924Board.org

[924-76]

I needed a new battery and after reading on dry cell and I decide to give it a try.
Yes, it is a little bit more expensive but I believe it worth it.
Referring to this tread:http://www.924board.org/viewtopic.php?t=14687

I was planning on buying the Odyssey PC680. Cost around $155 CAN and weight 16 lbs.

My replacement battery is rated at 630 cranking amps, cost $80 CAN and weight 33 lbs.

After talking with the guy at a specialize battery store and after telling him that my car
doesn’t have a radio, computer (mechanic injection), power seat, power window, power whatever,
he suggest me to try this one:http://www.batterymart.com/p-odyssey-pc545mj-battery.html

Odyssey PC545, $115 CAN and weight 12.6 lbs.
A weight saving of 20 lbs for $35 CAN.
I just put the battery on the car and it started no problem. The question is: will it last?
The battery is warranty for 2 years, if there is any problem, I guess I will upgrade to the PC680. Time will dictate.
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1976 924 N/A ROW SOLD
1980 931S
1981 931 Part car RIP

[ZODIAC]

Going by the link you provided the 680 is superior to the 545 and is $6-7 (US) cheaper.

i was thinking of going this route myself, and relocating to the trunk area. my trays under the hood tend to flood.
_________________
"Kraut cars, they know how to build 'em".
1977 924 N/A - Red with waterdamage interior
yes...waterdamage is now a color...

[Rocco R16V]

IMO odyssey batteries are the best you can buy at any price!
mine works great.
_________________
"Government exists to protect us from each other. Where government has gone beyond its limits is in deciding to protect us from ourselves. "
Ronald Reagan

[ideola]

A tip I read recently was to wire two of the Odyssey or Optima 6v motorcycle batteries in series. The motorcycle batteries are tiny and lightweight. Not sure what that does for CCA, but if weight and space is the biggest concern, this might be an option to consider.

My plans are to run the Odyssey ER40 mounted in the space behind the RHS wheel well.

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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

[ideola]

Bump, hey 924-76, any update on how the Odyssey is holding up to the arctic cold we've had up here lately?
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

[ideola]

Just found a fascinating article on the various brands (and huge markups) of SLA (sealed lead acid) batteries:
http://www.stealth316.com/2-dynabatt.htm

This is most definitely worth a read to anyone considering purchasing a battery soon. Which I am.
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

[924RACR]

I've had excellent longevity from the Odyssey batteries in my cars, considering they sit over the winter. The racecar has had the same one nearly all of its decade of racing, and has held up through some impressive crashes!! Cranks beautifully every time, for a long time as needed. The one in the Turbo will get drawn down over the winter if I don't unplug it, but is awesome. I've never replaced either.
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Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype

[stevekat]

I just researched the Odyssey's and other brands/types for my BMW motorcycle. I ended up going with a Universal 12220 for $38, believe or not. AGM battery. The Odyssey's and most batteries have gone sky high recently. Dan, I believe the prices have changed a bunch from the article, though there is great info in it.

This seems like the best price for an Odyssey or similar cell:

http://portable-power-systems-inc.amazonwebstore.com/Hawker-Enersys-Genesis-07692007-G16EP-12/M/B0002ILK68.htm

A lot of guys use the small Odyssey's in race cars. But I would be shy on them because I believe they have less capacity than the regular size FLA batteries that are standard for our cars. ie: if you get in a circumstance where you have to do a lot of cranking, you may run out of battery before you get the car to start. The PC680 is only 16AH. The Universal I procurred for my bike (actually two - one for each bike) is 22AH. My guess is the regular FLA batteries for our cars are much higher.

I'd suggest that these smaller Odyssey batteries are good where saving the weight is the primary concern. Otherwise, I'll think they'll be a disappointment. Just what I have gathered from a bunch of reading on this.

Also, I think they are AGM like the inexpensive Universal. The higher cost for the Odyssey is due to a very high standard of manufacture, to higher specs for vibration, etc.

Here is the inexpensive Universal that is more powerful or has more capacity in some respects, at least AH.

http://www.batteryplex.com/universal.cfm/m/UB12220?gclid=CKbp6Zvt-J4CFcNM5QodVXHwcQ
_________________
"Never get out of the boat. Absolutely goddamn right. Unless you are goin' all the way."

Gone to new home: '81 924T, US version, CGT Intercooler, UTCIS-PT, Euro DITC, Greddy Trust MBC, Forged Fuchs Flat Dish 6's, Factory Recaro's.

