Aux battery swap for onboard air

[Volt0]

I would rather have onboard air instead of ESS. I enjoy diy projects, and have a MaxiTrac dual head compressor and spare air tank. Has anyone taken out their Aux battery and replaced it with some other function/feature (pics/examples please). I would love to shove onboard air in that spot, and I think the MaxiTrac is awesome but might be too big, and requires too much power draw. Can anyone share some ideas about what they’ve done in that space/area?

edit: I have a Mojave, so I might have a little more room under the hood

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[ShadowsPapa]

I would rather have onboard air instead of ESS. I enjoy diy projects, and have a MaxiTrac dual head compressor and spare air tank. Has anyone taken out their Aux battery and replaced it with some other function/feature (pics/examples please). I would love to shove onboard air in that spot, and I think the MaxiTrac is awesome but might be too big, and requires too much power draw. Can anyone share some ideas about what they’ve done in that space/area?

edit: I have a Mojave, so I might have a little more room under the hood

I would not put a compressor there - tough access if necessary, and heat (and drawing in crappy air)
I'd choose any other place.
Air tank, maybe - but not compressor.
You'll want as large a main battery as can be fitted in the tray.
Ideally, you'd up the idle while the compressor was running by using a tazer or an app on your phone like JSCAN. you don't want high draws coming from the battery. Loads should be handled by the charging system as much as they can handle, and battery to handle what the charging system can't handle. .

 

[l88m22vette]

It'd be even cooler to swap a "compressor button" in place of the ESS button since it wouldn't get used anymore, assuming that'd even be possible.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

It'd be even cooler to swap a "compressor button" in place of the ESS button since it wouldn't get used anymore, assuming that'd even be possible.

Why not use an aux switch? They are made for such things. Go messing with too much factory and you may kill resale and trade value. It could never be on the lot as a certified pre-owned.

 

[l88m22vette]

Who cares? If you want to worry about a vehicle you own being CPO certified then don't add any mods to begin with. Ours is 2 years old with 17k, it's not going anywhere for a long time. It was a way to use something that's no longer useful, why add stuff when there is a button right there? We're not putting a bunch of lights or a winch or whatever.

 

[Wolf Island Diver]

The aux battery and its compartment are tiny. It’s a smaller battery than a PowerWheels. I don’t know of any compressor that would fit there and it’s not a good place for something that generates heat or needs air. My compartment was also full of water for some reason. Lastly, unless you pull apart the stock wiring harness or cut them there are two large battery cables feeding into the compartment. I left a message for Jeep in mine, but you could use it as a tiny time capsule or put a Devil themed rubber duck in there to rule over it, or fill it with 10mm sockets for the apocalypse. That’s about it.

 

[BourbonRunner]

Now I know where to find all the missing 10mm sockets when the time comes. Thanks!

 

[Volt0]

Wow, lots of great comments here; thank you all for the feedback, sounds like I’m back to the drawing board on this one, just after I hide my 10mm socket.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Who cares? If you want to worry about a vehicle you own being CPO certified then don't add any mods to begin with. Ours is 2 years old with 17k, it's not going anywhere for a long time. It was a way to use something that's no longer useful, why add stuff when there is a button right there? We're not putting a bunch of lights or a winch or whatever.

Use aux switches because they are already there (and no messing with warranty).
Aux switches from the factory also get you the larger main battery from the factory, relays and fuses ready to go.

I traded my 2020 a year ago for my 2022. Got great trade-in money from a dealer - who wanted it put back to stock. No problem, saved me buying the parts again for the new one.
It sold quickly off the dealer lot as a CPO.
Saved me a lot of tax money getting good money on the trade. Most mods we make can be very easily undone.
I also like to leverage warranty where possible. If something breaks I could likely fix it - but why, it's their fault, not mine, make them fix it under warranty.
Once out of warranty - that will of course change.
With the future model years looking even better - who knows how long I'll have this one. Could be 5 years, could be 2 years, could be 10.
but since he asked for opinions - you do it YOUR way, some of us will do it OUR way. I prefer not to "butcher" where can be avoided.

 

[Wolf Island Diver]

I would strongly encourage people to consider a PowerTank unless they need a pump for ARB lockers. With a pump you really ought to have a tank, so you’re already back to plumbing and finding space for it. With my PowerTank, I can fill all 4 of my 37” tires simultaneously, from 8 psi to 28 psi in about a minute. I spend more time turning off the valve to check the gauge than actually filling. You can run air tools off if it too. My 15lb tank is mounted on its side, which you can do with the appropriate internals. It takes up less space than an ARB twin w/ tank. For utility air, like inflating mattresses, pressurizing my WaterPort, etc. I bought a Dewalt pump that does high and low volume. I could use the PowerTank for that but I’m not trying to carbonate my water or put a big balloon of CO2 in my tent. PowerTank’s customer service is really good and their peripheral products like inflators are extremely nice. Just food for thought.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

I know a guy who built a tubular bumper for his Jeep and that was his air storage........

 

[charliez]

Now I know where to find all the missing 10mm sockets

In my day we had to loose 3/8 sockets

 

[cranbiz]

Now I know where to find all the missing 10mm sockets

In my day we had to loose 3/8 sockets

I lost more 7/16 sockets than 3/8. I hate to tell you how many 10mm I have had go missing.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Sometimes I think I just have too many sockets - until I realize there's another I need but don't have..... (and this doesn't include those in the wood shop or garage or in the drawer in the bottom of the tool chest or the drawer of special Kent-Moor automotive tools or the flare nut crows feet or standard crows feet or my 3/4" drive set. )
Yup, looks like all 10mm and 3/8 and 7/16 are there.......... maybe............

No wonder people can't keep track of small sockets.

 

[Jteakus]

The Grimm under seat mount and an ARB twin compressor is a fine setup.

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