Toad-Charge Installation

[SteveG]

Because I am concerned about my toad's battery discharging during long tow periods, I installed a Toad-Charge today on our 2004 Journey 36G. I decided to use the Toad-Charge rather then create a solution as I want some assurance that my toad battery and charging system will come to no harm. The Toad-Charge is made by the same manufacturer as the Trik-L-Start charger, L S L Products. I purchased it at RV Upgrades.

I had previously installed the Trik-L-Start charger in the forward electrical compartment. So I installed the supplied thermal circuit breaker adjacent to the Trik-L-Start and picked up the positive connection on the "house"� side of the same relay connection I used for the Trik-L-Start (yellow wire). This connection will allow the Toad-Charge to charge when parked.

The Toad-Charge comes with cabling and connectors. RV upgrade shows the material furnished. I had to furnish the 14 gauge connector wire from the voltage source to the lugs of the thermal circuit breaker. For our 36' length the 40' wiring harness was about 10' short so I had to do some cable splicing. I cable loomed the wiring and snaked it back along the frame with the existing wiring. It is kind of a dirty job but not particularly difficult. I terminated the cable adjacent to the motor home's umbilical plug.

The Toad-Charge is small and mounted neatly to the side wall of the toad's engine compartment adjacent to the battery. It's tucked away and out of harm's way. I elected not to use the furnished split-bolt connectors for the power wires as I did not want to cut into my battery cable insulation. I terminated the Toad-Charge power cables to the toad battery with ring connectors. I terminated the Toad-Charge harness adjacent to the toad's umbilical plug.

I initially thought I would adapt my umbilical cord but decided to try out the furnished connectors. I used small wire ties and frequently tied the Toad-Charge connector wire to the umbilical cord. Thus I'll plug it into the motor home side and the toad side as I do the umbilical cord.

The 5 hour installation took longer then I expected. Toad-Charge seemed to work correctly when "plugged"� in to AC power and with alternator power with the engine running. We have a long distant trip in a week so will get a good road test.

[SteveG]

Because I am concerned about my toad's battery discharging during long tow periods, I installed a Toad-Charge today on our 2004 Journey 36G. I decided to use the Toad-Charge rather then create a solution as I want some assurance that my toad battery and charging system will come to no harm. The Toad-Charge is made by the same manufacturer as the Trik-L-Start charger, L S L Products. I purchased it at RV Upgrades.

I had previously installed the Trik-L-Start charger in the forward electrical compartment. So I installed the supplied thermal circuit breaker adjacent to the Trik-L-Start and picked up the positive connection on the "house"� side of the same relay connection I used for the Trik-L-Start (yellow wire). This connection will allow the Toad-Charge to charge when parked.

The Toad-Charge comes with cabling and connectors. RV upgrade shows the material furnished. I had to furnish the 14 gauge connector wire from the voltage source to the lugs of the thermal circuit breaker. For our 36' length the 40' wiring harness was about 10' short so I had to do some cable splicing. I cable loomed the wiring and snaked it back along the frame with the existing wiring. It is kind of a dirty job but not particularly difficult. I terminated the cable adjacent to the motor home's umbilical plug.

The Toad-Charge is small and mounted neatly to the side wall of the toad's engine compartment adjacent to the battery. It's tucked away and out of harm's way. I elected not to use the furnished split-bolt connectors for the power wires as I did not want to cut into my battery cable insulation. I terminated the Toad-Charge power cables to the toad battery with ring connectors. I terminated the Toad-Charge harness adjacent to the toad's umbilical plug.

I initially thought I would adapt my umbilical cord but decided to try out the furnished connectors. I used small wire ties and frequently tied the Toad-Charge connector wire to the umbilical cord. Thus I'll plug it into the motor home side and the toad side as I do the umbilical cord.

The 5 hour installation took longer then I expected. Toad-Charge seemed to work correctly when "plugged"� in to AC power and with alternator power with the engine running. We have a long distant trip in a week so will get a good road test.

[SargeW]

Good post Steve, let us know how it works for you.

Sarge

[Gary RVRoamer]

I've towed several thousand miles with the Toad Charge. The original 5A version was insufficient for my Acadia's hungry electrical system, but a (free) upgrade to the 10A version solved that. Seems to work great!