Grand Cherokee wk2 Second Battery

[mlenser]

I unbolted the seat from the floor but I personally could not figure out how to disconnect the wiring harness leading to the drivers seat so I just drove the seat either forward or rearward to gain access as required. I had the earth cable to the battery loose and just connected it when I needed to run the seat then disconnected it again. When I actually removed the battery I tilted the whole seat back until it rested on the rear seats. Was all quite a pain but manageable.

[David Scott]

Here are some photos that that I promised some time ago.
1. Factory battery
2. Second battery
3 and 4. The plastic insert removed from the well prior to fitting battery. Electrics fitted on the passengers side of the well.
5. Two digital volt meters fitted on the drivers side kick plate with a on-off switch fitted.

Both batteries are wired under the carpet under the rear of the console. Just guide some wire under the carpet and then pull the battery cable through. I have since laid the 100 ah battery on its side so it sits below the clip in cover however I did cut out the drivers side front corner out of the well and fabricated another corner to suit the battery size. It was then screwed in and sealed up and painted black on the outside. There was a smaller AGM battery in E-Bay I think 65 or 70 ah which would have fitted however I already had the battery out of my van as I replaced it with a 200ah. I have run my cable for the anderson plug from my second battery.

I fitted the meters as at the time the factory battery had let me down a few times and I used them to see what was happening. I have had the USB upgrade just before christmas and no problems since then but am still waiting for the new battery replacement as promised.

I have since read that the compressor for the air suspension is mounted at the front of the vehicle so people with the air suspension should have a look perhaps you only have the same electrics as non air and the battery might fit. Have a look. Look closely at the plastic inserts photos 3 and 4 when removed there is not much to relocate as there is room between the well and door sill.
David Scott

[johnv]

Hi David, a very good writeup I have read it with great interest.

Can you or anyone else with a WK2 CRD tell me what size the wells are??
That way when we are sourcing batteries in the future, we have a reference point.

cheers, John

[Savvas]

Nice write up! I'll be looking to do a 2nd battery when my GC arrives, and this is the perfect spot for it.

[cancan]

So does anyone know where the second battery can go when you have quadralift

[JnK]

Originally Posted by cancan

So does anyone know where the second battery can go when you have quadralift

Definitely no room under the passenger seat with quadralift - one look confirmed that decision!
Mine is presently on a module in the back that carries our Engel.
Next step is to relocate it to under the spare tyre - I plan to flip the tyre with the space to the bottom and fix the AGM under.
When we are travelling the spare will come out and mount beside the module for access anyway.
I charge the battery via a Sidewinder 30a DC to DC charger fed from a Piranha battery isolator beside the main battery.
Works great so far.

[Savvas]

I'm undecided on whether I'd go with DC-DC charger, or with an isolator.

I want to have the option of switching in the second battery to the starter circuit in case the main battery develops a fault.

Is anyone aware of a setup where both can be done?