The Benchmark Designs is certainly a sweet set-up, don't get me wrong. It just doesn't work for my application since it won't fit Group 31 batteries. ARB won't work for me either since my accessories are all electric, no air. I have 2 Group 31 Optima's that I'm running so I'm thinking about choosing a spot in the cabin to mount the second, inside a box that will vent outboard. Under the rear seat is an option but it does become a PITA if I want to lay the seats down. I could do the rear cargo area I suppose but that'd kill my storage space. I've been rolling the idea around about putting it under the passenger seat in a box, or trying to squash it under the main battery tray in the engine bay. Got some thinking to do.
I'll figure it out eventually. For now though, I've got to finish up my 7 pin wiring or we're not camping this weekend.
Hasta!

 

why the odd size batteries? use normal size, and get the Benchmark tray. that's what I have, and it's great. Have an 80A solenoid between them (switched on ignition), and all accessories running off the aux. battery. both are 'on' when winching and charging, and when engine's off, i'm not draining the starting battery.

 

They're what I've already got (bought 5 for running my boat around the lake on trolling motors since the only regulation this darn state doesn't have is a limit on imposed regulations). That and you won't find many other batteries with more CCA's or a higher RC in a spill-proof which is what I prefer so I can run my electronics with the engine off, say, if I'm camping or tailgating or so on. I had a Yellow Top in my old TJ and loved it but the added power is just that much better. Turns out I only use 2-3 of the batteries for a whole day out on the lake so I've got 2 to spare and managed to shoe-horn one into the stock mounting location after I cut a slot out and fabbed up a hold-down strap. I've got an isolator that I was thinking about putting on my pop-up camper but if I put it in the Jeep and the 2nd battery, I can run the camper electronics off the Jeep if there's no electrical hook-up and still have the dual set-up in the Jeep as my daily driver too. It's a conundrum that I've forced myself into...and may drive myself insane in the process, but I'll figure out a way.
Thanks for the thoughts on it though. I guess it would be easier to go the Group 27 or Group 34 route...but then again, that would take away all the fun of bustin' my knuckles up with a wrench and bangin' my head against the door frame trying to figure out the best way.

 

Note that an isolater is not the same as a solenoid. An isolater is just a 'one-way valve' - it lets current go into the aux battery (to charge it), but not the other way. A solenoid will let it go either way (when the engine is on), and disconnects the 2 batteries when the engine is off. That way, you can draw from both batteries when winching, as well as for charging, whereas with an isolator you only have the one battery available (plus the maximum amperage that you can pull through the isolator). Query how that compares with 80A that can go through the (my) solenoid? You can also get bigger solenoids - Painless wiring makes a 250A unit.

Good luck with it!

 

That's a good point. I went back and looked at my isolator ( http://www.batterymart.com/p-acc-200...arisonShopping ) I think you may be right in the respect that they're not combined...unless I put it into "override/reset mode". Then again, if it'll let me combine them on command and then keep them separate otherwise, this might be a nice feature too. Plus it'll keep my lights from dimming when my 1000W Amp starts hitting. This one looks like it'll pass 75A standard and 100A max (but it doesn't say if that's both ways or just charging...?)
Hmmm, looks like I've got a little more thinking to do.

I will keep the solenoid in mind though.

Thanks.

 

You could put it on a Woods or DIY storage tub.

It the most expensive route, but I believe it will give you what you want. I can fit two 34's in mine so one 31 wouldn't be a problem

 

That's a pretty nice set-up there, and would definitely work but what exhaust are you running? Mine sits just below the storage box so I'd have to relocate it. Did your departure angle change? I'm gonna roll my creeper underneath tonight to see what I can come up with. I'll keep everyone posted on what I come up with.....or don't come up with.
This isolator/solenoid thing has me perplexed at the moment. I understand the technology but just don't know which one I want to go with. I guess, since I have the isolator, I can try that and if it doesn't work for my set-up, I can always just swap it out for a solenoid, no harm no foul (hopefully).

 

I relocated the muffler. I can't remember what one I used I've since sold it. But I put the muffler under the drivers seat area and just ran the exhaust straight out the back.

No, here's a picture from right after I installed the tub.

 

I see. It looked deeper in the other pics. I wander if I could make a box for the battery near where you put the exhaust, and just mount it on it's side so it has a lower profile. I'd have to make some kind of "Battery Skid Plate" or at least some sliders. I'm gettin' under there right after work (gotta finish the 7-pin wiring anyways).