brainpause
Member
I've got an unusual situation, so bear with me on the long story.
I deliver RV's and work trucks for a living, so I tow my Sonic behind it. I'm also on the road for days at a time, often sleeping in my running car in parking lots. Therefore, I carry an Igloo Iceless Cooler for food to save money.
Since I tow my car, I use the Brake Buddy Vantage Select system for braking action. Of course, the car isn't running during its use. Also, the Iceless Cooler is only plugged in while the car is running.
Here's a primer on how the Brake Buddy works: It is a small case placed in the driver's side floor, attaches to the brake pedal, and uses an air compressor and cylinder to press the brake pedal when it senses it needs to. It's a small air compressor, with a small storage tank. The unit is direct wired through an independent 15 amp cigarette lighter setup (recommended by Brake Buddy) for power. Its wires go directly through the firewall to the battery.
So here's the problem. Most of the time, there isn't enough current for the compressor to build up its needed pressure! My soon-to-be-ex-wife has most of my tools, including my test meter, so I don't know what voltage I have, but this is often right after I've driven a couple hundred miles, or even idled all night long, so my battery should be plenty charged. (I only have 9000 miles, so it's fairly new).
The Iceless cooler only pulls max 55 watts or 4.6 amps, so I don't think it is the problem. Yes, I am charging my phone, using the MyLink, listening to music, etc etc, but I don't believe I have excessive draw on the battery when I'm driving.
I will call Brake Buddy for advice, but I have a hard time believing that upgrading the Big Three will help my situation. I've thought about putting in a larger battery, but want to spend the money exactly where it is needed because I'm quite limited on funds.
What say you, my friends?
Larry
I deliver RV's and work trucks for a living, so I tow my Sonic behind it. I'm also on the road for days at a time, often sleeping in my running car in parking lots. Therefore, I carry an Igloo Iceless Cooler for food to save money.
Since I tow my car, I use the Brake Buddy Vantage Select system for braking action. Of course, the car isn't running during its use. Also, the Iceless Cooler is only plugged in while the car is running.
Here's a primer on how the Brake Buddy works: It is a small case placed in the driver's side floor, attaches to the brake pedal, and uses an air compressor and cylinder to press the brake pedal when it senses it needs to. It's a small air compressor, with a small storage tank. The unit is direct wired through an independent 15 amp cigarette lighter setup (recommended by Brake Buddy) for power. Its wires go directly through the firewall to the battery.
So here's the problem. Most of the time, there isn't enough current for the compressor to build up its needed pressure! My soon-to-be-ex-wife has most of my tools, including my test meter, so I don't know what voltage I have, but this is often right after I've driven a couple hundred miles, or even idled all night long, so my battery should be plenty charged. (I only have 9000 miles, so it's fairly new).
The Iceless cooler only pulls max 55 watts or 4.6 amps, so I don't think it is the problem. Yes, I am charging my phone, using the MyLink, listening to music, etc etc, but I don't believe I have excessive draw on the battery when I'm driving.
I will call Brake Buddy for advice, but I have a hard time believing that upgrading the Big Three will help my situation. I've thought about putting in a larger battery, but want to spend the money exactly where it is needed because I'm quite limited on funds.
What say you, my friends?
Larry
