Newbie Duh Charging Question

[RexRemus]

I've been reading non stop since I started posting. Another question. I will be in mountains and of course will have my Rivian Mobile Charger. Is this ok to use with an extension chord? We will be in a cabin, and I will need to run 25 -50 ft of extension chord to get to my RS1

Yes this is ok, just make sure it's rated for the current - or drop the current your vehicle is using to charge to match. I wouldn't go past 50ft. Assuming you're talking 120v (standard wall outlet) you'll want 15A max cable.

Also... gentle reminder - it's R1S, not RS1 ;-)

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[Electrified Outdoors]

Hello Rivian Fam.

A few weeks in, and loving my R1S.

Taking my first road trip from MD to North Carolina soon.

1. Do I need to bring an adapter to utilize non Tesla Charing stations?
2. Are Tesla stations open to Rivian users yet?
   • And if so, do I need an adapter?
   • And if so, where to buy?
3. Is it safe to use the slow "drip charger" for a long period of time. In other words, if I ended up in the mountains without charing stations, could I use the slow charger that plugs into a normal outlet over a several day or week period, and let the car charge up 2 miles an hour at a time?
4. Anything else a newbie should know?

Thanks all. Appreciate you all for taking the time.

cc

A lot of good answers already here. Nice to see another owner here in the old line state.

Big thing about road trips is to download the plug share app. To avoid frustration check out the chargers on your route ahead of time. Lately, Electrify America stations have been really congested and some with equipment out of order. I have been using EVgo where possible as you can reserve chargers with the Max plan on their network.

Tesla magic dock are usable but otherwise not open to RIvian yet. Rivian will provide an adapter when it opens up.

Download the following apps:

A better route planner
Plugshare

Come back and let us know how it goes!

 

[planetcase]

Thanks Ken. I appreciate your help! I have downloaded all the apps and set up accounts where necessary. It seems like the adapters for 120 and 240 volts came with my R1S. I am buying extension chords for both for the regular 120v outlet and the 50amp dryer outlet. I think I am covered when at a cabin up in mountains for a week with those 2 (slow charge but that's okay I don't do a lot of driving when in mountains or at a outer banks house.

Great info on the electrify America and EVgo. I am learning so much, and this forum is fantastic support. Thanks again!

 

[planetcase]

Yes this is ok, just make sure it's rated for the current - or drop the current your vehicle is using to charge to match. I wouldn't go past 50ft. Assuming you're talking 120v (standard wall outlet) you'll want 15A max cable.

Also... gentle reminder - it's R1S, not RS1 ;-)

Gotcha on the R1S. I actually knew that, but alas......

Appreciate the information on the extension chords!

 

[usulio]

Welcome!

Your Rivian portable charger may not plug right into the dryer port, depending on what kind of plug it is. You may need an adapter. Your Rivian charger includes a NEMA 14-50 plug, which is common at RV parks, but not as common for dryers. Also, an extension cord for 50 amps will be heavy and pricey.

When plugging in at home, you should always draw max 80% of the amps the circuit is rated for. So on a 50 amp circuit, you should set the Rivian to use 40 amps. Use the charging screen to adjust the amps if needed. (Added: actually, the mobile charger only goes up to 32A anyway, but still in general always max out at 80% of what the circuit is rated for.)

 

[planetcase]

Thank you very much. So a 50 amp extension chord will be heavy and pricey. But it is necessary ?right? if I want to charge from a dryer plug and I suppose it may even pay for itself if it's used at a Vrbo.

May I ask what adapter you bought to allow a dryer plug to work ? Thx again!

 

[KBabione]

May I ask what adapter you bought to allow a dryer plug to work ? Thx again!

I posted a link above to everything in my kit - perhaps you missed it?

 

[R.I.P.]

I've been reading non stop since I started posting. Another question. I will be in mountains and of course will have my Rivian Mobile Charger. Is this ok to use with an extension chord? We will be in a cabin, and I will need to run 25 -50 ft of extension chord to get to my RS1

Because the quality of extension cords very so greatly, this can be dicey. They are not really designed for the type of constant draw an EVSE puts on them. I have seen even heavy duty construction cords with 10 gauge wire melt at the ends after a few hours of pull.

