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11-11-2020, 11:56 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: A.C.E 27.2
State: Louisiana
Posts: 242
THOR #17883
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Do I need a toad battery charger?
Not sure where to post this so, Mods move it if it needs to be.
Okie Dokie. I bought a 2020 Jeep Wrangler to tow behind my MH. I have 12V power at my 7-pin on the rear of the MH. It is switched power meaning the circuit is dead when the MH is shut off.
Do I need a charger? Or can I just run a charge line to the battery of my Toad?
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2017 Thor ACE 27.2
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11-12-2020, 12:20 AM
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#2
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Site Team
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 27.1
State: Florida
Posts: 14,128
THOR #7035
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Why do you think the Jeep needs to be charged underway?
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Ted & Melinda
2016 ACE 27.1
2016 Chevy Sonic Toad - Selling
2020 Chevy Colorado Z71 Trail Runner Toad
2024 Chevrolet Trax 2RS - Soon 2B TOAD
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11-12-2020, 12:40 AM
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#3
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: A.C.E 27.2
State: Louisiana
Posts: 242
THOR #17883
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 16ACE27
Why do you think the Jeep needs to be charged underway?
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Using a brake system that works off of the toad battery.
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2017 Thor ACE 27.2
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11-12-2020, 12:46 AM
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#4
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Gemini 24TX (Formerly)
State: California
Posts: 1,459
THOR #5821
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I towed for years, using a U.S. Gear braking system. Since it used the toads power brake system, a vacuum pump would run when the brakes were applied, so to keep the battery up, Used the 12 volts to trickle charge the toad while underway. In 12 years of towing, never had any battery issues.
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11-12-2020, 12:53 AM
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#5
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Windsport 27B
State: Maryland
Posts: 29
THOR #20189
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Just set up a 2013 Jeep Wrangler to MH. I added the trickle charger - about $100. Thought the cost was well worth the peace of mind. Just completed coast to coast and back with no issues. (using RVi3 braking system)
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11-12-2020, 01:09 AM
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#6
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: A.C.E 27.2
State: Louisiana
Posts: 242
THOR #17883
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jjoster56
Just set up a 2013 Jeep Wrangler to MH. I added the trickle charger - about $100. Thought the cost was well worth the peace of mind. Just completed coast to coast and back with no issues. (using RVi3 braking system)
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Yes, I looked at that charger, $85 is what I found. Question is do I need to spend the money for that or just run a fused wire and accomplish the same thing?
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2017 Thor ACE 27.2
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11-16-2020, 01:44 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: A.C.E 27.2
State: Louisiana
Posts: 242
THOR #17883
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I decided to go with plan A. I ran a charge wire from the MW. Still waiting on a 15 amp diode that I had to order to complete the circuit.
But I'll install a diode and a fuse right at the battery of the toad.
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2017 Thor ACE 27.2
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11-16-2020, 02:59 AM
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#8
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Senior Member
Brand: Still Looking
Model: S.O.B.
State: Florida
Posts: 684
THOR #14543
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Technician automatically ran a charge line to the battery when he installed our Demco brake system on the Gladiator.
__________________
Ed
Some Other Brand w/2020 Jeep Gladiator Toad
Living The Dream in "God's Waiting Room"
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11-16-2020, 10:24 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: A.C.E 27.2
State: Louisiana
Posts: 242
THOR #17883
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Popfla
Technician automatically ran a charge line to the battery when he installed our Demco brake system on the Gladiator.
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Diode should be here tomorrow. I'm installing the brake system now, the Demco Stay & Play Duo. Got the hardware mounted today. Tomorrow the wiring.
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2017 Thor ACE 27.2
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11-17-2020, 01:29 AM
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#10
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Forest River Forester 235
State: Indiana
Posts: 4,883
THOR #6826
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Down South
Diode should be here tomorrow. I'm installing the brake system now, the Demco Stay & Play Duo. Got the hardware mounted today. Tomorrow the wiring.
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You’ll like the Stay in Play. I actually enjoyed the I actually enjoyed the installation. Works great and set up is just the flip of a switch. I added the wireless remote monitor so I could see up front when my Jeep was applying its brakes. I’m glad I did.
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11-17-2020, 01:32 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: A.C.E 27.2
State: Louisiana
Posts: 242
THOR #17883
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete'sMH
You’ll like the Stay in Play. I actually enjoyed the I actually enjoyed the installation. Works great and set up is just the flip of a switch. I added the wireless remote monitor so I could see up front when my Jeep was applying its brakes. I’m glad I did.
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I'll be hooking up a wired remote monitor. The LED light came with the Stay in Play but I had to order a Roadmaster Universal Stop Light Switch Kit to make it work.
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2017 Thor ACE 27.2
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11-21-2020, 07:15 PM
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#12
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
State: Massachusetts
Posts: 20
THOR #4392
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Down South
Using a brake system that works off of the toad battery.
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If you want the toads' brake system to function, then yes, a charger is a good thing to have. On short trips, 2 - 3 hours you could get away with no charger. But, on all day trips, you will keep killing the toads' battery. This will give the toads' battery a very short life.
DBCassidy
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11-21-2020, 08:34 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Vegas 24.1 - Sold it!
State: Tennessee
Posts: 282
THOR #6513
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Down South
Not sure where to post this so, Mods move it if it needs to be.
