How To: 100ah Hidden Aux Batteries in a Jeep Wrangler
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- Опубліковано 2 січ 2023
- Adding auxiliary batteries in the back of a Jeep Wrangler can be a challenge with the limited space available. I show you how to add two 50ah Lithium batteries and a Renogy 50ah DCDC charge controller hidden away in the rear cubby area.
Items used:
Renogy DCDC Charger - renogy.sjv.io/0Jrq43 or on Amazon amzn.to/3Z5Wxm9
Renogy Bluetooth Module - renogy.sjv.io/RyxQe7 or on Amazon amzn.to/3jK5sK1
TimeUSB 50ah Batteries - amzn.to/3i5uZNl
100a Fuse - amzn.to/3GywyfX
70a Fuse - amzn.to/3IiiSXG
60a Fuse - amzn.to/3GzAflF
4g Wire - amzn.to/3WYIHAd
6g Wire - amzn.to/3Qbn0L7
4g Crimp Ends - amzn.to/3GyPaMQ
6g Crimp Ends - amzn.to/3G3fu04
Velcro - amzn.to/3GapWDk
Bus Bars - amzn.to/3G829DP
Power Outlets - amzn.to/3GywVXT
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I watched this when you first put it out. I came back today and watched it again because I am in the process of installing a similar set up in my jk. You did an amazing job explaining what you did. It was very helpful for me and my installation. Thanks a lot.
Glad it was helpful!
Anderson power pole connectors are nice option. don't have to worry about them coming unpluged like the 12v connector does.
Definitely a valid option.
Great video. What a good use of space! We are big fans of power stations and love our Bluetti AC 200. But our Ford Ranger adventure rig will be getting an on board Victron System this year.
Just like you said you can add outlets any place, add more, add more batteries..etc..etc...
I like to use the analogy of a solar power station is like a portable boom box vs a built in solar system is like a home stereo system. Pros and Cons to each but both can get the job done when off grid. Win win 🛻+⛺️=🙂
Thank you for taking the time to make quality content!
Mark (& Teresa) Maryland
Very clean install!! well done. I like it. I think the expansion possibilities for future if needed is a huge plus.
I had watched this video before. I came back and watched it a couple more times to make sure I understood what you were doing. I went right down the list on the items that you used and added them to my Amazon list. Some of the items I deviated a little bit on, others I followed to a T. I just finished install of a 100 amp battery set up in my Tacoma. Thank you for being so easy to follow and your step-by-step instructions. You made it a lot easier for someone who was nervous about doing it. Appreciate you.
Awesome!!!
Hi thanks for another video I'm myself do overlanding weekend trip and I love learning new and new things from ur video 🎉 💯
Hi Matt, I really enjoyed the video. Thank you 😊
Glad you enjoyed it!
Very cool Matt.
That Renogy system is so nice for the money. I just did a similar setup behind the seats of my Tacoma. I went a little overkill with 200AH but I got a steal on the batteries second hand.
I have 200ah in my Gladiator and love it!!
Great project. Thanks
Nice install glad you are getting some use out of the wire stripper crimpers
Heck yeah!! I love them.
Hey Matt. How’s your wife’s battery system working out? Is it still installed? Have you installed panels yet? My wife got me the Renogy kit for Christmas. Batteries are the only thing left to get. Did you think about just one battery instead of two? All the questions I want to ask. Sorry to be a pain in the butt. Guess I’ll watch this video about 4 more times. Haha. Anyway, Happy New Year and please let your wife know she looks great. Such an inspiration. Watching you guys must inspire people to get off their butts and exercise. Love the channel.
Great job 🎉
Thank you! 😁
Nice video Matt, great idea for the battery location. I'm liking that Ronogy setup you have. Thanks for the idea battery location I carry my bottle jack and other goodies in there but may be relocating and adding your set up. I currently carry 1050ah lithium Magnesium Phosphate medical grade Valence battery and keep it charged off my 500 watt inverter and charger. Runs my ARB Fridg and Diesel heater at night. Great video as always thanks
Awesome video, ive been wondering how the best way to do this would be. Easily, one of my favorite channels and creators
Wow, thanks!
I like it!
