rehoppe
Denver
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Joined: 01/30/2009
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Help me out here.
What Powers the BB? I thought it was powered by the TOAD's battery? Am I completely wrong, and the Light wieght wiring harness from the MH, carries all the power to operate the pump?
My thinking was that the harness only carried the 'switching' voltage, and the operating voltage was from the TOAD's battery.
Inquiring minds Need to know.
Hoppe
2011 Dodge 1500 C'boy Caddy
2000 Jayco C 28' Ford chassis w V-10
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Kamphiker
South Florida (this 'aint paradise anymore)
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Joined: 07/09/2002
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rehoppe wrote:Help me out here.
What Powers the BB? I thought it was powered by the TOAD's battery? Am I completely wrong, and the Light wieght wiring harness from the MH, carries all the power to operate the pump?
My thinking was that the harness only carried the 'switching' voltage, and the operating voltage was from the TOAD's battery.
Inquiring minds Need to know.
Brake Buddy is designed to plug into the TOAD power (cigarette) port, which means it is running off the TOAD battery.
Most people use a adapter from the RV's 7-way (Bargman) connector to a 4 wire connector to run the TOAD running lights (internal thru diods or external) turn etc.. Normally (by default) the Charge wire from the RV is NOT connected to anything.
On our Setup (w/ a Honda CR-V TOAD) I use a regular 7-Way Bargman Umbilical cord with Male ends (both ends) I use a 7-Way female connector (just like on the RV) on the Front of the CR-V, this gives me 12 volt from the RV to the CR-V. I then added a TOAD-CHARGE Module to the CR-V (in the engine compartment near the battery). We have towed 14 hours straight and never had a battery issue.
2006 Winnebago Outlook WF324V
2009 Honda CR-V 2wd TOAD ......Campgrounds in the Smoky Mountains NP
Last Camping trip ->2011 SUMMER SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
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rehoppe
Denver
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Joined: 01/30/2009
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thx Kamphiker,
Now I'm really concerned. What/how much additional draw is created if you turn the ignition key to full ON? I wouldn't think there'd be that much more draw.... I do see why you added the charging wire to the mix. Logical addition. Especially with the new smaller, CRANKING, batteries. Will certainly help battery life in the long run. Had really not considered the logistics of the BB device. The lack of a charging wire is pretty much of a design flaw.
I guess if you ride down the road with your foot on the brake you'd run it to dead, prematurely?
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RicJones
So. Cal.
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Joined: 10/29/2007
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Unless you are doing a lot of mountain driving, using the brakes a lot, the BB, if set properly should not drag down the battery.
Try leaving the key in the ignition like you normally set it, for a day, and see if you then have a dead battery. If you have the key set like you do when you tow and the warning lights on the dash are on, then it's the wrong position.
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Kamphiker
South Florida (this 'aint paradise anymore)
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Different vehicles have various amount of draw when the key is turned to the unlock position allowing the Steering wheel to turn while under Tow. Vehicles with Navigation systems tend to have the highest.
Normal Auto Batteries are not deep cycle batteries, meaning they will not have a long life if they are cycled with discharges and re-charges. Even 1 complete discharge can be the start of the end for a good Auto Battery.
The ToadCharge module can be purchased by it self for less than the listed price. It does not include the wiring harness etc. I did not need the harness and purchased the Module alone.
Before I went the ToadCharge route, I researched the need. I could pull a fuse on the CR-V (which is a PITA) or added a disconnect switch. Knowing that we tow 12 - 14 hours straight to camp in one of our favorite campgrounds in the mountains, it was a logical choice to do it and do it right the first time.
I have read poster saying all I really need to do was add Diodes to the Charge line in place of the ToadCharge to keep the TOAD battery from discharging back to the RV when stopped. But no one ever answered my questions on Which diodes OR even where to Purchase them. Recently, I have seen one of the Mfg's of either Tow Bars/Base plates OR Supplemental braking systems offering Diodes at a reasonable cost. I just don't recall which one and Honestly, I'm very happy with my setup and would go this route in the future.
If we only towed a few hundred miles / Few hours and only in the flatlands I would not worry about adding a supplemental charging circuit.
There are various options available depending on your needs with which TOAD you use.
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T&A
SE Michigan
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Joined: 08/24/2006
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I use an Even-Brake (similar operation using a small compressor to keep system pressurized). A couple years ago, I thought my Jeep battery was getting weak. It was running down after 5-6 hours on the road. Got a new battery and still had problems. When hooking up one day I was doing my walk-around and heard the compressor running again. I stopped and listened for a while and found that it was pumping up every 1.25 minutes! Short version, it was leaking internally and had to go back to the factory for repair. My problem was a little unusual but something to be aware of. Good Luck.
Terry
Terry & Amy
2004 Hurricane 30F on P32 Workhorse Chassis
2010 GMC Terrain (Towed)
2010 Ford Escape(Future Towed)
Where are we going.....and why am I in this handbasket?
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tenbear
Northern Vermont, USA
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Joined: 08/11/2004
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T&A wrote:I use an Even-Brake (similar operation using a small compressor to keep system pressurized). A couple years ago, I thought my Jeep battery was getting weak. It was running down after 5-6 hours on the road. Got a new battery and still had problems. When hooking up one day I was doing my walk-around and heard the compressor running again. I stopped and listened for a while and found that it was pumping up every 1.25 minutes! Short version, it was leaking internally and had to go back to the factory for repair. My problem was a little unusual but something to be aware of. Good Luck.
Terry
Same thing happened to me with a Blue Ox Apollo. Returned it to Blue Ox and they replaced everything inside the box, no charge.
Another time our almost new Subaru toad discharged the battery. That was caused by a low fluid level in the battery. Topped it up and all was well. I had checked the MH battery but never gave the toad battery a thought. I check it now though.
Class C, 2004/5 Four Winds Dutchman Express 28A, Chevy chassis
2010 Subaru Impreza Sedan
Camped in 45 states, 7 Provinces and 1 Territory
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gkainz
Arvada, CO, USA
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Joined: 10/02/2004
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I have a '97 Wrangler and my buddy has a 10 Wrangler. In comparing rigs, he said that the ignition switch settings have changed a couple times in the years between his and mine. Mine does Steering Wheel Unlock (no electrical power applied) on my 1st click, I believe his does, too. He said the years between did, then didn't, then did have this feature.
'97 Dodge 2500 CTD 4x4
'10 Keystone Laredo 245 5er
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NorthernLimits
Michigan
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Joined: 11/17/2011
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gkainz wrote:I have a '97 Wrangler and my buddy has a 10 Wrangler. In comparing rigs, he said that the ignition switch settings have changed a couple times in the years between his and mine. Mine does Steering Wheel Unlock (no electrical power applied) on my 1st click, I believe his does, too. He said the years between did, then didn't, then did have this feature.
I doubt it. Especially in a Wrangler. Jeeps are what I do and I have never seen a Wrangler that was that way.
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Midge&Me
Addison IL USA
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Joined: 01/07/2005
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Take it to a Raodmaster hitch dealer, and they will get you wired up right.
Midge & Me
2004 Coachman
Jeep Wrangler
Catch me on Channel 13 on the road
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