You're welcome let me know if you have any questions. Been a while, but mine are still going strong, so I can go out and take a look if necessary.
How to install dual batteries in your Jeep Wrangler TJ
- Thread starter ac_
- Start date
Mine will be quite a ways off. My tools are in Alaska, my Jeep in Missouri. Don’t quite know which way I’m leaning yet.
Mine is 98 with ac, I am not positive about a 2001 with ac, but if you look up the bracket it should tell you what years it is good for. My suspician is it will work with a 01, but again double check with the dual battery tray to make sure. I will see If I still have the wiring diagram and will post ot if I do. It was pretty straight forward, because I am not that bright and even I figured it out. If you do have any specific questions let me know. BTW, I am still using the same teo Optima batteries I started this thread with and one of them is even older than this thread and I live in the desert. So I still dovlike the yellow tops.
LJRubicon
TJ Enthusiast
I have Motobilt hi-line fenders and was wondering if anyone has figured out how to do a dual battery with hi-lines. Room under the hood is alot less
Was wondering if it's necessary two run two batteries with now available li-on car jumper boxes out there.
Use the main battery for accessories and if low you can switch over to the jump box.
Any thoughts?
Use the main battery for accessories and if low you can switch over to the jump box.
Any thoughts?
LJRubicon
TJ Enthusiast
I do agree that it isn't as important as once was. Just a good option. I did put a monster of a battery in my LJ just because I didn't know if I could do 2
Great write up. Did you have to install a second battery temperature sensor? I added a second battery and later it started losing power and running erratically. I was getting cam sensor codes and a couple others. Did you ever have issues like that?
Thanks
Thanks
ChasUGC
TJ Enthusiast
Isn't there a space for a second battery on the other side of the engine bay? I believe there is in my 97 Wrangler. The tray is already there too.
I had the same issue. It would lose power and lurch pretty badly. I contacted Rugged Ridge to ask where the sensor goes since neither tray has a hole for it. Apparently the engineers didn't think of this although I need to contact them again since they forgot to get back to me. I just sort of tucked it behind the batteries and it runs fine now.
Submarine
Member
Just a 2.5 year update on my setup- still going strong!
I did have the opportunity to share my second battery with a buggy that his died, but since I had recently moved to Rim Country the Jeep wasn't being driven much and I forgot to put it on a trickle charger so my second was only putting out 7 amps. DOH! It charged back up again though. I have to remember to switch the isolator so it will charge when I'm driving it.
Someone asked why not put a battery in the ABS tray on the Driver's side, (assuming you don't have ABS), but that tray is quite a bit smaller and access is a problem, so not worth the expense IMO. I put my Viair compressor there and it's very happy.
I did have the opportunity to share my second battery with a buggy that his died, but since I had recently moved to Rim Country the Jeep wasn't being driven much and I forgot to put it on a trickle charger so my second was only putting out 7 amps. DOH! It charged back up again though. I have to remember to switch the isolator so it will charge when I'm driving it.
Someone asked why not put a battery in the ABS tray on the Driver's side, (assuming you don't have ABS), but that tray is quite a bit smaller and access is a problem, so not worth the expense IMO. I put my Viair compressor there and it's very happy.
Reviving an old thread...
Thought this article was an interesting read as it parallels the install in here. Jeep Tj Dual Battery Setup: A Step-By-Step Guide
I have been wanting to add a dual battery setup for a while. Primarily for cold weather camping. Did a ton of reading on reviews and various setups and finally found one I thought would be perfect for my use and engine bay, only to find it is no longer available..
Now looking into a portable jump starter. I still prefer the onboard dual battery and the lithium ion jumper packs are limited use item dedicated to a jump start. However, the cost of the jumper box is a fraction of what the dual battery setup would be, works right out of the box and, now that we are a four car family, the portability is a big benefit.
Thought this article was an interesting read as it parallels the install in here. Jeep Tj Dual Battery Setup: A Step-By-Step Guide
I have been wanting to add a dual battery setup for a while. Primarily for cold weather camping. Did a ton of reading on reviews and various setups and finally found one I thought would be perfect for my use and engine bay, only to find it is no longer available..
Now looking into a portable jump starter. I still prefer the onboard dual battery and the lithium ion jumper packs are limited use item dedicated to a jump start. However, the cost of the jumper box is a fraction of what the dual battery setup would be, works right out of the box and, now that we are a four car family, the portability is a big benefit.
I guess it depends on why you want dual batteries. If you just want dual batteries just so on occaision you kill your main battery and want a spare to jump off of, then I agree a jump box is cheaper and smaller to store, but if you use the spare battery for a stereo or winch or anything else that hogs juice, then I don't believe your jump starter will run your winch. You have to decide the reason you want dual batteries then decide if its worth it to you. For me, I like that I can flip a switch inside my cab and jump my main battery if I need to without even opening the hood.
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