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UsualSuspect · 01-14-2014, 10:55 PM

I have been looking at the various towed battery chargers. I ran across this one, anyone use it? For $25 I may roll the dice.

Accessories | BrakeBuddy - Braking systems for motorhomes towing a vehicle

Bruadair · 01-14-2014, 11:13 PM

We bought this just a few days ago from Amazon for $20.22. I figured for the price it was worth giving a try. Hope to install it in the next week or two.

UsualSuspect · 01-15-2014, 08:50 AM

Thank you for the Amazon tip, prime member so 2 day shipping at no charge is always nice. I may call Brake Buddy, interested to know if it is fused, or has a diode in it, has both, and what the max amp rating is.

wyorancher · 01-15-2014, 09:10 AM

I don't have the Brake Buddy but sure looks like a good price for keeping toad charged. Better than the Toad Charge at over $100. I built my own Toad Charge using some Radio Shack diodes and fuse. All in a small box. Ran me about $6 for everything. I've used it for about a year with no problems. If I was using a Brake Buddy I'd go for their charger also for that price.

Bruadair · 01-15-2014, 10:48 AM

It has a 20 amp fuse in it under the weatherproof cover (mini blade type). I thought I had read somewhere that it was rated at 10 amps but I can't seem to find the reference now.

UsualSuspect · 01-15-2014, 10:59 AM

Bruadair is correct, it has a 20 amp fuse. I called and asked, according to Brake Buddy it is rated for 20 amps, but they said you will more than likely only see 15 maximum from it. There is no diode in it.

Statgeek · 01-15-2014, 12:42 PM

I'm puzzled... Can't you just run a charge line from your RV's 7-pin connector to the toad's battery? Thus... the cost of that wire? Or is there more to this?

CampDaven · 01-15-2014, 12:57 PM

I have used my BrakeBuddy for 13 years on a Saturn and a Wrangler. Even 3 days of driving/toading did not weaken the toad battery.

Is your battery aging?

wyorancher · 01-15-2014, 12:59 PM

Yes you can but you do have to use an isolation diode plus a fuse is good idea. I have measured my toad charging current amd it has never gone over 7 amps. Some RVers just don't feel comfortable doing it that way. If you don't use a diode the toad battery will feed back to the MH when you turn off the MH ignition.

vtwinwilly · 01-15-2014, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UsualSuspect

I have been looking at the various towed battery chargers. I ran across this one, anyone use it? For $25 I may roll the dice.

Accessories | BrakeBuddy - Braking systems for motorhomes towing a vehicle

I purchased one of these when I bought my BrakeBuddy. It worked great for about a year and a half, then one day just stopped working. When it quit working, it was no longer charging the toad battery, was very hot to the touch, but it never blew its internal fuse.

I am now debating wether I should buy another one, or just hook up the 12volt lead directly off my 7-pin wiring harness.

I suppose this device keeps the 12volt feed from over charging the Toad battery. It might also contain a diode to prevent a dead coach battery from running down the toad battery.

vtwinwilly · 01-15-2014, 01:07 PM

Amazon info is good to know. At that price with Amazon Prime, I'll just replace the one I have.

wyorancher · 01-15-2014, 01:28 PM

I bought Radio Shack item 276-1661. Four 50v 6 amp diodes for $2.99 and a small box. I wired the diodes in parallel, fused it for 10 amps. Been using it for a year and works great. I'm cheap and basically all those mystery boxes have the same thing inside. Once encapsulated they can charge up to $100 for them like the "toad charge". Mine cost $6

CampDaven · 01-15-2014, 01:35 PM

Again:
I have used my BrakeBuddy for 13 years on a Saturn and a Wrangler. Even 3 days of driving/toading did not weaken the toad battery.

I do not have a charge line to the toad.

Why do you need a charger or charge line?

UsualSuspect · 01-15-2014, 01:40 PM

Peace of mind for me. I have not had a dead battery yet, but when the key is in accessory the dash lights stay on, as well as a few other things. Pulling fuses is no fun, and I am not real enthused with switches to make it easier either. My toad has dual batteries, but is also a diesel, so battery power to warm up the glow plugs, and heat up the air intake element takes some amps, plus you also get to start it, which takes more.