How to Determine if 2016 Jeep Cherokee Has Smart Alternator

Question:

Does my Jeep have a smart alternator Thank you

asked by: Sylvain C

Helpful Expert Reply:

From what I could find it doesn't look like a 2016 Jeep Cherokee has a smart alternator, but you can (and should) still do a little test on your own to determine if the Redarc Smart Start Battery Isolator with Wiring Kit # 331-SBI12KIT is necessary for the installation of the Redarc In-Vehicle BCDC Battery Charger # 331-BCDC1225D.

To determine if your Cherokee has a smart alternator you just need to measure the amount of volts it has, using a multimeter # PT89ZR, after leaving the engine running for a few minutes. If your battery shows somewhere in the ballpark of 14.0 volts after running a while then you don't have a smart alternator and you;ll want to use the kit mentioned above (if you'd like to). If your battery voltage drops to around the 12.5 volts range then you do have a smart alternator and you shouldn't use that kit.

Either way, be sure that you're at least using the 40-Amp MIDI Fuse Kit # 331-FK40 for safe usage of the BCDC system. I have attached an installation video for you to check out.

expert reply by: Jon G