Battery "CHARGE LINE" for C-Max keyless

[okwaterdog]

Looking for how to keep my C-Max battery from dying - I found several threads that mentioned installing a 'charge line'.

Can someone provide more information on what it involves? Do most RV Mechanics handle this or do I need to go to Ford?

I love my C-Max, but having the battery die EVERY time I tow is getting to be a real pain.

Thanks.

[rverAnn]

OF COURSE, I FORGOT TO SAY THAT! THANKS.

[Home_Skillet]

rverAnn wrote:
apply the hand brake,

Do not drive off with the park brake on!

[rverAnn]

We tow a 2014 C-Max Energi behind our Motor Home with a Blue Ox. We do not have any problems and do not have a "charge line." These are the steps we take (following the owners' manual).

After positioning the car behind the motor home, I put the car into NEUTRAL, apply the hand brake, turn off all accessories (including heating, air, fans, lights), and turn OFF the ignition.

Then I attach the Blue Ox compressor. That is it.

[okwaterdog]

Thanks for quick replies. It is the car's starter battery that dies, AND my elec connector is a 7 pin (someone told me I wouldn't have known)....

I am on my way to Quartzsite, maybe I can get it done there....in the meantime I am stopping every hour or so.

Appreciate all the knowledge in RV.Net.

[luvlabs]

Google "ToadCharge". If you are the least bit handy, you can install it yourself. RVi also sells a toad charging system. These units do not connect to the car battery until a certain voltage threshold is met on the motorhome side (normally 14V when the engine is running and the alternator is charging).

[WayneLee]

The Ford C-Max offers a hybrid and a hybrid plug-in version. Which do you have? I have a Fusion iEnergy plug-in so I'm not too familiar with the C-Max. Are you talking about your 12v battery, or your HV battery. The solutions presented here can work for your 12v but not your HV.

[bocanut50]

I would go to an RV dealer. They do this a the time. There should also be circuit breakers on both ends to protect everything. That's what I have on my rig and it works well on a 7 pin to 6 pin cord.

[navegator]

If the towing vehicle has a 7 pin plug, there is a 12v dc pin and a negative or ground pin, if the connecting cord is also a 7 pin connector, all you need to do is run a wire from the connector pin 12v dc to the positive battery on the vehicle with an in line fuse of 10 amps, this wire should be a number 10 or lower number, when you stop over night disconnect the umbilical so that the toads battery is not discharged.

If you only have 4 pin connector, you need to convert to a 7 pin, Ford will not do this, they will not be liable for it.

An automotive electrician can install this.

navegator

[Home_Skillet]

You should have 12V available in your umbilical cord that runs from the RV to the toad.
Any shop can run a wire to your battery from the cord.