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08-23-2020, 01:26 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Geel - Belgium
Posts: 103
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Tow vehicle starter battery drain
my tow vehicle is a Ford E350 (1996).
Recently i bought a TT Keystone 2016 31BHPR.
When the TT stays connected to my tow vehicle, while they are parked (no motor running, no keys in contact)...after 4-5 hours, my tow vehicle starter battery is drained to the point I cannot start my car anymore...
However, when I disconnect the TT, the battery from the RV does not get drained...it stays charged for several days (even several weeks when not in use)...
My brake controller is a Prodigy P2...
Does anyone here has any idea where I should look to get this problem fixed?
When I checked on the trailer connector on my car, with a led-testlight- I noticed that the "trailer brakes" wire (connection no 2 on the plug) is giving a pulse every 2-3 seconds, when there is no TT connected to the car... Is that normal????
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08-23-2020, 02:42 PM
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#2
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Site Team
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Gaylord
Posts: 26,981
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The "battery charge line" on most pre-2005 Fords was not OEM equipment. It was added to the vehicle by a mechanic who installed the brake controller, 7 pin connector and wiring. Most people wired vehicles with a 30 amp "auto-reset circuit breaker" on the positive side of the battery and then directly to pin #4 on the 7 pin connector... In other words, they "hotwired your vehicle battery to the trailer charge line".
More recent trucks with factory 7 pin connectors have incorporated the "trailer charge line" to the ignition side of the battery system and only apply power to the trailer connector when the truck is running....
On your truck, you'll need to either rewire to the accessory side of the ignition switch or just remember to unplug your trailer umbilical when you're parked for an extended time.
__________________
John
2015 F250 6.7l 4x4
2014 Cougar X Lite 27RKS
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08-23-2020, 03:26 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Hemlock
Posts: 816
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Its exactly what John said. I have a 2019 Ram 3500 and have to do the same thing. Apparently some people still think its a good idea to have the charge line hot all the time.
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R.J. and Ginger
2019 Ram 3500 6.7 HO, Aisin Trans 3:73
Reese Goosebox
2019 Sandpiper 379FLOK
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08-23-2020, 03:32 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,319
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From what I have found over my years:
Ford Diesel trucks have a charge circuit relay that shuts off power to the trailer when the key is off.
GM and Dodge (Ram) have an “active” charge line meaning it’s hot all the time.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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08-23-2020, 03:38 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Texas
Posts: 1,089
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sounds like you might have 2 issues.
1: the charge line is hot all the time.
2: the brake controller was wired to a constant hot and not ignition side of things.
Both should be easily fixable.
-Brian
__________________
2014 Bullet Premier 22RBPR - let the camping commence!
2013 F150 Platinum - 5.0 - 3.55 ELD + towing package
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08-23-2020, 04:03 PM
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#6
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Site Team
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Modesto
Posts: 20,319
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Quote:
Originally Posted by B-O-B'03
sounds like you might have 2 issues.
1: the charge line is hot all the time.
2: the brake controller was wired to a constant hot and not ignition side of things.
Both should be easily fixable.
-Brian
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My prodigy turns off in 15 minutes, all the controllers I have installed have had a constant hot.
__________________
2012 Copper Canyon 273FWRET being towed by a 1994 Ford F350 CC,LB,Dually diesel.
Airlift 5000 bags, Prodigy brake control, 5 gauges on the pillar.Used to tow a '97 Jayco 323RKS.
Now an RVIA registered tech. Retired from Law enforcement in 2008 after 25+ yrs.
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08-23-2020, 11:02 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Geel - Belgium
Posts: 103
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thx for this info...but the battery charge line is "off", when the car is not running...
I forgot to mention this in my original post...and have checked it too, but there is no voltage at the trailer connector when my car is not running...
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08-23-2020, 11:05 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Geel - Belgium
Posts: 103
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your 2nd point is interesting... because the brake controller is indeed "hot" all the time... this is also the way how it is wired in the service manual of Ford..
So you think that is the problem?...the controller may not be "hot" when vehicle is not running?
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08-23-2020, 11:07 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2020
Location: Geel - Belgium
Posts: 103
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correct, mine too shuts off after approx 15 min, but still I don't understand why I keep getting that "brake signal" every 2-3 sec on the connector?
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