Georgia Trail Riders Forum

MEMBERS DISCUSSION AREA => General Discussion => Topic started by: OscarMike2.0 on January 13, 2015, 07:26:37 PM

Title: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: OscarMike2.0 on January 13, 2015, 07:26:37 PM
After delaying getting a dual battery setup and High Output alternator for a few months I finally decided it was probably time to get one of the two or both after my two most recent mods a dual ARB compressor and a Sub/Amp setup which will suck up even more power from the battery. Im pretty concerned about coming out to the jeep one day and it just being dead.. What will make the most difference a dual battery setup or a High Output alternator? Or will I be fine with what I have and am I worried for nothing?

Below is a list of all the electrical accessories on my jeep..
- 3 Rigid SR-Series backup lights
- Spod which runs all of the Rigid Lighting
- Trucklites
- Dual Arb Compressor
- 2000 Watt Amp with 2 12" subs (with a capacitor so the lights wont dim when it hits hard)
- 8,000 Pound Warn winch
Title: Re: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: BigMike on January 13, 2015, 07:34:19 PM
Leave the vehicle running, turn on each piece of equipment, and measure across the battery with a volt meter.  If you're still measuring over 13.5 volts, than you're alternator should be heavy enough. 

Personally, I think dual batteries aren't needed unless you're running accessories a lot without the engine running.
Title: Re: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: OscarMike2.0 on January 13, 2015, 07:38:56 PM
Leave the vehicle running, turn on each piece of equipment, and measure across the battery with a volt meter.  If you're still measuring over 13.5 volts, than you're alternator should be heavy enough. 

Personally, I think dual batteries aren't needed unless you're running accessories a lot without the engine running.

Alright good to know Ill go do that tomorrow. I never turn on accessories when my jeep is not running because im pretty paranoid about it dying.
Title: Re: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: BigMike on January 13, 2015, 07:42:18 PM
Leave the vehicle running, turn on each piece of equipment, and measure across the battery with a volt meter.  If you're still measuring over 13.5 volts, than you're alternator should be heavy enough. 

Personally, I think dual batteries aren't needed unless you're running accessories a lot without the engine running.

Alright good to know Ill go do that tomorrow. I never turn on accessories when my jeep is not running because im pretty paranoid about it dying.

All of the LED stuff draws hardly anything, less than stock lights.  The amp is the only thing that I'm not sure about but you can always turn off the radio when winching and be fine.  Good luck.
Title: Re: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: OscarMike2.0 on January 13, 2015, 07:45:38 PM
Yeah I wired the amp to a kill switch so that also could work but im always trying to plan for the worse case scenario.
Title: Re: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: ranier1315 on January 13, 2015, 08:27:57 PM
Is your JKU a rubi? Rubi's come with a 90 amp alternator to begin with. You won't find much more than that to fit in the given space. I'm not sure if the sports get that big an alternator or not. I just know my rubi did.
Title: Re: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: Bruce on January 13, 2015, 08:41:59 PM
I ran dual batteries in the TJ for quite some time.  Never needed it.  Good insurance, sure, worth it, I doubt it.  If your out with others most of the time, you have a spare battery...

JHMO
Title: Re: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: Raisinhead on January 13, 2015, 09:18:48 PM

Is your JKU a rubi? Rubi's come with a 90 amp alternator to begin with. You won't find much more than that to fit in the given space. I'm not sure if the sports get that big an alternator or not. I just know my rubi did.

What does the non rubi come with?
Title: Re: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: ranier1315 on January 13, 2015, 09:27:44 PM
Not sure that's why I asked.
Title: Re: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: Raisinhead on January 13, 2015, 09:51:58 PM

Not sure that's why I asked.

Wow, I can't read
Title: Re: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: Mortalis5509 on January 13, 2015, 09:55:54 PM
There isn't a need. In my ultra 4 race car I'm only designed for 1 battery, but will have a better alternator. That's designed in case it's rolled over I can get it back over without it being dead.
Title: Re: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: OscarMike2.0 on January 13, 2015, 09:56:29 PM
Is your JKU a rubi? Rubi's come with a 90 amp alternator to begin with. You won't find much more than that to fit in the given space. I'm not sure if the sports get that big an alternator or not. I just know my rubi did.
Not to sure where you got that info from but I hear that the stock alternator gives 140-160... and there is no difference between alternators in a sport vs a rubi...
Title: Re: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: OscarMike2.0 on January 13, 2015, 09:57:13 PM
I ran dual batteries in the TJ for quite some time.  Never needed it.  Good insurance, sure, worth it, I doubt it.  If your out with others most of the time, you have a spare battery...