Okie Dokie. I bought a 2020 Jeep Wrangler to tow behind my MH. I have 12V power at my 7-pin on the rear of the MH. It is switched power meaning the circuit is dead when the MH is shut off.
Do I need a charger? Or can I just run a charge line to the battery of my Toad?
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I cant imagine needing a charger. Using the 12v line from the 7Pin connector is going to charge the Toads battery when you are towing it. Same as it would if you were towing a trailer, the trailer battery gets charged when you are driving. To avoid voltage drop be sure and use #10 gauge wire on both the +12 volt line and the "ground" wire.
I was not aware that the +12volt line from the MH was switched however. So I guess if your braking device on the toad is still drawing power and you stop overnight without using your Toad there would be a draw down on your toad battery. If indeed the MH 12volt pin is switched off when the engine is not running I would rewire it so that it is always live. Cheaper and more convient than having to plug up a battery charger.
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2017 Vegas 24.1
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11-21-2020, 11:52 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Brand: Cruiser
Model: Georgetown 30x3
State: Idaho
Posts: 223
THOR #17441
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Down South
Not sure where to post this so, Mods move it if it needs to be.
Okie Dokie. I bought a 2020 Jeep Wrangler to tow behind my MH. I have 12V power at my 7-pin on the rear of the MH. It is switched power meaning the circuit is dead when the MH is shut off.
Do I need a charger? Or can I just run a charge line to the battery of my Toad?
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I don’t need or use power for my Cherokee. The brake buddy uses very little power.
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11-21-2020, 11:54 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Brand: Cruiser
Model: Georgetown 30x3
State: Idaho
Posts: 223
THOR #17441
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeDS
I cant imagine needing a charger. Using the 12v line from the 7Pin connector is going to charge the Toads battery when you are towing it. Same as it would if you were towing a trailer, the trailer battery gets charged when you are driving. To avoid voltage drop be sure and use #10 gauge wire on both the +12 volt line and the "ground" wire.
I was not aware that the +12volt line from the MH was switched however. So I guess if your braking device on the toad is still drawing power and you stop overnight without using your Toad there would be a draw down on your toad battery. If indeed the MH 12volt pin is switched off when the engine is not running I would rewire it so that it is always live. Cheaper and more convient than having to plug up a battery charger.
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You can unplug the brake buddy overnight if that worries you.
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11-21-2020, 11:56 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Brand: Cruiser
Model: Georgetown 30x3
State: Idaho
Posts: 223
THOR #17441
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dbcassidy
If you want the toads' brake system to function, then yes, a charger is a good thing to have. On short trips, 2 - 3 hours you could get away with no charger. But, on all day trips, you will keep killing the toads' battery. This will give the toads' battery a very short life.
DBCassidy
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Not so with brake buddy. It draws very little power.
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11-21-2020, 11:59 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Brand: Cruiser
Model: Georgetown 30x3
State: Idaho
Posts: 223
THOR #17441
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete'sMH
You’ll like the Stay in Play. I actually enjoyed the I actually enjoyed the installation. Works great and set up is just the flip of a switch. I added the wireless remote monitor so I could see up front when my Jeep was applying its brakes. I’m glad I did.
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Brake buddy comes with a wireless indicator. Plugs into RV lighter socket.
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11-22-2020, 03:17 AM
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#18
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Junior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: ACE 29.3
State: Wisconsin
Posts: 4
THOR #14096
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I tow my 2016 jeep Cherokee trail hawk. Brake air pump runs the battery down. I use a battery solor panel to charge my toad battery while towing.
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11-22-2020, 03:43 AM
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#19
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Site Team
Brand: Entegra
Model: Accolade 37TS
State: South Dakota
Posts: 8,726
THOR #1469
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JoeDS
I cant imagine needing a charger. Using the 12v line from the 7Pin connector is going to charge the Toads battery when you are towing it. Same as it would if you were towing a trailer, the trailer battery gets charged when you are driving. To avoid voltage drop be sure and use #10 gauge wire on both the +12 volt line and the "ground" wire.
I was not aware that the +12volt line from the MH was switched however. So I guess if your braking device on the toad is still drawing power and you stop overnight without using your Toad there would be a draw down on your toad battery. If indeed the MH 12volt pin is switched off when the engine is not running I would rewire it so that it is always live. Cheaper and more convient than having to plug up a battery charger.
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It depends on the equipment and how it is installed. There is. a person on another forum that just realized, after towing his Cherokee three times, that he does not have a charge line installed, his battery keeps going dead and it may be impacting his Jeeps's steering while towing.
When my Grand Cherokee was setup I had to ask for a dedicated charge line to the Jeep's battery. Now some equipment will charge the Toad's battery. InvisiBrake will charge the TOAD battery as long as the Motorhomes parking lights are on. If the Motorhome's parking lights are off the InvisBrake will not charge the TOAD battery.
Don't assume an installer is installing a charge line. Many charge extra for that feature while some include it in the installation.
__________________
Dave
US Army (Ret)
2020 Entegra Accolade 37TS
2019 Jeep Grand Cherokee Trailhawk (Toad)
FMCA - F432054
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11-22-2020, 01:13 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Brand: Thor Motor Coach
Model: Thor four winds SF 35
State: Texas
Posts: 179
THOR #13025
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I have a Roadmaster even brake in my Jeep and have never needed a charging line. The compressor in it don’t take much power. I have towed several days without it running the battery down.
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