Blue Ox Patroit and accessory power concern

[KayChuck]

We're setting up a towing package with a Blue Ox Patroit and a 2010 Buick. Patroit needs 12V power and Buick key accessory power outlet shuts off after 10 minutes (to save the battery). Has anyone found a way to disable the 10 minute shut off? Possibly add an auxillary 12V receptacle direct to the battery? Open to hearing what anyone else has done.

[Dutch Star Don]

KayChuck.......I'm not familiar with the Blue Ox Patriot, but if it's drawing power from the Buick to operate, you may want to do a couple of things. First, your motor home trailer plug has a 12 volt power lead. If you add a wire to your toad connector cable and then connect it to your Buick battery, it will keep your battery charged. If you do it this way, you need to add a fuse in the wiring to keep the system from shorting out. There are a couple of companies that make a kit for this, one of them being "Toad Charge", but I found their product, especially the connector ends kind of cheesy.

Second, I think the simplest way to solve your power supply issue from the Buick is to run the direct line from the battery with a heavy duty fuse or circuit breaker into an auxiliary cigarette lighter plug.

[FlyingDiver]

Actually, his best option is to run a power line from the RV, and not use the car battery at all. This may require changing out the socket on the back of the RV if it doesn't have a 12V line. Using the car battery is probably going to bite him when he least expects it.

[T_Van]

Does your Buick have a power outlet in the back? My Equinox does, and that one stays hot all of the time. Since both are GM vehicles...

I'll be using an extension cord and using the back outlet.

[krivanj]

We use one of those portable jumpstarters/ batteries you buy for $50 or so. We lay it on the seat and plug into it. Then just plug it in to recharge when we get somewhere. Works great! No drain on car.