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Topic: Question about power source for auxiliary braking system in dingy  (Read 275 times) previous topic - next topic
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Question about power source for auxiliary braking system in dingy
Just got a Blue Ox towing system installed to flat tow my 2018 Toyota Corolla manual transmission (also smart key system) - Install included a Blue Ox Patriot 2 auxiliary braking system for the dingy.  The braking system plugs into the cigarette lighter for power. Problem is the Corolla manual says to put the car in Accessory mode when towing it. But Accessory mode turns itself off after 20 minutes. So driving home from the garage yesterday we got the message " check power connection" - it was not getting any power after 20 minutes.  Anyone have any experience with keeping an auxiliary braking system powered when flat towing? We've done a lot of reading and searching online but can't find an answer to this issue. Also, we are newbies - so no previous experience to draw on. Thanks for any insight you can provide.
2019  31 IB
Re: Question about power source for auxiliary braking system in dingy
Reply #1 –
How about pulling a wire up from your battery to a 12v female plug (like a cigarette lighter) that you can attach under your dash?  You can plug the braking system into that and it will be hot all the time.  Make sure that you include a fuse close to the battery on the positive wire.  There will be two wires, one positive one with the fuse and the other attached to a good ground.  This receptacle will be hot all the time (it won't turn off when the key is off), so don't leave anything plugged into it when the car is not in use as it may drain your battery.

Harold
2014 27 MB
Towd: Either the Jeep Wrangler or trailer containing the BMW R1200GS and 2 E-bicycles
Happy wife=Happy life
Re: Question about power source for auxiliary braking system in dingy
Reply #2 –
I use a Wagan 7506 ion jump starter and battery pack. It is small holds a charge for a long time and is convenient and easy to use.  $92 on Amazon.                   


Randy
2018 31' TB
Re: Question about power source for auxiliary braking system in dingy
Reply #3 –
Thanks guys - so run a wire or get a portable 12 V power source - we will investigate the best option for us.
 Learning curve for new RV owners is substantial!
2019  31 IB
Re: Question about power source for auxiliary braking system in dingy
Reply #4 –
Hi Cgoochee;  Best to run a battery wire from your motorhome to a seven pin 'universal' towing connector at your bumper. Hopkins #48485 7 Pole RV Blade Car End - Walmart.com - Walmart.com
 Lazy Daze may already have that connector there, although the +12 DC. that you need may not be wired to that. You should have an unused pin. Two wires are better, one back to the dash.
   Then a wire in the umbilical to your 'Towed' socket. Then run a wire in your Corolla to a 'cigarette' socket under your dash to plug the Blue Ox braking system into.  This circumvents the 'timeout feature' of your vehicle that isn't a feature you want.  Appropriate fuses should be added to provide power to the braking system.   Additionally a wire from your Corolla's brakes should be run back to a light on the motorhome's dash to let you know when the 'Towed' brakes are applied. Too many times, the breakaway switch gets activated, causing the towed vehicle's brakes and tires to catch on fire, while you keep pulling it along.   Larry recommends this dash light be added.   RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Question about power source for auxiliary braking system in dingy
Reply #5 –
Quote from: RonB  - 
...  Then a wire in the umbilical to your 'Towed' socket. Then run a wire in your Corolla to a 'cigarette' socket under your dash to plug the Blue Ox braking system into.

Here is the problem with that. If the only power source for the braking system is the motorhome, what happens if the vehicle breaks loose? Any breakaway feature won't work without power.

Steve
2004 FL
2013 Honda Fit
Re: Question about power source for auxiliary braking system in dingy
Reply #6 –
Good point, Steve. There are kits to remedy this problem. They're typically used on a boat or utility trailer that has electric brakes, but doesn't have its own battery. The kit is a small box containing a gel battery and charging circuitry.

While driving, the kit's gel battery is charged from the tow vehicle. If a breakaway situation occurs, removing that source of power, the breakaway kit's battery then powers the brakes. Perhaps one of these kits could be adapted to your situation.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: Question about power source for auxiliary braking system in dingy
Reply #7 –
Oops. Well I would use a Toad-Charge from LSL to charge the Corolla's battery, and have a wire, through a fuse, to a 'cigarette' plug under the dash just for the auxilliary braking system. Cgoochee didn't say if the steering wheel is unlocked, or if the power drain of the key being on has been accounted for. That time out of the electronics might save the power usage, but leave the steering wheel unlocked. The Toad-Charge  TOAD-CHARGE Dinghy Vehicle Battery Charger/Maintainer    has a 10 amp limit, but the battery could substitute power until the load returned below 10 Amps. And charge the battery as an added benefit.
    Steve or Andy... do you know if the LD,  in this case a 2019, comes with a six or seven pin connector?  RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB
Re: Question about power source for auxiliary braking system in dingy
Reply #8 –
My 2019 has a 6
Randy

2019 MB
Re: Question about power source for auxiliary braking system in dingy
Reply #9 –
Thanks Randy.  I'm going to assume that the wiring is still just the four basic wires. Left brake/turn, Right brake/turn, running lights and ground. That would leave two spare unused pins. Perhaps +12v. (for a charging wire) and brake signal for electric brake trailers?  Is that information in the manual? I haven't found my manual for 20 years since I got my motorhome in 2000. I'm sure it is here somewhere. But my LD only came with the 4 pin. Since I'm confined to 'quarters' now in Ca., time to look around.  RonB
RonB (Bostick) living in San Diego
Original owner of "Bluebelle" a '99 TKB