Dinghy charging from MH
We have a 2011 CRV toad. I have installed separate tail lights that run from the MH 4 pin connector. We have ready brute elite tow bars and so the car's brake lights still activate and after hours of...
Forum Discussion
theoldwizard1 wrote:
The only way you will ever be able to maintain/charge a "toad" battery is with a DC-DC charger. Have it permanently mounted in the toad, close to the battery. You can pick up B+ from the tow vehicle via the standard 7 pin connector.
You need to be ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN that B+ from the tow vehicle does NOT connect to B+ of the toad ! Thus way require some relays to keep these two systems isolated ! Using separate brake/turn signal lamps is a good first step !!
disagree in the OPs case….if the brake lights are the only draw. And assuming it’s not for days on end in city traffic.
OP, you’ll need to have a larger connector on the RV that has 12v constant wired into it. Like most all truck receptacles.
Do yourself a favor and skip the round 6 pin. Nothing wrong per se except they are basically not used in hardly any applications anymore.
You don’t need the other 2 pins in the 7 way (backup lights and trailer brakes) but run your 4 pin wires to the 7 pin for lighting and add the one for 12v+. Scrap the 4pin or whatever makes sense.
Know that like theoldwizard said you’re not going to power much from that but you’ll get more current in than just brake lights remove.
But like most things, the diagnosis is vague. And not having context, you could just have an old battery. Or ??
