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Towing problem

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Janey

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Towing problem
« on: November 22, 2017, 01:48:46 am »
Our Honda CR-V sometimes has a dead battery after towing. We have the battery shut off switch that is supposed to prevent that. It’s not all the time. I can’t figure out what we’re doing wrong - sometimes.

Janey (getting ready to flee the coldness of Michigan)
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JJCruiser

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Re: Towing problem
« Reply #1 on: November 22, 2017, 04:43:35 am »
Hi Janey
We tow a 2013 Honda CR-V and our battery would sometimes be dead after full day trips.  We could not disconnect the battery completely as we have a Brake Buddy installed that can use quite a bit of power over a long trip.  To solve our problem we did the following:

1)  Added a switch to disconnect power form the radio/navigation system - it consumes a lot of power.  Originally I would just remove the fuse but quickly got tired of crawling under the dash to perform that procedure.  Then I added a switch.  I just made my own harness with switch and fuse holder but it appears Roadmaster offers a kit for this:
    http://roadmasterinc.com/products/accessories/electrical/fusemaster.html


2)  Even with the switch, on longer trips our battery would be dead.  Our 2013 Honda CR-V came from the factory with a very small battery (only 410 CCA "cold cranking amps".   I found a great method to install a larger batter on "CRVownersclub.com" website.  Here is the link to the specific thread:
    http://www.crvownersclub.com/forums/24-do-yourself-mods/35034-larger-group-24-battery-install.html
I followed the instructions and did this upgrade myself.  It is a very tight fit for the new battery, but it has plenty of power now (710 CCA)

Even with these upgrades, if we go on multi-day trips I will start the CRV for 10 minutes or so to charge the battery just for good measure at the end of the travel day.  Just remember to follow the towing instructions for your CRV and your supplemental braking system.

I am not sure if this will work for you but it did the trick for us.  There may be more elegant solutions by tapping power from the Phoenix Cruiser to charge the CR-V battery while towing that you may want to look into as well.

JJ
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Janey

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Re: Towing problem
« Reply #2 on: November 22, 2017, 07:04:01 am »
Thanks for the reply. We have the switch in the car to undo the battery.  Dang!  I just bought a new battery last week.  We do start the car whenever we stop for a break. Sometimes that isn’t enough.

Janey (way excited to be on the road in 1.5 weeks)
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TomHanlon

Re: Towing problem
« Reply #3 on: November 22, 2017, 07:25:22 am »
There is a hot lead in the seven pin connector on the back of your PC. I had my installer run a wire from the same pin on the front of my Jeep to the battery, when he installed the braking system. The braking system turns on the toad brake lights and this runs down the battery. The hot wire recharges the battery from the PC. I hope this helps.
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JJCruiser

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Re: Towing problem
« Reply #4 on: November 22, 2017, 08:28:48 am »
Quote from: TomHanlon on November 22, 2017, 07:25:22 am
There is a hot lead in the seven pin connector on the back of your PC. I had my installer run a wire from the same pin on the front of my Jeep to the battery, when he installed the braking system. The braking system turns on the toad brake lights and this runs down the battery. The hot wire recharges the battery from the PC. I hope this helps.

Tom,
I have considered trying that but was concerned I could get into situations that would exceed the amperage rating for the fuse on the RV.  I have seen the following offered to protect against possible overloads and shorts. . . but it is a bit pricey. 

http://www.lslproducts.net/ToadChargePage.html

I am glad your solution is working for you.

Thanks,

JJ
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Ron Dittmer

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Re: Towing problem
« Reply #5 on: November 22, 2017, 09:44:33 am »
Hi Janey,

Towing our Jeep Liberty, we are setup the same as Tom Hanlon with regards to power to the tow vehicle.

We have a strange thing going on with the electronics with our tow setup that I can't explain.  Everything works as it should with one exception which might also be happening to you.