JHMO

Yeah Im looking for the insurance since my jeep is my DD.
Title: Re: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: OscarMike2.0 on January 13, 2015, 09:58:47 PM
There isn't a need. In my ultra 4 race car I'm only designed for 1 battery, but will have a better alternator. That's designed in case it's rolled over I can get it back over without it being dead.
Yes but your ultra 4 race car doesn't have anywhere near the same amount of accesories as my jeep..
Title: Re: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: DOUG on January 13, 2015, 09:59:14 PM
There used to be. .. it was one of the upgrades to the Rubicon.
Title: Re: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: OscarMike2.0 on January 13, 2015, 10:00:53 PM
There used to be. .. it was one of the upgrades to the Rubicon.

All I know is that there is no difference in the alternators for my year 2013 because I also thought at first there was a difference between the two and called my dealer to see about it and was informed there was no difference.
Title: Re: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: Mortalis5509 on January 13, 2015, 10:08:54 PM
There isn't a need. In my ultra 4 race car I'm only designed for 1 battery, but will have a better alternator. That's designed in case it's rolled over I can get it back over without it being dead.
Yes but your ultra 4 race car doesn't have anywhere near the same amount of accesories as my jeep..
It runs 2 radiator fans, oil cooler fan, trans cooler fan, fuel pumps that have to pump up to an equivalent of 900 hp, communications, future gps, engine, lights when necessary, and a lot of winching when necessary. It runs a descent amount.

I think you would be better served with an AMG battery.
Title: Re: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: OscarMike2.0 on January 13, 2015, 10:13:03 PM
There isn't a need. In my ultra 4 race car I'm only designed for 1 battery, but will have a better alternator. That's designed in case it's rolled over I can get it back over without it being dead.
Yes but your ultra 4 race car doesn't have anywhere near the same amount of accesories as my jeep..
It runs 2 radiator fans, oil cooler fan, trans cooler fan, fuel pumps that have to pump up to an equivalent of 900 hp, communications, future gps, engine, lights when necessary, and a lot of winching when necessary. It runs a descent amount.

I think you would be better served with an AMG battery.

Well my bad I had the wrong understanding of an ultra 4 race car. I have considered the sears die hard and might just end up doing that and seeing how it works out.
Title: Re: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: Mortalis5509 on January 13, 2015, 10:17:38 PM
There isn't a need. In my ultra 4 race car I'm only designed for 1 battery, but will have a better alternator. That's designed in case it's rolled over I can get it back over without it being dead.
Yes but your ultra 4 race car doesn't have anywhere near the same amount of accesories as my jeep..
It runs 2 radiator fans, oil cooler fan, trans cooler fan, fuel pumps that have to pump up to an equivalent of 900 hp, communications, future gps, engine, lights when necessary, and a lot of winching when necessary. It runs a descent amount.

I think you would be better served with an AMG battery.

Well my bad I had the wrong understanding of an ultra 4 race car. I have considered the sears die hard and might just end up doing that and seeing how it works out.
I have a sears in my tj and that's what's going into the u4 car as well.
Title: Re: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: OscarMike2.0 on January 13, 2015, 10:21:11 PM
There isn't a need. In my ultra 4 race car I'm only designed for 1 battery, but will have a better alternator. That's designed in case it's rolled over I can get it back over without it being dead.
Yes but your ultra 4 race car doesn't have anywhere near the same amount of accesories as my jeep..
It runs 2 radiator fans, oil cooler fan, trans cooler fan, fuel pumps that have to pump up to an equivalent of 900 hp, communications, future gps, engine, lights when necessary, and a lot of winching when necessary. It runs a descent amount.

I think you would be better served with an AMG battery.

Well my bad I had the wrong understanding of an ultra 4 race car. I have considered the sears die hard and might just end up doing that and seeing how it works out.
I have a sears in my tj and that's what's going into the u4 car as well.

