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Post by BoxGods on Nov 3, 2022 18:57:45 GMT
Project InfoA "clean-sheet" custom 40 quart 12VDC powered refrigerator/freezer designed specifically to fit in, and work with, the Rivian R1T/S frunk and under the R1T bed cover: highly robust, field repairable, functional, and likely to outlast the truck. The cooler and lid are roto-molded with 3 mm (1/8th") walls and are super-insulated with poured in place polyurethane foam.
Preliminary pricing is looking like it will land in the $550 to $650 range. The first run will cost about $50,000 and to enter production we will need 150 to 200 reservations. The reservation amount will vary based on the number of reservations. For example 150 reservations x $200 = $30,000 or 200 reservations x $150 = $30,000 and I will put in the remaining $20,000 as a good faith assurance to the group. For more information on projects I have worked on previously, you can click here.
To get on the sign-up list, please click here. If / when we reach the minimum number needed to start production, those signed up will be notified to place their reservation, and final pricing will be locked in.
Please note: There are currently 4 projects that are ready to enter production--the 40 QT 12VDC frunk cooler / freezer, the 60 QT frunk ice chest, the 12 gallon frunk water tank with sprayer, and the solar roof rack. The order in which products are run will be based on how many sign-ups there are for each.
If you have questions, comments, or suggestions--this is the place to post them as our goal is to get everyone involved in the process.                   
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Post by BoxGods on Nov 4, 2022 14:51:41 GMT
In case you were wondering how the cooler would look with the metal panels color matched to Rivian's body colors =)             |
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Post by lethargic_wombat on Nov 9, 2022 21:47:29 GMT
Great design. Love the yellow accent color. If you have the cooler and the water tank with sprayer how do you recommend powering both out of one outlet. The cooler needs available power constantly to maintain temp. But the sprayer only needs power during use. So if you have both, do you go manual and unplug the cooler when you need the sprayer to be plugged in? Is there a 12v splitter that would allow both to be plugged in all the time? Or, do you recommend the small 12v battery for the sprayer for people who have both?
It seems a splitter with an automatic switch that would temporarily pause the compressor when the sprayer is actuated and then direct power back to the compressor when the sprayer is turned off would be ideal. I don't know if such a thing exists. I know there are splitters with manual switches, but I can already see myself forgetting to manually switch it back to the cooler.
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Post by BoxGods on Nov 9, 2022 22:00:44 GMT
Great design. Love the yellow accent color. If you have the cooler and the water tank with sprayer how do you recommend powering both out of one outlet. The cooler needs available power constantly to maintain temp. But the sprayer only needs power during use. So if you have both, do you go manual and unplug the cooler when you need the sprayer to be plugged in? Is there a 12v splitter that would allow both to be plugged in all the time? Or, do you recommend the small 12v battery for the sprayer for people who have both? It seems a splitter with an automatic switch that would temporarily pause the compressor when the sprayer is actuated and then direct power back to the compressor when the sprayer is turned off would be ideal. I don't know if such a thing exists. I know there are splitters with manual switches, but I can already see myself forgetting to manually switch it back to the cooler.
The cooler will also retain it's settings without power in case that is what you were referring to.
So short answer, there is no functional reason the same plug can't be used for both the cooler and the water tank.
The small rechargeable battery can be used on the water tank if you want. I won't know for sure till we actually cycle test, but it has enough capacity to fully drain the water tank 3 to 5 times or more with a single charge. It would also be handy if you ever wanted to use the tank outside the truck. |
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Post by Ro on Nov 10, 2022 13:40:49 GMT
Two questions, please forgive my ignorance. One, is the usable space within the cooler 40q? It seems the compressor takes up a lot of space inside. I'm trying to visualize, say, how many 12oz cans might fit in either side of it.
And, do you plan to test the cooler running in the trunk in hot conditions before you sell it? I worry there may not be enough circulation and it may become an energy hog/shorten the life of components.
Thanks!