When we shut off the PC, the back-up camera we use as our rear view mirror, is still on, along with the tiny lights under the PC's front doors.  When traveling multiple days and we stop for the night, I unhook the umbilical cord to the Jeep and all is 100% shut down.  There is a diode in the Jeep to prevent back-voltage to the PC, but it's still happening, or something else is happening that appears to be back voltage.  The power being supplied to the camera & lights might be a PC issue or not.  I never researched why it's happening.  At the end of the day, still hooked up for the night, I simply unplug that cord to shut down the camera & tiny outside lighting.

I shared this because just maybe the same thing is happening to you.  The two vehicles hooked up together overnight, your CR-V battery may be draining.
« Last Edit: November 22, 2017, 09:50:25 am by ron.dittmer »
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ragoodsp

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Re: Towing problem
« Reply #6 on: November 22, 2017, 12:40:29 pm »
janey:

Install a RViBrake tender to the Honda.   Run a wire from the PC's one constant (7 pin connecter) "hot wire" to the RVIBrake tender and then two wires hitch to the Honda battery.   The RVi acts like a regulator and does not allow the battery to be over charged.   Best $50.00 you will spend and a 1/2 hour installation
« Last Edit: November 22, 2017, 01:17:56 pm by ragoodsp »
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KB9OMH

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Re: Towing problem
« Reply #7 on: November 25, 2017, 09:15:03 pm »
I just ran the red(+) and white(-) wires from 7 pin plug to the battery with 10 amp fuses in each wire at the battery, My tow is a 2007 Ford Focus. will have to replace the battery this year after 7 years of use, not bad for a 60 month battery.

Jim
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Janey

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Re: Towing problem
« Reply #8 on: November 26, 2017, 01:36:31 am »
Thanks for your valuable input (even though I have no idea what you’re talking about).  I’ll pass this onto my handy husband to handle.

Janey (still stuffed from overeating and drinking while giving thanks)
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HenryJ

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Re: Towing problem
« Reply #9 on: November 26, 2017, 01:23:32 pm »
Lot of Cars many are not set up to tow. Some tow well others not intended. Orig tow car a 2008 Jeep and our RV was not a PC but to save the battery Mr installed a battery disconnect so that it was not flat on arrival.  It went flat quickly too...the switch unit was nice and  a little handle to move for disconnect and it was fine for the trip. Since the ign key had to be on to free steering wheel.  Now we tow Jeep Wrangler 2015  which has the  diodes  now installed at the factory and no longer need to be added. And this car battery  does not discharge.  It is 4 door and has done well.  We did have a tow bar co in Elkhart check out what had been done at PC  and they did  make an add on to get the height levels to DOT requirements.  the brake unit did have a PC install error and no one will correct since there is implied liability. The brakes are 60 forward and 40 rear and the line intercept should have been at the forward side and was installed in the rear even though there were written/printed directions giving the specific instructions. Not followed. So far it has stopped. Brake system is Roadmaster similar to what we had in class A .
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ragoodsp

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Re: Towing problem
« Reply #10 on: November 27, 2017, 01:32:57 pm »
Janey....You do have to be careful these days in that any toad with electric assisted power steering (like the new Jeep Cherokee) must have a constant supply of power to the vehicle to keep pressure on the wheels so that they do not go into a "death wobble" going down the road.  The key does not need to be (in the case of the Jeep) on for the power to be supplied.  With this kind of power supply need it does not take long to drain the battery down.  Wiring diretly is OK but I would hate to over charge the toad battery so there for the need for a product like RVi brake buddy. 
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Janey

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Re: Towing problem
« Reply #11 on: November 27, 2017, 04:26:48 pm »
 We have the invisibrake.  It’s quite wonderful except for the inconsistently dead battery.
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ragoodsp

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Re: Towing problem
« Reply #12 on: November 29, 2017, 08:41:04 pm »
The RVi battery tender has nothing to do with the Invisbrake system, if you run the Invisbrake system long enough without starting the Honda you will have dead battery.   Merely running a hot wire to the battery will keep the battery charged all right but there is nothing to keep the Honda battery from being over charged.  The battery tender keeps over charging from occurring.  Just my 2 cnts.
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