Product Request: NACS port retrofit

[Autolycus]

I agree. Perhaps Rivian can develop a retrofit kit. Seems all that needs to be done is remove the original charge port and replace it with an NACS style with mounting hardware and using the same mounting holes that the original one uses. I would even pay Rivian for the labor. The real question is what will the impact of any change be to profitability for the Adventure Charging Network.

Not even remotely close to "all that needs to be done." See all of the other numerous discussions of this issue. The adapters can only use AC or DC charging. They won't work for both. For good reason. The vehicle needs extra electronics to correctly handle AC or DC coming across the same pins.

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[MacO512]

I'd think maybe there is a simple way to have two NACS ports one for AC one for DC.

Maybe someone skilled with electrical engineering could figure out how to have an AC/DC sensors to do this from one port.

Either setup just isn't anything I can see a reputable company ever selling though. It could be more of a DIY hack someone spliced themselves.

I probably wouldn't ever consider touching it until the powertrain is out of warranty. But maybe in ~2028 we'll start seeing someone do this on YouTube.

 

[PeterSK]

I don’t understand the irrational fear/dislike/whatever of adapters. I have a Tesla wall charger at home and use a Teslatap Mini when I charge my R1S. If I use a ChargePoint in my Model Y, I use the J1772 to Tesla adapter that came with it - both are always in the respective cars, within reach from the driver’s seat. When I eventually get the DC adapter from Rivian, I will use that if I stop at a Supercharger, though I’ll probably keep it in the frunk because of the size and infrequent use.

Zero reason to want to pay $1K or more and void the warranty to save a few seconds when plugging in.

 

[TheMuscovite]

Not sure what the issue is using an adapter. Most of my charging is at home, would only use the adapter when traveling. I’ve used an adapter for my Rivian at Tesla L2 charging, I use an adapter all the time charging my Tesla at home.

It is just not an issue for me to use one, I just would not waste any time or money trying to get it converted. ??

I’m with you.

NACS is clearly the standard of the future, but right now it things are a mixed bag.

I had a roadtrip yesterday that I knew ended near Tesla fast charging, and got annoyed with the popup suggesting Tesla charging was available, when practically it wasn’t.

But when I got to my destination, there was a new CCS fast charger installed literally across the street.

Charging is a hodgepodge right now, and if you want the flexibility to maximize your ability to charge, you’re gonna end up using some kind of an adapter some of the time.

 

[kozak79]

What happens if you plug in your Tesla Home charger into the Rivian Tesla adapter to charge at home?

 

[Dark-Fx]

Not sure what the issue is using an adapter. Most of my charging is at home, would only use the adapter when traveling. I’ve used an adapter for my Rivian at Tesla L2 charging, I use an adapter all the time charging my Tesla at home.

It is just not an issue for me to use one, I just would not waste any time or money trying to get it converted. ??

I generally carry a J1772 extension with me when we travel. I've plugged it into some seriously sketchy chargers where the latch is broken and the pins are exposed, before plugging it into my car. If the latch is broke off, someone could just yank it out while it's live and cause arc damage on the pins. I'd rather replace the pins on my extension than have to replace the port on my car.

I avoid using CCS chargers with broken latches. Carrying this NACS adapter is almost as good as native because the adapter has all of the latches, so I won't have to worry about broken ones.

 

[ndmiller]

No reason for it for either Rivian or any other vehicle. It's not like all chargers are going NACS overnight especially RAN's which you would then need a Tesla CCS->NACS adapter.

The adapter NACS->CCS adapter is the solution period. Anything else would cost a fortune and void your warranty for sure.

 

[FooF]

What happens if you plug in your Tesla Home charger into the Rivian Tesla adapter to charge at home?

Probably nothing good since you will be sending AC to the DC pins
Not sure why everyone seems to be having such difficulty with this.

Tesla home/destination chargers are AC use a Nacs/tesla to SAE J1772 adapter (you do not have to open the rectangular cover over the DC pins since the adapter is for AC)

Tesla Superchargers are DC use a Nacs/tesla to CCS1 adapter (the larger one that you have to open the rectangular cover over the DC pins to use)

 

[Dark-Fx]

What happens if you plug in your Tesla Home charger into the Rivian Tesla adapter to charge at home?

Most likely nothing. DC pins aren't normally connected to anything and the vehicle won't have the proper communications to enable them.

The other way around, AC adapter on a supercharger, I believe should still be safe, due to how the connection is supposed to be tested before voltage is applied, but I certainly won't be trying it out at all.

 

[Chris TX]

Don't know if there's anybody considering this, but I would absolutely jump on a product that would retrofit the current charge port with the NACS so we don't have to use adapters. Obviously this is the format going forward and it would be awesome for us earlier adopters to be able to remove the current port and install one that's dedicated to NACS.

Thoughts? I wonder how much engineering would have to go into this.

Native NACS would require a lot of internal wiring changes since the AC and DC conductors travel the same path before they meet the on-board charger (for AC). There are large relays and fuses needed to shift that contact away from the on-board charger and allow them to go directly to the HV battery. This is very expensive, even before you get to the actual port itself.

I don't see Rivian ever doing this, since the cost to develop this type of retrofit would never be recouped. Take the free adapter.

 

[Chris TX]

Probably nothing good since you will be sending AC to the DC pins
Not sure why everyone seems to be having such difficulty with this.

Tesla home/destination chargers are AC use a Nacs/tesla to SAE J1772 adapter (you do not have to open the rectangular cover over the DC pins since the adapter is for AC)

Tesla Superchargers are DC use a Nacs/tesla to CCS1 adapter (the larger one that you have to open the rectangular cover over the DC pins to use)

The contactors which expose the HV DC to those pins would never close because there would be no CCS communication. It would sit there and just say, "brah."

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