Aux Battery Bypass

[IllinoisChris]

Had some nagging concerns on the AUX battery situation. I have the ESS disabled with and add on so it is never used. Super simple and glad to be rid of the potential issue. I did run the cables up to the main battery so as far as the Jeep knows it is still in place. Very simple to do. You will have to drill out one of the terminal connectors, and flatten the wings on both. 15 minutes, a drill, a 10mm and a couple of channel locks.

If it's on your mind, just do it. My Jeep is less than a year old and I probably wasn't really having any issues, but being that I do not use the ESS it made sense to remove it.

Before removal my battery voltage was beginning to range between 11.5v (start) and 14.7v (charging). Not really an issue I guess, but it did bother me to see the low end of the swings. It did not dip that low for the first 6-7 months, at least not that I noticed.

After removing I sit between 12.7v (start) and 14v (charging). I feel a little better knowing that my start voltage is normal now, and the Jeep can be jumped if needed without any fuss.

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[dchemphill1]

Try trickle charger for a few days and see if the battery will stay at a higher charge? The AUX may have hurt it before you got it removed.
What did you do with the 2 ends of cables that attached to the AUX? If you just pull the negative off the main battery and tape it up and push it out of the way....you have no circuit. You made it sound like you have them connect back to the main battery?

 

[IllinoisChris]

Correct. The leads from the AUX battery have been tied into the main.

 

[IllinoisChris]

 

[JLUR Farout]

That is what I did two weekends ago.

 

[Deleted member 59498]

What is the point of doing this?

 

[Tpsillos]

I had to replace my main battery within the first year as well. I deleted the aux simultaneously, no issues since(going on 10 months)

 

[IllinoisChris]

What is the point of doing this?

There are a few issues with the AUX battery. I recommend doing a quick search on the forum for more detailed info, but here are my motivators.

When the AUX battery starts to die you will exp. some very strange symptoms with your electrical system, (based on reports here, not from my own exp.)

If the AUX battery dies and you don't have permanently ESS disabled I believe the vehicle will not start?

Jump starting the vehicle is not as straight forward as connecting to the negative and positive post of the main battery with the aux battery installed. You have to do some bypassing that not everyone is aware of.

I do not use the ESS. I have is disabled with a start/stop killer. No point of the battery for me.

I began to feel that it was possibly negatively impacting the life of my main. I could be wrong, but I feel better with the low voltage situation from my initial post resolved.

 

[Deleted member 59498]

Yeah I have read those issues for years just never had the problems myself. Was just wondering if some benefit for it. Seems you are just cutting it off at the pass so to speak.

Now that I have jinxed myself!

 

[grimmjeeper]

Yeah I have read those issues for years just never had the problems myself. Was just wondering if some benefit for it. Seems you are just cutting it off at the pass so to speak.

Now that I have jinxed myself!

When my factory battery was crapping out I got a message on the dash about Aux switches being disabled.

I junked the factory battery and got an aftermarket aux battery. Never had another problem.

 

[jrice454]

When my factory battery was crapping out I got a message on the dash about Aux switches being disabled.

I junked the factory battery and got an aftermarket aux battery. Never had another problem.

What Aux battery did you go with?

 

[grimmjeeper]

What Aux battery did you go with?

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p...1/12268843-P?navigationPath=L1*14920|L2*15000

 

[jrice454]

https://shop.advanceautoparts.com/p/diehard-platinum-agm-battery-aux12-group-size-180-cca-12-amp-hour-capacity-best-for-high-electrical-demands-aux12-1/12268843-P?navigationPath=L1*14920|L2*15000

Perfect, thanks!

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