Blue Ox brake charging?

[Jerry B.]

Does anyone know how to charge the Blue Ox Patriot brake system? Installation instructions says to charge 8 hours prior to use but doesn't say how. Maybe I totally missed something. Help appreciated, thanks.

[Phil Saran]

No, just hook up and plug into a power source in toad.

If you have a vehicle that can be towed and not rack up miles that
is a good thing.

On my Dodge Dakota I have two choices (1) first click on ignition
and I have power but does not rack up miles (2) second click on
ignition and it will rack up miles.

Note: You must have a power source that is on all the time. So
find out if your power plug on dash on console is got power without
the key or can you move the fuse to allow this to happen.

[Jerry B.]

Thanks for the info Phil. Flat towing an Equinox and the instructions say to remove a specific fuse. I'm assuming that will prevent the battery from being drained. Hopefully brake will work as advertised. Thanks again

[Beacher]

I flat tow a 2012 Jeep Liberty and use a Patriot Brake.

The cigarette lighter port has no power when the ignition is off and the vehicle is in tow mode.

So, I use a very inexpensive 12v extension.

I purchased an extension 12v connector that has big alligator clips on one end and a cigarette lighter female end on the other. The big clips connect directly to the battery and the wire goes outside the hood and into the driver door. I plug in the Patriot to the temporary extension while towing. About five inches of wire stays outside of the vehicle and remains safe and isn't really noticed.

The Patriot operates fine for about five hours without being plugged into anything once charged. I just like the security of it having redundant power.

You can charge your Patriot in your home using a 12v power supply with a female cigarette lighter plug. Coleman and/or Igloo sell suitable 12v adapters used for their ice-less thermoelectric Peltier coolers.

Or, you can charge your Patriot inside of your Motor-Home using any available 12v port when you arrive at your destination plugged into the power post, or running your generator.

[DocP]

I use the Blue Ox BRK2012 braking system, and installed the Hopkins 39332 BrakeBuddy Towed Vehicle Battery Maintainer to keep my car battery charged while being towed. Here's a link to it:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[Jerry B.]

Thanks DocP appreciate your feedback. How difficult was it to install? Thanks again.

[KC8RXQ]

On the post about charging the Patriot internal battery, is there some way to tell when it reaches a full charge? There is no output on the LCD display and no indicating light so is this just something that you "charge" and hope it's adequate? If there is something in the Patriot literature or on their website please point the way.

Thanks,

[Phil Saran]

Have you checked to see if the fuse for the cigarette lighter or power
plug has two settings for the fuse like my 2011 Dodge Dakota does?

On mine one placement of the fuse lets it only be powered with the
key on the other lets it be powered all the time.

[DocP]

Originally Posted by Jerry B.

Thanks DocP appreciate your feedback. How difficult was it to install? Thanks again.

Very simple! I attached the installation instructions to this post.

[DocP]

Originally Posted by KC8RXQ

On the post about charging the Patriot internal battery, is there some way to tell when it reaches a full charge? There is no output on the LCD display and no indicating light so is this just something that you "charge" and hope it's adequate? If there is something in the Patriot literature or on their website please point the way.

Thanks,

I have yet to figure out a way to tell when it reaches a full charge. As you stated, it appears to be a "cross your fingers and pray" thing.