"4 gauge is probably a bit of overkill"... Matt... Anything worth doing, it is worth overdoing. :)
I have a 6 foot bed with an ARB shell. I designed a drawer system for it that specifically has place for a pair of batteries, charge system, and a custom OBA system with 5 gallons of air (I could actually fit 7.5 gallons worth of air tanks if I REALLY worked out every millimeter of wiring for the electrical system to maximum efficiency :) but I plan to use the space for the third tank to give my compressors and charger system plenty of breathing room.) it will have a pair of 4' drawers and a 2' hatch for the air tanks, plus cubbies along the sides with a battery on each side of the bed forward of the wheel wells (behind the wheel wells will be storage cubbies and some outlet panels for 12v and USB accessories. The bed drawer system will be tied into my bed stiffeners as well as anchored to the bed tie down loops with turnbuckles (and probably to a few bed mounting bolts) I will also have a pair of 4' logistic tracks to aid in securing additional cargo to the top of the bed. possibly a pair of 6 footers IF I can spare the room to secure them to the box structural lumber since the forward 2 feet of the rail will be the dividing line between the 3 forward compartments. The one part of the project I have not decided on yet is if I will have shallow storage compartments above the wheel wells or not.
In the long bed Tacoma the space forward of the wheel wells is a great place to mount a pair of lipo batteries.
Matt that beard is killer man! Suits you well!! Great video as always!! Keep it up! You and Kara rock!!🤘🤘
Thanks but beard is gone. LOL! I couldn't stand it any longer.
@@OzarkOverlandAdventures lol I know the feeling!
I second the beard. Couldn’t stand it? I do not comprehend 😂
I just did this similar setup for my Full Time Iceco 47VL Pro and 1000 watt sine wave. The only difference is I put in a Renogy DC to DC with MPPT 30 not the 50 and the Litime 100ah Mini. The space was half of the storage cubby. Working great so far. We went camping and powered up everything with no fuss. we never started the jeep in 4 days and just ran solar. I'm also wired up the awning lights and trunk window lights This DIY project is the best. Forget those clunky expensive So Gens. This is way cheaper and more capacity. The priec of everything was about the same a s SO Gen but I got a folding 200watt solar panel.
I used the Litime 100ah mini with 1000w inverter, but wasn’t able to fit both in the back cubby with the renogy charger… I had to use the red arc to make them all fit. Was happy to get everything stuffed in that back cubby though!
I’m looking at doing the same set up as you. Did you have any issues with the space getting the litime mini, renogy charger, and bus bars in there? I haven’t purchased the renogy charger yet, so I wanted to ask.
Very cool...I need to stop buy so we can do it to mine :)
The Jackery lithium ion battery has about a 500 cycle life to 80% of original capacity, and poor cold weather performance. But they’re light weight, portable and will probably last 10 yrs with less frequent use. Lithium iron phosphate(LiFePo4) have a life of thousands of charge cycles and can be used in colder temps. And they’re safer. A much better system for consistent or heavy use cases. If Jackery made a LiFePo4 battery system, I’d buy it. Nice build.
Matt I love your videos !! I watch 1000 of these yours is the best ! But why dose no one show the install of the little D wire ?? I’m stuck there what fuse and how ?
Hey Matt, love your videos! Keep up the awesome content and i can't wait to see you both at Moore!
I am curious about the batteries being so close together. They definitely look secure, I'm just worried about the minute vibration between the bodies of the batteries. I was thinking I thin sheet of either kydex or maybe even cardboard would eliminate that so no negative outcomes would arise. I'm also curious if you put a maxi fuse at the battery where you attached the 4 gauge wire? I know it will take alot of amps to get the whire hot. However, if a power surge or worse happens... your fuse may not be good all the way in the back. Again love your content, especially your reviews!
There is a 70 amp fuse between the battery and the charger. That's what Renogy recommends.
@OzarkOverlandAdventures ok just checking. When building patrol cars, we place that fuse right off the battery because it will blow there and not send power down the 15 ft of wire. If we put it right before the component , there is nothing to stop the power from the battery to the fuse So 12 feet of wire that can heat up, short out, or whatever Murphy decides to throw at it. Otherwise I really love this install and idea !
Use only solid copper stranded wire for your battery cables. Don't use Copper Clad Aluminum "CLA". Aluminum melts under high load.
Awesome video. About to do the same. Thank you for sharing.
Only concern I have is in Australia tenpritures can reach up to 40 deg Celsius. Would having the DCDC charger in canopy cause performance issue?
Also if you go river crossing can you get water leaking into that storage ?
Wide industrial Velcro would be a good alternative to the 3M VHB tape for securing the batteries and DC-DC converter to the base of the cargo box.
That’s what I used.
