Using Solar to Keep Toad Battery Charged

[Jackm]

Is there any practical reason why one couldn't use a small roof mounted solar charging system to keep the toad's battery charged? The purpose would be to compensate for losses incurred by a auxillary braking system.

[Jackm]

Is there any practical reason why one couldn't use a small roof mounted solar charging system to keep the toad's battery charged? The purpose would be to compensate for losses incurred by a auxillary braking system.

[ajbjrvers]

to ; Jackm

I used a small solar panel in a conversion van to keep batteries charged because I had a 12 volt refrige in use while traveling. We visited disney, Florida many times and panel kept batteries, 2, charged all day, 10, 12 hours. I remember I purchased panel at J. C. Whitnney, but I'm sure they can be purchased elsewhere. I plugged panel into cigarette lighter, now called power outlet.

good luck and hope this info helps---AJBJRVERS

[Cruzer]

Solar panels may not put out enough to keep the battery charged. Much depends upon how much braking you are doing and how much sunlight you will have. An easier way is to run a hot lead through the lighting umbilical cord. You only need 4 wires to run lights but you can get a 6 wire cord that'll give you two spares. I run a #12 wire from the battery "hot" side of the coach to the same on the toad. Be sure to put two 20 amp circuit breakers into the system, one on each end, to prevent any melted wires in the event of a short someplace. Now your toad's battery will get charged by the RV's alternator when driving. I actually went one step farther and installed a relay on the coach end that is initialized by the ignition switch. That way the line goes dead if I park overnight without unhooking.

[DSouthw524]

Many of us do not have any problem with battery depletion. It depends on the vehicle being towed what is in fact turned on. My toad is a 4X4 automatic Suzi XL7. I am supposed to run it every day for a coupe of minutes in forward and reverse gear (while transfer case is in neutral). This aids with recharge and makes up for most of or all the normal braking that our Brake buddy uses and parasitic loads.

[Flintstones Adventurer]

Hello Jackm;
I have had my Saturn on the hitch for a total of 3 days while traveling out west. I use the brake buddy system for braking the Saturn. After the 3rd. day, and unhooking the car it started right up. I noticed no significant drain on the battery. I did turn off the ignition key in the Saturn each night. I personally wouldn't invest in a solar panel for this purpose. Just my opinion.