Is Genesis overkill?

[TomJT]

I think my Aux battery just died. I’ve been looking at the Genesis system but I’m wondering if it’s overkill for someone not building an overlandind rig. I’m not even likely to go crazy on accessories other than 1 or 2 more sets of lights over stock. Is the right path just do the bypass and take it out when I do fender liners in the future?

Sponsored

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

Until you decide what direction you really want to go just go for the bypass. Genesis is a really good system, by reputation, but it’s spendy if you’re unsure that you actually need it. In the future when you have a need, it’ll still be around.

 

[bd100]

As an intermediate step, Genesis also has a system which relocates the AUX battery above the fuse box for future ease of replacement, although you have to shift it out of the way slightly to access the fuse box.

https://www.genesisoffroad.com/products/2018-jeep-jl-stock-battery-relocation-kit

 

[Lrowe]

I have the Genesis dual battery system and I am happy with it on my Mojave, however, I have a warn zeon winch, arb dual compressor air system, gmrs radio and extra LED lights, so I decided the second full size battery and built in isolator that is part of the genesis package was worth the approximately $1600 for the genesis and two full throttle batteries.

 

[Jaxmax]

What Louis said above!
I have one and love it but run a fridge in the bed with solar charging also. You don't need one delete the aux, take it out it weighs like 12 lbs. leave wiring in vehicle if you want to go back, to original and if you don't have the larger battery get one next time. Most times people running lights have their engine running, it's the overlanders or campers with fridges and camp lights, water pumps and even electric cooking appliances that need to go with house battery systems and solar usually.....Jack

 

[Viper501]

As an intermediate step, Genesis also has a system which relocates the AUX battery above the fuse box for future ease of replacement, although you have to shift it out of the way slightly to access the fuse box.

https://www.genesisoffroad.com/products/2018-jeep-jl-stock-battery-relocation-kit

This is my plan though I’m debating their other system that just puts two regular sized batteries up top without the switching.

 

[S JEEPN]

Those upgraded systems do look good if that is the goal I do not see the reason to upgrade to dual batteries unless you are planning on running appliances off the main battery and need extra capacity to draw from when the vehicle is not running. If your aux battery goes out or you feel you just want to delete the aux battery to prevent it from fighting the main battery start there. I would just invest in a higher capacity main battery when you need to replace the stock one if all you need it for is winch, lights, tire compressor or small electric cooler power should not be a problem especially if you have the higher output alternator to get it charged back up.

 

[Viper501]

The alternative https://www.genesisoffroad.com/prod...13913&pr_ref_pid=9540498915609&pr_seq=uniform

 

[bd100]

A few things:

- The tray gets really close to the oil dip stick. I guess you may have to bend it a bit.

- People with AUX switches often place wiring between the tray and the engine bay wall. May have to shift things with the new tray. Especially if you have a little terminal strip mounted there. The aux relocation kit does leave a lot of room next to the battery, though.

- If you use the relocation kit then you have to shift the aux battery out of the way to get down to the fuse box. Looks fairly easy-ish to do, though. Edit: Be sure you keep the neccesary tools!

- Their video about the benefits says that the aux battery powers things while the engine is shut down during ESS, but there was a thread here a while ago where an oscilloscope shows that the aux battery is disconnected from the main only for a fraction of a second while the starter begins to crank. Protecting the electronics from inrush current. Otherwise, the two batteries are always connected. This doesn't change the argument any, it's just a little detail to clarify.

- Another benefit of their stock replacement kit not mentioned in their video is that the two batteries becomes the same size. Batteries in parallel tend to work better and last longer when they are the same size.

- On the other hand, group 25 is hard to find at the local store in the middle of nowhere, while the main and aux batteries are easy.

- Nevertheless, after having to change the aux battery from the fender in a cold and wet garage just before the temps were about to hit sub zero the next day, I can definitely see the point behind these products!

 

[Bandit’s Lair]

If you’re dead set on doing this take a deep dive into the Genesis site. They have a few different variations that can be used. The one I like is the diesel version that relocated the battery to a steel tray beneath the rear seat. IF I did this, that’s the one I’d go with.

 

[Josh00333]

Get rid of the aux battery, add the larger max tow battery if you don't have it, and be done with it.

Unless you're doing overlanding, the dual batt is over kill.

 

[MSFTMatt]

Get rid of the aux battery, add the larger max tow battery if you don't have it, and be done with it.

Unless you're doing overlanding, the dual batt is over kill.

That’s the route I went. I overlanding but have a separate battery in the bed that has solar that I run fridge, compressor and bed lights off of. Bumper lights, ditch lights and winch run off engine battery but I never use those items unless engine is running.

Sponsored