Hey matt, i have made the same set up about a year ago with three 33Ah agm batteries they didn’t last in that place they all swelled up and my main guess is that it happened because of the heat coming from the exhaust since they are directly sitting on top of it and i had drawers on top of them which also provided very little ventilation and i was using redarc bcdc1225d so i thought I’d give you a heads up :)
That's one of the many reasons I'm using LifePo4 batteries and not AGM.
Great work! I challenge you to put together a schematic. :)
Great video as always ... Is there a similar setup for a 2008 JKU?
I'm not sure what the dimensions of the nook is in the JK. It might work.
Look clean setup and show ur passion for Jeep my question did u see genesis dual battery kit new gen 3 bc now debating what kit set to pick.
I would never run a Genesis setup because they use standard AGM or Lead Acid Batteries and not Lithium. Lithium is far superior when it comes to energy storage and usage. The only exception is as a starter battery.
@@OzarkOverlandAdventures I agree make sense plus weight on lithium is way less like half
Hello Matt, how's the heat on that charging controller, have you noticed any issues? I see the space is a bit cramped, and I'm thinking a 50A controller can generate a decent amount of heat, that's why I ask. Nice to know how to "tell" the alternator to keep charging and It's also nice you managed to keep everything fit so well tucked away and not interfering with much, great job!
No heat issues yet.
I like this option, and this a great how to video. Thank you. But I have to ask, why not go with a dual battery system under the hood?
AGM batteries are horrible for running accessories because of voltage drop. They are made to start your car. Lithium is much better for energy storage and running accessories.
I fell in love with this idea and is perfect timing as I was thinking about purchasing a Power Bank come Black Friday. But this is SO much nicer, less portable but thats not I am going for. The only question I have is this.... I know that you installed a drawer system and not the factory cover which is fine, but is there any concern for heat from the lithium batteries charging, chargers or the muffler being directly under them? Just concerned about looking like a Tesla that caught fire...LOL.
no concerns with heat.
Trying to figure out where to put these in my wk2
Nice video and nice install also. I have a dc-dc charger also from renogy but the 20 amp and it's not as fancy as that one and I'm kinda jealous! On mine and if you ever wanted to, you should be able to put a toggle switch in that signal wire so you can turn charging on and off manually. Does that charger have a high and low turn on turn off voltage? So when it's at 14.4v it stops and turns off until it reaches say 13.5v and then turns back on? My only concern about that battery location would be water crossings. Cara's jeep is tall but you guys go through some deep water and the buss bars and connections would be a concern but it looks great and now I wanna get that charger just for the added solar input!
I'm not sure what the parameters are but the charger does smart things to manage the battery charging. LOL. Cara's Jeep will never see water crossings that deep. lol.
@@OzarkOverlandAdventures lol well then your all set lol!
Does you friend Rob have a video of his install?
beard lookin good
Beard gone now. LOL
Good video. Not on topic but what are the storage bags attached to roll bar? Thanks
XG Cargo!
It seems prudent to locate the main fuse for your supply closer to the battery. It looks like it is in the cubby?
Hey Matt I’m hooking up the same system in my wrangler (like looked at your links) and ordered the same components, where does the little red wire hook into the fuse box ? The only thing you didn’t cover. Thank you in advance.
Hi Matt, love your videos and been binge watching. Curious how your wife and you like the renogy dcdc with solar vs the redarc you have in Sully? Hows it been doing and does the BT-2 bluetooth work well?
Thanks! Sorry to hear about rooster.
Honestly both have been great with no issues. I very much love the Bluetooth option for the Renogy that the Redarc doesn't have.
@@OzarkOverlandAdventures awesome, thanks for the reply and info!
Nice! Did you plug and seal the drain plug under that compartment?
I get lots of water in that compartment, but mostly from rain and leaks. Lol
The drain hole is already plugged. Her Jeep doesn't leak. lol
When you connect the smart charge cord to the fuse box, did you use a fuse tap? Or does it connect another way?
It’s the age old Mac vs PC debate. Build your own custom PC (this) or buy a Mac that’s limited in terms of expansion but still quite capable and a good option for the less technically inclined (or those that just don’t want to mess with all the work).
Love the build and the beard! I used the Renogy PPT and BT-2 with one of my builds. I couldn't get a battery power level with the BT-2 if it isn't plugged directly into the battery. great for charge monitoring and power usage over time. I am excited to see how it all works. With the 50 amp charger you may need a cooling fan. It might get quite warm under there. May want to run that ground to the main battery and a primary disconnect for safety.
