Seems like a good job for a voltage-sensing combiner. The batteries would
be paralleled only when a charging system is keep the voltage high enough
that one battery won’t try to feed the other battery.
Rick “who uses two combiners for his three batteries” Denney
On Fri, Feb 8, 2019 at 4:33 PM James Hupy via Gmclist <
> Most trailer hook up shops use diodes in that circuit as well as properly
> sized fuses or thermal breakers to protect both vehicles. Parallel
> batteries are a second best solution, but, there are many, many of them in
> use.
> Jim Hupy
> Salem, Or
>
> On Fri, Feb 8, 2019, 9:48 AM Emery Stora via Gmclist <
>
> > I know the subject is “Charging the Towd battery”
> > But I really don’t view my solution as charging the toad battery but
> > rather supplying power for the Brake Buddy to prevent it from discharging
> > the toad battery.
> > I also realize that my hookup is putting my toad battery in parallel with
> > the house coach battery and I have always said that one should not use
> two
> > 12 volt batteries in parallel. However, that is when using the two 12
> volt
> > batteries to provide power to other devices. In my case the toad battery
> is
> > not discharging. The house battery provides power to the Brake Buddy and
> > also to the rear toad lights. The engine alternator charges the house
> > battery while driving.
> >
> > When I am stopped, including overnight stays at Walmart, the Brake Buddy
> > is not drawing power and there are no other draws on the toad battery so
> I
> > have seen no need to unplug the toad.
> >
> > Richard/Marli Shoop has posted about the need for a fuse. I agree. In my
> > first message I indicated that I had included a fuse in my wiring.
> >
> > The use of a toad charger driven from the coach house battery isolates
> the
> > two batteries and is probably the more proper solution but I followed the
> > link provided in that message and found the cost was over 100 dollars for
> > the device.
> >
> > My solution has worked for me for about 10 years now and I haven’t
> > experienced any problems with it. It works for me but, like any other
> > modifications or additions, one should decide for themselves if it is
> right
> > for them.
> > It is a relatively inexpensive solution. I did, however, replace the
> cable
> > and connectors at the GMC and at the toad with a 7 wire cord and 7
> > conductor flat terminal plugs and receptacles.
> > This provided room for the 12 volt lead from the house battery and a good
> > ground wire so I was not relying on a ground through the hitch.
> >
> > Emery Stora
> > 77 Kingsley
> > Frederick, CO
> >
> > >
> > > I also use a brake buddy. I solved the battery problem by running a
> wire
> > from my house battery to my tow plug. Another wire (with an in-line fuse)
> > runs from the tow plug to my toad battery. I have had it this way for
> > several years. When you unplug the toad from the motorhome it disconnects
> > the wires. The house battery has been more than enough to provide current
> > for the Brake Buddy and while driving the motorhome the house battery is
> > being charged by the alternator.
> > >
> > > Emery Stora
> > >
> > >>
> > >> We tow a older Honda Civic, and use a Brake Buddy as and aux breaking
> > unit. On long trips it can drag the battery down. Suggestions on how to
> > wire the
> > >> coach and towd so it charges the towd battery while running down the
> > road.
> > >> TIA
> > >> --
> > >> Larry
> > >> 78 Royale w/500 Caddy
> > >> Menomonie, WI.
> >
> >
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--
Rick Denney
73 x-Glacier 230 "Jaws"
Off-list email to rick at rickdenney dot com
