New car battery question/concern

[BorealAmethyst]

Hi all, I had a custom Borealis R1S made and it was supposed to arrive on Jan 29. Needless to say, I still don’t have it. The reason being is that I finally found out there was a mechanical issue with the train it was on. So it was loaded Jan 8th and has been sitting on a train since then. I’m being told I’ll have it Feb 16 but now I’m wondering, with the cold weather and battery depletion/ not being charged for weeks; my concern is will the battery be ok?

Am I going to get a dud or with the battery sitting for so long not charging and going below ”20%” (which I’m hearing is a big No No) will I have issues with the battery in the long run and should I bring this up before I pickup the vehicle?

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[KBabione]

I'm sure you'll be fine - they'll put it in "Shipping Mode" which will basically shut everything down so your battery won't be draining like it would if you left it at an airport for a couple of weeks. I was at the Malvern SC yesterday and there were dozens of R1's still covered with snow and it hasn't snowed significantly in a couple of weeks - so clearly a short period of time won't matter.

Just one more very long week for you to wait - you will absolutely love it! I'm in Lancaster but get to Philly often - you'll be easy to spot in your unique ride! I'm guessing you'll pick it up at the Rivian Space in the KoP mall - yours will be one they will want to showcase!

 

[COdogman]

As long as the train didn’t crash it will be ok

 

[BorealAmethyst]

Ha. Good to know! Ok, that alleviates one concern.

 

[BorealAmethyst]

I'm sure you'll be fine - they'll put it in "Shipping Mode" which will basically shut everything down so your battery won't be draining like it would if you left it at an airport for a couple of weeks. I was at the Malvern SC yesterday and there were dozens of R1's still covered with snow and it hasn't snowed significantly in a couple of weeks - so clearly a short period of time won't matter.

Just one more very long week for you to wait - you will absolutely love it! I'm in Lancaster but get to Philly often - you'll be easy to spot in your unique ride! I'm guessing you'll pick it up at the Rivian Space in the KoP mall - yours will be one they will want to showcase!

I’m actually scheduled to pick it up in Malvern. Dozens of R1s you say?! Other repairs or orders? I was told they don’t do sales there but maybe they are changing now that the KOP space is open?

The manager invited me to the grand opening on Friday and Saturday. I was going to try and make it but I’m still unsure if I’ll have my vehicle by then. Cautiously optimistic.

 

[Time2Roll]

The main battery is fine. The 12v accessory battery is minor and under warranty if there is an issue.

 

[KBabione]

I’m actually scheduled to pick it up in Malvern. Dozens of R1s you say?! Other repairs or orders? I was told they don’t do sales there but maybe they are changing now that the KOP space is open?

The manager invited me to the grand opening on Friday and Saturday. I was going to try and make it but I’m still unsure if I’ll have my vehicle by then. Cautiously optimistic.

They told me that the sales group was moving out of Malvern once the Rivian Space in KoP opened up. I've spent enough time at KoP that you're MUCH better off picking it up in Malvern! Too many shoppers at KoP scream through the parking lot to get a spot where they have to carry their LV bag the shortest distance (I went from the Malvern SC to KoP in my Enterprise rental to do some returns just yesterday and was almost run over by a SUV). I'm hoping my R1S isn't still in Malvern when you pick yours up - I was there six hours yesterday while they installed a part only to find out it was defective and they had to wait for another to come in. No loaners left so I'm rockin' a minivan again

 

[Luxus]

Congrats that you are FINALLY getting your R1S!

People have more or less brought this up but until you take delivery of the vehicle, any issues are Rivian's problem. And after that you have a warranty so no worries.

 

[BorealAmethyst]

Congrats that you are FINALLY getting your R1S!

People have more or less brought this up but until you take delivery of the vehicle, any issues are Rivian's problem. And after that you have a warranty so no worries.