Thanks! Beard is gone. LOL. So far no heat issues but I'm keeping an eye on it.
Matt, Nice set-up. Is there a video in your collection when you did aux power for the Gladiator?
Thanks! Yes there is a whole video on my Gladiator setup.
@Ozark Overland Adventures yes, i know, but by title i can't figure out which covers the battery set-up.
@@johnfitzgerald5158 This one ua-cam.com/video/ol4QJblhDFc/v-deo.html
@Ozark Overland Adventures thank you sir. I must be blind...lol. Anyway, thanks. I've been doing the Jackery 1000 with a VL 60, and I think I'm ready to upgrade for a little more power buffer.
Nice install. I'm about to do something similar with an Odyssey battery and Redarc charger. Did you consider ventilation in the cubby area? Is it even a consideration?
Ventilation isn't needed with Lithium batteries. See my recent videos on AGM vs Lithium batteries. You might rethink that Odyssey battery.
@@OzarkOverlandAdventures watched it and very helpful. thanks.
Connecting the Renogy dc to dc up in my gladiator. where did you run the smart alternator wire on the wrangler?
To the cigarette lighter fuse. I do t remember the number.
My husband and I are doing the Alaska Highway July 2023. This will be our very first overland experience and are starting to buy what we will need for trip. I think we are going to buy the Newair 80 quart 12v fridge/freezer. He wants to buy the battery to go with it. I don’t think we need it since we will not be sitting still long enough to worry about it draining our battery, just while sleeping basically. From your experience, what is your opinion?
an 80 quart fridge is huge and uses a good amount of power. I wouldn't leave it running off the starter battery overnight.
Great video, however the BMS in those TimeUSB batteries do not do cold temperature protection.
The Renogy Charger does.
@@OzarkOverlandAdventures Great!
How have the batteries in this set up held up?
You mentioned only hooking up one battery at a time to the charger. Will the charger not charge both batteries at once or do you have to keep swapping the charger from one battery to the other?
That's just to get them balanced at first. Once they are both fully charged they were connected together in parallel and are working great.
I know you said you got the 50A charger but wanted the 30A charger. Looking online they are both the same size. What are the pros and cons of being able to charge faster? I am seriously thinking of doing this… how is it working out for you so far?
It's great! no real cons of the 50a other than being more expensive. No regrets!!
I have been looking at a similar setup for my Tacoma somewhere down the road when budget allows. I need skids and a winch bumper first.
Why did you choose a pair of 50 Ah batteries instead of a single 100Ah battery? space availability??? Cost??? (I am looking at 100Ah at $300, so 2: 50s at 150ea vs 300???) weight???
Are you considering adding a house battery to main main jump start solenoid to allow the auxiliary batteries to be used to jumpstart the jeep in an emergency? (I know it can be done with RedArc equipment, they have wiring diagrams for how to do it, but not sure if the Renology is able to support such (I do not see why not))?
Space. 100ah battery won't fit.
I’m about to buy a JL and in the planning stages. Excuse my ignorance, but why this system as opposed to a dual battery system in engine compartment? I like this system, but just looking at pros/cons. Thanks!
Lithium is a far better option than lead acid/AGM batteries.
I have all Renergy 12volt system that I bought when me and the wife went solar for our home back in 2014 that we no longer use so I put alot of it on the ole 97 Ranger so that we can have all the extra goodies of home life when we are out camping. 2000 watt pure sine inverter, even though we have over 300 AH worth of battery power it is still hooked up to the main truck battery to be charged when the truck is running. What I am saying is even though we have extra batteries it is still pulling from the main truck battery too, and you have to be careful as to not mix match ur batteries. My main truck battery is 650 CCA hooked up to 3 100AH marine deep cycle batteries. So the main truck battery is 650 CCA that is only 55AH hooked up to 3 100 AH batteries not really a good thing but gives a total of 355 AH. How to convert CCA to AH.... CCA divided by 7.25 gives you AH 650 CCA divided 7.25 = 55 AH
First! Nice batteries!
Hey, sorry, not sure if you'll catch this comment. I saved this video when you made it a while back and I watched the other video. My question is if water is a danger? I've had spills in the back, or well drips really, and this compartment has gotten water in it before. I've not waded through rivers or anything, so I have no idea about that. But I wanted to ask the question anyway and see if you had any issues with that?
Zero issues with water in the back.