Because I regularly have to pull from outlets outside the reach of my mobile EVSE, I went with a NACS extension. They can also be purchased in the j1772 flavor. These chords are actually built for the prolonged pull the vehicle will take from it, and are far more suited for getting the current effectively a longer distance. An added benefit, is that they will work from any outlet, ie anything from a 110 outlet to an RV outlet to a dryer outlet providing your EVSE is equipped to pull from these outlets.

Here is one of many examples of the j1772 version that can be purchased from Amazon:

Inteset 21ft 40amp J1772 EV Extension Cord, Made in USA - for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, Carrying Bag, Ultra-Flex Cable, UL Listed Parts https://a.co/d/5bYvXwY

 

[LongJoSilver]

You may want to check out this post for the charging kit I take with me when visiting family or a VRBO: Charging Kit for Traveling

I think the important and cheap things on the list here are the dryer adapters if you’re staying in home rentals. Nice list!

 

[LongJoSilver]

Thank you very much. So a 50 amp extension chord will be heavy and pricey. But it is necessary ?right? if I want to charge from a dryer plug and I suppose it may even pay for itself if it's used at a Vrbo.

May I ask what adapter you bought to allow a dryer plug to work ? Thx again!

The charger rivian gives you with the truck is maybe 17 feet so in a standard garage you probably don’t need the extension cord. Nice to have but big and heavy. The two dryer andapters are more important.

 

[LongJoSilver]

I’ll add- if it’s cold, try to garage park so your battery isn’t cold soaked. Cold batteries are inefficient (below freezing). If you’re able to plug in overnight, pre-condition the battery 20 minutes before a longer drive using your app to maximize range. Unfortunately, the battery only preconditions when plugged in to the charger though. If you precondition unplugged, it’s just warms the cabin.

 

[Alice]

Hello Rivian Fam.

A few weeks in, and loving my R1S.

Taking my first road trip from MD to North Carolina soon.

1. Do I need to bring an adapter to utilize non Tesla Charing stations?
2. Are Tesla stations open to Rivian users yet?
   • And if so, do I need an adapter?
   • And if so, where to buy?
3. Is it safe to use the slow "drip charger" for a long period of time. In other words, if I ended up in the mountains without charing stations, could I use the slow charger that plugs into a normal outlet over a several day or week period, and let the car charge up 2 miles an hour at a time?
4. Anything else a newbie should know?

Thanks all. Appreciate you all for taking the time.

cc

I can add onto mikehmb's great info that Electrify America chargers between Chicago and Louisville are pretty good. Same issue with some not working, and I've had to wait for a charger a couple of times. I *always* travel with the portable charger in my R1S just in case.

 

[planetcase]

I posted a link above to everything in my kit - perhaps you missed it?

Found it thanks!!

 

[planetcase]

Because the quality of extension cords very so greatly, this can be dicey. They are not really designed for the type of constant draw an EVSE puts on them. I have seen even heavy duty construction cords with 10 gauge wire melt at the ends after a few hours of pull.

Because I regularly have to pull from outlets outside the reach of my mobile EVSE, I went with a NACS extension. They can also be purchased in the j1772 flavor. These chords are actually built for the prolonged pull the vehicle will take from it, and are far more suited for getting the current effectively a longer distance. An added benefit, is that they will work from any outlet, ie anything from a 110 outlet to an RV outlet to a dryer outlet providing your EVSE is equipped to pull from these outlets.

Here is one of many examples of the j1772 version that can be purchased from Amazon:

Inteset 21ft 40amp J1772 EV Extension Cord, Made in USA - for Electric Vehicle Charging Stations, Carrying Bag, Ultra-Flex Cable, UL Listed Parts https://a.co/d/5bYvXwY

Thank you!!

 

[planetcase]

I’ll add- if it’s cold, try to garage park so your battery isn’t cold soaked. Cold batteries are inefficient (below freezing). If you’re able to plug in overnight, pre-condition the battery 20 minutes before a longer drive using your app to maximize range. Unfortunately, the battery only preconditions when plugged in to the charger though. If you precondition unplugged, it’s just warms the cabin.

Thank you. When you say precondition, does that mean to wake up the car for 20 minutes prior to driving?

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