I know there are plenty running dual battery setups, but I have a couple Optimas laying around and was wondering who all has installed one under the seat as the main and only battery? No isolator or anything like that.
Scoop
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What's the point of getting rid of the factory battery? Might as well grab an isolator and let it handle the starting and DCT jobs.
Beyond that, you would typically have a high CCA battery for starting and a deep cycle battery for accessories, lights, radios, etc. The jobs they do are best suited as such.
Pilotadam
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I installed a blue top under the seat but left the stock battery to run the stock system. The blue top runs everything I have added and is connected by an isolator. Works well.
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Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk
Pilotadam
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Not the best pictures but I used this aluminum mount I found on ebay and used some u-bolts to mount to the battery tie down. Still have enough room for one ammo can with tools.
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Sent from my SM-G781V using Tapatalk
Those plastic caps should come off before you clamp the battery cables on. 🤣
Remington
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I think that was a dry fit before his final installation.
I'm currently in process with this yellow top install under the seat. It's my auxiliary.
Pilotadam
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Damn that's why I never could get my accessories to work.Those plastic caps should come off before you clamp the battery cables on.
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Because then I have to drop the money to buy a dual battery kit. Why spend the money when I don’t need to?
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I'm not sure the under seat environment is conducive to good battery life. Neither lead acid nor LiFePO4 batteries like high heat, it can dramatically shorten battery life. Think I'd be doing some temperature testing or maybe duct in fresh air. Think I'll be keeping my "two under the hood".
"Extreme heat speeds up the chemical reaction inside a battery and causes an increase in the self-discharge and plate corrosion. This leads to sulfation which can cause irreparable damage to the battery. For each 10°F rise in temperature, the life of a sealed lead acid battery is cut in half."
"Extreme heat speeds up the chemical reaction inside a battery and causes an increase in the self-discharge and plate corrosion. This leads to sulfation which can cause irreparable damage to the battery. For each 10°F rise in temperature, the life of a sealed lead acid battery is cut in half."
The engine compartment of a truck is pretty dang hot…
Sitting there, yes, but when moving you might be surprised, as there's a lot of airflow at speed to keep average temperatures down in road vehicles. This is probably not the case with the sxs, as the direct air flow to the engine and under-seat area is blocked. That, and speeds are on average much lower than road vehicles to further reduce air cooling. I haven't measured or compared these temperatures , but I think it would be wise to do so if one is concerned about battery life . . . especially if considering only going with one battery under the seat.
Scoop
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The cost isn't that much, really. And the benefits far outweigh the minimal cost.
I have 2 free Optimas, and can pretty much get them whenever I need them. Nothing that I will be running is going to drain it down, so I am not going to run the tiny lawn mower battery.
Optima does speak to heat, sort of, though they beat around the bush some: Optima vs heat
Scoop
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True, but I haven't heard of anyone complaining about it yet with them being under there. Not to mention, these are free batteries to me.
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