NowWhere2
East Norriton, PA
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Joined: 01/24/2010
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Last week i posted about being nervous towing the Jeep 1000 miles to Florida for the first time. But like you all said, piece of cake, didn't even know it was back there.
but when i got here, the Jeep battery was dead. I use a BrakeBuddy so i'm guessing that puts a drain on the power?
How are you all handling that?
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Ka Ron
Kelowna
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Joined: 12/31/2009
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Brake Buddy should not drain the battery.
When we tow there is a fuse that we take out that stops the dash lights from staying on.
Maybe your Jeep has the same?
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sch911
Rochester Hills, MI
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Joined: 04/13/2003
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Ka Ron wrote:Brake Buddy should not drain the battery.
This is 100% wrong!
The Brake Buddy when plugged into the towed vehicle's power port will certainly drain it's battery. As would leaving the ignition in the accessory position for a long period of time.
Many of us run a charge line from the MH to the toad to keep the battery up, or directly power the BB. Also if your Jeep does not have a steering column lock (many Jeeps do not) you don't need to leave the key in at all.
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2003 Damon Challenger 348 Class A - F53 Triton V10
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ron.dittmer
Northern Illinois
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What model Jeep? A Wrangler, Liberty, other? What year as well?
As others have said, most motor homes (especially the newer ones) are prewired with the connector shown below. The motor home chassis ignition switch activates one of the wires when the motor home engine is running. There is a second "Always Hot" wire, but I would not use that one. The "switched" hot wire can be utilized to supply power to the Jeep's battery to keep it charged while in transit. Or you could forget the Jeep battery completely and provide power directly to the Brake Buddy. Either way works. There are safe guards as to how to wire it up to prevent electrical problems if ever under an over-load condition.
* This post was
edited 02/08/12 05:29pm by ron.dittmer *
2007 Phoenix Cruiser model 2350, with 2006 Jeep Liberty in-tow
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My Roadtrek
Tucson, AZ.
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I think I posted about getting a wiring harness, for the Wrangler, in one of those threads. You need to power the brake lights, tail lights, from the TV. I'm guessing you don't have the harness, and are using the Jeeps battery for the lights.
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RicJones
So. Cal.
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There are several things that could cause the battery to go dead. First of all, the Brake Buddy could be set too sensitive or hanging up. Secondly there could be a problem with a diode if you took that route. Thirdly you might have had the key on the wrong position. Discharging the battery should not happen if everything is set properly. No charge line should be necessary.
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j-d
Sunny Florida USA
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I agree that a 1000 mile mostly interstate trip should not let a BB discharge the toad battery. Set wrong or other things on, using toad battery for lights, sure.
If toad lighting is already settled, that seven-pin trailer connector would allow a "charge line." This could simply go to a dedicated socket for the BB.
BUT: IF you use a charge line to the Jeep's battery (charge it and feed BB plus anything else that's on) THEN be sure to install overcurrent and feedback protection. You don't want Jeep to backfeed to coach, and you don't want the overload on the charge lead that'll happen if somebody cranks the Jeep while plugged in. I have no personal experience with them, but I understand there are devices that connect to a TOAD charge line that lets it work safely for the line and both vehicles. I don't think anything beyond a fuse or breaker is needed if the towed unit is a trailer since it doesn't have a starter to overdraw or alternator to backfeed. Again, that's my logic, not actual experience. I DO know that you can smoke a charge lead by cranking the toad. It wasn't exactly the way I learned it, but same principle applies.
God Bless, jd
2003 Jayco Escapade 31A on 2002 Ford E450 V10 4R100
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rehoppe
Denver
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Does anyone know what the 'Draw' is when the BB is activated?
I've never used one, (may soon tho). Did see a MH towing a Jeep a year ago in NM. He had to jump the Jeep to get it started when he arrived in CG. He said he'd just started towing the Jeep and he thought it was wired wrong.. ??
Hoppe
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Coach-man
Florida
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I assume that you put the key in the ignition and turned it so that the steering would not lock? Did you turn it once or twice? Once unlocks the steering, and allows the radio to play, twice allows all of that plus ignition, lights etc to work, if turned twice or if turned once and the radio was not off it would drain your battery. On older units I remember that you should start and run the engine for 10 or 15 minuets after every 300 miles. I towed my 03 Wrangler from FL to Idaho with out any problems, one turn and radio off!
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NorthernLimits
Michigan
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Coach-man wrote:I assume that you put the key in the ignition and turned it so that the steering would not lock? Did you turn it once or twice? Once unlocks the steering, and allows the radio to play, twice allows all of that plus ignition, lights etc to work, if turned twice or if turned once and the radio was not off it would drain your battery. On older units I remember that you should start and run the engine for 10 or 15 minuets after every 300 miles. I towed my 03 Wrangler from FL to Idaho with out any problems, one turn and radio off!
Agree. The key should only be clicked on notch, just enough to unlock the steering wheel. NOT enough to turn anything on on the dash or play the radio.
I have towed many thousands of miles flat towing several different Jeeps over the years and never had a dead battery.
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