I just bought a Ford Focus which states you can tow 4 flat by doing certain steps with the transmission, and also that you have to uncouple the negative battery lead. If I do that I can't use the power port in the car to plug in the Brake Buddy. Any suggestions around this? My thought was that I need to run a power line from the MH to the car, that has a 12V female plug on it, to run the BB on. Thoughts?

when I used a brake buddy, I just plugged it into a small jumper/starter type of battery that I wanted to have along anyway. no need to jump thru hoops.bumpy

Bumpyroad wrote:when I just plugged it into a small jumper/starter type of batteryX2

a coupon for harbor freight one in today's paper. $39.99 reg 59.99bumpy

I think we've seen two good options. A third would be to run a dedicated socket from the battery to the dashboard area. Shut the Positive Cable off with a Cutoff Switch, leaving the Brake Buddy line connected. BB recommends a direct line for many vehicles anyway, saying that in many cases the factory wiring doesn't deliver the amps needed for the unit to operate well. They'd probably mail you a kit to install one, but frankly, the socket is cheap.I think if you wanted to do something like this and disconnect the negative battery cable (instead of switching the positive), you might have to actually remove both battery cables to be sure the operating Brake Buddy didn't feed back into the Focus' electrical system. Of course you could put switches into Both cables.

Why not install a battery disconnect on the positive side of the toad battery and wire in a dedicated 12vdc outlet direct from the battery pos., itself?

work around for Brake Buddy? | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

teetah
Explorer
Feb 27, 2014
Viewfinder wrote:
Do a search for 'focus battery disconnect' in this forum. Follow the link for an great answer for switch install, with pictures. This is what I am doing with my mine if it ever gets warm enough.

jim

will check it out, thanks.
Viewfinder
Explorer
Feb 26, 2014
Do a search for 'focus battery disconnect' in this forum. Follow the link for an great answer for switch install, with pictures. This is what I am doing with my mine if it ever gets warm enough.

jim
tropical36
Explorer
Feb 26, 2014
teetah wrote:
Hmm, looked inside the engine compartment today and have no idea how I'd put a disconnect switch on the negative post. Not even sure how they wedged the battery in the cubbyhole they tucked it in. (It's behind the engine and halfway under the body, past the hood opening. :(. ). Best I can do is unhook the negative post where it attaches to the car itself. Unless Ford has a better option.

Maybe pull the battery first and they do make a compact disconnect with a screw knob on top for connecting and disconnecting. Also consider putting it on the pos side and run a wire from the battery post itself to the inside of the coach with a bracket mount (no dash drilling) for mounting the 12vdc outlet.
teetah
Explorer
Feb 26, 2014
No luck. I'm a woman... we read. :) LOL
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Feb 25, 2014
teetah wrote:
2014. Automatic transmission. And before anyone freaks and says you can't tow that, yes, I can. It's in the owners manual how to do it. :)

well you lucked out cause "men' don't read the owner's manual. :)
bumpy
teetah
Explorer
Feb 25, 2014
2014. Automatic transmission. And before anyone freaks and says you can't tow that, yes, I can. It's in the owners manual how to do it. :)
wny_pat1
Explorer
Feb 25, 2014
Teresa,
I think you need to tell us what year Ford Focus that you are asking about. I have a 2009 w/manual tranny, and don't have to do any of that stuff
teetah
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
Drat... Double posted. Meanwhile I found a YouTube video showing how to get to the battery. Definitely must use the external cable connection for the disconnect. The other just won't work.
teetah
Explorer
Feb 24, 2014
Hmm, looked inside the engine compartment today and have no idea how I'd put a disconnect switch on the negative post. Not even sure how they wedged the battery in the cubbyhole they tucked it in. (It's behind the engine and halfway under the body, past the hood opening. :(. ). Best I can do is unhook the negative post where it attaches to the car itself. Unless Ford has a better option.
teetah
Explorer
Feb 23, 2014
And that's why I ask y'all for advice. :) I'm liking the idea of the stand alone jumper unit. Sounds like the easiest route. Thanks everyone for the options!

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work around for Brake Buddy?

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