I tow a Matrix and am wondering if it makes sense to use a battery charger to keep it charged along the way. It has to be set on ACC for it to be towed and the battery dies after a few days. I have had some luck running it each night for 10-15 mins. and/or unhooking and driving it after a few days of towing,but want to avoid all that. I was reading about the NOCO Genius chargers but am still confused about which one I'd need. Thanks,Meg

The Toad Charge will solve that problem including proper battery isolation.

While I am friends with the guy who owns RVupgrades, that seems like a lot to pay for something you can do with a length of wire run battery to battery and a fuse and holder. You are not going to be pulling any major amps like starting the engine, just maintenance voltage.

accsys wrote:The Toad Charge will solve that problem including proper battery isolation.For about $110 the toad charger will do the job. OR, you can mount a diode in a plastic box that does the same thing for about $6

If you have a 6 or 7 pin electrical connector on your MH you could simply run a wire from that hot connection to the TOAD and then through a diode and 20 amp fuse and then connect directly to TOAD battery. The TOAD will be charged anytime the MH engine is running and the diode will prevent reverse current from the TOAD to the MH. Probably $20 in parts

Horsedoc wrote:While I am friends with the guy who owns RVupgrades, that seems like a lot to pay for something you can do with a length of wire run battery to battery and a fuse and holder. You are not going to be pulling any major amps like starting the engine, just maintenance voltage.You need more isolation than just a fuse. Otherwise current will feed back into MH from toad.

charging battery on toad | Good Sam Community

17 Replies

rockhillmanor
Explorer II
Oct 15, 2013
MegB wrote:
I appreciate all the advice,however I really just want to know about getting a battery charger....not about all the other things I could do instead. I don't have the knowledge to install things nor do I want to pay the big bucks to have it done for me. Just was curious about the charger versus running it at stops. Does anyone know anyone who uses a charger???

I know you asked about a charger but that means installing something too. IMHO do some research or post on 'which fuse to pull' for your model car.

THAT would be a 'real' easy thing for you to do to rectify the problem.

Also check that your radio is off, heat and A/C fan off, courtesy light off AND your auto headlight switch is turned to manual. You might be draining more if any of these items are on.
tenbear
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
Has anyone tried the Brake Buddy 39332 towed vehicle battery charger. It has had good reviews but I don't see any details, not even on the Brake Buddy site.
Bobbo
Explorer III
Oct 14, 2013
The only "charger" is this one as recommended earlier. However, like any other charger, you will have to install it.

The debate was about whether this was worth the money as opposed to just a wire, a diode, and 2 fuses. A wire, a diode, and 2 fuses would take exactly the same installation.
tenbear
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
I carry a battery charger but I don't use it routinely. Occasionally I have towed the car too long and the battery has died but more often I have accidentally left the lights on. The charger is real handy then.
MegB
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
I appreciate all the advice,however I really just want to know about getting a battery charger....not about all the other things I could do instead. I don't have the knowledge to install things nor do I want to pay the big bucks to have it done for me. Just was curious about the charger versus running it at stops. Does anyone know anyone who uses a charger???
Bobbo
Explorer III
Oct 14, 2013
debandi wrote:
I have read many stories about batteries going dead while being towed. I have towed a HONDA CRV and a Saturn VUE for many miles and have never had a battery go dead.
I feel bad because its not happened to me.

If you feel REALLY bad about it, turn on the toad's headlights the next time you tow. :B

SCVJeff wrote:
All these diode posts and no one solves the current limiting problem for $.75.
If somehow the toad battery gets run down, no fuse, and you plug it back into the coach, there is an excellent chance of letting all the magic smoke out.

Huh? The current limiting device is the fuse. You ALWAYS fuse both sides of a charge line, right at the batteries. You fuse it to protect the wiring, and if the current exceeds that, the fuse blows.

There is no risk of "letting the smoke out" other than that. If you ran 1/0 wire, you could send the full output of the alternator safely.
SCVJeff
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
All these diode posts and no one solves the current limiting problem for $.75.
If somehow the toad battery gets run down, no fuse, and you plug it back into the coach, there is an excellent chance of letting all the magic smoke out.
debandi
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
I have read many stories about batteries going dead while being towed. I have towed a HONDA CRV and a Saturn VUE for many miles and have never had a battery go dead.
I feel bad because its not happened to me.
WyoTraveler
Explorer
Oct 14, 2013
accsys wrote:
Horsedoc wrote:
While I am friends with the guy who owns RVupgrades, that seems like a lot to pay for something you can do with a length of wire run battery to battery and a fuse and holder. You are not going to be pulling any major amps like starting the engine, just maintenance voltage.

If you examine what all comes with the Toad Charge, you will find you get a lot more than a length of wire and fuse.

You bet. You also get a 75 cent diode :B
Bobbo
Explorer III
Oct 14, 2013
I am SO glad I got a Subaru. No fuses to pull. No stopping to run engine. No dead batteries.

That is all too much like work.