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Toad battery

Yahoo Message Number: 93810
Bought a new crv to replace our old reliable 2001. The 2001 had the extra bulb in the taillight cluster, and was never a problem. The shop that installed the base plate on the new crv insisted that diodes were a better choice. Driving south from Montana to Tucson, the toad battery went dead each day. Are there any fuses that can be pulled to solve the problem, or am I facing a rewire or back to the extra bulb? Thanks, Jim Crump

Re: Toad battery

Reply #1 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93811
Don't think the light hookup is your problem (if connected properly). Do you tow with the ignition in accessory? Our last vehicle had locking steering locked with the ignition off and had to tow with the key in the accessory position. The book said pull a fuse. I ended up connecting a battery disconnect switch. They do now make a switchable fuse if you can find the that will allow you to tow and not run down the battery and have a switch on the dash. I've heard that some vehicles can't use the diode method due to something in the car's cpmputer but I have had no experience or knowledge of that. We tow a GMC Envoy with the ignition off, no problems. BTW we are presently in Tucson!

Judy n Joe

98 Intrigue 10578

Re: Toad battery

Reply #2 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93812
The simplest solution is a charge line from the coach to the toad. It can be in the wiring connector for the lights. t will keep the battery in the toad charged. If you are not familiar with automotive electricity, go to a decent RV place and they can install one in an hour or two.

Mikee

Re: Toad battery

Reply #3 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93813
Jim,

Honda says to pull the Radio Fuse 7.5 amp when towing, or install a switchable fuse device.
Thanks, Mike 03 Allure 1st Ave. #30898

Re: Toad battery

Reply #4 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93816
What you need is a Toad Charge. It keeps the toad battery charged. We have used one on our Tahoe for the past 4 years- rvpowersupply.com has them.
Mary Ann

2000 Magna 5856

Re: Toad battery

Reply #5 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93818
Hitch PRo-TOW in Eugene did the installation on my CRv last year. I paid $75.00 extra to have a switch installed that cuts off the radio/CD player and rear view screen to keep from running the battery down. On my previous Odessey I installed a blade cut off switch on the battery. It served me well over 8 years.
TWI 2004 Intrigue 11731

Re: Toad battery

Reply #6 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93820
Different CRV's have different solutions: Our 2008 (with LED's installed in the taillight) draws zero following this routine:
1. Turn the ignition all the way off and remove the key.

2. Push the key into the small slot right next to the gearshift lever unlocking the gearshift.
3. While still pushing down with the key move the gearshift into neutral, remove the key.
4. Put the key back into the ignition and turn it just a few degrees to the first stop. It is between OFF and Accessory.
No dash lights will illuminate; the steering wheel will be unlocked and the transmission will be in neutral.

Jim Coshow

2005 Inspire 51501 with 2008 CRV

Re: Toad battery

Reply #7 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93823
We have a 2012 CRV and I just pulled a separate 12V charge line from the coach to the CRV battery, installed fuses at both ends and a diode at the CRV battery. Works great and beats pulling the recommended fuse.

Gary

'07 Allure 470 #31578

Re: Toad battery

Reply #8 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93824

We have the same setup on our 05 CC with 06 CR-V and it works great.

Ken & Denice Mikkelson
2005 Inspire 51494

Re: Toad battery

Reply #9 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93827
Have never had this problem when towing my '98 Honda CR-V. Just put the key on Accessory. No fuse pulling, no disconnections. Have towed this vehicle hundreds of mile without a problem.

I wonder why others are having this problem. Must be more draw on the batteries with different types of vehicles.

Gary Collins '05 Country Coach Inspire 51491

Re: Toad battery

Reply #10 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93828
I have a 2007 Honda Civic, and I had a 1997. I tried various things to avoid a dead battery after all day of towing, including a solar charger plugged into the cigarette lighter, pull fuse, etc. I have found the simplest (for me) was to install a $9.95 knife switch on the battery terminal.
When I drive my car to the rear of my motorhome in preparation for hooking up, I reach down and pull the hood release latch. I attach the car, test the lights, etc., and when finished, I just lift the unlatched hood with my left hand, reach in with my right to lift the knife switch, and let go of the hood. It is done in ten seconds.
Unhooking is the reverse. I figure I have a maximum of thirty seconds invested in this procedure and a one-time cost of $9.95.

