Would you still do the Genesis Dual Battery?

[Fpolanco]

I much prefer the portable batteries for my camping needs if that's what you're interested in using it for.
They've got everything in one package.
I'm running my exterior lights off of mine that are on my bed rack. I wan to add some USB lights for inside my softopper and drawers.
My awning lights are USB powered.
If it's for a Winch or something in the future I'd go off the main battery because the engine would be running.

Edit: I do wish I could run the air compressor I want off the portable battery, but the amp draw is a bit high.
I'd love to not idle while inflating...

I currently have some lights mounted under the bed rack that are hardwired and would like to add some to the awning(which will most likely be ISB powered).

The separate second battery is what I’m leaning towards…

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[ShadowsPapa]

I currently have some lights mounted under the bed rack that are hardwired and would like to add some to the awning(which will most likely be ISB powered).

The separate second battery is what I’m leaning towards…

Here ya go -

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/diy-dual-battery-setup.23232/

 

[KevinM60]

I've had my Glad for almost three months and didn't think too much about the battery system until a couple of these threads came up and since mine sits in the driveway all week waiting for the weekend it dawned on me to monitor the charging system.
Saturday morning when I first started driving the system ran at 14.7v. After a few hours it was down to 12.8 which is about what I expected but from what I'm reading here over time the batteries will give out and good maintenance is going to be important.
My dad had a pickup with a camper that had a dual battery system, the main battery and a deep cycle marine battery, with components installed that let the current only go one way from the main to the deep cycle so that the system charged the main first and then the deep cycle but wouldn't let the deep cycle drain from the main.

Reading that the factory batteries aren't the greatest I expect to change those out when I can but I'm wondering if anybody has tried using a battery isolator with a good deep cycle battery to keep from killing the main. Shadowspapa's link above does show that Mr._Bill is using the isolator from the Genesis system.

At this point I'm going to look deep into how the JT system is set up so I have a good understanding of the best way to make improvements before I end up on the side of the road (or trail) somewhere with no juice.

 

[Fpolanco]

Here ya go -

https://www.jeepgladiatorforum.com/forum/threads/diy-dual-battery-setup.23232/

Holy cow this is awesome!! Thank you!!

 

[keithcroshaw]

Another thing that is a pro is you can run your real fridge on the portable one or other home backup things without running a generator non-stop.

 

[Fpolanco]

Another thing that is a pro is you can run your real fridge on the portable one or other home backup things without running a generator non-stop.

What's great about overlanding/camping is that when you live in an area where the wind blows and the power goes out, you're always prepared!

We have a small Jackery 160 to keep phones topped off and keep our lanterns charged.

I could def add this to the arsenal...

 

[keithcroshaw]

Finally justified getting a little generator to top off the battery camping and now feel more secure about home backup. I wish I could tap my home heat off my battery too but I have a diesel heater. I want to get a window adapter so if the power goes out we can huddle in the master bedroom with the diesel heat and the fridge cool. It’s addictive I want a bigger battery for sure.

 

[Fpolanco]

Finally justified getting a little generator to top off the battery camping and now feel more secure about home backup. I wish I could tap my home heat off my battery too but I have a diesel heater. I want to get a window adapter so if the power goes out we can huddle in the master bedroom with the diesel heat and the fridge cool. It’s addictive I want a bigger battery for sure.

I live in eastern PA. A few yrs ago, we got hammered by 3 or 4 snow storms, 1 each week. Lost power each time. House got down to high 50s/low 60s.

eventually splurged for a generator (well water and furnace) and fireplace insert.

Now my time is spent wondering if the dual battery is for me and sourcing firewood ?

 

[Mr._Bill]

I've had my Glad for almost three months and didn't think too much about the battery system until a couple of these threads came up and since mine sits in the driveway all week waiting for the weekend it dawned on me to monitor the charging system.
Saturday morning when I first started driving the system ran at 14.7v. After a few hours it was down to 12.8 which is about what I expected but from what I'm reading here over time the batteries will give out and good maintenance is going to be important.
My dad had a pickup with a camper that had a dual battery system, the main battery and a deep cycle marine battery, with components installed that let the current only go one way from the main to the deep cycle so that the system charged the main first and then the deep cycle but wouldn't let the deep cycle drain from the main.

Reading that the factory batteries aren't the greatest I expect to change those out when I can but I'm wondering if anybody has tried using a battery isolator with a good deep cycle battery to keep from killing the main. Shadowspapa's link above does show that Mr._Bill is using the isolator from the Genesis system.

At this point I'm going to look deep into how the JT system is set up so I have a good understanding of the best way to make improvements before I end up on the side of the road (or trail) somewhere with no juice.

Where yours sits all week, I would highly recommend using a maintainer to keep the batteries charged. It will help them last longer. The JT/JL have a constant draw on the batteries from the computers, alarm, and uConnect head unit. If left to sit without driving or charging, it will eventually draw the batteries down to where they suffer damage that affects their life span.

