Any one modify the stock dual battery set up with an isolator?

[ChadM]

Im not sure if this is genius or total stupidity. I'm hoping someone else has already thought this through...
I was thinking of getting a genesis dual battery setup but realized I could replace both my batteries with AGM replacement sizes Size 400 for the small one and Size 48 for the big one. Then did what would seem like an aux battery delete but then put in a smart isolator (like the one linked below) between the main and the smaller aux battery. I was thinking that in the event I need a jump start, the aux battery could be used. Or I could run a small fuse box to the aux battery for things like my inverter and compressor and 12v chargers.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09H7SB2W4/

TLDR; I'm wondering if this is stupid and if I should just do an aux delete and run 1 main batter or try to keep the dual batteries in the stock sizes/locations and replace with AGMs with an isolator.

Sponsored

 

[Mr._Bill]

I left the factory system intact. I added a Smart Isolator, like the Genesis System uses, and mounted a battery behind the right rear wheel. I did this about four years ago. I used it to Jumpstart myself multiple times last fall when the main battery started to fail. I have all my accessory lights and winch setup so they are triggered by an AUX Switch but run off of the third battery.

 

[ChadM]

I left the factory system intact. I added a Smart Isolator, like the Genesis System uses,

your post from 2019 is what inspired me I was thinking of rather than a 3rd battery just make the aux location the second battery in a 'real' dual battery setup. I'm pretty sure my aux battery is going, getting ASS (Auto Start Stop) issues if I run any accessory even a little bit if the engine isnt on. if I slap on a trickle charger at night the issues seem to go away.

 

[Mr._Bill]

your post from 2019 is what inspired me I was thinking of rather than a 3rd battery just make the aux location the second battery in a 'real' dual battery setup. I'm pretty sure my aux battery is going, getting ASS (Auto Start Stop) issues if I run any accessory even a little bit if the engine isnt on. if I slap on a trickle charger at night the issues seem to go away.

Due to the way the truck is wired, with the Aux battery design to keep the computers stable (and potential warranty issues), I left it all intact. I got a little over three years out of the main battery, and almost four out of the AUX/ESS battery. It's now failing the test at every startup and giving the Service ESS message. It isn't draining the Main battery, so I still have not got it swapped out yet. I bought a new Aux Battery last fall when I replaced the main battery, but it didn't need replaced yet.

 

[Mr._Bill]

A lot of people have had ESS battery issues, and Jeep appears to have had at least one batch of them that were poor quality. The automatic response for ESS issues is to blame the Aux battery, but for many of us the Main battery was the problem. The batteries in the JT average about a three year life span before needing replaced.

 

[sharpsicle]

I mean, I see no reason why this wouldn't work. I guess it seems like overkill just for a jump though. Somehow I feel like either keeping the system connected normally or doing the aux delete, and then getting a jump pack, would be a simpler and also a more versatile solution.

 

[Mr._Bill]

I mean, I see no reason why this wouldn't work. I guess it seems like overkill just for a jump though. Somehow I feel like either keeping the system connected normally or doing the aux delete, and then getting a jump pack, would be a simpler and also a more versatile solution.

I don't see any practicality in the Aux delete, unless you always turn ESS off. This takes the load spread across two batteries to eliminate computer issues and puts it all on one battery.

The third battery setup with the Smart Isolator provides a battery to power accessories without draining the main battery. Being able to use it to Jumpstart yourself is just an added benefit. The Smart Isolator keeps the third battery charged by paralleling it into the system when the engine is running, and disconnecting it from the system when the engine is off.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I mean, I see no reason why this wouldn't work. I guess it seems like overkill just for a jump though. Somehow I feel like either keeping the system connected normally or doing the aux delete, and then getting a jump pack, would be a simpler and also a more versatile solution.

My cheap jump pack can be plugged into the 12v outlet and thus ready at all times.

Frankly, I really like Mr._Bill's solutions best. That extra battery is also closer to some of the accessories a person who camps may wish to use.

