Does anyone use a Toad-Charge?

Homeless by Choice wrote:

NRALIFR wrote:
What those both (Toad Charge and Towed Battery Charger) appear to be is a 10 amp DC-DC battery charger, where the built in charger controller will step-up the available voltage from the towing vehicle (drawing more amperage in the process) to a voltage that will do a much better job of charging the battery in the towed vehicle.

If these units are any good, the charge controller should be at least a three-stage charger (bulk, absorption, and float).

If that’s what they do, then they would provide better battery charging than simply connecting the towed vehicle’s battery to the towing vehicle’s battery.

:):)

I agree 100% IF THAT IS HOW THEY WORK but I doubt it since that don't advertise/brag about it.

LeRoy

I was having a hard time getting much technical info out of their websites as well. Kinda skimpy on details.

:):)

NRALIFR wrote:
What those both (Toad Charge and Towed Battery Charger) appear to be is a 10 amp DC-DC battery charger, where the built in charger controller will step-up the available voltage from the towing vehicle (drawing more amperage in the process) to a voltage that will do a much better job of charging the battery in the towed vehicle.

If these units are any good, the charge controller should be at least a three-stage charger (bulk, absorption, and float).

If that’s what they do, then they would provide better battery charging than simply connecting the towed vehicle’s battery to the towing vehicle’s battery.

:):)

I agree 100% IF THAT IS HOW THEY WORK but I doubt it since that don't advertise/brag about it.

LeRoy

What those both (Toad Charge and Towed Battery Charger) appear to be is a 10 amp DC-DC battery charger, where the built in charger controller will step-up the available voltage from the towing vehicle (drawing more amperage in the process) to a voltage that will do a much better job of charging the battery in the towed vehicle.

If these units are any good, the charge controller should be at least a three-stage charger (bulk, absorption, and float).

If that’s what they do, then they would provide better battery charging than simply connecting the towed vehicle’s battery to the towing vehicle’s battery.

:):)

My '03 E450 has a fused and relay controlled charge line that's OEM.

I suppose the simple answer is I don’t know enough about electricity and batteries to do it that way. The toad charge provided me with the components and instructions to establish a charging system that has served me for several years now.

Shot-N-Az wrote:
I use one. What is your question?

What is the advantage of using the Toad-Charge instead of just connecting directly to the main engine battery using an inline fuse and an auto disconnect switch (100 amp fuse and a NO relay powered by the ACC key position which only closes the connection when the main engine is running)?

What I just described is what I have been using since 1985 to recharge my trailer and camper batteries while driving. So my question is "Why go thru that additional high cost Toad-Charge?

Thank you,
LeRoy

I use one. What is your question?

most motorhomes already have a 7 pin connector installed in the back intended to charge a house trailer, just use the B+ from that to the toad through a 10amp circuit breaker on the toad

This is the website
Clicky

Is this what you're referring to? Its from RVi.