Safely using Memory Saver ECU power interface connector

I have a 2017 Tacoma and, as camping weather is on the near horizon here in British Columbia, I am going to replace the stock battery with a deep cycle battery. I have done this before with my previous truck, which had continuous power at the 12 V "cigarette lighter" outlet. I would plug in a memory saver wire into this outlet and attach it to a spare battery with alligator clips. Now with the Tacoma, the only way to do this is to plug a memory saver into the OBD terminal, as the 12 V outlet is switched. Not a big deal except I want to make sure that the memory saver wire doesn't somehow expose the OBD wiring to too much of a current. The Toyota dealer in Langley kindly showed me what they use, which is a "Professional Memory Saver Kit" from OTC which sells for $151.99 CDN. Another reliable brand is Blue Point, similarly priced.

My question is this: has anyone used a memory saver and what quality should I be looking for? Amazon sells them dirt cheap but they are, naturally, from China. Should I spend the money and get the "professional" one or settle for a cheapo?

Note that I swap batteries in the Spring and in the Fall. I prefer using the stock battery outside of camping season as I think it is easier on the alternator. So this wire is not something I can borrow; I need to have one myself.

The purpose of all of this is so that I can run a CPAP machine off the deep cycle, then start up the next morning and the battery recharges as we drive. The CPAP is a glorified medical air pump that protects me from gaps in my breathing while asleep. It has a humidifier and draws the battery down to 12.2 V, which is a 50% charge approximately. I have done this with my (previous) Chevy Colorado for many years without any problems.

 

Sleep apnea is a bad thing.

As you already have a second battery, have you thought about keeping it in the engine compartment year round so that you don’t have to remove and reinstall a battery twice a year?

Installing an inexpensive second battery tray and a battery isolator wouldn’t be too expensive, and it would allow you to have a secondary separate backup battery to operate your CPAP or other items at all times while also leaving your starting battery in place.

There would also be less worry about running your battery down all the way.

It seems like the cost would be worth it for a simple setup that would provide many nights of good sleep, which is priceless! Eh?


There is a You Tube video called ‘Battery Isolator 101’ that I just watched by Jay at Canadian Energy.

Check it out.

 

Thanks OregontoBajaCa. Intriguing username. Do you go into the Baja? I would love to travel south of the Mexican border but to date we have not had the courage to try it. The Sea of Cortez is a place we would love to visit and explore but thus far it's only been a thought.

I have a battery isolator and all the wiring needed to install it; had this setup in our 1994 Explorer years ago. But I don't see a place under the hood of the Tacoma that could accommodate an extra battery. Behind the air cleaner there is some space but not deep enough for the battery. Turning the stock battery sideways and placing one next to it doesn't look like a viable option either. That would be a bit too tight. Putting a battery in the box is certainly possible but something I am not too keen on as I do not have a canopy and likely will not get one.

So...I am still looking at the memory saver wire; probably will spend the money on the professional one, just to be on the safe side.

 

Memory Saver Connector 12V OBD II to EC5 Socket ECU Emergency Power Supply Cable OBD 2 Memory Saver Adapter，Memory Charger for Auto Car Battery Power Charger Booster

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LAUNDP...olid=1TT3URMXEV111&psc=0&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

I used this one on a Tacoma before with a Jump Pack and it worked fine.

 

Thanks Jamesboy, Major Modder and Shakerhood. Very impressive mods and great advice!

 

Not all of my vehicles have had that same luxury as well. What I have done in the past was quite simply to take a standard small 12v battery (used as backups in computers and alarm systems, usually sealed lead). Make two cables that terminate in battery terminal clips. I then connect this to the battery cables just behind the clamp where the bolt-ons usually are. That way, when I disconnect the battery, the feeds are still getting 12v. There shouldn't be much draw, so the 6-9AH or whatever should last for days while you change things up. Just remember to protect the terminals since they're still 'live'... no shorting! I just stick gloves or something over them. I've even taken a kids plastic hanger and made a holder to keep them out of the way hanging from the hood. Use your ingenuity...

Battery Example - https://www.ebay.com/itm/131151095287
Clips Example - https://www.ebay.com/itm/282142722570

 

Thanks everyone for your kind replies. I still prefer to replace the stock battery with a deep cycle but Toyota's got the posts reversed. Why oh why would they do this except to force us to buy a "Toyota" battery once the stock battery dies. There is absolutely no slack in the battery wires so a standard deep cycle won't fit in. I do not want to alter anything cuz I am beginning to lean more and more towards trading this 2017 Tacoma in for a Chevy Colorado at the end of the year when the domestic 2018's drop in price. Not just for this reason but at 6'2" I really am too tall for a Tacoma.