Double Battery Anonymous

[Maximus Gladius]

I feel like the “need” for the two battery system (not meaning duel battery) should be discussed in some kind of recovery program or something so I’ll become vulnerable for y’all and start it here.

My need to carry on the two battery system was founded in the need i felt I had to have the main and its twin, the much smaller lawnmower battery for things to work properly. The main is only a little bit bigger than its twin but it was enough to start the truck for a couple of years.

Then came so many posts from others about all these electrical issues and twitchy wiper blades and blinky dash lights and “no starts” had me scared and afraid so I mustered up all the faith I had in this engineering wonder and upgraded to bigger and better batteries. The little lawnmower battery stayed the same size but could deliver much more amps but it became apparent that it wasn’t looking at all like a twin it once was.

I traded being scared and afraid for being not so scared and afraid, and I kept saying to myself over and over, the electrical engineering wonder as designed truly is the best going forward. ….only now, 2 years after upgrades, alternator is working overtime at a constant 14+ volts, never comes down unless I turn it off. So this last weekend I pulled out the little lawnmower battery like I would a bad tooth and said goodbye for the last time.

It was the last lawnmower battery I’d ever own.

I feel like I relieved myself getting rid of that thing and feel sooooo much better! I no longer have this need…..but….i haven’t totally healed yet. I still have that little battery in the back of the truck,…just in case I was wrong and just need to hold it or something. It’s just another battle I’m dealing with.

Thanks y’all.

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[Maximus Gladius]

Well, it didn’t take long after separating the twins for the main to sputter and show signs of impending death approaching on the near horizon. After surgically removing the aux and giving the main a good dose of charge till it couldn’t take any more, the alternator keeps charging at 14v and doesn’t come down at all.

I drove across town and parked at work for a couple hours. I checked the battery then and it was at 12.7v. Two hours later, 12.4.

It misses its little lawnmower battery buddy. My DH7 Optima is only just 2 years old and it’s dying. I called Lordco Auto Parts and they have another one for me I can just do the swap in the parking lot. I can then be happy for another 2 years!

 

[Maximus Gladius]

The jeep’s batteries is like….

 

[Stan H]

Well , Now I am throwing this out to the Brains on Here @ShadowsPapa ,@Charles 236 @Rusty PW @Hootbro @WILDHOBO .
After performing the Cesarean Section and Removing the lawn mower battery from its womb can the exact same spots that the little battery hooks to be replaced with a big battery of said same size as the big one and for instance set up under rear seat and long cables ran to those spots ?

 

[Lost1wing]

Two things come to mind. One being, your main battery can not hold a charge. That could explain the 14+ vdc all of the time.

The other could be you need to reset the ibs. But it really looke like your main battery is going south.

 

[Lost1wing]

Well , Now I am throwing this out to the Brains on Here @ShadowsPapa ,@Charles 236 @Rusty PW @Hootbro @WILDHOBO .
After performing the Cesarean Section and Removing the lawn mower battery from its womb can the exact same spots that the little battery hooks to be replaced with a big battery of said same size as the big one and for instance set up under rear seat and long cables ran to those spots ?

I'm not the brains you are looking for, but what would be the point of adding more cables to chaff and a second expensive battery? Either delete it, delete it and upgrade existing main or replace the smaller battery.

 

[Hootbro]

Well , Now I am throwing this out to the Brains on Here @ShadowsPapa ,@Charles 236 @Rusty PW @Hootbro @WILDHOBO .
After performing the Cesarean Section and Removing the lawn mower battery from its womb can the exact same spots that the little battery hooks to be replaced with a big battery of said same size as the big one and for instance set up under rear seat and long cables ran to those spots ?

Why?

I am an advocate of either doing a full delete or keep everything original. What you are asking is adding layers of complication that does not need to be there.

 

[Rusty PW]

Why?

I am an advocate of either doing a full delete or keep everything original. What you are asking is adding layers of complication that does not need to be there.

Agree.

 

[Rusty PW]

Well , Now I am throwing this out to the Brains on Here @ShadowsPapa ,@Charles 236 @Rusty PW @Hootbro @WILDHOBO .
After performing the Cesarean Section and Removing the lawn mower battery from its womb can the exact same spots that the little battery hooks to be replaced with a big battery of said same size as the big one and for instance set up under rear seat and long cables ran to those spots ?

You're overthinking things.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

Why?

I am an advocate of either doing a full delete or keep everything original. What you are asking is adding layers of complication that does not need to be there.

Can't add anything to that!

I drove across town and parked at work for a couple hours. I checked the battery then and it was at 12.7v. Two hours later, 12.4.

That's a problem.

Don't over-think it. Just replace the bad battery(s)

The batteries are in parallel at all times except for a start cycle. As soon as the starter is triggered, they are split, then right back in parallel again once the starter is done. There are reasons this is done but no one wants details so we don't go there.

If you go to replace - best to replace both - and CHARGE both before installing (or risk using one of your spare fuse arrays)
If you go to one battery, buy the biggest with the highest CCA/amp hours that will fit.
Since both batteries power things at all times otherwise - you lose capacity going to one battery only unless you upgrade the main battery.

 

[Stan H]

You're overthinking things.

So what is the correct way to add another big battery? This is mostly so I can winch better and run the radio more with the engine off

Edit: well I guess it is what it is .

 

[Rusty PW]

So what is the correct way to add another big battery? This is mostly sobI can winch better and run the radio more with the engine off

Dual battery set ups.

https://www.genesisoffroad.com/collections/jeeps

 

[Lost1wing]

So what is the correct way to add another big battery? This is mostly sobI can winch better and run the radio more with the engine off

That's what the bed is for. Put your second (or third) battery in the bed with a cut off switch. You can then power other things too and not just a winch or a radio.

 

[ShadowsPapa]

So what is the correct way to add another big battery? This is mostly sobI can winch better and run the radio more with the engine off

You need more power for a winch?
Set the idle up to about 2,000 RPM, and be aware of the winch duty cycle and you should be fine.

 

[Maximus Gladius]

Two things come to mind. One being, your main battery can not hold a charge. That could explain the 14+ vdc all of the time.

The other could be you need to reset the ibs. But it really looke like your main battery is going south.

I agree. I did disconnect the IBS for at least 30 min

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