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Mr_D · 11-29-2016, 04:30 PM

Bought the above vehicle already set up to tow using all RoadMaster setup. Hooked up my wiring beforehand and found I needed to change a jumper on the wiring control in the MH. Went out for the weekend and at the first corner my 7 pin plug pulled out of the MH and I dragged it for about 3 miles, which ruined it of course. Wired in a new plug, checked the lights and they were OK. Went to start the CR-V to run through the gears and I had a dead battery, even though it had started fine 30 min before that.
Today I went out and redid the wiring, plugged into the MH and maybe 30 seconds later the battery was dead again, even though it had run fine an hour before.
Is the charge line draining the CR-V battery even though the MH batteries show over 13 volts (it's plugged in).
Yes, I already know the battery in a CR-V is from an electric toy (well, not really but it sure is small).
Now have a battery charger on the CR-V set at 2 amps charge rate.
Ideas?

l1v3fr33ord1 · 11-29-2016, 04:43 PM

Mr D-

As a test, I'd unplug the umbilical, charge the toad battery, pull the fuse in the toad end of the charge line, plug in the umbilical, and see if the toad started.

Also, how old is the toad battery?

burfurd · 11-29-2016, 04:44 PM

Most motor homes have a 12 volt charge line to the rear of the coach. Hook up this to the CRV through a 20 amp circuit breaker near the battery in the CRV and you should be good to go. The toad will arrive with a better charge than when you left.

burfurd

Mr_D · 11-29-2016, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by burfurd

Most motor homes have a 12 volt charge line to the rear of the coach. Hook up this to the CRV through a 20 amp circuit breaker near the battery in the CRV and you should be good to go. The toad will arrive with a better charge than when you left.

burfurd

Yes, I have a charge line that I used on the '05 Odyssey going to the new to me CR-V. I did mention that in my original post.

Quote:

Is the charge line draining the CR-V battery even though the MH batteries show over 13 volts (it's plugged in)?

And none of the 6 MH's I've owned has had an active charge line to the rear connector. I've had to add them myself or pay to have it done.

mgtr · 11-29-2016, 05:13 PM

The simplest solution to all wiring problems involving a car with a motorhome is what I had done for years -- bypass the car wiring entirely and run four wires to the back to run separate bulbs in each light fixture. Roadmaster even sells a kit to do it. Simple, simple and you can do it yourself easily.

Mr_D · 11-29-2016, 05:30 PM

The problem is the battery going dead, not that the lights don't work. Even if I went to a wireless setup I'd still run the CR-V battery down as I need to have the ignition key in the unlocked position, which leaves some dash items still on.

dennis45 · 11-29-2016, 06:03 PM

If the lights all work when the CRV is plugged into the MH, my guess is a problem with the charge line or, the CRV battery is kaput.
Try disconnecting the charge line from the battery on the car and start checking voltages from there.

CampDaven · 11-29-2016, 06:19 PM

If the wiring kit for the rear car lights has the diode kit, I suggest one diode may be backward in the circuit, or one diode is shorted. Either way, there is a car battery drain back to the MH.
IMO
OLD electronics tech brain

Mr_D · 11-30-2016, 03:44 PM

I put my smart charger on it yesterday at a 2 amp rate. This afternoon it was still charging, but the meter was slightly lower. Think a new battery is in order. Not surprised in light of the towing history. CR-V was only driven 6080 miles when I bought it but had been towed more miles than that including to AK and back.
Also ordered a Hopkins Custom Tail Light Wiring kit and RoadMaster Brake-Lite Relay Kit from etrailer. This will bypass all the existing wiring that the previous owner had done in Nevada and give me a fresh start on it.

hometool · 11-30-2016, 04:08 PM

just an fyi a poster recently mentioned when replacing that small battery order a battery tray from a different modle that uses a larger battery

Mr_D · 11-30-2016, 04:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hometool

just an fyi a poster recently mentioned when replacing that small battery order a battery tray from a different modle that uses a larger battery

Not needed if you have a charge line, which I do.

hometool · 11-30-2016, 04:35 PM

I just looked if you go to rv forums under mhs last heading talking about dead battery about 3 or 4 posts down poster lists pt# for battery trays to fit a larger battery

dennis45 · 11-30-2016, 04:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_D

Not needed if you have a charge line, which I do.

For the sake of an extra 20 bucks, if you are buying a new battery anyway, why not go for the larger group 24 battery? From experience, I can tell you with the larger battery there is no reason to add the other gizmos. Spend a bit on the battery and forget the add ons.

Mr_D · 11-30-2016, 05:03 PM

With the way the original shop did the install of the BrakeMaster 9160 breakaway canister and wiring it will take more than just a new battery box and battery to do it. The original owner also added a cut off switch to the battery since he stored the CR-V for months at a time and flew home.
Right now it's raining and dark so I'll take a better look tomorrow.
.
BTW: Even with a larger battery and following all the towing instructions the battery in the '05 Odyssey would go dead in less than a day without the charge line in place.