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novi2some's avatar
novi2some
Explorer
Nov 13, 2016

Draining Battery While Towing

I tow a 2014 Ford Edge FWD. I use Brake Buddy brake controller. I do have the car wired to get a charge from the motor home to charge the car battery. There are times when after towing the car for 4 or 5 hours, I find the car battery dead. I use a 6-way plug on the car. There could be an issue with the split pins in the 6-way plug for the battery charge. Also, with the key in the car's ignition, the dash is still lit up. This could contribute to the drawing down of the battery. Do I need to pull the fuse for the dash, Could it be #11 fuse? What can I do to make sure I have a good connection from the motor home to the car and get rid of the split pin issue, the split pin closing up and not making a good connection.
  • JR45's avatar
    JR45
    Explorer
    Nov 15, 2016
    I have the RVi2 charging system
    https://rvibrake.com/collections/shop/products/towed-battery-charger?variant=8804388741
    and my daughter has a 2016 Ford Edge and we installed this one, Toad- Charge
    http://www.lslproducts.net/ToadChargePage.html
    Both show when they are charging
    JR
  • novi2some's avatar
    novi2some
    Explorer
    Nov 14, 2016
    I have checked the battery on the car when attached to the motor home with motor home engine running and I measured 13 + volts at the car battery. This says there is a charge coming from the motor home to the car. The problem comes and goes. It's those split pins on the 6 way plug.
  • wilanddij's avatar
    wilanddij
    Explorer
    Nov 14, 2016
    Do you know if the charge line is really working? Have you pulled the charge line off the car battery to check it with a volt meter when everything else is hooked up? Most installers will fuse the charge line on both ends - one could be blown.
  • bdpreece's avatar
    bdpreece
    Explorer II
    Nov 14, 2016
    If your charge wire from your motorhome is working correctly you should have no problems with the battery discharging. One of the problems I found was not only did I need to run a charge line but I had to run a dedicated ground line from the motorhome to the toad. Using the hitch connection for ground did not work well.
  • scrubjaysnest's avatar
    scrubjaysnest
    Explorer
    Nov 14, 2016
    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    From REMCO Towing Guide

    When towing for an extended period of time, start the vehicle as often as possible and allow it to run for five minutes to prevent battery drain.

    Follow prescribed towing procedures outlined in your Owner's Manual.




    Have you looked/read your Owners Manual for requirements/recommendations to tow???


    What he said.
  • novi2some's avatar
    novi2some
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2016
    The owners manual calls for starting the engine every 5 hours. I found the battery dead in less then 5 hours. This does not happen all the time. I think it is easy for the split in the pins to close up. I wish the pins did not have the split. I thought maybe there is something to put in the slit to prevent them from closing up. I just not know wht to use.
  • Mandalay_Parr's avatar
    Mandalay_Parr
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2016
    Spread the split pin slightly with a screwdriver for better connection.

    My switch is in the Aux position. Dash does not light.
    Start car more often.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Nov 13, 2016
    From REMCO Towing Guide

    When towing for an extended period of time, start the vehicle as often as possible and allow it to run for five minutes to prevent battery drain.

    Follow prescribed towing procedures outlined in your Owner's Manual.




    Have you looked/read your Owners Manual for requirements/recommendations to tow???
  • Bumpyroad's avatar
    Bumpyroad
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2016
    I powered my brake buddy with a small jumper battery that I wanted to take along anyhow.
    bumpy
  • guidry's avatar
    guidry
    Explorer
    Nov 13, 2016
    If it's not every time like you say I'd look for a dome light or other auxiliary drain that is left on.

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