Genesis DIY Dual Battery Setup with Dakota Lithium Battery

[DMSCS]

My question is how and where did you run the wireing for the solar panel?

This post provides a good guide for running wires to the roof.

https://bronco6g.com/forum/threads/easy-roof-light-bar-wiring-diy.89644/

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[gbub]

Just completed my custom dual battery setup using the @genesisoffroad Genesis off-road DIY kit. Funny enough they have just started selling something similar branded as their Omega system, but it is only available for Jeep right now. If you want simplicity, the full Genesis dual battery kit is probably the best way to go, but I wanted more capacity and flexibility to charge with a solar panel. So I went with an AGM Odyssey battery + Dakota Lithium 135ah (This is literally the only battery I could find with the right size to fit).

I found out that the Renogy DC-DC/MPPT 50A charger fit almost perfectly inside the Genesis battery tray lid. This allowed me to keep most of the electronics contained inside the Genesis tray. Note that you do need to buy the plastic lid cover separately for $20, and I had to trim the right side to clear part of the Renogy charger. The batteries were a very tight fit and I also had to trim some plastic on wire channeling to gain a little clearance.

I decided to swap the 12v port in the cargo area with a Blue Sea Systems 12v panel and voltmeter running directly off the secondary battery. This gets around any timeouts with the factory ports and avoids draining the cranking battery. Next I plan to run a 1000 watt inverter to provide additional 120v power points.


There were lots of additional small parts, fuses, etc that I had to source but here are the main components:
https://www.genesisoffroad.com/products/2021-ford-bronco-diy-kit_p_312

https://www.genesisoffroad.com/prod...rt?_pos=1&_psq=replacement+cover&_ss=e&_v=1.0

https://www.genesisoffroad.com/products/performance-group-25

https://dakotalithium.com/product/d...ar-truck-battery-plus-deep-cycle-performance/

https://www.renogy.com/renogy-12v-24v-ip67-50a-dc-dc-battery-charger-with-mppt/

https://www.renogy.com/100-watt-12-volt-monocrystalline-solar-panel-compact-design/

https://a.co/d/0HIDZGv

https://a.co/d/0sfRDkj

I like how you are using both AGM and a lithium battery. I may end up doing something similar. For now I am planning to make one larger AGM work.

I also like the Blue Sea System to replace the stock cargo port. However, it is a little more work and modification than I prefer to do. I got around the "time out" by using Forscan to make the port always on. Bronco still has a protection feature to keep the battery from discharging so much that it won't start. When the battery reaches 12.2V the port shuts off. As soon as I start the engine the port turns back on. I am working on finding a battery that has enough reserve capacity to get the refrigerator through a hot night without shutting off or at least most of the night. Having a lithium battery backup may be a solution for me.

I considered putting my solar panel on top but I like to park in the shade if it is available. Solar panels don't work very well in the shade so I use a long wire that extends out to keep the solar panel the sun.

You did some very nice work on your system. I am not sure I have the knowledge to do that. If I go lithium battery as a backup, I will study what you did in great detail and use what I can.

Thanks for the great writeup.

 

[GABroncin]

Just completed my custom dual battery setup using the @genesisoffroad Genesis off-road DIY kit. Funny enough they have just started selling something similar branded as their Omega system, but it is only available for Jeep right now. If you want simplicity, the full Genesis dual battery kit is probably the best way to go, but I wanted more capacity and flexibility to charge with a solar panel. So I went with an AGM Odyssey battery + Dakota Lithium 135ah (This is literally the only battery I could find with the right size to fit).

I found out that the Renogy DC-DC/MPPT 50A charger fit almost perfectly inside the Genesis battery tray lid. This allowed me to keep most of the electronics contained inside the Genesis tray. Note that you do need to buy the plastic lid cover separately for $20, and I had to trim the right side to clear part of the Renogy charger. The batteries were a very tight fit and I also had to trim some plastic on wire channeling to gain a little clearance.

I decided to swap the 12v port in the cargo area with a Blue Sea Systems 12v panel and voltmeter running directly off the secondary battery. This gets around any timeouts with the factory ports and avoids draining the cranking battery. Next I plan to run a 1000 watt inverter to provide additional 120v power points.


There were lots of additional small parts, fuses, etc that I had to source but here are the main components:
https://www.genesisoffroad.com/products/2021-ford-bronco-diy-kit_p_312

https://www.genesisoffroad.com/prod...rt?_pos=1&_psq=replacement+cover&_ss=e&_v=1.0

https://www.genesisoffroad.com/products/performance-group-25

https://dakotalithium.com/product/d...ar-truck-battery-plus-deep-cycle-performance/

https://www.renogy.com/renogy-12v-24v-ip67-50a-dc-dc-battery-charger-with-mppt/

https://www.renogy.com/100-watt-12-volt-monocrystalline-solar-panel-compact-design/

https://a.co/d/0HIDZGv

https://a.co/d/0sfRDkj

Man I wish I was smart enough to do stuff like this. Well done, looks fantastic!

 

[genesisoffroad]

Just completed my custom dual battery setup using the @genesisoffroad Genesis off-road DIY kit. Funny enough they have just started selling something similar branded as their Omega system, but it is only available for Jeep right now. If you want simplicity, the full Genesis dual battery kit is probably the best way to go, but I wanted more capacity and flexibility to charge with a solar panel. So I went with an AGM Odyssey battery + Dakota Lithium 135ah (This is literally the only battery I could find with the right size to fit).

