Been purchasing a few accessories to add to my jeep this coming spring and am wondering if i'll be loading to much on my battery. Currently have an amp powering a 10" sub, along with a 24" light bar. I've gotten a winch, onboard air system, and more lighting. Don't want to add to much strain on the alternator, and is something I'm willing to upgrade.

 

It's always a good time for dual batteries!

But realistically- how frequently are you running all of those power-sapping accessories at the same time? I've got duals and about the only time you notice it is when you're running accessories without the battery or you're jumping your primary dead battery.

 

Duals are not used to take the load off a Alt, the Alt has to provide the amps needed when the engine is running.

Duals are for being able to have one in reserve while using amp draws with the engine off.

 

Was also wondering about this, no necessarily a dual battery but just a newer one with more power. I haven't replaced the battery since I bought by Jeep, since then I've put around 20,000 on it. Running lights, winch, and a CB in the future. Never had any real problems but pretty sure one of my check engine lights is pulling a code about lower power from the battery. Subd

 

are you just looking to throw money away?

 

I would do a high output alternator before I would do dual batteries.

 

^This^

For refrigerators, power to trailers, running external devices while camping or parked up etc. so you drain the second battery and not the primary when using this stuff.

 

Make sure your using a good primary battery before you even consider dual batteries. A Die Hard Platinum or an Exide with the largest reserve capacity you can fit would be a great start.

 

That's part of it. Or, to have a huge amount of current in store while winching (with the engine running of course). The JK 's alternator only puts out about 160 Amps, depending on year. Winches can easily draw 2-3 times that amount (ours draws about 450A).

We threw away about $900 for a Genesis dual battery system plus two Odyssey group 34M batteries...before getting a winch or all of the other power-grabbing accessories. Why? Our OEM battery died in the middle of Death Valley in June. Had we not had a friend with us, we might have been a statistic. That sort of thing will change your mind about what's important.

 

^ This right here. All it takes is that "1" time. 2am in the morning for me. Luckily I was only 10 mins away from home. Been there. Done that....

2 is 1. 1 is none.



.