National Luna Dual Battery in a JK- Kit or separates?

[dstock]

I'm going to be installing dual batteries in my 2010 Jeep JK, they will be mounted side by side in the engine compartment using a Rugged Ridge battery tray. Also, per the directions since I am running a winch, I won't be installing the fuses.

I need the intelligent solenoid and monitor, but wondering if the kit is truly worth it since I don't need much in the way of cable or the fuses.

On the flip side, would love to have everything included, or at least get it all from the same vendor. Done some searching but haven't found any JK specific battery cables for dual battery systems.

Also, curious where on the JK people are mounting the NL solenoid, saw one example of a JK from Mainline where they fabbed up a battery tie down to attach it to, but then read somewhere else where it was bad to mount the NL solenoid horizontal vs vertical? If anyone or any vendors can shed any light on the above it would be greatly appreciated.

TIA

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Here is a Nat Luna setup I installed for a customer last year:
http://www.wranglerforum.com/f33/dual-battery-install-136913.html

I've mounted a few "near" horizontal where there are not other options, zero issues I've heard of. The solenoid in my FJ40 has been horizontal for over 12 years now, still clicks when I tell it too

 

[dstock]

Here is a Nat Luna setup I installed for a customer last year:
http://www.wranglerforum.com/f33/dual-battery-install-136913.html

I've mounted a few "near" horizontal where there are not other options, zero issues I've heard of. The solenoid in my FJ40 has been horizontal for over 12 years now, still clicks when I tell it too

Thanks Kurt, that's just the kind of clean install I am looking to do with mine. Thanks for the info on the horizontal mounting as well, it seemed very odd to me that it would be an issue but thought I would ask just the same.

 

[cruiseroutfit]

Thanks Kurt, that's just the kind of clean install I am looking to do with mine. Thanks for the info on the horizontal mounting as well, it seemed very odd to me that it would be an issue but thought I would ask just the same.

No problem, glad I could help!

 

[4RunAmok]

If you're doing a side by side under the hood, why buy such an expensive kit, like the National Luna or similar? You can just buy the worry free Blue Sea 7622 Automatic Charging Relay for hands free automatic operation for HALF the price of the big kits.

The only thing you wouldn't have is a battery monitor, but those are a dime a dozen on Ebay in every flavor.

http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Sea-7622...&qid=1360523404&sr=8-1&keywords=blue+sea+7622

It also has a manual option, either on the unit itself, or on the included remote switch.

 

[ddog45]

I just installed the national luna kit and rugged ridge tray in my 2010 jk and it was a major pain I dont have much skin left on my fingers. I was able to mount the solenoid vertically between the fuse box and the engine. I made my install much more complicated by adding a tuffy console. I mounted my blue sea fuse box inside the massive console and then put new outlets in for the kids and the fridge.
Im happy to take pictures if anyone needs them. One thing I noticed is that with there being no room under the hood in the jk its really hard to make the wiring look nice. This was my fifth dual battery install in four years so I atleast am starting to learn what to expect.

 

[dstock]

I just installed the national luna kit and rugged ridge tray in my 2010 jk and it was a major pain I dont have much skin left on my fingers. I was able to mount the solenoid vertically between the fuse box and the engine. I made my install much more complicated by adding a tuffy console. I mounted my blue sea fuse box inside the massive console and then put new outlets in for the kids and the fridge.
Im happy to take pictures if anyone needs them. One thing I noticed is that with there being no room under the hood in the jk its really hard to make the wiring look nice. This was my fifth dual battery install in four years so I atleast am starting to learn what to expect.

I did the dual battery portion with the rugged ridge tray install this weekend as well. Took me about 3 hours, but I didn't think it was that bad. Hardest part was getting the batteries slipped into place, it's a tight squeeze! I still have the the electronics portion to do. Would be great to see pics of yours setup, particularly the solenoid. I was looking at various ways to install the solenoid, but I also have a massive fuse for my winch that needs a home. I'll post a couple pics of where I am so far.

Now remembering back to my Tuffy console install, that was a major pain in the ***!!

 

[dstock]

If you're doing a side by side under the hood, why buy such an expensive kit, like the National Luna or similar? You can just buy the worry free Blue Sea 7622 Automatic Charging Relay for hands free automatic operation for HALF the price of the big kits.

The only thing you wouldn't have is a battery monitor, but those are a dime a dozen on Ebay in every flavor.

http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Sea-7622...&qid=1360523404&sr=8-1&keywords=blue+sea+7622

It also has a manual option, either on the unit itself, or on the included remote switch.

I do need the battery monitors, and I like that with the National Luna system the monitors and switching is all combined into a one compact unit. Probably being a little overly anal about it. I did consider the Blue Sea 7622 though, and currently have a Blue Sea Aux Fuse box which powers my accessories.

Thanks for the input though, always good to see different ways to do things.

 

[dstock]

My install so far, still need to hook up the winch (large wires stuffed currently between batteries and fuse box), NL Split charger, and find a better place for my massive winch fuse. Sorry for the slightly crap cell pics: