Why is my Battery Dead?

[Good To Go]

Hello Folks,

Made my first trip with a tow vehicle. The day one first run was 6 hours. Then the next day was 8 hours. When I went to unhook the battery was dead.

I have a Blue Ox Patriot braking system. I am towing a 2005 Chevy Tahoe LT.

Called Blue Ox they stated that the system should not draw a battery down.

Any tips that might help me out, Thanks.

[dennis45]

Originally Posted by Good To Go

Hello Folks,

Made my first trip with a tow vehicle. The day one first run was 6 hours. Then the next day was 8 hours. When I went to unhook the battery was dead.

I have a Blue Ox Patriot braking system. I am towing a 2005 Chevy Tahoe LT.

Called Blue Ox they stated that the system should not draw a battery down.

Any tips that might help me out, Thanks.

I had the same answer from BO. However, it will draw the battery down after a full days travel.
There are two things you can and should do.
1/. Install a fused Charge Line from the Motorhome to the toad battery. This is done using the 7 pin connector using the 1:00 o clock position. Install a 20A fuse at each end for protection.
2/. After running 4-5 hours, you should start your toad and let it run for a few minutes to circulate oil through the transmission. This is just good practice.

[krivanj]

Another good answer that I do is buy opne of the battery boosters. Thi is a box with a battery in it made for jumping a dead battery. Instead of plugging the Blue Ox into your cigarette lighter plug, set this on the seat and plug into the lighter plug on it. Then every other day or so when you get to a campground, plug it in and recharge it. Works great for me!

[nothermark]

Are you towing with the key on? If so you are running a significant load in all the processors the vehicle has to keep track of things for you.

FWIW I would add a diode and fuse protected line to charge the vehicle battery. It will not maintain it fully charged but it will keep it charged enough to start under normal conditions.

[Good To Go]

Dennis45, Will get in the habit of running engine at the rest stop. Good Tip!

krivanj, Thanks, will look into the battery Boost thing. Is there one brand better than another?

nothermark, Not towing with the key on. Will look into the fuse protected line idea.

[krivanj]

I have one that I bought from Harbor Freight that is still going strong after three plus years. Sam's has them too. Some of the batteries inside are bigger than others...

[Smokymb]

Setting up a 2008 Honda CRV with Blue Ox equipment as my first TOAD . Most everything is completed except the battery charging issue. I understand how to pick the 12V lead off the 7way from the RV and mate it to the 6way I'm using on the TOAD, but am still a bit hazy about what to do next.

Nothermark, can you be a little more specific about how you set up your "diode and fuse protected" line to the TOAD battery. Is it as simple as connecting the diode and fuse in series and attaching the line to the positive terminal on the TOAD's battery? Do diodes have "ratings"? Does it matter which comes first on the line - diode or fuse? What gauge line?

Sorry if my question is too basic; I've got a lot to learn.

[wa8yxm]

Question? How long since you dropped a new battery in the Tahoe?

If you are driving a 2005 and it is still on the original factory battery,, That means the battery is at end of life,,, Design life is 7-10 years and you are over 10 at this point.. That's good battery life.

As batteries age they run down faster.. Much, Much, faster.

[Snyderwheels]

I've had dead toad batterie as well. I solved it by disconnecting the positive cable from the toad battery before starting out. I will eventually get around to having a switch installed to disconnect the battery - or maybe I won't since it is no big deal to disconnect it.

[jeryan59]

My Denali would do this, I would buy a brass battery disconnect at auto parts store, simple lever thrown after leaving car in neutral and carry spare door key to lock and unlock.

[CampingCajun]

Look into a small solar panel mounted on the dashboard. It my be enough to keep the battery from going dead.

[dennis45]

Solar Panels, Knife Switches? A little Extreem don't ya think?
How about first off, test the battery and make sure it's good. Then, install a simple charge line from the motorhome to the toad battery. Problem solved. Plug in and go. No need to reinvent the wheel.

[jeryan59]

Originally Posted by dennis45

Solar Panels, Knife Switches? A little Extreem don't ya think?
How about first off, test the battery and make sure it's good. Then, install a simple charge line from the motorhome to the toad battery. Problem solved. Plug in and go. No need to reinvent the wheel.

I would agree with testing the battery, but a knife switch isn't extreme in my opinion, it is about $25 and a very simple install. I used it successfully for 8 years in my Denali and installed it myself.

http://www.amazon.com/WirthCo-20108-.../dp/B002OWFLC4

[HicksRA]

Consider one of these:
Amazon.com: BrakeBuddy 39332 Towed Vehicle Battery Maintainer: Automotive
It's basically a fuse and diode in an easy to install package.