Keeping the toad battery fully charged

[Gaetan Lavoie]

I need some assurance that I am not going to make a mistake when I alter the way the motorhome is wired to my toad. Here is what I want to do: Run a wire from the 12 volts connection on the motorhome large harness plug at the back to essentially the 12 volts toad battery. I use the Stay In Play SMI Brake unit which draws its power from the toad battery. The problem is that the battery has gone dead twice already after being connected continuously for 24 hours.

Thanks for your help.

[Gaetan Lavoie]

I need some assurance that I am not going to make a mistake when I alter the way the motorhome is wired to my toad. Here is what I want to do: Run a wire from the 12 volts connection on the motorhome large harness plug at the back to essentially the 12 volts toad battery. I use the Stay In Play SMI Brake unit which draws its power from the toad battery. The problem is that the battery has gone dead twice already after being connected continuously for 24 hours.

Thanks for your help.

[offthewall]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Gaetan Lavoie:
I need some assurance that I am not going to make a mistake when I alter the way the motorhome is wired to my toad. Here is what I want to do: Run a wire from the 12 volts connection on the motorhome large harness plug at the back to essentially the 12 volts toad battery. I use the Stay In Play SMI Brake unit which draws its power from the toad battery. The problem is that the battery has gone dead twice already after being connected continuously for 24 hours.

Thanks for your help. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Check out the Toad Charge product. It includes everything to do what you want.

[Hillbilly2]

The Toad Charge looks like a good way to go, I have a relay conected to the ignition switch that turns off the charging circuit when the motor home is not running, preventing the toad from killing both batteries.

[rmmpe]

I ran a 12VDC wire from the Coach's Chassis battery to the "Toad-Charge" unit. I also ran a dedicated line for the even-Brake directly from the Toad's battery.

When we stop for the night I disconnect the umbillical from the Coach to the Toad and remove power to the Even-Brake. In the morning I re-connect the Coach to the Toad and power-up and test the Even-Brake again.

So far (after 5,000 miles), no problems.

[Petro]

Several years ago I made a toad charge. I ran a fused wire from the starter lug on the Onan to the toad along with a ground. I used a heavy duty diode to prevent feed back from toad when MH engine not running. It has worked fine. I used to pull a 02 Buick LaSabre and there was not a way to stop battery drain. I used a 2nd umbilical cord.

Don

[Bruce W]

I found a toad tow wiring kit at rvupgrades.com
It is a little pricey but it gives you all wires,connectors,etc and thier module does more then the minimal diode setup. I just got it in mail and haven't installed it as yet.

[Gaetan Lavoie]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Several years ago I made a toad charge. I ran a fused wire from the starter lug on the Onan to the toad along with a ground. I used a heavy duty diode to prevent feed back from toad when MH engine not running. It has worked fine. I used to pull a 02 Buick LaSabre and there was not a way to stop battery drain. I used a 2nd umbilical cord. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

Don,

I like your idea of installing a diode to prevent the toad from draining the motorhome battery when parked overnight.

Thank you,

[GaryKD]

If you are like me and 12V challenged, consider buying this. I use this product. It works as advertised and I would make the purchase again.

[JWatkins]

I have a 12v wire running from my MH to the battery of the toad through a small circuit breaker for protection. It works flawlessly.
Joe

[Gary RVRoamer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I like your idea of installing a diode to prevent the toad from draining the motorhome battery when parked overnight. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The diode will not do that, Gaeton. What it does is to prevent the motorhome from sucking power from the toad battery when the motorhome engine is not running.

Think about it: the diode has to let power flow from the motorhome to the toad or you aren't getting the 12v you want there. If it allows power to flow in that direction while towing during the day, it will also allow it to flow overnight while parked.

[Eddie Foy]

I Agree!


<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by RV Roamer:
<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">I like your idea of installing a diode to prevent the toad from draining the motorhome battery when parked overnight. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

The diode will not do that, Gaeton. What it does is to prevent the motorhome from sucking power from the toad battery when the motorhome engine is not running.

Think about it: the diode has to let power flow from the motorhome to the toad or you aren't getting the 12v you want there. If it allows power to flow in that direction while towing during the day, it will also allow it to flow overnight while parked. </div></BLOCKQUOTE>

[Hillbilly2]

Wiring a relay in the circuit that is controlled from the ignition bus will prevent current from flowing either way with the MH off.

[tom wilson]

use a fuse and blocking diode.