Alright good to know. Thanks for the input.
Title: Re: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: Bruce on January 13, 2015, 10:21:53 PM
if you do it, this is it

http://www.nationalluna.com/dualmon.htm (http://www.nationalluna.com/dualmon.htm)
Title: Re: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: kvom on January 13, 2015, 11:04:09 PM
My buggy has 2 batteries along with a Painless automatic switch.  It was built with the 2 battery setup and I added the switcher.  Main advantages are more power for long winch pulls, plus it won't let the battery used for starting run down.  And if the starter battery does go bad you can swap over the secondary to get going.

I doubt I'd bother with a second battery for a JK if the vehicle is not built for one. 
Title: Re: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: thetastelingers on January 14, 2015, 07:34:06 AM
I read somewhere that someone put a Durango alternator on their jeep. It is an exact fit. 160 amp.

Here you go http://www.wranglerforum.com/f282/160-amp-durango-conversion-74732.html (http://www.wranglerforum.com/f282/160-amp-durango-conversion-74732.html)
Title: Re: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: Lytles_fjc on January 14, 2015, 08:29:15 AM
Just keep one of these in the jeep.
http://www.gatrailriders.com/GTRForums/index.php?topic=12965.msg216445#msg216445 (http://www.gatrailriders.com/GTRForums/index.php?topic=12965.msg216445#msg216445)
-Danny
Title: Re: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: ranier1315 on January 14, 2015, 09:05:48 AM
Ah ok. So I had my ratings wrong. Either way 140 amps should be plenty for just about anything you do. Just saying. I have been on cable for over two hours with no problems. Any one who was with me at AOP can testify. Just keep her running and all is good.
Title: Re: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: patman on January 14, 2015, 11:24:44 AM
A good deep cycle battery is all you will need.

Just don't blare your stereo, use every light you own and try to winch at the same time. While the jeep is turned off...
Title: Re: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: BigMike on January 14, 2015, 11:31:52 AM
A good deep cycle battery is all you will need.

Just don't blare your stereo, use every light you own and try to winch at the same time. While the jeep is turned off...

(http://www.odysseybattery.com/images/extreme_batteries.jpg)
Title: Re: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: Mortalis5509 on January 14, 2015, 05:17:11 PM
A good deep cycle battery is all you will need.

Just don't blare your stereo, use every light you own and try to winch at the same time. While the jeep is turned off...

(http://www.odysseybattery.com/images/extreme_batteries.jpg)
That's who makes sears, but sears are cheaper.
Title: Re: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: tcdawg on January 14, 2015, 06:18:48 PM

A good deep cycle battery is all you will need.

Just don't blare your stereo, use every light you own and try to winch at the same time. While the jeep is turned off...

(http://www.odysseybattery.com/images/extreme_batteries.jpg)
That's who makes sears, but sears are cheaper.

Not any more. Sears has come up on their Platinum. $250 now
Title: Re: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: Mortalis5509 on January 14, 2015, 06:20:12 PM

A good deep cycle battery is all you will need.

Just don't blare your stereo, use every light you own and try to winch at the same time. While the jeep is turned off...

(http://www.odysseybattery.com/images/extreme_batteries.jpg)
That's who makes sears, but sears are cheaper.

Not any more. Sears has come up on their Platinum. $250 now
For that, did they up the warranty? Someone is making them, just who.
Title: Re: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: OscarMike2.0 on January 15, 2015, 11:27:57 PM
Ive got a sweet deal of some Sears Die Hard Platinum batteries so I will be getting two of them and the Genesis Offroad dual battery kit. Most likely will have to wait another month considering this full setup is gonna run me around 800$
Title: Re: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: clark123456 on January 15, 2015, 11:32:35 PM
Ive got a sweet deal of some Sears Die Hard Platinum batteries so I will be getting two of them and the Genesis Offroad dual battery kit. Most likely will have to wait another month considering this full setup is gonna run me around 800$

You should have peace of mind once it is complete. 
Title: Re: At what point should I invest in dual batteries or/and a high output alternator.
Post by: OscarMike2.0 on January 16, 2015, 02:11:08 AM
Ive got a sweet deal of some Sears Die Hard Platinum batteries so I will be getting two of them and the Genesis Offroad dual battery kit. Most likely will have to wait another month considering this full setup is gonna run me around 800$

You should have peace of mind once it is complete. 

For sure haha!