Community Forums

KWiK · 11-13-2018, 06:05 PM

The more I read the more I get confused.

#1 Do you
A. Use a battery maintainer
B. Wire direct to toad battery
C. No hookup between MH and Toad
D. ?
2. If you do use a battery maintainer
A. what Brand
B. are you happy with it.

Thanks

Pigman1 · 11-13-2018, 06:26 PM

3 coaches, over 200,000 tow miles and we don't use one. Hook the 12+ wire in your 7 pin connector to a 10ga wire direct to the toad battery. Put a 20 or 25A fuse within 6" of the toad battery 12+ post and you're done. Check the 12+ post in your 7 pin connector to see if it's still hot with your RV key off. If it is, you'll need to pull the 7 pin plug when parked and hooked up to prevent backfeeding from the toad to the RV. A lot of people put a diode in line, but the diode uses power so your toad battery doesnt charge as high and what ever charge you get isn't as fast as without it. THe battery maintainer is simply an expensive way to separate you from your wallet contents. Not needed and reduces performance.

AKIQPilot · 11-13-2018, 06:33 PM

It really depends on what you're pulling for a toad and what braking system you're using.

I agree with Pigman, you don't need a battery maintainer. If you need a charge line at all it just needs to be a fused line from your umbilical cord directly to the battery with a fuse within a few inches of the battery. Any more than that is a waste of $$$.

I don't use a charge line as my toad uses no power for brakes or lights or anything else when it's hooked up to the coach. My toad battery is about 12.5v when I take off in the morning and 12.5v when I stop 8 hrs later. It doesn't change even slightly.

Bullitt6283 · 11-13-2018, 06:34 PM

I am using the RVi towed battery charger. No issues. No need to disconnect umbilical when stopped.

https://rvibrake.com/collections/sho...ant=8804388741

.

Poppy01 · 11-13-2018, 06:47 PM

I use a charge line from the coach. The line was always hot. Rather than use a diode to avoid back feeding the coach when the ignition switch was off, in put a relay to shut it off when the ignition is off.

Pigman1 · 11-13-2018, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poppy01

I use a charge line from the coach. The line was always hot. Rather than use a diode to avoid back feeding the coach when the ignition switch was off, in put a relay to shut it off when the ignition is off.

Good solution and you don't eat the losses the diodes give you.

UFO Pilot · 11-13-2018, 07:19 PM

I have been using a Toad-Charge for the last 6 or 7 years.
TOAD-CHARGE Dinghy Vehicle Battery Charger/Maintainer

vettenuts · 11-13-2018, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bullitt6283

I am using the RVi towed battery charger. No issues. No need to disconnect umbilical when stopped.

https://rvibrake.com/collections/sho...ant=8804388741

.

Same here.

Offramp · 11-14-2018, 07:55 AM

I am using a towed battery charger/maintainer that came with the Brake Buddy.
No issues.
No need to disconnect umbilical when stopped unless you want to stop the 12 volt supply from the RV.

KWiK · 11-14-2018, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Poppy01

I use a charge line from the coach. The line was always hot. Rather than use a diode to avoid back feeding the coach when the ignition switch was off, in put a relay to shut it off when the ignition is off.

Is there any rating or anything special on the relay. Maybe something to do with how long it can be energized without overheating? Is something like this what you are talking about

Did you install it on the RV or the toad?

Thanks

Poppy01 · 11-14-2018, 02:31 PM

I used a 30amp continuous duty automotive style

AKIQPilot · 11-14-2018, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KWiK

Is there any rating or anything special on the relay. Maybe something to do with how long it can be energized without overheating? Is something like this what you are talking about

Did you install it on the RV or the toad?

Thanks

What toad and braking system are you planning on using?