$1,350 battery replacement?

[ShadowsPapa]

Driven that little you could simply remove the batteries and they'd last for decades.

Actually, not. Even AGM have a rate of self-discharge when disconnected and stored.
A GOOD, newer battery self-discharge rate is said to be 1 to 3%, but more as they age. It's recommended that batteries just sitting be charged every 2 to 3 months and that's with zero load at all, fully disconnected and stored.
As they self-discharge, they'll begin to sulfate and after a few months will no longer fully charge.
The problem with these is that they get down to about 50% SoC and driven only enough to get them partially charged. And eventually, after never being 100% fully charged, they lose capacity and life. Ideally, a battery is fully charged back up to 100% after each use. That just doesn't happen with these, shortening their life. And another interesting point is that a low amperage, or fractional amperage charger - doesn't help life as much as a real charger kicking out some amperage.

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[biodiesel]

3400 miles in 2 years, always on a maintainer and never used? I'd hope to get 9+ years out of the battery too in a vehicle that's never driven and always plugged in.

What I was trying to imply is that regardless of driving or sitting, batteries will last a very long time if they are properly maintained. The factory battery in my 2015 Ram EcoDiesel is still in good working order even though I pulled it two years ago and replaced it with an Odyssey battery. I now use the factory battery at our off-grid mountain property to run an inverter.

I use a BatteryMINDer that has built-in desulfating technology. BatteryMINDer uses a high-frequency electrical pulse to break down crystal build up and turns it back into a liquid electrolyte. Desulfating can restore a battery's capacity and extend battery life for a very long time. The key is to avoid sulfation, which is why it doesn't matter if the battery sits or is used daily. It goes back to maintaining the battery.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

What I was trying to imply is that regardless of driving or sitting, batteries will last a very long time if they are properly maintained. The factory battery in my 2015 Ram EcoDiesel is still in good working order even though I pulled it two years ago and replaced it with an Odyssey battery. I now use the factory battery at our off-grid mountain property to run an inverter.

I use a BatteryMINDer that has built-in desulfating technology. BatteryMINDer uses a high-frequency electrical pulse to break down crystal build up and turns it back into a liquid electrolyte. Desulfating can restore a battery's capacity and extend battery life for a very long time. The key is to avoid sulfation, which is why it doesn't matter if the battery sits or is used daily. It goes back to maintaining the battery.

 

[Zachanadandy]

What I was trying to imply is that regardless of driving or sitting, batteries will last a very long time if they are properly maintained. The factory battery in my 2015 Ram EcoDiesel is still in good working order even though I pulled it two years ago and replaced it with an Odyssey battery. I now use the factory battery at our off-grid mountain property to run an inverter.

I use a BatteryMINDer that has built-in desulfating technology. BatteryMINDer uses a high-frequency electrical pulse to break down crystal build up and turns it back into a liquid electrolyte. Desulfating can restore a battery's capacity and extend battery life for a very long time. The key is to avoid sulfation, which is why it doesn't matter if the battery sits or is used daily. It goes back to maintaining the battery.

Got it. I'm still probably not going to do it but I see the value. Our Jeeps are parked in the driveway and I'm probably not going to bother with running a cord out there. I figure buying a battery every 5 years is cheap compared to all the other money I dump into the things.

 

[biodiesel]

As they self-discharge, they'll begin to sulfate and after a few months will no longer fully charge.
The problem with these is that they get down to about 50% SoC and driven only enough to get them partially charged. And eventually, after never being 100% fully charged, they lose capacity and life. Ideally, a battery is fully charged back up to 100% after each use. That just doesn't happen with these, shortening their life. And another interesting point is that a low amperage, or fractional amperage charger - doesn't help life as much as a real charger kicking out some amperage.

Bingo! The key is to keep your batteries well maintained! I see that you have a BatteryMINDer, too! I use a variety of BatteryMINDers on my dump trailer battery, tractor battery, riding lawn mower battery, RV batteries, Jeep battery, and both Ram 1500 truck batteries. Interestingly, BatteryMINDer has a designated charge/maintenance cycle for the Odyssey battery due to Odyssey having their own charging requirements that differ from other AGM batteries.

 

[biodiesel]

Got it. I'm still probably not going to do it but I see the value. Our Jeeps are parked in the driveway and I'm probably not going to bother with running a cord out there. I figure buying a battery every 5 years is cheap compared to all the other money I dump into the things.

I see a lot of people frustrated with battery longevity in the Jeep Gladiator and the unreliability and cost associated with it. That can be avoided by learning to properly maintain batteries. Hopefully my post will encourage others to consider a simple charger/maintainer/desulfator.

 

[MikeVeee]

Um, I did both batteries, on both my JTs, and didn’t think it was labor intensive at all. I guess it’s all relative.

it was by no means hours, more like 1 hour. Even if I had used manual ratchets, I don’t think I would have been beyond 90 minutes. In a pinch, I would just head to the local parts store, buy the batteries, buy a socket set and screwdriver set, and just do the work in the parking lot for under $600. There would even be extra to hit the local watering hole on the way home.