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Post by BoxGods on Nov 10, 2022 22:54:35 GMT
Two questions, please forgive my ignorance. One, is the usable space within the cooler 40q? It seems the compressor takes up a lot of space inside. I'm trying to visualize, say, how many 12oz cans might fit in either side of it. And, do you plan to test the cooler running in the trunk in hot conditions before you sell it? I worry there may not be enough circulation and it may become an energy hog/shorten the life of components. Thanks!  This should help with getting an idea of how much space there is. As you're thinking about it keep in mind there is no need for ice so you are able to use all of the space.
As for heat / ventilation in the frunk. The cooler is designed with that in mind. There are locating cleats or "pucks" to keep it from shifting out of position while driving and potentially blocking a fan inlet or outlet. The front, bottom, and rear metal plates are 3 mm thick aluminum for better heat mitigation. There is a redundant 120mm fan in the equipment section to help cool the compressor--so the normal fan on the condenser and a second for the compressor. There are also two fans inside the cooler between the two compartments for increased airflow and efficiency. External coolant lines are insulated, etc.
It is also important to remember that the cooler itself is an airtight super-insulated container and the cooler will not need to run continuously. Total power draw--with all the fans and compressor running IOW--is targeted at under 75 W. For perspective a typical taper candle is about 80 W.
There are several people that have already run powered coolers in their frunks without issue. I am including a link below to one user who was kind enough to collect real world data and share it with the community.
www.rivianforums.com/forum/threads/vehicle-fridge-temperature-impact-in-frunk.5074/
Lastly, if you prefer sticking with a non powered ice chest, there is also 60 QT low profile ice chest version in the projects section you can sign up for. I don't know if it will ever have enough people interested to get it into production though as currently sign-ups are currently running 8 to 1 for the powered 40 QT 12VDC. It's still early days however and you never know =) |
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Post by johstacy on Jan 4, 2023 22:29:21 GMT
Question is one side a freezer and the other a cooler or are both a cooler or freezer?
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Post by BoxGods on Jan 5, 2023 16:20:25 GMT
Question is one side a freezer and the other a cooler or are both a cooler or freezer? |
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Post by kbp on Mar 14, 2023 0:11:43 GMT
Would it be complicated/expensive to add 110 capabilities? Could be nice to run this of AC and not worry about depleting the 12 volt batteries which seem to be a bit finicky.
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Post by BoxGods on Mar 14, 2023 19:53:00 GMT
Would it be complicated/expensive to add 110 capabilities? Could be nice to run this of AC and not worry about depleting the 12 volt batteries which seem to be a bit finicky. It will include a transformer, (aka "wall wart") so you can run it off of 110 also. |
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Post by pat5923 on Jun 12, 2023 16:30:13 GMT
How are you guys looking on reservations for the coolers and camp kitchen?
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Post by BoxGods on Jun 12, 2023 18:33:08 GMT
How are you guys looking on reservations for the coolers and camp kitchen? You can check the signup count for the different projects on the news ticker on top of the home page of the forums. The Camp Kitchen has reached the minimum needed, and the cooler is getting closer. |
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Post by phatman113 on Jun 12, 2023 18:41:14 GMT
You can check the signup count for the different projects on the news ticker on top of the home page of the forums. The Camp Kitchen has reached the minimum needed, and the cooler is getting closer. Any idea on the order you'll be proceeding with for these projects? There's a few that are at or over the minimum (and more that are close!)... When it rains, it pours, I guess.  |
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Post by BoxGods on Jun 13, 2023 1:32:17 GMT
You can check the signup count for the different projects on the news ticker on top of the home page of the forums. The Camp Kitchen has reached the minimum needed, and the cooler is getting closer. Any idea on the order you'll be proceeding with for these projects? There's a few that are at or over the minimum (and more that are close!)... When it rains, it pours, I guess. We are going pretty much in the order they reach the signup requirements. Frunk tank hit first and is in production now. The Slide Out Utility Tray and Camp Kitchen are next and then the cooler. |
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Post by Obfu on Sept 20, 2023 21:37:06 GMT
Do you have a rough idea how much free space will be available on the driver's side of the frunk? For those of us without 12v outlets, we're going to need to figure out how to power the cooler (or in my case the cooler and the tank pump). The EcoFlow power station I'm currently using with an ICECO GO20 is clearly too large for this configuration, so I'd like to start sizing out alternative power units.
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