Community Forums

rpasetto · 05-01-2017, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pelden

I am also going to modify the installation of the flat tow wiring kit for my 2016 Jeep Trailhawk. What is the max current which the blocking diode has to handle (presumably this would be similar to the current draw of the EPS which needs to be provided by the charge line)? Also, where is the best place to get one of these blocking diodes?

Many thanks for the help in simplifying Chrysler's rather poor solution.

The 10a fuse which comes with the kit is likely rated more than the EPS's max current draw. It tells us that EPS draw is less then 10a, maybe a lot less. However assuming 10a max current in determining wire sizes and ratings of other components in the system is not a bad thing even if it turns out to be somewhat of an overkill.

The rating of a blocking diode in the charge line should be at or more than the capacity as determined by wiring and fuse/circuit breaker. I have used 10a charge lines in the past few toads just to protect against low batteries due to brakebuddy and phantom loads. I do not activate the EPS using relays triggered by the charge line so hopefully one who does so will comment on the current capacity of their charge line.

dpinvidic · 05-02-2017, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pelden

I am also going to modify the installation of the flat tow wiring kit for my 2016 Jeep Trailhawk. What is the max current which the blocking diode has to handle (presumably this would be similar to the current draw of the EPS which needs to be provided by the charge line)? Also, where is the best place to get one of these blocking diodes?

Many thanks for the help in simplifying Chrysler's rather poor solution.

You pick the diode by the wattage rating. A normal silcon diode has around .7v drop.
Get a 10W diode. That would only be 7 watts at 10 amps...and you would not be near that.

Just get a Solar Blocking diode (cheap on e-bay) 50V 10A and call it a day.

Regards,

Dan

Pelden · 05-02-2017, 07:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpinvidic

You pick the diode by the wattage rating. A normal silcon diode has around .7v drop.
Get a 10W diode. That would only be 7 watts at 10 amps...and you would not be near that.

Just get a Solar Blocking diode (cheap on e-bay) 50V 10A and call it a day.

Regards,

Dan

Thanks Dan & Rick. As long as the toad is fully charged before hookup, the charging line from motorhome should not tend to exceed the EPS draw. The only other draw is the auxiliary braking system which is relatively small.

Jeff24g · 05-02-2017, 10:04 AM

Just had wiring harness installed along with Blue Ox tow system and RVI-3 break. Submitted the harness cost and install receipt to Jeep and was informed yesterday check was cut for total of $355. Be persistent with Jeep and they should cover the cost.

BobGed · 05-02-2017, 10:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff24g

Just had wiring harness installed along with Blue Ox tow system and RVI-3 break. Submitted the harness cost and install receipt to Jeep and was informed yesterday check was cut for total of $355. Be persistent with Jeep and they should cover the cost.

What year is your Cherokee?

Jeff24g · 05-02-2017, 10:07 AM

It is 2016.

Afirefighter · 05-25-2017, 12:51 PM

Dan, I had the tow harness installed by my dealer. The switch is not an issue for me. I do want to move the EPS circuit from the toad battery to my charge line to eliminate the need to install and remove the fuse all the time.

So that I am clear, I want to place the blocking diode between the toad battery and where I connect the EPS circuit to the charge line? In line with the charge line?

Thanks for your awesome, detailed solution.

MW

dpinvidic · 05-25-2017, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Afirefighter

Dan, I had the tow harness installed by my dealer. The switch is not an issue for me. I do want to move the EPS circuit from the toad battery to my charge line to eliminate the need to install and remove the fuse all the time.

So that I am clear, I want to place the blocking diode between the toad battery and where I connect the EPS circuit to the charge line? In line with the charge line?

Thanks for your awesome, detailed solution.

MW

Yes, if you don't, then you will actually be connecting the EPS circuit relay coil directly to the battery...so it will be on all the time (not correct). The EPS line with the fuse should go on the RV side of the blocking diode.

Dan

Old Baldy · 09-15-2017, 06:31 PM

Bought. a new 2017 Cherokee Trailhawk on Monday. Found out about the wobble issue and Bulletin on Wednesday. Not happy!

