R1T Phantom Drain Solution Works

wildlife R1T · 2025-04-03T14:11:49+00:00

I have previously used the streaming capability back when it first came out as well as the hotspot since before Connect+ was a thing. I am trying to get the streaming working again but it seems to have been hidden fully behind the paywall. (Not looking to argue the merits of that system here) I recall after Connect+ came out being able to still use the Hotspot while tethering with my phone, and losing it isn't a big deal other than needing to update my wife's wifi, but I think I remember needing to be on the Hotspot to do casting. My question is, did Rivian remove both of these features to fully behind the connect+ paywall? I thought that if you used phone tethering or if you were connected to WIFI you could use most all of the usual streaming like features of the Rivian? If anyone can recommend how to stream while using tethering I'm sure myself and others without Connect+ would appreciate it.

Vincent

Active Wheeler

Mar 8, 2025

After doing lots of online research as well watching youtube videos I was able to solve phantom/vampire battery drain easily.

I got a 12 volt battery tender, and an OBD3 port adaptor off amazon and leave it plugged in while the car is at home.

Instead of losing nearly 1.5kwh a night, the tender draws 1.6kwh.

Photos show the setup in my garage, the drain before and after from ElectriFi and a screenshot of my smart plug that measures throughput.

(The TL;DR reason is folks have found is is the 12 volt battery is too small to keep the rivian asleep all night so it drains and dies, then the rivian wakes up and runs all its electronics and computers out of sleep mode to recharge the 12 volt for 3 hours.)