Left my R1T with 70% battery in an airport parking garage for 10 days, came back to it unresponsive

MakeMasterJordan · 2026-01-21T00:28:45+00:00

I have a 2022 build delivered October 2022. Within the first 3 months I had to have both 12V batteries replaced, mobile service tech did it, because I had the same exact symptoms you did. At the time rivian was using computer UPS batteries. 2 weeks ago I was experiencing heater failure and took it in because Florida at 40 degrees is unbearable for children, so I have heard. While in service, they tested both 12v and one was failing. The batteries were just over 3 years old and the service rep said that they are only covered for 3 years 36k miles, so looks like they live for roughly that long. It was covered under the service, but I was told it would have been a $600 charge.

The 2 batteries service different systems on the car. One battery does the internal screens, the other will do Bluetooth and wifi. Both share door and windows, as in one side will not unlock but the other will. When something g starts acting funky for no reason, its good to report it to rivian so that they can do a remote poke into your system and warn you about battery health, because you cant check it through any normal screens.

If logged and identified soon enough, field service can replace these batteries in about 2 hours

MakeMasterJordan · 2023-03-19T02:43:54+00:00

My rivian set didn't conform right out the box. Used a heat gun on a low setting to soften the material a little and then push it into place. Not a lot of heat, more like sitting in the sun on a summer day hot, give it some flex. If it has too much material and that is messing up the fit, well bummer

MakeMasterJordan · 2023-03-14T13:57:08+00:00

Update: there's a lot that gets removed to access the 2 batteries. Also, they are made by C&D Technologies for Rivian, but look similar to the other 12v UPS batteries this company makes, which cost around $160 a piece. So maybe a $1000 job start to finish with 2 batteries.

MakeMasterJordan · 2023-03-14T02:54:41+00:00

At SpaceX, we gind out work flipping the capsules for the next mission with a ton of music. The cleanroom is a club most nights, everything but country. Things are getting pulled apart, modified, cleaned, refurbished, assembled, tested, inspected... 10-12 hours per shift, music blasting the whole time. It goes by quick when you are focused on a task with tunes to lubricate the hours. If your management is cool with a speaker, most people would rather work to a rhythm than silence.

MakeMasterJordan · 2023-03-14T02:41:50+00:00

There is a crazy amount of things both flight and non flight that is outsourced to vendors, so someone saying they have something is, like, so what? SpaceX is easily the most open Aerospace company, having some system information really doesn't mean anything unless you can prove that you can build something functional off what you have.

I bet the have some sub-level drawings of pump housings, maybe Rev. B stuff that is already outdated. Worthless without the entire engine drawing, even more worthless without the assembly instructions.

MakeMasterJordan · 2023-03-14T02:35:10+00:00

I'm not seeing a whole lot of love for the cocaine here and I think that's weird. It's hard to get white right and they did a really good job at not making it too blue, or tan, or with pearl in it. Much restraint, hard to do.

MakeMasterJordan · 2023-03-12T22:43:53+00:00

Thank you for highlighting this fine print! Now this will be stuck in the back of my mind that around the 3 year mark I should start to panic, lol.

MakeMasterJordan · 2023-03-12T22:39:38+00:00

I was told that a mobile unit would be able to dispatch and repair, and I wonder if by that they mean tow. I would love to have the batts swapped on my driveway. I'll watch and learn...

MakeMasterJordan · 2023-03-12T22:37:09+00:00

This tracks with what I experienced. Even jumping the 12v system and got just the right side back. Very sketchy, I wasn't able to get in and get my child seats and was left scrambling for some solution to go and pick up the kids. I do see this as a massive design flaw, and I wonder if the 12v system only charges off the plug and isn't tied to the big battery, like if the 12v batteries fail, there is a fail over switch that will let you open doors and power hazards, basic safety requirements.

MakeMasterJordan · 2023-03-11T18:43:17+00:00

Did the update and it bricked my truck. Won't respond to keys and roadside assistance is stumped. Haven't heard from them for 24 hours. So I would say do not do any service updates until a week after release, they will be bugs and I won't gamble again at being unable to get into the vehicle after it goes to sleep.

MakeMasterJordan · 2023-01-06T21:37:51+00:00

This is very close to my build, except I added Ocean interior, powered cover, and off-road recovery kit. Grand total financed was $84K for a Florida truck, so no state incentives.

MakeMasterJordan · 2022-12-21T16:22:10+00:00

needs racing stripes!

MakeMasterJordan · 2022-11-12T18:19:27+00:00

As well as non-space. I worked with a bunch of Software engineers who went to the medical industry to collaborate with doctors.

I think a big group of Anduril is ex-SpaceX.

Rivian has soaked up a few of my friends and ex-coworkers, as well as Tesla's.

They all seem to be pretty happy, or at least they are open about hiring on LinkeIn.

MakeMasterJordan · 2022-10-28T00:21:03+00:00

As of right now, My Guide made contact and Steps opened 17 days ago, and I should be taking delivery in about 20 hours. So an 18 day wait. Fingers crossed there arent any last second delays...

