Does anyone use a Toad-Charge?

[suprz]

The previous owner of my RV towed a car, under the hood of my E450 is a 2-wire heavy gauge wire that goes into a "Toad Charge" 15amp circuit breaker which then goes to the back of the coach. Unfortunately the previous owner didn't leave the toad part. I've never heard of this brand, they still operate a website though

[NRALIFR]

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.

:):)

[Homeless_by_Cho]

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

[NRALIFR]

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.

:):)

[pauldub]

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

[Shot-N-Az]

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.

[Homeless_by_Cho]

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

[Shot-N-Az]

I use one. What is your question?

[77rollalong]

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

[suprz]

This is the website
Clicky

[Airdaile]

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