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Battery Cut-off switch for both Main and Aux Battery?

okiesnake

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I want to set up battery cutoff switch(s) that will completely disconnect the main battery AND the Aux Battery?

There are times that I don’t use my Gladiator for a few weeks and I want a way to install a battery cut off switch(s) that will completely disconnect both the Main AND the Aux battery.

Newer vehicles never completely go to sleep because their computers and Key remote functions are still alive in stand-by mode and the batteries drain after a while.

Yes, I know I could by-pass/delete the AUX battery (which would make installing a battery cut-off easier) but I don’t want to do that.

Hopefully I can get some direction on how to acheive this.

Thanks in advance!
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sharpsicle

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You essentially need a cutoff on each positive battery lead. If you are really looking for a single switch to control both, then I'd think you're looking at a switch that triggers relays on each line to act as the cutoff.
 
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okiesnake

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Thanks, Sharpsicle. I was possibly thinking about just puting two manual switches to each battery's positve lead. Without taking the passenger fender liner off, I am not sure what wire goes to the positve battery of the Aux Battery but I'm sure I would be able to tell if I take the inner fender off.
 

ecidiego

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Thanks, Sharpsicle. I was possibly thinking about just puting two manual switches to each battery's positve lead. Without taking the passenger fender liner off, I am not sure what wire goes to the positve battery of the Aux Battery but I'm sure I would be able to tell if I take the inner fender off.
It's up on the Z-Case fuse array.
 

ShadowsPapa

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might be easier to put a cutoff switch in each line to the negative -
on top of the IBS, which clamps to the main battery ground terminal, are two cables bolted together and to the top of the IBS.
One grounds the main battery to ground, and the other comes up from the aux battery and grounds that to the main battery ground. Those two are more easily reached and dealt with than going clear to the hot for the aux battery.
I'd kill them both by putting a switch in each of those two black ground cables.
 

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Mr._Bill

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I want to set up battery cutoff switch(s) that will completely disconnect the main battery AND the Aux Battery?

There are times that I don’t use my Gladiator for a few weeks and I want a way to install a battery cut off switch(s) that will completely disconnect both the Main AND the Aux battery.

Newer vehicles never completely go to sleep because their computers and Key remote functions are still alive in stand-by mode and the batteries drain after a while.

Yes, I know I could by-pass/delete the AUX battery (which would make installing a battery cut-off easier) but I don’t want to do that.

Hopefully I can get some direction on how to acheive this.

Thanks in advance!
Two options:

Install a battery maintainer that is plugged in when the vehicle is parked.

Install a cut-off in the negative line between the frame and main battery.

The batteries are paralleled together, the positive sides are connected. The Aux negative goes to the Main negative, which then connects to the frame. Confirm by disconnecting the negative cable from the frame and see if everything goes dead.
 

Volt0

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@okiesnake i think some members came up with some crafty ways to utilize a battery tender, and I think @ShadowsPapa was one of them. Your question is interesting, for a non 4xE, b/c your approach would also prevent ( or greatly reduce ) the possibility of a fire caused by a short somewhere. With that said, based on your goals and vision, would it make sense to convert over to a genius’s battery?
 

jebiruph

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Install a cut-off in the negative line between the frame and main battery.

The batteries are paralleled together, the positive sides are connected. The Aux negative goes to the Main negative, which then connects to the frame. Confirm by disconnecting the negative cable from the frame and see if everything goes dead.
This is how you disconnect both batteries with one switch.
 
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ross neill

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Disconnecting batteries might give you issues todays computers remember and adjust to many settings I would recommend a battery tender on the main battery if you store your Jeep in the sunlight a solar setup will keep batteries charged
 

ShadowsPapa

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Disconnecting batteries might give you issues todays computers remember and adjust to many settings I would recommend a battery tender on the main battery if you store your Jeep in the sunlight a solar setup will keep batteries charged
He may also be considering fire risks..........as well as theft issues.
These "learn" things quickly enough, I'd not be extremely concerned.
 

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Vetterestorer

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Your vehicle would have to relearn, re-poll all the systems and processes on OBD2 every time you start your car. Might result in weird shift points, bad gas mileage and many other weird default settings. Some of the polling/refresh rates take 50 or more miles with EGR being about the most stubborn on my Gladiator. Personally, I would get a battery tender...
 
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okiesnake

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Thanks for all the great input.
I don’t have AC power where I store it.
Good point on the “relearning” but may have to deal with that. Hopefully the aux battery isn’t also grounded somewhere else.
 

ross neill

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Thanks for all the great input.
I don’t have AC power where I store it.
Good point on the “relearning” but may have to deal with that. Hopefully the aux battery isn’t also grounded somewhere else.
If you can mount a Solar panel 100 watts should be sufficient
 

ShadowsPapa

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Thanks for all the great input.
I don’t have AC power where I store it.
Good point on the “relearning” but may have to deal with that. Hopefully the aux battery isn’t also grounded somewhere else.
Relearning isn't that big a deal. I've had my batteries disconnected multiple times over the years. But whatever direction you choose........
Yes, there is the solar option just get a good controller and panels. There's cheap junk out there.
 

Russ2023

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A battery tender sounds so much more straightforward and effective.
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