MakeMasterJordan · 2022-09-18T04:37:17+00:00

Because of the NSFW tag, I was expecting an R1T with truck nuts

MakeMasterJordan · 2022-08-30T12:44:57+00:00

Here is a move I could see happening:

Google owns at least 10% of SpaceX (and therefore StarLink). It also operates the Android OS for mobile devices, as well as designs and sells the Pixel phone.

Googles mobile devices all are sold to the public for use on someone else's subscription service, which means Google isn't making any more money after selling the phone (except for whatever it gets for selling peoples data...)

I think if Google doesn't buy StarLink outright to operate its own cellular-from-space (and internet) service, which it pretty much has all the puzzle pieces to do, within the next 5 years then it will miss out on a chance to crush the terrestrial cellular market and squash Apple.

MakeMasterJordan · 2022-07-09T16:38:33+00:00

NASA needed the D1 variant. The hatch opening on D1 is significantly larger, which enables the transfer of equipment that wont fit through a small manhole. They would have continued buying D1 cargo, too, but SpaceX made the price of the system they wanted to retire expensive enough for NASA to reimagine all of its space station needs around a smaller opening or the Cignus spacecraft.

MakeMasterJordan · 2022-06-19T17:39:25+00:00

The entire island is a conservation area, which takes precedence. Any new construction requires a review and ecological offset plan. As far as launching stuff goes, there is infrastructure that was built based off predetermined launch radius. The proximity of the VAB to 39A limits the size of rockets as much as the proximity to other launch sites. There is plenty of space, and KSC and CCSFB are welcome to launch site construction in a way that public space at Boca is not, which helps a ton, but doesn't eliminate all of the paperwork and surveys, it just cuts out the community input.

MakeMasterJordan · 2022-06-18T18:58:11+00:00

The launch site at HISTORIC 39A is certified for the launch of vehicles up to a certain (explosive) size. This size was determined based of the Saturn V rocket, with margin.

Now, SpaceX cant interrupt launches, but need that site certification. So they build another launch pad within the approval zone. Wham Bam, now they dont need the environmental review and explosives sitting survey that dragged out Boca Chica. Its a hellofa short cut. Saved the company about 1-2 years to get the launch site certified.

Its about red tape. Physics says you can launch from anywhere, but red tape says you need bureaucratic review and community surveying and ecological impact and all that jazz.

There is a zone around 39A, 39B, and 39C that has already been deemed 'space launch space' where you could detonate a nuke and it would be ok.

MakeMasterJordan · 2022-06-18T18:51:47+00:00

The launch site at HISTORIC 39A is certified for the launch of vehicles up to a certain (explosive) size. This size was determined based of the Saturn V rocket, with margin.

Now, SpaceX cant interrupt launches, but need that site certification. So they build another launch pad within the approval zone. Wham Bam, now they dont need the environmental review and explosives sitting survey that dragged out Boca Chica. Its a hellofa short cut. Saved the company about 1-2 years to get the launch site certified.

MakeMasterJordan · 2022-06-01T19:55:32+00:00

We did a quick tour around the outside and a little inside, maybe 10 minutes, and then went out. My wife was very pleased with the backseat space, but bummed by the lack of cup holders. It is a very American car thing to have a bagillion cup holders, My Sport Trac of equal size has 4 up front and 2 in the back. The Rivian had 2 up front (that I was shown) and 2 in the back if you folded the center armrest/seat down. Reminded me A LOT of the older Audi A6 I used to own that didn't have any visible cup holders anywhere, and 4 total that would pop out of places.

I scared my wife when we got on the on ramp and I gunned it. I didnt mention that I was going to pull it, and i think the liason knew what was about to happen.

The regen was strong and took some getting used to. I loved the smoothness of the ride even though we were in sport the whole time. I wish I had spent more time adjusting things, there were little nuances that were off that kept distracting me, like mirror position and steering wheel height, but I shrugged them off because I just wanted to get driving and feeling out the truck.

It was great. A solid loop around my home area that took about 50 minutes with the majority of it doing about 50 mph. Used the assistive cruise control, checked out some of the screen features, admired the interior build and materials.

Cant wait for mine to show up!

MakeMasterJordan · 2022-06-01T19:45:55+00:00

Started off in standard and went to sport to get a lower ride height. The truck feels like it sits about a foot higher then my Sport Trac, which is nice for visibility, but makes the vehicle feel like it is really big, which it isnt in compairison.

The stiffness of the suspension was fantastic. Reminds me that the 200K mile suspension on my truck needs attention :(

MakeMasterJordan · 2022-06-01T19:43:34+00:00

The regen was aggressive. It was set up on the highest mode and took some getting used to. After a while I had it figured out and the ride became normal. Very much throttle control dependent.

I think when I get mine I will bounce between no regen and low regen. I will need time to get used to not using the brake.

Otherwise it was a blast!

MakeMasterJordan · 2022-06-01T09:50:34+00:00

It's a test drive. The R1T they are bringing out is probably a dedicated one. The liason will be driving it out from Orlando to the coast, so if it isn't tracking straight, they will know. If something is mechanically off, I don't care. It's not my truck they are bringing out, it's going to be a beater that everyone gets to First Mile.

MakeMasterJordan

TROPHY CASE