Community Forums

oldguy70 · 04-08-2018, 08:46 AM

The simplest way to do it is to run a wire from your rear electrical compartment, find a
keyed electrical source put and inline fuse at the source run the wire to your seven pin
connector and then run the wire to your battery. Put an inline fuse before your battery,
that way the wire is protected both ways.

Topman · 04-08-2018, 12:09 PM

I also used a diode in the + wire from the coach to the toad battery. Also needed to supply a ground wire from the coach.

oldguy70 · 04-08-2018, 12:53 PM

Should already be a ground wire. If you use a diode at the toad battery you wouldn't need
a fuse

YC1 · 04-08-2018, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldguy70

Should already be a ground wire. If you use a diode at the toad battery you wouldn't need
a fuse

A diode provides no protection in case of a short. Fuses or breakers on both ends or good extinguishers.

oldguy70 · 04-08-2018, 08:30 PM

The diode at the toad battery will stop the electricity from going back to the coach so
if there is a short between the toad battery there won't be any power going from the
toad battery as the diode will stop it.

nodine · 04-09-2018, 04:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oldguy70

The diode at the toad battery will stop the electricity from going back to the coach so
if there is a short between the toad battery there won't be any power going from the
toad battery as the diode will stop it.

The diode will only impede current flow from the toad battery. The other end of the wire is connected somewhere in the coach. As a minimum it will be energized when the coach is running and if connected directly to the chassis battery (which many folks do) will be energized all the time. It is good practice to use a fuse at both sources of power, the coach and the toad. If the coach source of charge power is OEM then it will be provided thru a relay and only energized when the coach ignition is on. What we have to keep in mind is that many owners have added the charge wire as a mod and heaven only knows how they connect each end. It is best to err on the side of safety and fuse both ends.

These come in handy:
https://tinyurl.com/yb9a4a4j

Bob

BigLar368 · 04-09-2018, 06:19 AM

We ran into this problem on our first trip couple years ago. We tow a 2007 Honda Pilot. After first fuel stop battery in the Pilot was almost dead. When we got home I just found a hot wire in the engine compartment and ran it through the pigtail for tow lights to the Pilot (fused) as there was an extra pin not being used. Worked great. On our next trip about half way to California we stopped for the night and after starting the Pilot up there was a check engine code. I figured it was an over charge code as our RV charged around 14.5V. Quick trip to parts store and scan confirmed overcharge. Cleared the code and it has not come on since.

oldguy70 · 04-09-2018, 04:12 PM

I agree that 2 fuses is the way to go. I didn't use a diode but diode is like a check valve,
current can only go one way.

oldguy70 · 04-09-2018, 04:15 PM

I agree use 2 fuses. I didn't use a diode and I don't know why you would want to use
one but a diode only lets current go one way. It work like a check valve.