Great job on the custom install! Very impressive!
From all the comments I see here, and from all the requests we've gotten over the last couple years, it sounds like there is a real need for our new Omega system, which pairs a Redarc dc-dc charger with our dual battery tray in a super easy to install package. This lets you run the Dakota Lithium 135Ah battery for your accessories along with a Group 25 cranking battery under the hood.

All we need to do for the Bronco is make a bracket to hold the charger over the fuse box. The rest of the Omega system is identical to what we released recently for the Jeeps.

We did a quick overview video explaining this system, as well as a detailed sit down interview with the sales manager from Redarc in our office recently. Please take a look at these videos, and let me know if you guys like what you see!

 

[RagnarKon]

All we need to do for the Bronco is make a bracket to hold the charger over the fuse box. The rest of the Omega system is identical to what we released recently for the Jeeps.

Yes please!!

In general... a bracket to hold a DC/DC charger, or a row of bus bars, or an accessory fuse box (Blue Sea SafetyHub, for example)... or <enter random electrical accessory XYZ> would be greatly appreciated.

A problem right now with a lot of aftermarket brackets is they are designed specifically for one particular product, and they're not really flexible enough for anything else.

Having the DIY battery tray kit you guys sell is absolutely amazing because people can adapt it to whatever they're looking to do. Heck you could probably make or change the DIY kit to accept a factory 94R battery and it would probably still sell for folks who want electrical accessories but don't need a dual battery setup.

Obviously, there is a little bit of balance you have to find... otherwise the products just become too complicated/costly. But yes, in general, more flexibility and more DIY options is appreciated.

 

[genesisoffroad]

Yes please!!

In general... a bracket to hold a DC/DC charger, or a row of bus bars, or an accessory fuse box (Blue Sea SafetyHub, for example)... or <enter random electrical accessory XYZ> would be greatly appreciated.

A problem right now with a lot of aftermarket brackets is they are designed specifically for one particular product, and they're not really flexible enough for anything else.

Having the DIY battery tray kit you guys sell is absolutely amazing because people can adapt it to whatever they're looking to do. Heck you could probably make or change the DIY kit to accept a factory 94R battery and it would

Yeah we can make the bracket for the charger a bit oversized to allow you to mount other stuff to it pretty easily. We will also sell that bracket by itself as a stand alone accessory mount that you can use for anything, even with a stock battery. We offer that for the Jeep JL and JK now -

https://www.genesisoffroad.com/products/accessory-mounting-bracket-for-jeep-jl-jt

 

[vrtical]

This is cool innovation utilizing existing Genesis stuff. I really like the idea of split systems and not having to place batteries mid or rear of vehicle so seeing more potential options is great.

 

[ScLeCo]

From all the comments I see here, and from all the requests we've gotten over the last couple years, it sounds like there is a real need for our new Omega system, which pairs a Redarc dc-dc charger with our dual battery tray in a super easy to install package. This lets you run the Dakota Lithium 135Ah battery for your accessories along with a Group 25 cranking battery under the hood.

All we need to do for the Bronco is make a bracket to hold the charger over the fuse box. The rest of the Omega system is identical to what we released recently for the Jeeps.

 

[RP80]

Great job on the custom install! Very impressive!
From all the comments I see here, and from all the requests we've gotten over the last couple years, it sounds like there is a real need for our new Omega system, which pairs a Redarc dc-dc charger with our dual battery tray in a super easy to install package. This lets you run the Dakota Lithium 135Ah battery for your accessories along with a Group 25 cranking battery under the hood.

All we need to do for the Bronco is make a bracket to hold the charger over the fuse box. The rest of the Omega system is identical to what we released recently for the Jeeps.

We did a quick overview video explaining this system, as well as a detailed sit down interview with the sales manager from Redarc in our office recently. Please take a look at these videos, and let me know if you guys like what you see!

When do you think this could be available?

 

[genesisoffroad]

When do you think this could be available?

The bracket for mounting the charger won't take too long. We should be able to have it available sometime this summer.

 

[B34R]

The bracket for mounting the charger won't take too long. We should be able to have it available sometime this summer.

Still tracking for a summer release? Picked up the battery during the sale from you guys the other week. Ready to order the rest of the setup once it's available.

 

[genesisoffroad]

Still tracking for a summer release? Picked up the battery during the sale from you guys the other week. Ready to order the rest of the setup once it's available.

Good timing!
I'm finishing up the details on the Bronco charger bracket right now. It will have room to mount an auxiliary fuse box like the sPOD Bantam, or other fuses, relays, etc.
Then we'll get a prototype to check fitment and get it into production.
Shouldn't be terribly much longer!

 

[B34R]

Amazing! I'm wanting to add Redarc alpha + Garmin PowerSwitch to my existing setup. Which is a bit tricky since I already have Icon's CDEV controller mounted directly behind the fuse box. Making mounting options limited. Or I should say they were if your mount works out.

 

[mack092]

OK so you got that, I am interested in a kit with the alpha redarc, have been using 2 massive ecoflow batteries with their dcdc charger but all thats taking up space in the compartment. This would be better.

 

[B34R]

Good timing!
I'm finishing up the details on the Bronco charger bracket right now. It will have room to mount an auxiliary fuse box like the sPOD Bantam, or other fuses, relays, etc.
Then we'll get a prototype to check fitment and get it into production.
Shouldn't be terribly much longer!

Any updates Shane? Was hoping to get this installed before a big trip in October.

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