Battery relocation DIY?

[nositting]

i don’t want to get rid of the little battery (i know, i’m weird), and i like the idea of relocating it so it’s more accessible, however $300 is a lot to pay for a relocation bracket considering you only need to access the little battery about once every three years. has anyone made their own relocation system?

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[ForgottenTaco]

Reading through the threads over the last couple of years I’ve been here I think most people relocated that little battery to the trash.

 

[R3TRO]

Reading through the threads over the last couple of years I’ve been here I think most people relocated that little battery to the trash.

ROFL! I just did, so true!

 

[maestro5531]

Reading through the threads over the last couple of years I’ve been here I think most people relocated that little battery to the trash.

Works good in motorcycles, or as Mercedes SBC Brake back up battery. I removed mine almost 2 years ago and still working good in the Mercedes

 

[AndySpill]

i don’t want to get rid of the little battery (i know, i’m weird), and i like the idea of relocating it so it’s more accessible, however $300 is a lot to pay for a relocation bracket considering you only need to access the little battery about once every three years. has anyone made their own relocation system?

The portion of the Genesis Offroad Stock Battery Relocation kit https://www.genesisoffroad.com/products/2018-jeep-jl-stock-battery-relocation-kit that secures the ESS/Aux battery above the PDC seems like it might not be that hard to recreate: the metal strap that keeps the ESS/Aux battery down tying into the same access point on the firewall, but perhaps featuring in its forward section a metal (or even 1/2" plywood) piece that heads down just aft of the main battery and then under the main battery for support: crude diagram below....

 

[loracekim]

i don’t want to get rid of the little battery (i know, i’m weird), and i like the idea of relocating it so it’s more accessible, however $300 is a lot to pay for a relocation bracket considering you only need to access the little battery about once every three years. has anyone made their own relocation system?

Yeah I recommend just eliminate it and bypass. Not that hard. Lots of threads on how. I just ran the positive with a extension to the main battery and left the negative off.
No problems since. Best thing I did. Went tthru both batteries twice before I learned my lesson. I also bypass auto stop/start. Tried several programers but found the simplest was a autostop plug in eliminator. That has worked like a charm also.

 

[THAW]

The portion of the Genesis Offroad Stock Battery Relocation kit https://www.genesisoffroad.com/products/2018-jeep-jl-stock-battery-relocation-kit that secures the ESS/Aux battery above the PDC seems like it might not be that hard to recreate: the metal strap that keeps the ESS/Aux battery down tying into the same access point on the firewall, but perhaps featuring in its forward section a metal (or even 1/2" plywood) piece that heads down just aft of the main battery and then under the main battery for support: crude diagram below....

The Genesis battery tray considerably lowers the PDC relative to stock. The AUX (ESS) battery is unlikely to fit above the PDC on the stock battery tray with the hood closed.

 

[AndySpill]

The Genesis battery tray considerably lowers the PDC relative to stock. The AUX (ESS) battery is unlikely to fit above the PDC on the stock battery tray with the hood closed.

If need be, then perhaps on the driver's side of the PDC, and if need be perhaps the battery also on its side but tilted 90 degrees from the orientation shown.

 

[THAW]

If need be, then perhaps on the driver's side of the PDC, and if need be perhaps the battery also on its side but tilted 90 degrees from the orientation shown.

Stock 3.6L

Stock 2.0L

 

[AndySpill]

You just can't stand to not be right @THAW, can you?

I have I big NOCO A/C shore charger, about 3/4" the thickness of the ESS battery (on its side) 3M taped to the top of the PDC and things fit just fine.

Notice the space between the top of the PDC in factory position and the passenger's side hood hinge.

But of course if Foster says so it must be.

....It's like you troll the board seeking places to correct people.

 

[THAW]

...the metal strap that keeps the ESS/Aux battery down tying into the same access point on the firewall, but perhaps featuring in its forward section a metal (or even 1/2" plywood) piece...

Also, don't use wood in the engine bay.

 

[Terrymo]

Also, don't use wood in the engine bay.

With all the other problems a Jeep has, no need to add termites to the list,

 

[AndySpill]

I opened the hood today and took measurements of the space above the factory positioned Power Distribution Center (PDC), but below the hood, and to the right of the Power Distribution Center.

I might need to reroute some of my own cables if I want to secure the Aux 14 battery to the right of the PDC but it fits there on my 3.6L, as well as above the PDC, provided the battery is positioned on the latter locale with its front label down like its orientation in the Genesis Offroad 2018+ Jeep JL / JT Stock Battery Relocation Kit.

I looked up the size and thickness of a couple of Aux 14 batteries an its fit is not a problem. From what I understand about AGM batteries like this, their orientation is not of great importance.

Whether I attempt this in warmer weather....for every 3 years of battery replacement it may just not be worth it to me. We'll see.

As for what to make the bracket of...sure metal would be better but plenty of woods are naturally termite resistant (while soy bumpers seem to be enjoyed by rodents) and have combustion issues no less problematic than the myriads of plastic in the engine bay.

I took pictures with a measuring tape but haven't included them. @THAW, I trust in the 5 minutes after reading this you'll run outside with your own measurements to prove me wrong, but of course, you're not forced to make this change.

Oh, and my charger on top of the PDC (that I would have to reposition if putting the Aux battery there) is actually from Battery Tender, not NOCO.....

 

[THAW]

If the singular goal is convenient battery replacement, I'd create a trapdoor access panel in the fender liner rather than relocate the battery.

 

[AndySpill]

If the singular goal is convenient battery replacement, I'd create a trapdoor access panel in the fender liner rather than relocate the battery.

If that solution works for you feel free. For me that approach still would necessitate my getting my old back and knees close to the ground and why I prefer access from above.

My rationale is the PDC, which I won't damage removing to get to the ESS Aux battery, because I'm careful and know what I'm doing, is still cheaper for me to fix if I do damage it, than the same repairs to body (the human kind) parts.

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