Auxiliary Battery Removed from New Vehicle Specifications

[Jack Burton]

My vehicle will arrive sometime in June. Email from the factory:

In response to customer feedback, we have made the decision to no longer include an auxiliary battery in all future vehicle production. This will serve to improve vehicle simplicity and allow customers the flexibility to install their preferred supplementary power equipment.

This means your vehicle will no longer include an auxiliary battery.

We anticipate you may have some questions or concerns about this change so have provided some further detail below, which we hope will be helpful.

Q: Is the standard battery sufficient to power the vehicle’s electrical functions?

Yes. For example, many customers have chosen a Grenadier in Fieldmaster trim and selected the Integrated Heavy- Duty Winch and High Load Auxiliary Switch Panel & Electrical



Q: Will I notice any obvious impairment of the vehicle’s electrical functions?

A: No, all electrical functions will operate in the same way.



Q: Can the Grenadier still power auxiliary functions with the engine switched off?

Yes, by engaging the auxiliary power (PWR) switch in the overhead console, the Grenadier will be able to power the central USB outlets, 400w Power Take Off, plus the additional pre-wired electrical outlets.



Q: Will the winch still work on the Grenadier?

A: The Auxiliary Battery was never a pre-requisite for winch operation, during which the vehicle’s engine must be running


What happens now?

There is nothing more you need to do, Ineos will amend your order accordingly.

We do understand this may come as a disappointment and in view of this we are happy to issue you with an accessories/service credit value UAE Dirham - 4885

which will be held at your local dealership who can redeem it for you.



Should you have any further comments or questions please do get in touch.

Please do not hesitate to contact us if you need any further assistance.

 

[AnD3rew]

Interesting. They have obviously heard the feedback that they set it up weirdly, interesting that their response is to delete it rather than redesign it the right way, but to be honest if I had my time again and it had been an option I probably would have left it off and put my own system in. We now just need a proper wiring diagram and plan so that if we choose to modify in the future we don’t need to fumble around trialling and erroring.

 

[chrsbe]

Same here. The aux battery is the only feature i would not order again. Instead i would install a lithium system. Maybe it was not ordered enough often so they decided to let go.

 

[Badger_4x4]

Interesting. They have obviously heard the feedback that they set it up weirdly, interesting that their response is to delete it rather than redesign it the right way, but to be honest if I had my time again and it had been an option I probably would have left it off and put my own system in. We now just need a proper wiring diagram and plan so that if we choose to modify in the future we don’t need to fumble around trialling and erroring.

Justin H promised us information on the aux battery configuration at the owners night at Purnell's Feb 24.

 

[Zimm]

The battery system isn't that weird. It's set up in a true redundant fashion. For emergency reliability, a second power source that is not used in "production" and is isolated from loads until it is called upon is better than the "starter/house" method. Between the smart alt and the ctek, my batteries are not being maintained at a healthy level of charge and I have no clue as to why that is, but, the actual architecture is fine.

 

[ADVAW8S]

Now with Research Alpha 50 providing the ability to charge your starter battery via your house battery, while still keeping it isolated, is a win.

 

[DoubleDoom]

They may as well drop the Fieldmaster/Trialmaster now, as there is so little difference between them. In reality, they could just run one model with option packs.

I just logged onto the configurator for the UK, and despite the aux bat no longer listed, the cost is £2k higher than last time I looked.

 

[Baron von Teuchter]

The battery system isn't that weird. It's set up in a true redundant fashion. For emergency reliability, a second power source that is not used in "production" and is isolated from loads until it is called upon is better than the "starter/house" method. Between the smart alt and the ctek, my batteries are not being maintained at a healthy level of charge and I have no clue as to why that is, but, the actual architecture is fine.

Might be worth getting them tested by your dealer.

Mine were absolutely fine and then it sat at a bodyshop for 3 months without a trickle charge and now they’re knackered. Can’t get them above 90% and they won’t stay there. New batteries incoming, just an argument about whether bodyshop pays for it (via insurance) or a claim to Ineos under warranty - which isn’t really fair in my mind.

£350 each apparently.

 

[Jack Burton]

Maybe this is new vehicle teething issues and 2026 will see a change. Maybe this is the way, for now. Maybe I dodged a bullet and can find a good aftermarket option. I like the idea of having the aux battery isolated from the main if it gets discharged overnight. They gave me a credit for the de-specification which is welcome.

We will see.

 

[Jack Burton]

Interesting. They have obviously heard the feedback that they set it up weirdly, interesting that their response is to delete it rather than redesign it the right way, but to be honest if I had my time again and it had been an option I probably would have left it off and put my own system in. We now just need a proper wiring diagram and plan so that if we choose to modify in the future we don’t need to fumble around trialling and erroring.

Andrew, I am open to suggestions if you have previous research on a different system. I haven’t looked yet.

 

[Nadir5]

...Research Alpha 50...

What is this? Google came up with nothing.

 

[ADVAW8S]

What is this? Google came up with nothing.

BCDC Alpha50 12V 50A DC Battery Charger

Perfect for charging batteries in a range of recreational vehicles, REDARC’s BCDC Alpha50 is a rugged 12V, 50A DC to DC battery charger, ensuring you’re always charged and never stranded.

www.redarcelectronics.com

 

[TheDocAUS]

Andrew, I am open to suggestions if you have previous research on a different system. I haven’t looked yet.

I am being to compile a list of aux battery options over here.

The list is short at the moment, and I have doubled up on one link. I know ninetubes has one as well, but I am having trouble finding it.

AFTER MARKET AUXILIARY BATTERY SETUPS (or discussion) here, here, here and here.