The two batteries in the JT/JL are more like one bigger battery than two separate ones. They are paralleled together all the time, except during the startup test and during ESS events. The primary intent of the Aux Battery is to keep the computers stable during ESS events. Having the computers reboot due to low voltage will cause all sorts of issues when driving.

There is little to do to improve the electrical system, other than replacing the factory batteries with better quality units. I got over three years out of the factory main battery, and then replaced it with a higher capacity (CCA) 94R from ACDelco. I got almost four years out of the factory Aux battery. I purchased a Deka battery from Auto Barn to replace it. My Aux battery has failed, but it is in a state that doesn't drain the Main battery. I just get the ESS Unavailable/Needs Serviced message every time I start it.

 

[keithcroshaw]

I live in eastern PA. A few yrs ago, we got hammered by 3 or 4 snow storms, 1 each week. Lost power each time. House got down to high 50s/low 60s.

eventually splurged for a generator (well water and furnace) and fireplace insert.

Now my time is spent wondering if the dual battery is for me and sourcing firewood ?

Yea for me it was Sandy here in NJ that triggered my lizard brain.
I still don’t store food and water like a dolt but those were fine minus bread, but we never eat bread. The lines for gas were crazy during Sandy.
but storing gas sounds dangerous is not well maintained. I’d use it not let it sit, but still…

 

[KevinM60]

Where yours sits all week, I would highly recommend using a maintainer to keep the batteries charged. It will help them last longer. The JT/JL have a constant draw on the batteries from the computers, alarm, and uConnect head unit. If left to sit without driving or charging, it will eventually draw the batteries down to where they suffer damage that affects their life span.

The two batteries in the JT/JL are more like one bigger battery than two separate ones. They are paralleled together all the time, except during the startup test and during ESS events. The primary intent of the Aux Battery is to keep the computers stable during ESS events. Having the computers reboot due to low voltage will cause all sorts of issues when driving.

There is little to do to improve the electrical system, other than replacing the factory batteries with better quality units. I got over three years out of the factory main battery, and then replaced it with a higher capacity (CCA) 94R from ACDelco. I got almost four years out of the factory Aux battery. I purchased a Deka battery from Auto Barn to replace it. My Aux battery has failed, but it is in a state that doesn't drain the Main battery. I just get the ESS Unavailable/Needs Serviced message every time I start it.

Good info there. Thank you. I keep my motorcycles on battery tenders and I'm going to do the same for the Gladiator but I haven't decided which one yet. It sounds like I need to get to it on that.

 

[jmdwifi]

Depends on why you're getting it. If you have issues, a battery delete or dual battery system won't solve issues. You're just carrying the issue over to another setup.

If you don't have issues, but just want something else, nothing wrong with that. The dual battery setup looks cool. All depends on the "Why."

They replaced my aux battery twice and the third time it died, it killed my main batterry. Auto tart stop was always charging and not ready, then my aux switches often would not be availible because battery was charging. The genesis kit fixed it all. I've had it for almost a year. Aux switches always work and auto start stop works as soon as the engine warms up. They have great customer service and it was easy to install.

 

[jmdwifi]

They replaced my aux battery twice and the third time it died, it killed my main batterry. Auto tart stop was always charging and not ready, then my aux switches often would not be availible because battery was charging. The genesis kit fixed it all. I've had it for almost a year. Aux switches always work and auto start stop works as soon as the engine warms up. They have great customer service and it was easy to install.

Damn, I shouldn't have saud anything. I checked today and all day my start stop has said not ready/ charging battery. I'm deflated right now.

 

[tysongladiator]

Damn, I shouldn't have saud anything. I checked today and all day my start stop has said not ready/ charging battery. I'm deflated right now.

Make sure your batteries are actually bad before replacing them. There may be another issue. And if so, changing battery setup or deleting start/stop won't fix your problem. you'll just be carrying an existing problem over to a new/different setup.

I know that the go to answer for most is to replace the batteries and your batteries may very well be bad, but make sure that they're the issue before spending money. Even though I did replace my batteries at 52,000 and 132,000 (well beyond their life expectancy), I did have a couple of issues which created issues that wasn't the battery.

 

[jmdwifi]

Make sure your batteries are actually bad before replacing them. There may be another issue. And if so, changing battery setup or deleting start/stop won't fix your problem. you'll just be carrying an existing problem over to a new/different setup.

I know that the go to answer for most is to replace the batteries and your batteries may very well be bad, but make sure that they're the issue before spending money. Even though I did replace my batteries at 52,000 and 132,000 (well beyond their life expectancy), I did have a couple of issues which created issues that wasn't the battery.

It’s not bad batteries. Actually I made a lot of short trips today between schools. I’m the wireless engineer for the whole system. Getting ready for school to start. One ten mile trip and it’s all charged a fine.. funny I just happen to notice it right after the praise.

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