Patriot brake system battery drain

[Jerry B.]

I purchased a Patriot braking system for our Chevy Equinox. Everything seemed fine until I got the alert that the toad battery was low which meant the system was useless except for the brake-a-way portion. I checked the Patriot set up instructions several times and everything good. Same with toad towing instructions. Problem is if I set up the system with the toad requirements it does not power the Patriot. If I use the Acc. position on the toad the Patriot is powered but the battery is drained within 3 hours. Seems like a catch 22!! Any suggestions please?

[Hudsoner]

I had the same problem when I was still flat towing. I ran a direct 12 V line from the motorhome battery to the rear. I installed a connector next to the rear license plate and connected the towed vehicle to that. There are gizmos on Amazon that allow for a "charging" (i forgot the name of such devices) of the toad battery during driving.

[Jerry B.]

Thanks Hudsoner, sounds like a plan. Appreciate it.

[scrubjaysnest]

The braking system should be powered from the RV; unless you use the RV to keep the dinghy battery charged.

[gmc]

Originally Posted by scrubjaysnest

The braking system should be powered from the RV; unless you use the RV to keep the dinghy battery charged.

The braking system has to be powered by the dinghy/toad - or it won't work in a 'breakaway'...
The toad battery should be kept charged by the RV feed.
The 'normal' (there ARE variations) pin convention of the 7 wire connector includes a continuous 12v feed from the RV... shouldn't have to run an additional wire.

Not familiar with the Patriot specifically... I use Invisibrake - it has a direct line to toad battery (battery disconnected from rest of vehicle in my case for flat tow) - as well as to the RV trailer wiring harness of power (12v continuous feed) and brake light and charges the toad battery from the RV feed...
(I did need to run an extra wire for the monitor light on the dash of the MH... that has a connector right by the 7 pin harness for a single wire from toad.)

Everything stays happy and charged when connected - and if ever needed - the brakes will engage for a breakaway.

Using a direct connect to toad battery rather than ignition in accessory will limit the battery draw to the braking system only - but ideally want to be charging the toad by some means.

Looks like newest Patriot (BRK2010/2012) includes a battery according to their website... "Built in battery ensures power is always available to the brake."

[Hudsoner]

Originally Posted by gmc

The braking system has to be powered by the dinghy/toad - or it won't work in a 'breakaway'...
The toad battery should be kept charged by the RV feed.
The 'normal' (there ARE variations) pin convention of the 7 wire connector includes a continuous 12v feed from the RV... shouldn't have to run an additional wire.

"

Thor was not so generous and provided my unit with a 7 pin connector. they were kind of cheap and had only a 4 pin connector for my unit!