Vincent
Member
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2024
- Messages
- 229
- Reaction score
- 24
- Rivian
- R1T
The Problem
Having read several others' posts about some R1 owners encountering dead 12V battery problems at inconvenient places, I became obsessed looking for a solution that could allow me to resuscitate my R1T in a pinch, by myself, even without any other vehicles nearby to jump my 12V battery.
Part of my custom solution was storing 12V jumper cables and a 12V 30 Amp-Hour LiFePO4 battery (affiliate link. Non-affiliate link here) in the frunk. This way, I can use the LiFePO4 battery to power up the Rivian (which requires an external 12V source that can supply up to 30 amps constant for several minutes), just enough to engage the high voltage system.
However, you need a T25 and T20 wrench or screwdriver (and ideally a 10mm socket wrench as well) to manually access and pull the frunk's emergency hood release cable (see Rivian's R1 Tow Operator Guide, page 36). The problem was figuring out where to stow a small set of these tools such that it can be accessed by hand without needing any additional tools.
A friend came up with the idea of a storage box that can be inserted into the hitch receiver. However, I needed the hitch for my bike carrier or my trailer if the trip involves towing a camper.
While another opted to wrap the tools and stow it in the space where the 12V jump-start wire harness and connectors are stored to the right of the hitch, behind a plastic cap. The problem was that it'd be hard to pry open the plastic cap (which is firmly seated and flush) without a sharp knife or a flathead screwdriver in hand. I also didn't like the idea that the tools might get loose and lost inside that volume.
The (Experimental) Solution
We designed and 3D-printed a set of tool holders that can be mounted to the left and right side of the license plate. The holder set can hold just the bare-minimum tools from this tool set (affiliate link. Non-affiliate link here) to gain access to the frunk's emergency hood release cable, including:
• mini ratcheting wrench
• bit extension
• driver-to-socket adapter
• 10mm socket
• T20, T25, philips, and flathead bits
The tools are placed inside the holders, and a removable, sliding cap closes it up. Although very tight-fitting (to ensure they don't slip off from highway speed winds, car washes, etc.), the caps can still be removed by hand. It's not waterproof, so I've stored the tools in small sandwich ziplock bags. I've also designed in a mini-sump in the bottom of the interior space of the holder to collect and route out any water ingressing into the storage volume, which connects to a small drainage port at the rear of the holders.
It was also designed so that there's enough space to fit around license plate frames, including the simple black frame (affiliate link. Non-affiliate link here) I used shown in the photos below, to help further blend (and reinforce the rigidity) of the tool holders with the rest of the vehicle.
Having read several others' posts about some R1 owners encountering dead 12V battery problems at inconvenient places, I became obsessed looking for a solution that could allow me to resuscitate my R1T in a pinch, by myself, even without any other vehicles nearby to jump my 12V battery.
Part of my custom solution was storing 12V jumper cables and a 12V 30 Amp-Hour LiFePO4 battery (affiliate link. Non-affiliate link here) in the frunk. This way, I can use the LiFePO4 battery to power up the Rivian (which requires an external 12V source that can supply up to 30 amps constant for several minutes), just enough to engage the high voltage system.
However, you need a T25 and T20 wrench or screwdriver (and ideally a 10mm socket wrench as well) to manually access and pull the frunk's emergency hood release cable (see Rivian's R1 Tow Operator Guide, page 36). The problem was figuring out where to stow a small set of these tools such that it can be accessed by hand without needing any additional tools.
A friend came up with the idea of a storage box that can be inserted into the hitch receiver. However, I needed the hitch for my bike carrier or my trailer if the trip involves towing a camper.
While another opted to wrap the tools and stow it in the space where the 12V jump-start wire harness and connectors are stored to the right of the hitch, behind a plastic cap. The problem was that it'd be hard to pry open the plastic cap (which is firmly seated and flush) without a sharp knife or a flathead screwdriver in hand. I also didn't like the idea that the tools might get loose and lost inside that volume.
The (Experimental) Solution
We designed and 3D-printed a set of tool holders that can be mounted to the left and right side of the license plate. The holder set can hold just the bare-minimum tools from this tool set (affiliate link. Non-affiliate link here) to gain access to the frunk's emergency hood release cable, including:
• mini ratcheting wrench
• bit extension
• driver-to-socket adapter
• 10mm socket
• T20, T25, philips, and flathead bits
The tools are placed inside the holders, and a removable, sliding cap closes it up. Although very tight-fitting (to ensure they don't slip off from highway speed winds, car washes, etc.), the caps can still be removed by hand. It's not waterproof, so I've stored the tools in small sandwich ziplock bags. I've also designed in a mini-sump in the bottom of the interior space of the holder to collect and route out any water ingressing into the storage volume, which connects to a small drainage port at the rear of the holders.
It was also designed so that there's enough space to fit around license plate frames, including the simple black frame (affiliate link. Non-affiliate link here) I used shown in the photos below, to help further blend (and reinforce the rigidity) of the tool holders with the rest of the vehicle.
