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Bill_Diana's avatar
Bill_Diana
Explorer
Jul 13, 2014

2013 Honda CRV...now what???

Last year I traded a 2004 Honda CRV for a new 2013 Honda CRV. The 2004 CRV served us well as a toad. Simply follow the directions in the owners manual for towing 4 down behind the motorhome. The 2004 never needed any special battery charging arrangement.

But the 2013 is a different story. On our first trip with the 2013 CRV I found the battery to be dead at the end of the first day. I followed the owners manual but did not pull the fuse as I did not think this would be necessary since I never did it with the 2004 CRV.

So I decided to fabricate a fuse bypass switch to make the fuse removal process easier. That worked fine. No more dead battery in the 2013 CRV but then I discovered a new problem. The fuse bypass switch also cut the power to the cigarette lighter socket that I was using to power the Brake Buddy.

Are the rest of you having this same problem when you pull the fuse or use the bypass switch?
  • j-d's avatar
    j-d
    Explorer II
    Aug 15, 2014
    I'm sure BB will send a Power Kit with a METAL socket. Awhile ago they sent one with a plastic socket that didn't hold the plug well, and ours melted. Trashed the "lighter" plug on the BB's power cord as well. Kit comes with bracket, terminals, fuse with holder, and really quality wire.
  • Bill_Diana's avatar
    Bill_Diana
    Explorer
    Jul 17, 2014
    Thanks VetMan for the suggestion to call Brake Buddy. Just as you said they have a 12v kit which they will be sending out to me tomorrow at no charge. It's great when a company stands behind their product.
  • Bill_Diana's avatar
    Bill_Diana
    Explorer
    Jul 13, 2014
    In the posting above bydicknellen, I have exactly the same situation. By passing the fuse eliminate power to the 12 volt outlets, thus NO power available for the Brake Buddy.

    I think I will run a line direct from the battery as a dedicated 12 volt supply for the Brake Buddy.

    Thanks everyone for your advice and clever solutions.
  • dicknellen's avatar
    dicknellen
    Explorer II
    Jul 13, 2014
    I made and installed a fuse switch On our 2013 CR-V. The manual calls for pulling fuse #19. So now when I switch fuse 19 off I also loose the power to my 12 volt outlets. Since I use a BrakeBuddy I have run a separate fused 12 volt plug in for it from the battery. Dick
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Jul 13, 2014
    when I used a brake buddy I just plugged it into a small jumper type of battery that I wanted to have along anyhow. worked great, no extra wires, no running down batteries, etc.
    bumpy
  • Vet_Man's avatar
    Vet_Man
    Explorer
    Jul 13, 2014
    Call Brake Buddy they will send you a free kit to install a power point for the Brake Buddy, direct to the battery.
  • cochise49's avatar
    cochise49
    Explorer
    Jul 13, 2014
    We use Invisibrake on our 2013 CRV. CW advised it for the CRV because of the loss of the power accessories with the number 19 fuse bypassed. We also have the NAV unit so have a fuse switch as well. Invisibrake comes with a charging line to power the braking unit so doesn't plug into the 12v outlet. If you are good with auto electric stuff (I am not), I understand you can install a new 12v outlet using different fuse connection that stays on. I'm sure any RV shop could do it.
  • Beverley_Ken's avatar
    Beverley_Ken
    Explorer
    Jul 13, 2014
    x2 on the charge wire. No dead battery now, no fuses to pull, power to 12v outlet for Brake Buddy. Even if you turn the HVAC system off and the radio as well, there is still power to the I-mid screen, blue tooth functions etc.

    Beverley and Ken
  • OldHatt45's avatar
    OldHatt45
    Explorer
    Jul 13, 2014
    A Charging wire from the RV via the electrical umbilical solves the entire problem. If you have a 6 wire umbilical, the Blue wire (usually the center conductor) is used for this. That wire is run to the battery through a fuse (20 amp If I remember correctly). No more problems.

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