No inverter? Can you run a electric stove and fridge with this stet up?
Matt, thinking about doing this in my jk. Just curious why you didn't go with one 100 ah lithium battery as opposed to two 50 ah batteries. forgive me I'm not that saavy with electrical :D Nice install btw!
Size. A single 100ah won't fit.
@@OzarkOverlandAdventures ohh okay makes sense :D
About how long would those batteries last if you were stationary? Nice install
3-4 days running a fridge and charging things. It's more power than a Jackery 1000.
@@OzarkOverlandAdventures good info...preciate it
I wonder how best to do this in an eTorque JL since they don’t have an alternator and just have a DC to DC converter.
This is an eTorgue JL
@@OzarkOverlandAdventures sweet! So literally the same way. ;)
What's the difference in the 30 and 50 is that amps to charge?
That’s correct
I was thinking about doing this with just a 100AH battery that already own, is there an advantage to running two 50AH batteries instead of just running one 100AH?
A single 100ah won’t fit in the space I’m using.
Why did you decide to do this ba just using something like Bluetti?
Saves space and you don't have to worry about recharging it.
Why did you choose this charging system over the one you installed in the gladiator
to try a different brand and compare them.
How do you like this setup
Which drawer system is that again?
SHW. We love it!!
I have one for my Outback and love it.
Hey it’s me again. Maybe clean the snorkel tube out. Looks muddyish.
Great video. But the question is, are you going to color the beard? LOL (I kid, I kid)
Beard is gone. Hated it. 😂
Matt, good video. Do have a comment, a question, and another useless comment. Hard to tell at the last but did you leave those cubbies open under the drawer system? What happens if a metal utensil or something falls out the back of the drawer and down on the terminals---not nice. Maybe put a thin plywood cover between the openings and the drawers? And the question--I see why you went with the permanent battery solution over a power station BUT why was Karen using the starter battery when you have a whole stack of power stations over against the wall 😊. And the off the wall comment--there is about to be even more choices of batteries. Production is about to start on Sodium-Ion although EVs may get them first. Lithium is getting scarce and prices shooting up. Sodium is very plentiful. Sodium-ion has even better power than lithium--but is heavier. Also on the horizon is Graphene-Aluminum-Ion. Things are about to take off on batteries--about time.
Nothing metal is loose in the drawers to fall out. She did use a power station on her trips once we realized how lame the starter battery was. When the Sodium batteries come out they will be cool to try.
Who is Karen? -Cara
It's Cara not Karen? Oh what a blunder. Cara, please accept my sincerest apology for messing up such a beautiful name. I blame my hearing aids and feeble brain for adding an imagined N sound. Again so so sorry.
@@judhardcastle7931 no worries at all. It happens so much. ♥️ I just like to tease when it does happen. Lol.
Where is the 400w of solar on the roof and a solar charger??? God Bless:)
The Renogy handles the solar charging as well. Can do 600w of Solar if needed.
@@OzarkOverlandAdventures Then that is great! Have 360w on top of my 2017 Jeep Willy's bolted to roof rack which powers the I12v ICECO:)
Do not understand how you did the install seems to be very intimidating
It was intimidating for me the first time.
Amazon claims the BMS only protects from high temp, not low temp.
The Renogy will not charge the batteries below freezing.
@@OzarkOverlandAdventures thank you for responding. Then how are these batteries better than EcoWorthy?
@@dougg8280 not sure they are.
@@OzarkOverlandAdventures fair enough. Thank you. Great video. Excellent idea.
I don’t think these have low temperature protection. Their site states high temp protection only. Are you sure these have it? Be careful not to charge below freezing
I had a question about using the batteries in the winter. I’d like to add a system, but live in VA where we have sun freezing temps.
@@Jshanks19 power queen makes some self heating batteries and seems to have good reviews
The Renogy will not charge them below freezing.
@@OzarkOverlandAdventures protected by the renogy dcdc charger, not in the battery’s bms as stated in the video. Got it! Thanks
@@currentlyhd7649 most BMS protect from high and low temperature issues but I may have misspoke in the video. But I know for certain that the Renogy will not charge below freezing so the batteries are protected regardless.
Why 2 batteries verses 1 100ah
Size. 1 100ah won't fit in the space.
I that a toupee or did a rodent die on your head?😂
That's a real cool looking rodent. 😂
Nice hair kid. You old enough to drive yet?
Barely. But not old enough to be boring yet. 😂