Ordered the part for overnight shipping and had the kit installed by Golling Jeep in Bloomfield Hills, MI today.

Spoke to the General Manager and he agreed to cover the cost under warranty.

Happier.

Now, to try to figure out the Auto relay and diode install mentioned here, as that makes sense to me rather than the manual fuse and switch mess.

Thanks for this info!

BGTay · 10-22-2017, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpinvidic

You pick the diode by the wattage rating. A normal silcon diode has around .7v drop.
Get a 10W diode. That would only be 7 watts at 10 amps...and you would not be near that.

Just get a Solar Blocking diode (cheap on e-bay) 50V 10A and call it a day.

Regards,

Dan

Hi Dan, I'm just joining the discussion. Your mod is very elegant. I love it, and will incorporate it my 2015 Cherokee once the harness kit arrives. One question for you re: the 'power on' indicator light that you have installed on the console. Is there a way to wire it such that it would indicate that the power was not only being supplied to the relay, but also indicates that the relay has actually closed?

flywithcoop · 02-06-2018, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BGTay

Hi Dan, I'm just joining the discussion. Your mod is very elegant. I love it, and will incorporate it my 2015 Cherokee once the harness kit arrives. One question for you re: the 'power on' indicator light that you have installed on the console. Is there a way to wire it such that it would indicate that the power was not only being supplied to the relay, but also indicates that the relay has actually closed?

Just joining the conversation but I think you don't need a light to see if the relay is working. Just move the steering wheel to see if power steering in on. Was referred to this thread today. Why do you need a fuse to be installed/removed all the time?
Just to clarify: What is the purpose of removing the fuse? What is the purpose of the on/off switch?

dpinvidic · 02-07-2018, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flywithcoop

Just joining the conversation but I think you don't need a light to see if the relay is working. Just move the steering wheel to see if power steering in on. Was referred to this thread today. Why do you need a fuse to be installed/removed all the time?
Just to clarify: What is the purpose of removing the fuse? What is the purpose of the on/off switch?

You are correct, the LED is not required.
I installed it because I prefer to just glance in the window of the jeep whenever I want to know if the system is engaged. Additionally, the light should be off at all other times during normal driving. A shorted dioed will engage the system all the time.

Regarding the fuse, you should always install a fuse on any line that is directly connected to the battery. Jeep did a Micky Mouse thing by making use remove the fuse to disengage the system rather than put a power switch under the hood.

The inside switch disconnects the CAN bus from the power steering module.
If it did not do this, you would see a error indicator when you energized the PS while the vehicle was off.

Take my word for this, it works great....I just connect the jeep and go...no extra things to remember....other than checking cables and the hitch pin

Regards,

Dan

Big Berth · 03-17-2018, 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dpinvidic

There is a rubber gromet in the firewall where a clutch rod would go.
I ran my air lie for the AF1 braking system through this...and also ran the wire through the same gromet.

It is pretty tight on the engine side, but doable.

Regards,

Dan

Hi Dan my name is Brian i just picked up my new Jeep Cherokee and after some research I found out about the flat tow wiring harness that should be installed. not too happy about it but i guess you can't put a price on fun lol.Did you install that harness your self and if so did you have some instructions on it that you wouldn't mind sharing.

dpinvidic · 03-18-2018, 03:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Berth

Hi Dan my name is Brian i just picked up my new Jeep Cherokee and after some research I found out about the flat tow wiring harness that should be installed. not too happy about it but i guess you can't put a price on fun lol.Did you install that harness your self and if so did you have some instructions on it that you wouldn't mind sharing.

HI Brian,

First, go to the Jeep owners forum, and send a message to "Jeep Cares", you might be able to get them to pay for all or part of the harness.
They may say "no", because the newer user manuals actually infom you that you need the harness to tow.

Start at the beginning of this thread, I post info on how I made it automatic.
When you buy the harness, it comes with very good instruction on how to install it. It is waise to allso install a charge line so your vheicle battery does not get discharged if you tow more than one day without driving the Jeep.

Regards,

Dan