Best way to power a jeep......

[jeep4power]

:?| What is the best way to power up lights, winch, etcetera, etcetera... a or an extra battery or alternator?

 

[Bounty__Hunter]

Both. You have to have a quality battery that can withstand the repeated large draw, like an Optima yellow or bluetop. It then helps to replinish the battery as quickly as possible, this is where the high amp alternator helps out. Depending on your year of jeep and the type of alternator, there are some inexpensive bolt-in replacements that will nearly double alternator output.

 

[yjdave]

My vote is for dual batt. I've been running dual yellow top optima's with the stock 4.0L alternator for over 7yrs no problems. But i will upgrade when the alternator finally takes a crap.

 

[jfrabat]

I have the 2.5L with the stock alternator, and an interstate battery, and I run the sound system (keep in mind that I got an amp for the subwoofer), 100W fog lights (they are on anytime the headlights are on; I can turn them off, but what for?), 100W KC Daylighters (seldom turn these on!), Taurus electric fan, and I am always running with the AC on, and I have not had any problems... But I agree with YJDave; when the stock unit bites the dust, I am getting an upgrade alt (although i doubt I would go to something as expensive as the Mean Grean one!). Same with the battery; when the current one dies (it is still going strong), I plan on getting the optima yellow top.

Of course, the winch part is a big amp application, so for that it may be a good idea to at least get the Optima right away... What are you planning on running?

Felipe

 

[TwistedCU]

A good deep cycle battery like the Optima is a good start and probably all you'll need unless you plan on doing heavy winching. In that case a high output alternator would be next. If that doesn't get it done then add another deep cycle to the artillery.

 

[dandoc]

I don't have any accessories yet that require a lot of amperage, but I do have a sealed Absorbing Glass Mat (AGM) battery (like Optima). It's not the Optima brand, but it works just the same, and produces slightly more power than the Optima. The design is not the coil 6-pack, it's the "standard" flat plate. It's a Deka brand, Intimidator model. Less pricy than Optima, too.