Charging Toad Battery

[krf9113]

I have a 2008 Saturn Vue. The electrical connection between the coach and the toad has a 6 pin configuration.
I would like to know, what would be required to tap into the receptacle to charge the toad battery. A diode, circuit breaker? Any special wiring configurations? I'm hoping to avoid purchasing a commercial kit.

Thanks in advance.

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by krf9113 I have a 2008 Saturn Vue. The electrical connection between the coach and the toad has a 6 pin configuration. I would like to know, what would be required to tap into the receptacle to charge the toad battery. A diode, circuit breaker? Any special wiring configurations? I'm hoping to avoid purchasing a commercial kit.

krf9113, I have a 2008 Vue XE. Why do you need to charge the toad battery? I believe that you would be additing a layer of additional complexity that will return little in benefit for the effort expended.

[Luckiest Dre]

I now have a diode in behind the tail lights so the battery holds fairly well however every time the brakes are applied and the Jake is activated the Toad lights are used. Leaving the key in the on position probably uses a bit of the battery as well. My solution was to buy a small solar panel that plugs into the cigar lighter socket and back charges the Toads battery. It cost me around $25 at Camping World.

[Chuck 1935]

I would imagine your toad lights are using the power from you Motorhome to light the Tail, Stop and Turn signals. If you felt the need to run power to your toad, all you need to do is run a fused 10 or 12 Gauge, fused line, back to your toad through your plug and then to the toads red, positive battery terminal.
But as DriVer said, what for ?

[krf9113]

DriVer, I've been experiencing the dead battery symptom. With no predicable frequency and at times where it was most inconvenient(driving through LA). I've tried the every 2 to 3 hour trick, starting the car. The battery is ok. It can't be that difficult to install.

[Wanabee FTer]

I am not sure about Saturn Vue, but with Honda there is a fuse you can pull to prevent battery drain. I have to re-enter radio theft code and reset clock when I do this.

[Petro]

krf9113;

My previous toad was a 2001 Buick Le Sabre. There was no fuse I could pull that would stop battery drain. I taped the main battery terminal on the Onan and ran a line to the Buick battery terminal. I added a diode and fuse in the line. I had no more problems. I really don't need it on my 07 Vue but I hooked it up because it was already in the cord.

Don

[DriVer]

Quote:

Originally Posted by krf9113 DriVer, I've been experiencing the dead battery symptom. With no predicable frequency and at times where it was most inconvenient(driving through LA). I've tried the every 2 to 3 hour trick, starting the car. The battery is ok. It can't be that difficult to install.

Did you pull the 2A fuse in the side panel? (IGN SW 2A) I have a switch that I toggle which saves me from having to manually pull the fuse. Over 33,000 miles indicated and about 50K (total including towing) w/o a dead battery on the road. I did have a defective battery which was replaced a few months ago under warranty.