Vampire Drain Fix: How to solve in under a minute (indoor or outdoor)

[mudito]

TLDR: Latest update has changed how 12v battery is charged (at least on G2 R1S).

Gultin great work on your setup. Since the latest update our G2 R1S has been sending a constant voltage of 14.3 - 14.4 volts to the 12v battery. The amperage is minuscule as the battery is fully charged. I have tested this overnight and in the morning without waking the car it remains at this high voltage. Over the next few days I will let it sit unplugged with no tender and see if the VD has improved. I suspect they did this to eliminate the constant drain and recharge of the 12v battery to reduce warranty replacements.

Wondering if Rivian is doing the same with the G1 cars.

Easiest way to test this is to open driver's window and place your OBD2 adapter so you can reach in and put a multi-meter on it. Best to lock the car and wait 30 minutes so you know if's fully asleep. Make sure gear guard and live cam is off.

If Rivian is doing the same with G1 I can't think of a benefit of using a battery tender when the car is asleep.

FYI, my G1 it's not doing this!

After seeing your post on the other thread, I let it sleep last night and tried the voltage (I have the leads in the frunk directly wired to the battery for my maintenance purposes) and it was reading the normal 12.6V

Sponsored

 

[Yossarian]

I have a Victron Blue Smart 5 amp charger already. I know most folks are using 1.5 or 3 amp chargers, but is there any reason that Victron couldn't or shouldn't be used via an OBD connection to keep the Rivian 12v battery charged, on the Pb battery setting?

 

[WhidbeyIsland]

Also, both the options above take under a minute to plug in and similarly long to take off, meaning that I'm able to use them similar to how I might've plugged in my truck.

So, to be clear, the 12v output connector on the solar panel is the same style and polarity as the ODB port cable connector..?

 

[hammick]

I have a Victron Blue Smart 5 amp charger already. I know most folks are using 1.5 or 3 amp chargers, but is there any reason that Victron couldn't or shouldn't be used via an OBD connection to keep the Rivian 12v battery charged, on the Pb battery setting?

Need to be careful with a 5 amp charger. If the battery is fully charged or close to fully charged it won't be putting out anywhere near 5 amps. I'm using a 4 amp charger with no issues. When maintaining the fully charged battery it's putting out like .1 amps. If you are making your own OBD2 adapter I suggest putting a 3 amp fuse inline so it will blow the fuse rather than damage your OBD2 port if you get in a situation where you are charging the 12v at a low SOC. I don't know if the OBD2 port has a built in electronic fuse.

The Battery Tender brand OBD2 adapter most people are using has a 3a fuse.

 

[hammick]

FYI, my G1 it's not doing this!

After seeing your post on the other thread, I let it sleep last night and tried the voltage (I have the leads in the frunk directly wired to the battery for my maintenance purposes) and it was reading the normal 12.6V

Thanks. So I'd like to hear from people with G2 vehicles to see if they are getting constant voltage of approx 14.3 volts to the 12v battery even during sleep. I guess there is a chance my 12v isn't getting fully charged. Unlikely since my tender is going into float mode very quickly after I attach it.

 

[Woo]

What is your connection like from the solar panel to the OBDII connector, or does that somehow go into the Battery Tender so it regulates the voltage?

 

[gultin]

So, to be clear, the 12v output connector on the solar panel is the same style and polarity as the ODB port cable connector..?

Correct, they're both SAE quick connects

 

[gultin]

What is your connection like from the solar panel to the OBDII connector, or does that somehow go into the Battery Tender so it regulates the voltage?

Solar panel connects to OBD adapter via built-in SAE quick connects. No need for any other component. The Battery Tender was only mentioned as a separate indoor/plug-in option. There's an MPPT charge controller built into the solar panel that should regulate voltage.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

Interesting. So the OBD port isn't completely disconnected when vehicle sleeps?

 

[gultin]

Interesting. So the OBD port isn't completely disconnected when vehicle sleeps?

That's been my understanding and Gemini seems to agree:

 

[hammick]

Interesting. So the OBD port isn't completely disconnected when vehicle sleeps?

Nope. Always hot at least on G2 and I'm guessing on G1 as well since people are charging through it.

 

[UnsungZero_OldTimeAdMan]

That's been my understanding and Gemini seems to agree:

Thanks for the legwork. Bookmarked for future retail therapy.

 

[emlo]

Thanks, I like the simplicity of this solution. What do you do if camping - while there is no sun aka night.

We camped over the weekend and lose 20mi per day, a mix of VD and endless in and out of the vehicle as a giant bear box.

I am totally up to use a giant USB battery; I have a 42000mAh I would love to plugin to a tender, but imagine the output 18watts? isn't enough.

I thought vehicles shouldn’t be used to store food in wooded areas with bears because bears can easily get in.

 

[Mark_AZR1T]

This is a very helpful thread. We boondock once or twice a year and saving a few percentage points on the battery would bring additional comfort. Thank you! I've got my goodies coming.

 

[hammick]

I thought vehicles shouldn’t be used to store food in wooded areas with bears because bears can easily get in.

Car is better than the tent and hung from a tree is better than the car. We've never had problems keeping food properly stored in the car but I've seen some motorcycles and ATV's torn up that had some food stored in them. Food in the tent should never happen.

Sponsored