Batteries

[bcrosson92]

ok need a new battery. jeep goes as follows. winch two lights on the bumper currently will be a led bar. headlights will be leds as well as a ed bar on the roof rack. i do have subs in the back too. im stuck between optima yellow top and odessy extreme. i will be upgradeing the wireing as well as a high output altenator in the spring. should i be running a dual battry set up? Can i run an optima and an oddessy? i need help fast cause ive been jumping the battery every time i try to start it for two days.

[bcrosson92]

oh yeah i also wanna run an inverter down the road to run a welder and other stuff.

[Mudderoy]

Have you upgraded the wiring from the battery to the alternator and the starter?

How about an alternator upgrade. Grand Cherokee or Durango? I think the Durango is 160 amps I think.

Now lets talk batteries. I'd do two.

Actually you could probably just do a yellow top and upgrade the wiring.

Thanks for posting your question here.

[bcrosson92]

Haven't done the upgrades yet but I will in the spring.

[4.3LXJ]

If you run two batteries, you have to match them. Either gel or lead acid. They have different resistance to charging current and will not charge equally if they are different types. Personally, I run two Optimas, red and yellow, and have no trouble. I am not sure what would happen if you mix brands. You would have to get some stats from the manufacturers on charging resistance to answer that question. I also have an inverter, and they do suck the juice. Now one question, you aren't trying to run a 110 wire feed with one are you?

[bcrosson92]

I was looking at the Hobart 140 I think its the one or the harbor freight cheepy but only while on the trail.

[4.3LXJ]

I think you could get away with it if the sign wave on the inverter is compatible with what the welder needs. I think you should check with Hobart on that. House current has a round top sine wave. Inverters have a square top. They will run stuff, but have trouble starting some electric motors for instance. Also, you will need a fairly large inverter for that. If my math is correct 1250 watt wold probably do it.

[WhileInTheWild]

I have a yellow top without upgrading the wiring and at least in this milder weather it is keeping my Whynter 45qt fridge running with just a minimal commute to/from work each day (about 30 min total). My 2001 Sport came with the 124 amp alternator as stock though so YMMV as I've heard the 90 amp was common.

[bcrosson92]

ok i have kind of decided on running dual odessy extremes the pc 34/78 1500 model. i need a tray that will fit them. they are about an inch longer and wider the the optima yellow tops. so will a tray for dual yellow tops fit the odessys?

[WhileInTheWild]

Don't you need to relocate the air box and mount the second one where it was or am I remmbering that wrong?

[bcrosson92]

you are correct. i already have my intake in the cowl vent

[bcrosson92]

im just going to run one yellow top for now and then possible add a second or a red top in the spring

[denverd1]

get your house and aux wiring systems figured out before you start buying stuff.

def upgrade your alt. and wiring

are you using an isolator? do you run your system/lights with engine off?
if no, then you don't really NEED a second battery but with that sort of power draw it would make sense to separate them and have a backup. As steve said, use same battery types and try to buy them together.

Odysseys are awesome batts. design you system right and they should last quite a while

[bcrosson92]

ok. i wanna make sure that if i have to i can winch out without the engine on. i dont use the system or lights with the engine off. should i use a red top and a yellow or two yellows?

[denverd1]

^ thats the quickest way to smoke a battery. Not sure why you would need to winch out THEN restart, or why you would want to. That brings into question your winch power draw under various loads as they're all different.