Tips for using Rivian as power bank for storm

[KBabione]

I'm not so interested in V2H, but would love a V2L solution from Rivian like the Jeep 4xe Power Box. Having two 15A outlets would solve all of my energy needs while camping or tailgating.

In lieu of a V2L solution, I currently have a Bluetti AC180 - Limited to 1800W. The problem I have with it is that when it's plugged in to an AC source (like the Rivian) it passes all AC output directly through to the source. This effectively limits my output to the 1500W limit of the Rivian's inverter. My work around for that is to unplug the AC when I need more than 1500W, but then I'm limited by the size of the battery (about 30 minutes at 1500W output). I've screwed around with AC/DC converters that would give me 400-500W DC input while the AC output is on, but my home brew solution wasn't consistent.

As I continue to look for my ideal solution, I came across the Pecron F3000LFP (currently $799 on Amazon) that has up to 3600W of output. It suffers from the same affliction as my Bluetti in that when it's plugged into AC to charge it automatically jumps to UPS mode and the total output is limited to 1800W. You only get 3600W of output if it's NOT plugged into an AC input source. I don't need more than 1800W often so I'm looking at having to unplug it from AC when, for example, I want to have my Blackstone e-series cranking and want to make hot water or use my induction burner. Not a big deal, but still a pain. The Pecron DOES allow you to limit the input draw (the default is 1800W) by percentage, so I can set the input to 80% (1440W) so I don't have to worry about tripping the Rivian inverter. I'll be buying one before my next camping trip.

Sorry this is so long - especially as it won't help those of you who might experience significant power outages in the next week (delivery is 8-15 days from Amazon), but it might be useful for the next time. I live near Lancaster PA and am very happy to loan my Bluetti to anyone on this forum who has a power outage if you're within driving distance. Please DM me if you have a need and we'll work something out. It's not a perfect solution, but you could charge the Bluetti from the Rivian many times.

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[dralanirusa]

With all the crazy forecasts this weekend calling for ice in the south east I’ve been weighing my options. I was looking into getting a bigger generator than my dinky tailgate generator or a battery back up but realized I have a giant battery sitting in the garage.

I know I’m limited to 1500W max but was curious if anyone has leveraged their car for power during a prolonged outage and if they had any tips/tricks? Ole chat GPT is convinced I need a good power bank I continuously top off from the Rivian to handle more/initial loads but not sure if that’s really necessary or not.

We’ve had maybe 1 outage in the year we’ve lived here with lines underground so trying to balance good planning and over doing a one off situation. Any advice or anecdotes you fine folks have I’d appreciate!

We had a storm in Central Florida more than a year ago. For the first time we had power outage for 2 days. We used our Rivian to power our fridge, modem and router, TV, couple of fans, air-cooler (not air conditioner), charged our phones and computers and I managed to play Call of Duty on PS5. We used less than 50% of battery capacity!

 

[Mousetrap]

We've had a couple outages (one a couple weeks ago when someone crashed into a power pole down the street so hard it knocked it over. In a 25-zone! ) and each time, I run an extension cord with a splitter into the house and plug in 1) our refrigerator, 2) the furnace, 3) some lights/misc chargers and such. As others have said, it's minimal battery usage and really nice to stay warm and be able to use the refrigerator during an outage.

 

[johnj2803]

HOw do you guys keep the Rivian outlets on as long as that? I think I have to manually set "hours" and then it turns off.

 

[Deacon]

With all the crazy forecasts this weekend calling for ice in the south east I’ve been weighing my options. I was looking into getting a bigger generator than my dinky tailgate generator or a battery back up but realized I have a giant battery sitting in the garage.

I know I’m limited to 1500W max but was curious if anyone has leveraged their car for power during a prolonged outage and if they had any tips/tricks? Ole chat GPT is convinced I need a good power bank I continuously top off from the Rivian to handle more/initial loads but not sure if that’s really necessary or not.

We’ve had maybe 1 outage in the year we’ve lived here with lines underground so trying to balance good planning and over doing a one off situation. Any advice or anecdotes you fine folks have I’d appreciate!

