Help with battery issue..Jeep Wrangler

What about when you stop, crank the jeep up and let it run for a little?

You can buy the toad charge for about $100 plus or you can run a charge line to your battery and use a high amp diode for about $6 that does the same thing as the toad charge. The only thing you do by using the diode is cheating Toad charge out of $94 profits.. JMHO. Got my diodes from Radio Shack plus small plastc box for diodes.

WyoTraveler wrote:
You can buy the toad charge for about $100 plus or you can run a charge line to your battery and use a high amp diode for about $6 that does the same thing as the toad charge. The only thing you do by using the diode is cheating Toad charge out of $94 profits.. JMHO. Got my diodes from Radio Shack plus small plastc box for diodes.

Interested in the diode idea. Is that something that needs to be soldered in place or is it a plug and play type application? Is there a part number for the diode or do I just ask for a high amp diode?

Just one hot wire back from the coach battery to the jeep with the diode somewhere prior to the jeep battery?

As stated, I am sort of electronically challenged when it come to 12v wiring but not scared to learn.

Thanks,
Phillip

I question the need for a diode.
My old tow vehicle had a continuous-duty relay installed in the trailer charge line, so that the power to the line was shut off when the truck ignition switch was off.
Before that, I just disconnected the umbilical when stopped for any length of time, to prevent the trailer from discharging the truck battery.
But then, I am "old school" enough that if it can be done either mechanically or electronically, I will choose mechanical every time!
It is worthy of note that here in Montana (and many other states) any trailer with electric brakes MUST, by law, have a breakaway system that can activate and hold the trailer brakes for at least 15 minutes. This system requires a battery, which requires a means to keep it charged. Thus, ALL vehicles which will tow a trailer with electric brakes MUST have a charge line to the trailer electrical connector!

I have seven pin connector from the RV to the toad, the usual left, right, running, stop and negative and positive connections, so I ran the positive to the battery with a 30 amp fuse and aas long as the motor home is running my toads battey is being charged, when we stop over night I turn the toad off and lock it with out the key, motor home tuned off, never had problems in 12 years
of pulling toad and toads battery is fully charged.

navegator

Thanks for all the suggestions. Time to get busy and get this figured out.

They stopped putting them on in 2008 some time......steering wheel locks that is, so are you SURE yours locks?

Yep, I'm sure it locks. What I found out after buying mine, is that about 1/2 way through the 2008 model year that got rid of the steering wheel lock.

I have the RVi braking system on my jeep. Called them today on another issue, got to talking with the tech and mentioned the battery problem. They have a system that wires to the 6 pin connector on the jeep that keeps the toad charged. $50.00 so I ordered one and am going to give it a try. I will post results after I make my next trip in October.

Thanks again for all the replies. This forum is the best.

Phillip

Used to tow a 2008 Wrangler. I found a posting that suggested pulling the "IOD fuse" & "M1 brake fuse". Had an earlier model 2008 that needed the key in the ignition to unlock the steering. Pulled that Wrangler over 11,000 miles driving between 5 - 8 hrs a day. Used a Brake Buddy powered through the accessory hot point. Never had a battery problem. Here is a link

http://www.jkowners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=35834