Solution for Preventing Vehicle's Battery From Draining Due to Draw of Blue Ox Patriot Braking

Updated 02/05/2018 | Published 02/04/2018

Question:

We had the BLUE OX PATRIOT 2012 installed by an authorized dealer in Canada, on our car before a very long 54 day trip to southern Utah, end of Aug 2016. The dealer gave us a brief over-view on the basics of the unit, but did not go into and What Ifs. We tried it out during a 40 mile X 2 weekend trip before we left for Utah. Everything seemed to be working. The info provided in the box wasnt very informative either. The day of our trip to Utah, we had driven about 60 miles, when the Einch alert came on the in house module. Pulled over, re-positioned the braking unit, as it was no longer snug against the drivers seat and carried on. Another 40-50 miles - same thing, 3 more times. Stopped for lunch after traveling 160 miles, thinking maybe we should try staring the car, and re-charge the battery - just in case. - Car woulnt start. Battery was dead. To flat tow the Equinox - I have to pull a fuse that shuts off the dash lights and does not register any mileage on the car. Everything else works, including the cigarette lighter. By this time, I got very frustrated and a decision was made to disconnect the unit and carry on with our trip. We had our car jump-started at the RV park, having no further issues with a dead battery since. We had no further problems towing the car, even over Hells Backbone on Hwy 12 in Utah, but the braking unit would have been a nice to have if needed. I have since noticed there is a fix for the seat problem - Blue OX Seat Stiffener. BUT IS THERE A FIX for the car Battery going dead???? Would a portable battery power box that can jump start a vehicle, be of any use for the Patriot - instead of using the Equinox battery ? My local dealer wasnt too interested in helping solving my problem. Said he had never had that problem before. I had him take the installed wiring out, as we were leasing the car at the time and now plan to buy it. So the Patriot unit sits in my basement. I know I am a Canandian - but I need HELP! Found your site on Google. Thanks in advance.

asked by: Ron &

Expert Reply:

We have the part # RM-156-25 which allows you to run a charge wire from the vehicle towing your Equinox to keep the battery topped off. This will offset the amperage draw that the Blue Ox patriot puts on the system to operate.

I attached an install video for this kit on a similar 2016 Equinox for you to check out as well.

expert reply by: Jameson C