Genesis Offroad Dual Battery System

You drive out in Death Valley alone???

What is the amperage specification for your dildo?

After seeing total dysfunction of my 2019 JL when the main battery suddenly went to 5 volts when being started on the morning of a 2000 mile trip, the battery system is what I am most afraid of. I am glad that it failed in the garage. I have never seen such a crazy dash indication and I could not turn it off so I just changed cars and left it on (probably should have disconnected the main battery). Two weeks later it was fully off.
Hella yea! You'd be surprised how many places you can go in DV and never see another soul for days, just the way I like it!

That's a secret!

Yea, the JL's electrical system scares me also, and lets face it Jeep hasn't ever been known for the most reliable electronics. Like I said, it's one small area I can buy myself a little piece of mind. I could have one tiny CANBUS wire pop loose and strand me, but I'm pretty sure my batts won't ever.
 
I had no problems with the install, two things I can think of to watch for. 1) You have to disassemble the PDC, this can be intimidating to some but it's not really bad at all, follow the instructions and watch their videos and you'll be fine, just take your time and be gentle with with the connectors so you don't mess up any pins. Once you've done it you'll see it's not as bad as people think. 2) You will have to push the dipstick tube over a little bit so it doesn't ride on the side of the battery tray, mine only took thumb pressure, you just don't want to get crazy and end up with a pinch in the tube. It took me ~ 4 hours to complete the install of the entire kit/batts.

Connected to my aux batt I have: 1) CB (hardwired/fused so I don't lose my settings) 2) A switch unit (I have an sPOD, I bought it before I found out about some shady things they did here that made some people angry a while back, anyway it's installed and it works well so I plan to keep it) 3) Winch, with a Warn solenoid power disconnect that is triggered from my sPOD (this switch is setup to only run with engine running although I have done some short pulls without engine running before I set it up this way, and could quickly bypass if I needed to winch without engine in an emergency) 4) KC Lightbar (night runs when it's 120 out during the day FTW, run through the sPOD) 5) LED rear bumper/ backup lights (The JL backup lights suck and I backed into a wall in a mine I was turning around in, it's also great for seeing old ladies behind you at night when backing out of a parking spot, and they love it, trust me, also run through sPOD) 6) I have an 100 amp service (100 amp marine breakerat batt side) running to bus bars in the rear cargo tub which then feeds an aux fuse panel on an AAL remote panel. Powered by the rear power 100 amp service/ aux fuse panel I have: 1) ARB dual compressor (AAL rear tub mount) 2) Fridge power 3) LED tailgate table light 4) AUX cigarette lighter style power plug (usually used with a USB adapter in it to recharge phones, tablets, handheld GMRS radios and various other small batts, powered dildos and what not). I have extra fuse slots in the rear aux panel and switches on the sPOD and future plans include; ARB locker solenoids, rock lights, and maybe some extra rack mounted and interior LED lighting for camp lighting purposes (you wouldn't believe how much of California camp fires are banned from). Me and the wife have camped off grid for 3 days running a 43q fridge and various lights/ charging devices without starting the Jeep up and not ran the aux battery out of juice, but I will caveat that by saying I have an 80W hood mounted solar panel that is always recharging my batts (in sunlight of course). I think you could go a week without the solar (based on our use) and probably almost indefinitely with the solar before draining the aux batt. Since the system automatically disconnects the batts at 12.5 volts and all of my accessories are isolated to my aux battery my cranking batt has always remained good, I haven't needed the boost button yet.

This brings me around to the reason I went with this set up:
1) I went through 2 of those stupid little Barbie car batts when my Jeep was still stock, fuck those cheap ass batts. And this was before the software update that lets you start with a dead "ESS" batt, before that if that batt went dead you were stuck, and my understanding is that the 2018's can't get the update, if the "ESS" batt is dead so is your Jeep (the main power relay for the ignition system is wired to the "ESS" batt). 2) We like camping (well, my wife loves camping...I can take it or leave it) and I knew we were going to have high power demand on these camping trips. 3) Power anxiety, we travel to some pretty remote locations out here, sometimes alone (anyone in the "never wheel alone!" camp, please I don't wanna hear it, I'm a grown ass man and have been doing this my whole life, I like to wheel with friends but they aren't always available when I want need to go) and I don't want to risk a dead cranking battery leaving me having to walk out of Death Valley in the middle of summer. JL's can't be push or bump started, if your batts are dead you are screwed, not to mention this is my first offroad vehicle with an auto tranny, so even if you could push start a manual JL (which you can't) I'd be screwed there. Sure there are a million other things that can go wrong, but this is one of those factors that is somewhat within my control.

