Question Regarding Genesis Dual Battery Setup vs OEM Setup

[Waxings]

The main thing that I will have plugged in would be a Dometic refrigerator. Im trying to figure out how it would work with this setup. For example, would that aux battery drain quickly if I have it plugged in full-time while driving for about an hour +- every day? Or would I have to hook it up to a charger once a week?

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[Genesis Offroad]

The main thing that I will have plugged in would be a Dometic refrigerator. Im trying to figure out how it would work with this setup. For example, would that aux battery drain quickly if I have it plugged in full-time while driving for about an hour +- every day? Or would I have to hook it up to a charger once a week?

That's a very common scenario for our customers. Again, there's lots of factors that determine how much power the fridge will consume with the engine off. If you're putting hot leftovers into the fridge, opening the fridge door frequently, or if the ambient temp in the vehicle is high, then it will take more power to cool it down. If you're in a cold climate and you fill the fridge up with popsicles for sharing with the whole little league team after daily practice, then it will be very easy to keep that fridge cold.

On average though, driving an hour a day should be enough to recharge the battery. That's a great use case for our G Screen monitoring system too. Over time, just keep an eye on the G Screen when you get in the vehicle, and you'll be able to learn how your particular use and conditions affect your battery life. Then if you see it a little lower than you'd like, just throw a charger on there overnight.

 

[AncientCityJL]

I'd like to piggy back on what Shane said here.

Where I'm located, it was 113 degrees in my garage on January 16th of this year. Where you are in Omaha may have been a tad cooler. What I'm doing is installing a set of solar panels on my roof and wiring them into the bus on my Genesis system. I may even install a third battery which Shane covers in a how-to video on his web site. The solar system will keep a charge trickling in so my batteries aren't drained by my Dometic. In my climate, nothing would ever stay cool without the fridge constantly running; it's just too hot too much of the time. I do shut the system down and remove the fridge when I'm not using it though.

I think it's important to remind everyone to re-wire that power port in the rear of the JL. The factory wire is just too thin to support the amperage draw of refrigerators when they kick on initially. I purchased my power ports from the Genesis website and they come equipped with a great wiring setup already terminated. All you need do is fish the wires through the firewall and connect - that's it. Oh, and clock the plug in a manner so your fridge doesn't have the cord facing into the cargo compartment. But Shane covers all that in his how-to video on this topic as well.

 

[swampflyer]

Great to know, thanks guys!

I do have a lot of lights that would be nice to use sometimes without the engine on. I do have a winch which would be nice to know it’s not effecting my starter battery while being used, and I’m in the process of upgrading my audio with an amp and sub and perhaps an additional larger amp and larger sib dow the road.

Perhaps I’ll take the plunge.

To bad your so far away. If you were close I would help you install.

 

[JasonInDLH]

To bad your so far away. If you were close I would help you install.

Thanks, but the install should be easy from what I’ve seen from Genesis videos. I ain’t scared.

 

[JasonInDLH]

@Genesis Offroad ….

Curious how a battery maintainer/charger would be incorporated into your dual battery setup?

Spoiler alert…dumb question ahead…Will attaching the maintainer to either battery charge the other as well? I’m confused with the whole automatic disconnect thing.

 

[Crowbar]

I actually did a Genesis Dual Battery in my 20 JTR to get rid of the ess battery system. I would not do a Genisis dual battery again. The way the Genesis routes the cables is a recipe for disaster- as my the wiring harness wore through and shorted out nearly catching the Jeep on fire. I absolutely would not recommend anyone doing a Genesis dual battery.
Now there are far easier ways to deal with the ess battery. Just disconnect the aux battery and pull fuse 42 - simple. And I'd upgrade the main battery to a bigger better battery or an AntiGravity.

 

[J0E]

The @Genesis Offroad is NOT the same as the stock design, plus the Genesis eliminates the Golf-Cart battery.

I don't know if the Genesis eliminates the ESS or not. I had the TazerJL before the dual battery set up. I believe it does not.

The real advantage of the Genesis is if you are running multiple high drain items, like a Winch, Refrigerator, Air Compressor, or you want to run lights with the Jeep off, as an example. All those things can be run off the second battery, and never impact your main battery.

Additionally, the second battery can be used as a Jump-start, by pushing a button on the Genesis, if the main battery fails.

It's a pricy investment, and the batteries themselves are an additional cost. But there are advantages (if you have the need), over the stock set up.

Tagged Genesis above so they can weigh in as well.

My wife fines me a $1 stupid tax every time I turn the heat up to 80° when it's 80° outside (we don't run AC) just to enable ESS. But it's worth the fun and I save a few pennies. But the few times I use the ESS, I don't need an extra battery. Where I do need the extra battery is long winch recoveries where I'm drawing 300+ amps. I have a tazer so I always do the two finger salute for 2,000 RPM. I have the tow option so a 240 amp alternator. I'll have to measure how many amps it cranks out at 2,000 RPM.

So I'll get the dual battery tray but my wife will hit me with a big stupid tax if I spend money on a better ESS system. ESS has a negative carbon & fuel impact. ESS is 100% about CAFE and doesn't look at the lifetime carbon foot print of the system.

As I've mentioned many times, my 2.0 turbo burns have the fuel of the 3.6 JK's, TJs, and other rigs in my group, partially because of aggressive use of MSS (Manual SS) when we get out to look at the line. Everyone else keeps their rig running. ESS trained me to use MSS, where there is a benfit.

 

[Cycle11111]

That definitely looks like a nice setup!

I like the fact that I can connect my direct battery connections underneath that battery cover they have (would be worth it just to clean up the mess of wires I have ?).

That G screen is a nice feature, but sure is bright! Is there a way to dim that? I’m half blind (for real…lost the vision in one eye) and don’t need any more bright distractions in the cab. I like how you can jump yourself from inside.

What about the voltmeter? It appears you can still flip that up and use the USB connections still?

You can dim the green screen. I have this setup and love it

 

[Genesis Offroad]

I actually did a Genesis Dual Battery in my 20 JTR to get rid of the ess battery system. I would not do a Genisis dual battery again. The way the Genesis routes the cables is a recipe for disaster- as my the wiring harness wore through and shorted out nearly catching the Jeep on fire. I absolutely would not recommend anyone doing a Genesis dual battery.
Now there are far easier ways to deal with the ess battery. Just disconnect the aux battery and pull fuse 42 - simple. And I'd upgrade the main battery to a bigger better battery or an AntiGravity.

Which wire are you referring to? When properly installed, with the correct sized batteries, there will be 100% no rubbing or chaffing of any of the wires. If you have a wire rubbing on something, then it's not installed correctly. Please send us some pictures to [email protected] and we'll be more than happy to talk through it with you.

 

[Genesis Offroad]

@Genesis Offroad ….

Curious how a battery maintainer/charger would be incorporated into your dual battery setup?

Spoiler alert…dumb question ahead…Will attaching the maintainer to either battery charge the other as well? I’m confused with the whole automatic disconnect thing.

Here's a short video that explains how to use a battery charger with our dual battery system. Please take a look and let me know if you have any other questions!

 

[Cycle11111]

Which wire are you referring to? When properly installed, with the correct sized batteries, there will be 100% no rubbing or chaffing of any of the wires. If you have a wire rubbing on something, then it's not installed correctly. Please send us some pictures to [email protected] and we'll be more than happy to talk through it with you.

I looked at my install and no way is anything rubbing and it has been installed for over 6 months

 

[JasonInDLH]

Here's a short video that explains how to use a battery charger with our dual battery system. Please take a look and let me know if you have any other questions!

Perfect, thanks!

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