Rivian charger vs 3rd party charger?

[jjswan33]

I will add to the chorus on the ChargePoint Home Flex. I have one installed on a Nema 14-50 plug. I also have a Morec 40A plug in I bought when I got my EV6, because it didn’t come with a cable and I could get one in two days from Amazon.

Both have worked well for me but can’t speak about longevity.


https://www.chargepoint.com/drivers/home/chargepoint-home-flex

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[Gobnu]

Installed a clipper creek when I installed my solar panels last year, so I’m hopefully good to go.

 

[Attesan997]

I'd initially though about the Rivian EVSE, not because it would offer any unique functionality but more because at $500 it was slightly cheaper than some of the other EVSEs. Unforutnately it hasn't been reviewed yet while other alternatives I've looked into like the Chargepoint Flex and Wallbox Pulsar Plus have received great reviews.

 

[Gamma rays]

You didn’t preorder a truck, or you just hadn’t optioned the charger?

it is so far unclear wether we’ll be able to add things to configurations at the “old” pricing. But it would make sense.

I ordered a R1S, but didn't add the charger before the price increase.

My Guide said they will honor old prices on everything.

Even on options/accessories I hadn't added to my configuration before the price increase?

GR

 

[godfodder0901]

Even on options/accessories I hadn't added to my configuration before the price increase?

GR

That is my understanding.

 

[crashmtb]

I ordered a R1S, but didn't add the charger before the price increase.




Even on options/accessories I hadn't added to my configuration before the price increase?

GR

You may still be in luck!

 

[Gamma rays]

That is my understanding.

You may still be in luck!

Even if I can still order one at $500, I am back to square one and keep struggling between hardwiring vs. plug in.

The more I think about it, the more I lean towards getting a plug in one. I figure if it fails, I can just order another one and plug it in. I won't have to wait for an electrician to uninstall the broken one and then install a new one.

GR

 

[kanundrum]

I think we talked about it already but any objections to putting a plug (NEMA connector) on the Rivian charger it self? I already have a NEMA outlet and don't wanna deal with unwiring it.

 

[timesinks]

I think we talked about it already but any objections to putting a plug (NEMA connector) on the Rivian charger it self? I already have a NEMA outlet and don't wanna deal with unwiring it.

It definitely doesn't comply with code, but if you configure the EVSE to limit itself to 40A with the dip switches (32A for a 40A breaker), I don't think there's anything inherently unsafe with it. Properly installing a plug onto it seems like it would be similar effort to removing the receptacle and changing the cover on the box to one with a knockout though.

 

[crashmtb]

Even if I can still order one at $500, I am back to square one and keep struggling between hardwiring vs. plug in.

The more I think about it, the more I lean towards getting a plug in one. I figure if it fails, I can just order another one and plug it in. I won't have to wait for an electrician to uninstall the broken one and then install a new one.

GR

If you don’t already have a suitable outlet, may as well hardwire a charger.

is an EV charger failing really that likely? Even if it did fail, replacement is easier than installation. DIY-able.

option C, if you have an outlet already, is to just use the included mobile charger. That will get you 32A.

 

[gsqrd]

Even if I can still order one at $500, I am back to square one and keep struggling between hardwiring vs. plug in.

The more I think about it, the more I lean towards getting a plug in one. I figure if it fails, I can just order another one and plug it in. I won't have to wait for an electrician to uninstall the broken one and then install a new one.

GR

On bloody monday I cancelled Riv charger and ordered Clippercrrek pluggable as I had already installed 50a NEMA. This was at Riv suggestion from San Rafael RIV visit in 2019. The pluggable unit has a 12" stiff pigtail that was a bitch to manipulate but works. Need my R1S to test!!! (May-June)

 

[andisimose]

I think we talked about it already but any objections to putting a plug (NEMA connector) on the Rivian charger it self? I already have a NEMA outlet and don't wanna deal with unwiring it.

CommodoreAmiga mentioned earlier, but my concern would be around strain relief on the pig tail as well. You don't want any movement on the pigtail to impact how tight the connections would be inside the box. Loose connections cause resistance, resistance causes heat, heat causes fires. Of course YOU probably wouldn't be moving it a bunch, but I have a 2 year old who has to pull on everything.

Disclaimer: Im not am electrician but took a high school physics class once.

 

[Rousie13]

I'd initially though about the Rivian EVSE, not because it would offer any unique functionality but more because at $500 it was slightly cheaper than some of the other EVSEs. Unforutnately it hasn't been reviewed yet while other alternatives I've looked into like the Chargepoint Flex and Wallbox Pulsar Plus have received great reviews.

Both the ChargePoint Home Flex and Wallbox Pulsar Plus are good units, and I have had experience with both.

If you have one circuit and need one EVSE, then the ChargePoint is the best in my opinion. The cable is great length and it is VERY flexible even when it's cold. The application is also great.

However, if you have one circuit and are thinking about installing multiple EVSE's to share that one circuit, then Wallbox is the best option. I have one line, which I had installed when we had our basement finished. If I had known we would potentially have multiple EV's, then I would have run a 100A line to the garage and installed a sub-panel there.....but hindsight is 20/20. Anyway, the Wallbox is great at PowerSharing and their customer service is also great. I, as well as 2 members of a Volvo XC40 Recharge forum I'm on, had issues with the Wallbox dropping the PowerSharing every few days.....you had to power down and restart. I spoke with Wallbox and within a month or so they had a software update pushed out for all EVSE's that has fixed this issue for everyone. The Wallbox cables are not nearly as flexible as the ChargePoint though.

 

[OverZealous]

CommodoreAmiga mentioned earlier, but my concern would be around strain relief on the pig tail as well. You don't want any movement on the pigtail to impact how tight the connections would be inside the box. Loose connections cause resistance, resistance causes heat, heat causes fires. Of course YOU probably wouldn't be moving it a bunch, but I have a 2 year old who has to pull on everything.

Disclaimer: Im not am electrician but took a high school physics class once.

I mounted my Tesla wall connector with permanent anchors, but went ahead and put a pigtail on it so I could use my existing 14-50 connection. It has the best of both world, IMO: is it's always there and I can take my mobile charger with me, but I can also very quickly swap it out if it ever fails or gives me trouble. I can also just unplug it if I ever want to use the outlet for something else.

(I ended up getting 2 of the Tesla J1772 connectors when they popped up last year because they can load balance over a single circuit. I went ahead and bought a second Tesla J1772 adapter to leave permanently attached, so now I'm just waiting on my Rivian for the other one!)

 

[mikeB]

I have an R1T LE pre order w/April May window (11/2019 pre order).
I have a wall charger ordered from Rivian. My intent was to let them take care of supplying this and getting it set up.
I chatted with CS yesterday and the said they were "hoping" that these would all be supplied prior to the R1T but that I will get more details from my guide (no contact yet).
What chargers are you all looking into for your home? I'm sure there are previous threads on this, so sorry for any duplication. But I may want to control my own destiny with a charger.
Thanks

Same delivery window as you. I'm swapping our Tesla charger with a Rivian unit. Also asked CS about this and was told to take it up with my guide when they reached out.

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