TJ Dual Battery Solutions

[Rosie]

Hey All, been searching a fair bit with no real solutions so far. I'm chasing a dual battery setup for my TJ and really want to mount both batteries under the bonnet. I've seen different mounts but the only RHD one was the Mean Green which they no longer make.

Has anyone got a mount to fit a RHD TJ? I've even thought of buying the Smittybilt one and cutting and changine the lower plate to suit mine.

Cheers, Ben

[TOIIIIIIIOJ]

Hey All, been searching a fair bit with no real solutions so far. I'm chasing a dual battery setup for my TJ and really want to mount both batteries under the bonnet. I've seen different mounts but the only RHD one was the Mean Green which they no longer make.

Has anyone got a mount to fit a RHD TJ? I've even thought of buying the Smittybilt one and cutting and changine the lower plate to suit mine.

Cheers, Ben
Yes look up Morris 4x4 center they are on here, look under TJ battery mounts they make it to suit two optima batteries laying on there sides brilliant stuff.

[bonza]

Hey All, been searching a fair bit with no real solutions so far. I'm chasing a dual battery setup for my TJ and really want to mount both batteries under the bonnet. I've seen different mounts but the only RHD one was the Mean Green which they no longer make.

Has anyone got a mount to fit a RHD TJ? I've even thought of buying the Smittybilt one and cutting and changine the lower plate to suit mine.

Cheers, Ben

just curious, why do you want a dual battery set up?

[Rosie]

Ah thanks for that mate, I'll check them out.

I've had dual batteries in both my other 4x4s and it would have been the first thing i'd have done to the TJ if it was easier. I like to be able to run a fridge, stereo and worklight all night and not worry about being able to start again in the morning. The Optima has done it's job well so far but i spose i've just rana out of things to do.

[tigermuzza]

It is possible to fit one next to the engine on the drivers side with some modification, the air box has to be modified and pushed as far forward as possible and a cradle made up, I made mine to suit a 120amp battery. It's off the car at the moment but I'll try and find some pictures

[fil]

If you lower (cut) the mount under the brake booster on the drivers side you can fit a D34 optima in there on its side. That's where I had mine. It can be a bit of a dog to get it in and out, I ended up working out it was quicker and easier to take the drivers guard off, slip the battery in (leave the mount bolted to the firewall) and bolt the guard back on.
Other wise you could get a fab shop to bend up a tray like the mean green one, but it will prolly cost the same if not more than buying a brand name one.

[Wattsy]

Just finished installing mine today, I didn't have to modify tray apart one hole for the battery clamp. The battery is a marshall deep cycle and only cost $119 haven't really tested how many hours it lasts.

http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=63526&d=1376225774

http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/attachment.php?attachmentid=63527&d=1376225774

[tigermuzza]

I finally got around to putting me 2nd battery in so here it is

Had to make a new air box and move it as far forward as possible
Had to bend the dip stick back, and fab the battery tray. It only just squeeses in.
You would think the battery where it is would get quite hot but it doesn't, it might be because there's a vent directly above it. The pick is with a 100ah but it will fit a 120ah

http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc377/Tigermuzza/null_zpse99a9fb3.jpg

http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc377/Tigermuzza/null_zps9e5d659a.jpg

http://i1208.photobucket.com/albums/cc377/Tigermuzza/null_zps3f3042ae.jpg

[maggoo]

Wow that looks really good!

I have been thinking of places to try and fit a 100Ah battery for a while.

You have now made me rethink about the engine bay

[hero]

That's a good ideahttp://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/imagehosting/375635797500c2e907.png

[hero]

Is there a way to have both batteries side by side or on top of one another as we see in LHD jeeps..anyone out there to direct me pl

[ADD!CT]

You can just buy the LHD dual battery tray for the optimas that lay them on their side.

You will need to re drill the bolt holes in the bottom and cut off the moutning tabs each side and have them rewelded to suit.

Not a big job if your handy yourself but a bit of a hassle otherwise, i ended up selling my one before bothering to modify it

[Redemptioner]

Just a FYI, the dual trays that stack the batteries on their side and then clamp the side down are not good for you expensive Optima batteries as it crushes the cells and squashes the case out of round reducing the lifespan of the batteries (assuming you don't end up busting it open).

It is cheap and easy to make up a tray that will allow 2x D34's to stack side by side and clamp down from the top as designed. You just need some 3mm plate, a couple of bolts and some aluminium box to secure everything. Bit of cutting and welding and a few holes and you are good to go.


You can check out the details and some pics here
http://www.ausjeepoffroad.com/forum/showthread.php?t=139486