So I've decided a dual batt setup is right for me, why Genesis? As others have pointed out you can easily do a little research and make your own isolated dual batt system, and certainly at a cheaper cost, in fact I've done it on several previous offroad vehicles. What it came down to me was simple form factor and convenience. I wanted to keep both batts under the hood, space is at a premium in the JL, and you really have to see how my wife packs (cmon, I know i'm not the only one). The Genesis checks this box for me, and also reduced the number of wiring runs I have to make through or under the Jeep. It is one convenient package that fits well, looks decent (i'm anal about keeping my engine bay decluttered, I've had some vehicles that had shit strewn everywhere and I always hated working on them), and most importantly does what it's supposed to. I don't have a shop good enough to fabricate something as nice as what they sell. Time is also a factor, I have done some pretty labor intensive things on my Jeep, like wiring up that rear service, but I work like a dog and time is at a premium for me and lets face it every hour we spend working on our Jeeps is an hour that we aren't offroading in our free time. A nicely built plug and play solution works for me, maybe not everyone. Jeeping is also my hobby, and I have play money, who doesn't like to spend money to have nice things for their hobby sometimes? Perspective, i've got a ton of expensive guns that don't get shot nearly as much as my dual batt system is used. The cost of the batts are a wash, if you are doing any kind of dual batt setup you are going to have to buy batts, that being said I think the actual Genesis system (tray, wiring, and controller) isn't that bad for aftermarket Jeep parts, but my price range tolerance may be different than others. These are the reasons I went with the Genesis system, and I don't regret it.

A couple of things to consider: 1) The JL's charging system isn't designed to properly maintain two group 25 batts, It'll do fine if you are doing long trips, but daily driving and short commuting is going to have your batts slowly discharging. If you have a Rubicon or tow package you have a higher output alternator but will still most likely need to do some extra battery maintenance if you don't run it regularly long enough to top the batts all the way off. My solar panel helps my setup alot, but once a month I top off my batteries using a 20A smart charger to make sure they are at peak charge, which should help a bit with battery life. 2) If you use ESS, after a certain number of restarts the dual batt system will confuse the computer and it will disable the ESS system and give you a "ESS not ready" indication, I think the number is 6, I have my ESS disabled forever so i'm not exactly sure. If you don't use ESS, no big deal, disregard. If you do you use ESS and want to keep that functionality there are some workarounds and reasons that I can speak (somewhat) too.
Thanks for the reply and a lot of great information. Also, I was also considering the hood 80w solar panel and wondered how well it worked. I agree time is a premium and that is my main reason for considering the Genesis Dual Battery System and as you said the Batteries are a wash. I think this is the system I'm going to go with. Thanks again for your input.
 
Thanks for the reply and a lot of great information. Also, I was also considering the hood 80w solar panel and wondered how well it worked. I agree time is a premium and that is my main reason for considering the Genesis Dual Battery System and as you said the Batteries are a wash. I think this is the system I'm going to go with. Thanks again for your input.
No stress buddy, hit me up if you have any other questions. I really like the panel, it's like having a battery tender all the time (in the daylight at least) and it doubles as a hood blackout. It's a bit unnerving to install as it is held down with 3M VHB tape all around the edges and anything that relies on tape doesn't usually last long around where i'm at with the temps and dust, but 2 years now and it's still stuck on there like a booger on a 6 year olds shirt. Hit me up if you go that route and I can give you some installation tips.
 
No stress buddy, hit me up if you have any other questions. I really like the panel, it's like having a battery tender all the time (in the daylight at least) and it doubles as a hood blackout. It's a bit unnerving to install as it is held down with 3M VHB tape all around the edges and anything that relies on tape doesn't usually last long around where i'm at with the temps and dust, but 2 years now and it's still stuck on there like a booger on a 6 year olds shirt. Hit me up if you go that route and I can give you some installation tips.
Thanks I will definitely do that.
 
The Install looks pretty straight forward. Did you have any issue with the Install and what type of accessories have you run off it? Also, Have you ever needed to use the boost and if you have how well did it work for you? Thanks for any help you can provide.
I have it as well. I didnt install it but it came on the Jeep i bought from a member here. I do like that i can run my ARB fridge for days and not worry about the main battery. I did actually just use the the boost function for the first time this weekend. My main battery really needs to be replaced but i have been putting it off. its been in the -10 range here so the other day with it parked outside all day it didnt want to crank so hit the boost and it fired right up. pretty convenient, but one of those $100 jump boxes could probably do the same thing.
Idk if i would have bought it to start with but i cant say im sad that i have it if that makes sense.
 