Re: Toad battery

Reply #11 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93829
We also use the Toad Charge. We need power from the toad's power outlet for the brake control so the knife switch won't work for us. The Toad Charge has done great for 3+ years.

-Dennis Holmes

2006 Intrigue #12055

Re: Toad battery

Reply #12 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93830
and, just to add fuel to the fire, I've towed all day both a Honda CRV and presently a Honda Fit and have never experienced any loss in starting battery power.

aaamarine (Doug)

'05 Allure 430 #31125

Re: Toad battery

Reply #13 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93832
Here is one of the systems that I chose for towing my 2007 Toyota Rav4, which required that the ignition switch be left in the "ON"? position when towing to keep the steering wheel from being locked. This is available from: www.etrailer.com I have never had a problem in dealing with etrailer, and am quite happy with the quality of their wiring harness assemblies.

Jim Hill

2008 Tribute 260
81138

http://www.etrailer.com/faq-tow-bar-wiring-overview.aspx
Fuse Bypass Systems TowDaddy AutoFuse Some vehicles can only be towed if you get under the hood and pull a fuse. If you don't remove this fuse prior to towing, there's a good chance that your car's battery will be drained by the time you reach your destination.

TowDaddy's AutoFUSE and Blue Ox's Fuse ByPass are both designed to make it easy to prep your vehicle for towing. Simply remove the fuse indicated in your car's manual and replace it with the bypass. Both of these systems are designed to hold the removed fuse and maintain its functionality. So, once the initial installation is complete, you don't have to remove or replace your fuse again.

The AutoFUSE activates automatically, bypassing the fuse when your car is hooked up to your RV (and the RV's running lights are on). And, when you are disconnected from the RV and driving your car, the fuse functions exactly as it would normally. In addition, the AutoFuse maintains charge to your towed car's battery so that you can continue to power accessories - like a supplemental braking system - while you tow, without draining your battery.

The Fuse ByPass also maintains your fuse's functionality when you're driving your car. But instead of automatically bypassing the fuse when your car is hooked up to your RV, the ByPass requires that you pop your car's hood and flip the integrated switch to activate or deactivate the fuse.

Is a Fuse Bypass System Required?

A fuse bypass is never required. But if you have to remove a fuse to tow your car, a bypass system makes the whole ordeal easier. To determine if you need to remove a fuse before towing, consult your vehicle's owner's manual.

Automatic Battery Disconnect
Battery Disconnect It is required that the battery be disconnected on certain vehicles before they can be towed. Because disconnecting your car's battery can be a chore, and a potentially dangerous one at that, Roadmaster developed an automatic battery disconnect. With this device, you only need to disconnect your battery once. After the initial installation, the disconnect will operate automatically, bypassing the battery whenever your car is hooked up to your RV.

Roadmaster Automatic Battery Disconnect This system also maintains your battery's charge by pulling power from your RV. So even if your vehicle doesn't need to have the battery disconnected to be towed, you can use the disconnect to prevent dead battery. This may be especially beneficial if you have a supplemental braking system that connects to your towed vehicle's 12-volt outlet to pull power from your vehicle's battery.

Is an Automatic Battery Disconnect Required? A battery disconnect is never required. But if you have to disconnect your vehicle's battery before towing, this bypass system will make doing so safer and easier. To determine if you need to disconnect your vehicle's battery before towing, consult your vehicle's owner's manual.
I hope that this information is helpful to others as well.

Jim

Re: Toad battery

Reply #14 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93833
We also needed toad power, that's why we put the knife switch on the positive terminal and ran a wire from the battery side of the knife switch.

JnJ

98 Intrigue 10578

Toad battery

Reply #15 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93856
Jeep (company) solved the problem by removing the steering column lock. I tow with the key off and out of the ignition. I would suspect some sharp mechanic could do this to any vehicle.

John

Re: Toad battery

Reply #17 –
Yahoo Message Number: 93861
We towed an '08 and an '11 CRV and had the battery go dead until we started pulling the radio fuse. After we lost multiple fuses we bought a Tow Daddy auto fuse. Also, used the Tow Daddy light kit.

Tammy

Affinity 6611