When my power goes off here I plug my fridge and freezer into my R1T - they will run for 2-3 days or more off of truck. If power is not on by then I can drive about an hour to a Supercharger to charge. I have an ecoflow battery that I plug in lights, TV, internet, coffee maker, charging cables for phones and ipads. Have 2 solar panels to charge the ecoflow battery. Do cooking on the grill but can plug in induction hot plate if needed. I have the extension cords inside and ready to plug in - I can have everything plugged in and running in less than 15 minutes. Can't run heater off of the battery - we are most likely to lose power from hurricane and not during cold weather. My plan is to add 1 or 2 additional batteries so that I could power a space heater in one room if needed. I can also charge the battery from the R1T. When the power is not out, I have my office (computer, monitor, lamps, etc.) connected to the battery and powered by the solar panels so I am getting some benefit all year.

 

[Dark-Fx]

HOw do you guys keep the Rivian outlets on as long as that? I think I have to manually set "hours" and then it turns off.

You get more than 3 days, just have to go reset the timer occasionally.

 

[Singletracker]

Unless it’s a really dinky generator it’s probably less dinky than the Rivian inverter output. If it’s something like a Honda 2000 it will run part load for 40+ hours on a 5 gallon gas can. Fill a couple with some ethanol free gas and rotate them out once a year and you have a simple, reliable power source without draining charge from the vehicle.

Yeah, I bought such a battery before I got my Rivian. It worked okay, but the constant racket it made was annoying. Being an adventure vehicle, the Rivian knows to keep quiet and not disturb anybody

 

[MD89]

I have a house in the mountains that gets tons of snow and looses power a lot. I also have the Bluetti AC 180P battery generator and put that in the kitchen to run the refrigerator and other things and plug its AC cord into an extension cord going to the Rivian AC outlet in the garage. I just ordered 2 more small Bluetti (Elite 100V2) battery generators (they are on sale now and can get in a few days directly from Bluetti, or Jackery sells similar battery generators) for other parts of the house. My question is, other than removing the door handle, does anyone have a suggestion for running the extension cord from the car in the garage into the house through a flap or something to put over a hole in the door so the cold air in the garage is not coming into the house? Thanks!

 

[True Brit]

Bite the bullet and be comfortable.

 

[kanundrum]

I prepped my anchor solix portable battery and I have the rivian. If power does genuinely go out the rivians power supply is more than enough for me as I've done so in the past. The bigger issue would be to heating with a 1-year-old and a 3-year-old it will be tough lol

 

[David Yunker]

I ran two refrigerators for 3 days off extension cord. No problem

 

[impulsoren]

Several local solar/battery installers have told me to not buy a backup house battery yet because Rivian is now claiming to have a V2H solution with a time line of “by 2nd quarter 2026”. I’m not sure how far to trust that timeline but I’m going to continue to use an extension cord (and a Jackery for high powered appliances) for now.

 

[Matchbox]

Lost power for a day this summer and used the Rivian to alternate between the two refrigerators. Couple percent loss if I remember correctly. I have run a gas furnace as one poster did by installing pigtail for the furnace and ran off the neighbors which is a different circuit. Will do the same this weekend using the Rivian for the furnace - assuming I can figure out this new furnace.

Just charge to 90% before stuff comes.

 

[Cal]

I had a Lightning with the Propower on board option. LOVED it and refused to get an R1T until I saw a post this forum about Li generators. After researching the hell out of it, I got a Yoshino B4000. Plenty big enough to run my cable bx, tv's computer room with Starlink. I even used it to run my Ego riding mower power station. After I proved to myself that a LI generator will work I traded my Lightning in for a 2025 Calif dune. LOVE IT! The R1T charges it fine.

I now prefer an external power source in addition to the R1T. After a power outage I can get my essentials back in 10 min. No need run ean extremely long power cable from the truck. No need to keep a door cracked to get power. I keep my station charged at 75% in the winter. We lose power 3-4 times a yeaer in my area. Last time (this year) was for 10 hrs.

I know about the "not really a solid state" controversy on the B4000. Just works great for me and half the weight of the Ecoflow Delta Pro 3. I think it will fit in the gear tunnel but I haven't tried it.

Costco is the best place to get any LI generator because of the return policy. If it doesn't work you can just take it back. Unlimited time to return.

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