Right, I just didn’t want to take it off the lot and then all of a sudden the battery is shot. And I have to do the SC tango and wait longer. But I’m trying not to worry about it

 

[BorealAmethyst]

They told me that the sales group was moving out of Malvern once the Rivian Space in KoP opened up. I've spent enough time at KoP that you're MUCH better off picking it up in Malvern! Too many shoppers at KoP scream through the parking lot to get a spot where they have to carry their LV bag the shortest distance (I went from the Malvern SC to KoP in my Enterprise rental to do some returns just yesterday and was almost run over by a SUV). I'm hoping my R1S isn't still in Malvern when you pick yours up - I was there six hours yesterday while they installed a part only to find out it was defective and they had to wait for another to come in. No loaners left so I'm rockin' a minivan again

Not the minivan!! Wtf?! I’d be pissed. But yeah, I’m very familiar with KOP, I used to work there. Glad to see it’s only gotten worse since their huge expansion 10 years ago. I was just there on Sunday to talk to the store manager and find out where my vehicle was, that’s when he told me it wasn’t going to be ready on Tuesday. I’m in Kennett, so 202 takes me past Malvern first, and I know the street it’s on since there is a very well known (for the area) Emergency Vet on that street that was there before the SC, and I’d much prefer getting it there. I would still think the Malvern SC would be the delivery hub for the KOP store. They are, maybe, 15 min apart and where would you even pick up a Rivian in KOP?

 

[KBabione]

Not the minivan!! Wtf?! I’d be pissed. But yeah, I’m very familiar with KOP, I used to work there. Glad to see it’s only gotten worse since their huge expansion 10 years ago. I was just there on Sunday to talk to the store manager and find out where my vehicle was, that’s when he told me it wasn’t going to be ready on Tuesday. I’m in Kennett, so 202 takes me past Malvern first, and I know the street it’s on since there is a very well known (for the area) Emergency Vet on that street that was there before the SC, and I’d much prefer getting it there. I would still think the Malvern SC would be the delivery hub for the KOP store. They are, maybe, 15 min apart and where would you even pick up a Rivian in KOP?

If I don't have our R1S I don't really care what I'm driving - it's a set of wheels to use until we get Rosey back.

Someone had posted a diagram about the KoP location showing that they have a back door to a covered parking area underneath the overpass between the buildings. I think they could use that space for new car deliveries.

 

[BorealAmethyst]

If I don't have our R1S I don't really care what I'm driving - it's a set of wheels to use until we get Rosey back.

Someone had posted a diagram about the KoP location showing that they have a back door to a covered parking area underneath the overpass between the buildings. I think they could use that space for new car deliveries.

Haha I know that access. I use to park there when I worked at the Apple Store. I used it to walk to the store on Sunday. People don’t realize but those “employee only” doors, anyone can walk in and out, as long as it’s a door to the mall hallways and not directly to a store, anyone is able to use it.

It’s still open to anyone and still can be a lot of traffic. It’s not enclosed, just covered, so if Rivian wants to keep the car in a heated building garage, Malvern would still be the best pick up place. The store is also small, compared to Victoria’s Secret and the Apple Store nearby. They have a white R1S Tri, Storm blue R1S, and I think a storm blue R1T. Be interesting to see how it progresses.

 

[RivianRocks25]

Not sure where this "under 20% is so bad" comes from. Given my choice, I sit closer to 0 than 100%. New Li-ion are made at 0% and there is Calendar Aging that happens and can be minimized by avoiding storing at high temps AND high state of charge. Don't think being close to 0 for a month is the end of the world. Plus it's not summer so you avoided the high temp thing also.

I believe there is some lithium plating that occurs close to 0 but is reversible with charging. Not exactly sure on this mechanism.

Biggest problem at 0 is going below true zero and then getting cells to charge. Don't think this happens very often.
As a single data point, I had a Pebble smart watch that sat for 5 years at 0 charge. Fitbit died so resurrected old Pebble. Charged up fine and still has a 7 day battery life, vs 9-10 days when new. Don't think sitting at zero hurt it.

Your battery will be fine. Enjoy!

 

[KBabione]

@BorealAmethyst - Did you pick it up today? Photos please!

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