Talk to me about JK Electrical

[silverfox]

Ok so as things progress and more and more "stuff" gets added to my JK this thought popped into my head last night how much load can the system take?  And do I need to connect things differently?

So I am not an electrical guru by any means but I am very comfortable around AC power and understand loads and conductivity and resistance etc.  However while I can hook up my gear and run cable in the jeep and understand to stay away from wear points and heat source I realize I don't know much about the whole system and what kind of load I am putting it under.

So the JK is designed (presumably) to handle all of its own electrical running everything from HVAC, to multimedia and DC inverters as well as all the normal electrical systems in the vehicle throttle systems, injectors, fuel pumps, ABS and EPS systems, onboard displays, stock lighting, onboard electrical like auto door locks power windows mirrors defroster etc etc.

But how does it handle after market stuff like

Upgraded headlights (surely my Hella4 draw more wattage than my stock headlights)
CB Radio - probably not much but still
Onboard compressor - only when needed I know but again a draw

Then the stuff to come
9500lb Winch
Some offroad lights


So my question in a round about way is this.........I currently have my CB and compressor hooked directly to the batter and in my world I would hook my winch and lights to it as well but that seems to me to be a issue waiting to happen.

Is this the best way to hook stuff up?
Is there a switch (maybe not the right term but essentially a fused or circuit breakered junction box) that makes more sense.

Also I would like to be able to have the junction switched so that I can turn it on or shut it off from the dash so that things like, winches, lights compressors, etc are not drawing any power when not needed (presumably these are like any house appliance that is plugged in and draw slightly even when off)

I tried search but didn't really find anything that addressed my thoughts.......if there is such a thread point me to it and I will happily read away.

Thanks

[homeguy]

The JK electrical system is a picky one.... What I did is install a system similar to the S-Pod system... Actually made my own.  I do have the switch bezel, you can get it with an air gauge so you can keep an eye on everything.  Using the S-Pod everything is using it's own electrical system on battery power.  It's easy to install and John @ S-Pod is a stand up guy to deal with.

Steve

http://www.4x4spod.com/category_s/12.htm

[jkrubi]

The Spod is a nice unit. I want one but it's still to much for me. But it the way to do it. Try and run everything that needs power thru a fuse panel that way if something happens at least you won't have a electrical fire. The only thing I  have connected to my batt  is my winch, everthing else is fused.

[AstraX]

Found another one in my searches for switches.  Hadn't seen it before today.  Looks pretty nice, still spendy though.

http://www.simplesolutionsmfg.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=49

[silverfox]

Thanks Dan, I like that unit.....at least the fit and finish now if only I could find some reviews on it.

[w squared]

Your Hella's dont draw any more than the stock headlights (believe it or not). The difference in light output is beacuse you don't lose half the wattage en route to the bulbs through the crappy factory harness, and because the Hella reflectors and lenses actually focus the light instead of randomly scattering it 

Your CB might pull a maximum of about 15 watts...but that's stretching it.

Your compressor does pull some juice, but not enough that I would worry about it. Maybe 30 amps at max load? The nice thing about the compressor is that it's generally only running when your other electrical "add-ons" are off.

If you start adding more than 100 or maybe 200 watts worth of lights and run them for extended periods of time, then maybe you might have something to worry about...maybe.

The winch is what you'll have issues with - especially when paired with the craptacular stock JK battery. In th long run I'm sure you'll want to upgrade to a better battery...because the battery is what's going to keep your electrical system's head above water when the going gets tough. I'd suggest one of the AGM designs like a North Star or Odyssey. I swapped mine out before Moab last year, and I'm super happy with the results.

[silverfox]

While not cheap the more I look at the S-Pod unit the more I like it.  I think this is how I am going to go. 

[Unknown303]

Really what it comes down to is what the stock alternator can handle.  The 07-08's I think were 160A while the 09-10 was 140??  Not completely sure on that but as long as you're keeping your overall number below that you really have nothing to worry about.  I also don't know what the normal load on the alternator is while idling mind you.  I might have to look into this since I am an electrical guy....

[jkrubi]

Rugid Ridge makes a "A" pillar switch housing. Havent seen a price on it yet but it should not me in the $$$$$$$, I hope.

[silverfox]

Spent about 20 minutes on the phone yesterday with the folks from SPod.

Cinde and John are super friendly to talk to and very accommodating as far as vendors go.  We even talked about about KOH as they had set up there to crew for one of the teams.

My SPod is on the way.

[w squared]

My SPod is on the way.

When you're ready to install it, you and I should talk about how the Spod will work with your ARB wiring harness. It can be made to work quite nicely, but I don't think that the SPOD is really set up to run the ARB compressor directly. If I recall correctly you're looking at 20 amps per switched channel on the SPOD, and you'll want to be able to provide 30 amps to the compressor. Also, you'll probably want to use the switched channel on the SPOD to trigger the existing ARB relay so that you still get the benefit of the "70psi on, 100 psi off" pressure switch.

[silverfox]

I forget who was asking me about Spod for TJ's yesterday but I confirmed with John that they have an Spod switch consoles and power distribution and control units for TJ's from 1996 to 2006 and all JK's

And T you and I were talking about the relays........they are all Bosch (Tyco) cube style 30 amp relays in all six positions.

[Tagg]

I put in the dual battery set up from benchmark designs.  then I wired everything off the extra battery through its own fuseblock.  I run the winch, compressor, cb,
and 6 high intensity lights, and an inverter is next.  When the engine is running both batteries work together and that seems to make a difference especially with the winch.
And I can't say how handy it is to be able to boost yourself when you run the extra battery down.  I also thought it would be best to leave the factory wiring in tact in case
of a warranty claim. 

[silverfox]

My Spod arrived today............what a well thought out kit and great quality.  Can't wait to install it.............no hurry though its freakin cold in the garage.