 extension cord. Everything else will need to have the current draw reduced.

That is correct. It would be nice if we could buy other adapters that click into the Rivian mobile chargers like the Tesla chargers have so the charger knew to automatically down rate the amps, but I haven't even heard someone ask Rivian a question about it or any information about them doing that.

 

[akc5247]

I had previously mentioned an extension cord I bought and some adapters for when we travel to vacation homes and Airbnbs. Others had asked me details of exactly what I got both here and on Facebook and I just added an adapter for level 2 Tesla chargers so I thought I would put a full list of everything I have in my "kit" here with some photos.

I went for the 80% solution here (the only limitation is being able to charge at full rate at a 14-50 outlet from 68ft away) as we don't get to drive in campgrounds much and are trying to have the ability to charge at a remote ski house, beach house, or relative's house. It is important to me that it is compact and stores well. All of these will easily be stored in the spare tire well for our R1S. It won't fit with the spare tire in there, it probably would if I wound the cords around the tire, but I like them in the bags. We leave these at home most of the time unless we are going on a road trip to a vacation home destination.

Note when charging with any of these components you need to follow the 80% rule (24 amps on dyer outlets) to make sure you are no overloading house wiring and breakers, especially with unknown houses you might be staying at. You can change the amps draw in the Rivian Energy screen. (Lower right of this picture, check it every time as it will sometimes reset from other charging sessions)

The following kit allows us to plug into...

• A 10-30 (old standard pre-1998) dryer outlet and charge at 24 amps for safety
• 14-30 (new standard since 1998) dryer outlet and charge at 24 amps for safety

...within 70 ft of the R1S.

It also allows us to plug into...

• a level two Tesla charger and charge at 40 amps
• 14-50 outlet and charge at auto-selected amps
• 120v outlet at auto-selected amps

...within 18 ft of the R1S (most of this is stock Rivian components)

The kit (opened up):

The kit packed up:

The components:

• The stock Rivian mobile charger
• The stock Rivian mobile charger 14-50 adapter
• The stock Rivian mobile charger 120 v adapter
• The stock Rivian mobile charger bag that holds the Rivian Mobile Charger, the stock 14-50 and 120v mobile charger plugs and the tesla J1772 to Tesla adapter
• A 50 ft gear IT 14-30 extension cord with 14-30 plug. I chose this because it is considerably lighter than a 14-50 cord and still serves my main purpose which is being able to charge off of dryer outlets at vacation homes, which nearly every home has. I was willing to trade the weight savings for the limited ability of not charging at a 14-50 outlet with the cord with full amps. The cord stays nice and pliable even in cold weather and I can reach even second and third-story laundry rooms at most house rentals if really needed when combined with the Rivian Mobile Charger length
  • Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09ND3575T/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
• GearIT Tesla to J 1772 adapter. I was so happy with the price and performance of the extension cord I was pretty glad to see them come out just recently with this adapter under the same brand for a good price. I was also happy to see it was ETL certified given some of the other adapters on the market have stories of melting down or having other problems. Used anytime I want to plug the Rivian into a Tesla Level 2 destination charger (available at a lot of AirBNBs)
  • Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C7Y81J4B/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
• A circle cord brand 14-30p adapter that converts the long extension cord to 14-50. Used anytime you want to use the extension cord with the Rivian Mobile Charger
  • Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08XNX8KQ6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
• A 10-30 to 14-30 adapter that converts "4 prong to 3 prong" or the post-1998 4 prong dryer outlet standard to the pre-1998 3 prong dryer outlet standard in case we stay at an old home that has not updated their dryer outlet. Note the weird wire with the single prong on it. It gets plugged into a ground, you can plug it into any ground (like the third hole on a 110 outlet for a washer which is probably nearby)
  • Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0C166NW74/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
• A jumper cable bag that holds the extension cord and 14-30 adapters with zip closure.
  • Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07F1ZMLLK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Finally, here is an article about charging at AirBnb"s, renter agreement and ethical considerations, and a video of people doing it: https://insideevs.com/news/502230/airbnb-tesla-charging-situation-exposed/

You are awesome. Thank you for this.