 

[chorky]

I would be curious to see a pole on how many people use ESS, turn it off, get a programmer to keep it off, or do an aux delete.

For myself, even if I wanted to use it, it would only activate maybe 5% of my drive time at best just because I have an hour's drive just to get to town. And I live in a one stop sign town so not much stopping here.

The battery box you found is really slick although I wish it didn't hang so low and could be compatible with the rubicon bed sliders.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

On a Jeep forum, your results will be skewed if you run a poll up a pole. It's a hot topic so you'll get the most extreme on each side in the results.
It's never bothered me, never caused any issues, it just works (when you keep things in proper order and don't let the Jeep sit for more than a couple of days without a tender or if you drive it more than 30 minutes a day)
We've had several Jeeps with this setup - Multiple Grand Cherokees and two JTs.
I'm far more likely to have issues with other areas. ESS works great for us and proven savings.
There's my answer.
So now you have another ESS thread LOL - we really need another one to let people unleash their hate.

 

[Mr._Bill]

I would be curious to see a pole on how many people use ESS, turn it off, get a programmer to keep it off, or do an aux delete.

For myself, even if I wanted to use it, it would only activate maybe 5% of my drive time at best just because I have an hour's drive just to get to town. And I live in a one stop sign town so not much stopping here.

The battery box you found is really slick although I wish it didn't hang so low and could be compatible with the rubicon bed sliders.

My only Offroad trips, so far, have been dirt roads. The battery box sits higher than the spare, so I'm okay with it. I can see where it could be a problem for others. Mounting it in the bed would be better for some, depending on how it's being used.

 

[Mr._Bill]

I would be curious to see a pole on how many people use ESS, turn it off, get a programmer to keep it off, or do an aux delete.

For myself, even if I wanted to use it, it would only activate maybe 5% of my drive time at best just because I have an hour's drive just to get to town. And I live in a one stop sign town so not much stopping here.

The battery box you found is really slick although I wish it didn't hang so low and could be compatible with the rubicon bed sliders.

I rarely use ESS, only when I forget to turn it off. We have a lot of lights here, many of them long enough for ESS to be useful. I prefer comfort over economy, so I remote start all the time, and leave ESS off so the AC stays on. I'm too cheap to buy one of the ESS override devices, so I just rely on remembering to push the button.

 

[chorky]

My only Offroad trips, so far, have been dirt roads. The battery box sits higher than the spare, so I'm okay with it. I can see where it could be a problem for others. Mounting it in the bed would be better for some, depending on how it's being used.

Yeah I ended up coming up with a solution that works really good - for me.

I have it basically sandwiched between the fridge slide and the scepter water can's (not in on this pic). It is also strapped down pretty snug with the L-Track system, and I modified the box so that the strap that comes with it is inside the box, and the hold down's that come with the box are bolted to the inside of the box so that the strap can keep the battery snug downward so it doesn't bounce around inside the box on potholes and washboards.

The only reason your idea didn't work for me is I have the rubi bed rock sliders and did not want to remove them. It's the cleanest install option though I think for someone who does not have or doesn't care about removing the bed sliders.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

so I just rely on remembering to push the button.

WOW!?! That is truly amazing! Seriously? but doesn't it exhaust you? I mean, all of that mental and physical effort? You must be super-human. No ordinary person could handle all that.
Maybe you should do a write-up on all that is involved and they make it a sticky. What a feat.
?

 

[chorky]

I rarely use ESS, only when I forget to turn it off. We have a lot of lights here, many of them long enough for ESS to be useful. I prefer comfort over economy, so I remote start all the time, and leave ESS off so the AC stays on. I'm too cheap to buy one of the ESS override devices, so I just rely on remembering to push the button.

yeah same. the ESS still functions well with the genesis system. Although it is annoying the times i forget to turn it off and it shuts down the engine, usually at the only stop sign in town going to work in the morning.

Sponsored