I’ll be removing this system from a JKU in the next few weeks. I installed it in my buddy’s Jeep several years ago and it has pretty much been a constant pain in the ass with parasitic draws that drain both batteries. He has replaced both batteries; Genesis has replaced several modules; draw continues to happen. Definitely was NOT worth the money in his case.
 
I have it as well. I didnt install it but it came on the Jeep i bought from a member here. I do like that i can run my ARB fridge for days and not worry about the main battery. I did actually just use the the boost function for the first time this weekend. My main battery really needs to be replaced but i have been putting it off. its been in the -10 range here so the other day with it parked outside all day it didnt want to crank so hit the boost and it fired right up. pretty convenient, but one of those $100 jump boxes could probably do the same thing.
Idk if i would have bought it to start with but i cant say im sad that i have it if that makes sense.
Thanks I appreciate the input.
 
I was considering a dual battery for the JLU but the electrical system in the JL IMO is like a schizophrenic off their meds, touch it wrong and it all goes to shit in a hurry.

Portable lithium batteries have come a long way and am looking at going that route, no affect on the charging system, easy to charge off the 12v system, AC outlet or solar, no need to change anything in the engine bay and can use it in either Jeep.

The cost of portable was a factor at first but taking into consideration the kit cost, batteries, install time, possibly damaging something in the engine bay and tied to only one Jeep makes cost much less than the dual battery setup.
 
My fringe runs in my gladiator 24/7, directly hardwired to factory battery, not to mention all the lights, Switch-Pros, Winch, pci radio, never have run low on power anytime of the year. I do keep a jumper box just in case but not cause I’m worried about anything. I do however drive my jeep almost everyday, sometimes it sits for 2-3 days, and usually short trips and multiple starts throughout the day. Just something to consider.
 
I’ll be removing this system from a JKU in the next few weeks. I installed it in my buddy’s Jeep several years ago and it has pretty much been a constant pain in the ass with parasitic draws that drain both batteries. He has replaced both batteries; Genesis has replaced several modules; draw continues to happen. Definitely was NOT worth the money in his case.
I haven't run this Genesis kit but I have run others in the past and like you, they've been more of a pain than anything. The only good thing about what I had was is that I always had a spare battery. This is something that had come in handy more than once as I was able to donate the spare to a Jeep in need and out in the middle of nowhere. However, on a JL or JT, that would not be possible to do.
 
My fringe runs in my gladiator 24/7, directly hardwired to factory battery, not to mention all the lights, Switch-Pros, Winch, pci radio, never have run low on power anytime of the year. I do keep a jumper box just in case but not cause I’m worried about anything. I do however drive my jeep almost everyday, sometimes it sits for 2-3 days, and usually short trips and multiple starts throughout the day. Just something to consider.
LOL - crazy ain't it! I will say though, back in the day when nothing was LED, every light was halogen and every accessory had really big draws, there was a point to having dual batteries. Heck, my first welder required it but today, everything is just so much more efficient and I personally find them to be completely unnecessary regardless of what all you have installed in your Jeep. But hey, what would I know.
 
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LOL - crazy ain't it! I will say though, back in the day when nothing was LED, every light was halogen and every accessory had really big draws, there was a point to having dual batteries. Heck, my first welder required it but today, everything is just so much more efficient and I personally find them to be completely unnecessary regardless of what all you have installed in your Jeep. But hey, what would I know.
Oh times have definitely changed on what is needed, and I guess a welder can justify that second battery for sure. I know i can run everything i have wide open and not even dip the battery, even camping and drawing more from the inverter than usual its fine, when the factory dies I will go deep cycle being I'm replacing it anyway but until then i think ill be just fine
 
I was considering a dual battery for the JLU but the electrical system in the JL IMO is like a schizophrenic off their meds, touch it wrong and it all goes to shit in a hurry.

Portable lithium batteries have come a long way and am looking at going that route, no affect on the charging system, easy to charge off the 12v system, AC outlet or solar, no need to change anything in the engine bay and can use it in either Jeep.

The cost of portable was a factor at first but taking into consideration the kit cost, batteries, install time, possibly damaging something in the engine bay and tied to only one Jeep makes cost much less than the dual battery setup.
I think it's schizophrenic tendencies may come from them now using the "smart" alternator. the alternators now at some points don't charge . so we have guys always think the alt is pooched when they test the stud and replace the alternator.
 
I was very pleased with mine on the JK, with that said, I don't think I will use one on the Gladiator. The parasitic draw is real and the additional expense of two batteries are things to contend with. Having them both when using the winch is nice though.
 
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