Just replaced both mine, took me 2 hrs (1st timer) to learn how to access Aux & how to reset IBS, only got 3 yrs out of OEMs. Able to access Aux thru wheel well with wheel turned hard left and removed rear 1/2 of well liner (1 screw, 3 plastic rivets). AutoZone Duralast Premium H7 & Aux 14 $485 total including $44 in core deposits. Both better batteries than the OEM Mopars that were in there.

Sucks dealer is such a ripoff. 2 of 4 the times to dealer for free maint I left with new problems... Lost my hood key, then loose lug nuts. Not going back.

 

[Chestnut]

I don't drive my Gladiator very often. I think it has 3,400 miles on it (December 2023 build date). It's not uncommon for it to sit for a month or two without being started. You would think the OE batteries would be toast, but I keep them maintained. I highly recommend keeping your Jeep on a battery maintainer when not driving it. I usually get 9+ years out of the factory batteries by keeping them maintained.

Note: I have noticed that it takes much longer to charge the dual battery system in the Gladiator.

Is the above pictured your setup? I was just curious how you wired that all up. I have a car that i drive at most 500 miles a year but keep it plugged in almost always. Battery is 12 years old no issues. I'd like to get my Jeep wired like yours but was curious how you did it. Less questioning the ports in the bumper that's strait forward but did you run the leads separately to each battery or just connect to the main or just aux etc?

 

[biodiesel]

Is the above pictured your setup?

Yes

I was just curious how you wired that all up.

Let me preface this by saying that I'm not a battery expert, so take what I say with a grain of salt. Based on my narrow understanding, you can charge the main battery by itself, and it will keep the auxiliary battery maintained. The reason why is because the main battery and auxiliary battery are already wired together in parallel.

To answer your question, I used a BatteryMINDer Ring Terminal Assembly, BatteryMINDer DC Extension Cable, and BatteryMINDer Flush-Mount EZ Connector. I plug in the Jeep once every two weeks for about 3 days of charging/maintaining/desulfating. So far, I've had no issues. The Jeep sometimes sits for 30 - 60 days at a time.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Yes



Let me preface this by saying that I'm not a battery expert, so take what I say with a grain of salt. Based on my narrow understanding, you can charge the main battery by itself, and it will keep the auxiliary battery maintained. The reason why is because the main battery and auxiliary battery are already wired together in parallel.

To answer your question, I used a BatteryMINDer Ring Terminal Assembly, BatteryMINDer DC Extension Cable, and BatteryMINDer Flush-Mount EZ Connector. I plug in the Jeep once every two weeks for about 3 days of charging/maintaining/desulfating. So far, I've had no issues. The Jeep sometimes sits for 30 - 60 days at a time.

Yes, what he said ^^^^ the batteries are in parallel so connecting to one would charge the other.

By the way, really like that connection setup! Neat and clean and simple as heck to use.

 

[Stan H]

Is the above pictured your setup? I was just curious how you wired that all up. I have a car that i drive at most 500 miles a year but keep it plugged in almost always. Battery is 12 years old no issues. I'd like to get my Jeep wired like yours but was curious how you did it. Less questioning the ports in the bumper that's strait forward but did you run the leads separately to each battery or just connect to the main or just aux etc?

You got 3400 in 2 yrs. In 2 yrs I had 50k in 3 yrs. 80k 5yrs.135k and counting .

 

[danimal2000]

My JT is daily driven, at least 25-30mi total. Rarely sits even for a day as I'm always out and about on weekends. At 4yrs, 2months, 53k miles, still on original batteries but I can tell they're about due. Got ESS error recently, can tell that startup after ess is a bit of a struggle.

I'm looking at and researching the genesis dual battery setup. I don't think it's urgent yet, but has anyone see that set ever go on sale?

 

[biodiesel]

My JT is daily driven, at least 25-30mi total. Rarely sits even for a day as I'm always out and about on weekends. At 4yrs, 2months, 53k miles, still on original batteries but I can tell they're about due. Got ESS error recently, can tell that startup after ess is a bit of a struggle.

Honestly, if you learn to maintain your batteries, they will last 8 years or longer.

 

[Stan H]

My JT is daily driven, at least 25-30mi total. Rarely sits even for a day as I'm always out and about on weekends. At 4yrs, 2months, 53k miles, still on original batteries but I can tell they're about due. Got ESS error recently, can tell that startup after ess is a bit of a struggle.

I'm looking at and researching the genesis dual battery setup. I don't think it's urgent yet, but has anyone see that set ever go on sale?

No , but I also have considered this . I drive 130 -140 miles everyday and I have replaced both batteries twice.
The real key to these batteries is placing them on a charger unless you drove 1000 miles a day the truck just doesnt charge them up fast enough .

 

[ShadowsPapa]

My JT is daily driven, at least 25-30mi total. Rarely sits even for a day as I'm always out and about on weekends. At 4yrs, 2months, 53k miles, still on original batteries but I can tell they're about due. Got ESS error recently, can tell that startup after ess is a bit of a struggle.

I'm looking at and researching the genesis dual battery setup. I don't think it's urgent yet, but has anyone see that set ever go on sale?

What exactly was the error?

Have you checked the voltage?

15-30 total is only 8-10 per trip, not nearly enough to keep batteries up. Try actually charging them. My bet is you really didn't drive it long enough at one time to keep them up

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