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10-07-2010, 11:26 PM
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#1
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Junior Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 23
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battery drain towing an Chevy HHR
Hello Everyone, Has anyone, towing a Chevy HHR, had problems keeping their battery charged during travel. I do everything the owners manuel says including pulling fuse number 8. Thanks for your help.
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2009 34ft Alpine Limited S E
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10-08-2010, 01:10 AM
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#2
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2010
Posts: 33
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Tow a 2010 HHR behind my 2005 38 Alpine Coach. Instead of removing the fuse, I installed a rocker switch that I can use to disconnect the power. As soon as I hit the switch the dash lights and key in the ignition bell stop working. Did you mistakenly leave the overhead light on. There are a few things that continue to draw even when off (clock, and some computer functions) but they don't draw enough to drain a battery till a couple of months go bye. Could be your battery is bad or you are not pulling the right fuse.
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10-08-2010, 11:08 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,400
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Fuses and towing instructions differ among GM products but in new fuses boxes, fuse 32 kills the instrument cluster. I had the same problem with my 2010 Silverado until I figured out you dont need to leave the key on for the steering wheel to turn freely. Accordingly, the "on" position must draw a lot of power so if you must leave the key on, then disconnecting your battery [via a manual switch] is your best bet.
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Old Scout
2015 IH45 Foretravel
2003 Alpine 40' MDTS [Sold]
New Braunfels, Texas
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10-08-2010, 01:42 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Posts: 100
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Are you using an aux. brake that is using power? If you are using a 6 wire adapter from the coach to the HHR you can run a wire from the center post on the adapter to the pos. post under the hood to charge the battery from the coach.
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10-08-2010, 11:58 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Alpine Owners Club
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Long Beach, CA
Posts: 1,563
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I did as jet mentions. I ran a #10 stranded wire from the coach battery to a 30 amp self-resetting circuit breaker then to the umbilical. At the toad I have the exact same setup (breaker and #10). Be sure the toad is grounded through the umbilical and you'll never have another dead battery.
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2003 Alpine 40FDTS (400HP)
Long Beach, CA
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10-09-2010, 08:59 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Ca/UT
Posts: 417
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FWIW, we use the same setup, as described by Jet, on our Wrangler when towing it.
I realize its not an HHR but the setup works great.
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donnie(KE6DON), Linda, and 2furrykid s Buddy & Rain
2016 SouthWind32VS, 2014 Jeep Cherokee Limited
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10-09-2010, 04:43 PM
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#7
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Jan 2000
Location: West Palm Beach, FL. USA
Posts: 27,697
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I know of several folks towing an HHR and removing the #8 fuse is all that is required. I'm thinking you have something, e.g. the toad brake or an accessory device, added to the vehicle that is draining the battery.
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Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is West Palm Beach, FL
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10-09-2010, 05:17 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Florida
Posts: 779
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Something doesn't sound right. I used the switch and a toad brake with no problems.
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2019 Newmar Canyon Star 3719
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10-09-2010, 09:07 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 343
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I also had a problem with the battery dying in our HHR while towing. After this happened a couple times, I took it into the dealer and they confirmed the battery was bad and replaced it. Since then (over a year), we have towed all over and have had no further problem. I would test the battery and make sure it is up to snuff. I also made and installed a switch for the fuse which works great (see Fulltime RVing With Rick and Orinda: A New Tow Car -- Installing the Bracket and lights) .
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Rick
2020 Fleetwood Discovery 40M 
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12-24-2010, 05:24 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 277
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Same problem here... but I have a Saturn. The last trip resulted in the battery being totally dead. Worse yet, with the Saturn, if the battery is dead, when the car is in park, you cannot take it out of park to put it in neutral (or any other gear). I'm thinking just to disconnect the negative, wrap in a rubber glove and go.
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12-24-2010, 06:17 PM
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#11
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Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2008
Posts: 93
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mbl cndo What year Saturn do u have.I have 08 vue. I had afew dead battery issues,now pull fuse less hassle than unhoking cable imarked it with red paint I can give u fuse info if same yr others ??????
Joe(Ka6bud)
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12-24-2010, 06:19 PM
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#12
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Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 4
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I tow a 06 hhr and one time i had key on to far u well know this if the lights are on outside.i hope this helps.
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12-24-2010, 06:41 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Newmar Owners Club
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Wellington, Florida
Posts: 13,599
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Hi Larry B.,
I threw some $s at this problem and it went away. Go to TOAD-CHARGE Dinghy Vehicle Battery Charger/Maintainer and read about the product. It is an easy install. It works as advertised and I would make the same purchase again. If I can buy my way out of a problem for $125 buy golly I'm first in line.
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Gary
2005 Newmar KSDP 3910 + GMC ENVOY XUV 37K lbs Moving Down The Road
The Avatar Is Many Times Around The USA
Nobody Knows Your Coach Like Somebody Who Owns One Just Like Yours
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12-24-2010, 08:04 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2007
Posts: 277
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ka6bud
mbl cndo What year Saturn do u have.I have 08 vue. I had afew dead battery issues,now pull fuse less hassle than unhoking cable imarked it with red paint I can give u fuse info if same yr others ??????
Joe(Ka6bud)
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2004 LW300. I have been pulling 3 fuses, but it still runs the battery down.
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