I did have an issue with J1773 this morning and started a thread for it.
https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...esla-destination-charger-l2-with-j1772.26147/

Can you think of any reason why I got the error?

 

[jeeden]

You are awesome. Thank you for this.

I did have an issue with J1773 this morning and started a thread for it.
https://www.rivianforums.com/forum/...esla-destination-charger-l2-with-j1772.26147/

Can you think of any reason why I got the error?

I replied to that thread also, but pasting here is what I think you might be having an issue with as well:

Searching the internet for "Tesla Tap not working" since it is a more popular adapter it seems the major causes of adapters not working are:

1. The adapter isn't seated correctly. Some of the adapters have such tight tolerances people report REALLY having to jam the adapter onto the wand and there should be no gap at all between the adapter and the wand. Some report putting a little bit of lubricant on the outside of the plastic on the adapter to make it easier (but avoid getting any on the pins).
2. The adapter should be connected to the tesla charger first and sometimes up to a minute before plugging the charger into the vehicle. I guess the tesla charger needs to make it's connection with the adapter and if you do it too quickly the car might time out on the charge initiating before the charger is ready.
3. The tesla level 2 chargers can be set to charge only Teslas. There is a switch in the chargers that allow them to only charge Teslas, there isn't a way to know if an adapter is setup this way (maybe on a plug share review?)

I think the issue is most likely 1 or 2

 

[djsider2]

Does anyone use a J1772 extension cable? If not, why? Is it generally bulkier and costs more per ft?(The lectron one is only 20ft long for $199)

 

[jeeden]

Does anyone use a J1772 extension cable? If not, why? Is it generally bulkier and costs more per ft?(The lectron one is only 20ft long for $199)

I think some do. I don't because my goal is to be able to charge my R1S at a higher rate than a 120v outlet can provide, meaning 220v, wherever I go. If there is a 14-50 outlet available to plug the mobile charger into, odds are it is for an EV and within reasonable reach of a parking spot. More likely, they is not a 14-50 outlet and I am utilizing a dryer outlet probably more than an additional 20ft away and I will need to use an adapter to access it.

Based on that, I chose to go with a 14-30 extension cord that is longer, lighter, and less expensive cord (per foot) with an adapter I already.

 

[Glembi2]

Does anyone use a J1772 extension cable? If not, why? Is it generally bulkier and costs more per ft?(The lectron one is only 20ft long for $199)

@jeeden ‘s comments above and a few pages back convinced me to skip the J1772 extension cable for now. For most scenarios I’m encountering, I’m either close to a 14-50 receptacle or 40’ from a 10-30 receptacle. Either I’m charging at 40a or charging at 24a so the 14-30 extension cord works for me.

I may eventually pick up a short 10 ft J1772 cable if my needs change. The bigger issue is to get the right adapters

 

[Glembi2]

Does anyone use a J1772 extension cable? If not, why? Is it generally bulkier and costs more per ft?(The lectron one is only 20ft long for $199)

And the two week rule* wins again!

Just when I thought my need for the J1772 extension cable would be rare if at all, ?

My son bought a neighbor’s Outback and parked it in the garage while I was washing my R1. The next morning, it wouldn’t start. Apparently Outbacks have a vampire drain issue related to their Starlink (or on-star or whatever) system.

And guess where my L2 charger is located?

The J1772 cable would have been useful today.

*Two week rule = two weeks after you make a choice based on an assumption, your assumption is proved wrong.

 

[R.I.P.]

Does anyone use a J1772 extension cable? If not, why? Is it generally bulkier and costs more per ft?(The lectron one is only 20ft long for $199)

I use the NACS extension cable.

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