[ideola]

Yeah, I posted in the other thread, but after all the reading and comparing weight, price, CCA, and amp hours, I just decided to stay with a wet cell. I have heard nothing but good things regarding the Interstates, so I found a local dealer and bought their MegaTron Plus MTP-58R today. 85 month warranty, 650CCA and 110AH rating.
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erstwhile owner of just about every 924 variant ever made

[924RACR]

A primary advantage for the Odyssey as I'm using it (racecar, not smaller than stock) is the gel-cell construction. Doesn't tend to get damaged from vibration or impacts - as my experience has shown!!
_________________
Vaughan Scott
Webmeister
'79 924 #77 SCCA H Prod racecar
'82 931 Plat. Silver
#25 Hidari Firefly P2 sports prototype

[stevekat]

I think the Oydssey is an AGM rather than a gel cell. I believe AGM is a bit more forgiving in care and charging regimens. The Odysseys' in particular are supposed to endure better in harsh environments because of their high level of engineering and because the maker I believe makes mil spec batteries (not sure if the PC680 and other consumer batteries of theirs are mil spec etc. or just use similar design and manufacturing techniques.)

That it is AGM might not be the factor that creates the ability to withstand harsh use. The Universal 12220 for $39 is AGM also, and in fact has higher AH rating.
_________________
"Never get out of the boat. Absolutely goddamn right. Unless you are goin' all the way."

Gone to new home: '81 924T, US version, CGT Intercooler, UTCIS-PT, Euro DITC, Greddy Trust MBC, Forged Fuchs Flat Dish 6's, Factory Recaro's.

[peterld]

Guys - whats the deal with recharging a sealed battery such as the Odyssey. When I had one years ago I seem to recall the instructions stated not to, but I may well be mistaken.
_________________
80/81 932/8 ROW

[stevekat]

I highly recommend a battery that recharges

I was talking to my Odyssey dealer a couple of weeks ago, related to my BMW motorcycle. I was looking at a PC680. I ultimately went with a Universal 12220 for about 1/3 the cost, that is also an AGM like the Odyssey with greater AH capacity, but not the tough build spec.

He told me Odyssey makes their own charger and that this is recommended, and that it charges these batteries at up to 10 amps, or something like that. It looks like a Schumacher charger, but perhaps it is customized or sourced from the same place Schumacer gets theirs, if they don't build their own.

The dealer told me the Odyssey's don't like being on trickle (ending in long term float mode,) and that one should charge the battery when and if the parasitic load drops it down an amount that warrants charging.

This doesn't work for me because I am away from my bikes for months at a time. So a battery can drop far below where I would elect to charge it, and then further, potentially damaging the battery. I also think you could put a low capacity charger that is compatible for AGM on these, but perhaps might not get the long term performance. However this is just hearsayy from my dealer. It is likely there is info on the Odyssey related site if one can figure out what site is authoritative.

I just picked up a somewhat pricey XTreme pulse charger, for my AGM batteries, that is supposed to moderate or perhaps even reverse sulfation. Going to give that one a shot to see how it goes. Normally I just use the Battery Tender Plus, a reasonable value, from a good company that knows what they are doing.
_________________
"Never get out of the boat. Absolutely goddamn right. Unless you are goin' all the way."

Gone to new home: '81 924T, US version, CGT Intercooler, UTCIS-PT, Euro DITC, Greddy Trust MBC, Forged Fuchs Flat Dish 6's, Factory Recaro's.

[peterld]

Thanks for those comments, Steve. Similarly, my racecar would sit up to two months in the workshop without the cover coming off. I was never happy with the idea of a trickle charger being left on indefinitely, particularly in a workshop containing various flammables,etc, so I just resorted to disconnecting the Odyssey. Of course it eventually went flat and at the time I couldn't afford to stump up the $275 the OZ agents wanted for a new one, so I simply purchased the smallest regular battery then available.
The local agents for Odyssey were very sparse in the information they supplied with their batteries, and the trickle chargers of the day had a poor reputation. I'm sure things have changed by now, although the batteries are dearer than ever! Unfortunately they are such a good little thing, particularly as to mounting in the car, where they can be slotted in sideways or angled to reduce the centre of gravity.
My need for a battery is now imminent so I guess I better do some more researching.
Cheers PLD
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80/81 932/8 ROW

[stevekat]

I should have mentioned that like gel, I believe, the AGM batteries have very good shelf life. Perhaps as good as 1% a month discharge. I am unable to disconnect the motorcycle batteries, nor install a switch with any degree or reasonable ease, so could not take advantage of this due to the high parasitic load (unless one starts picking fuses, that then resets the Motronic.) However they could be a very good option if one has the ability to completely disconnect the Odyssey, and get to it every few months,
_________________
"Never get out of the boat. Absolutely goddamn right. Unless you are goin' all the way."

Gone to new home: '81 924T, US version, CGT Intercooler, UTCIS-PT, Euro DITC, Greddy Trust MBC, Forged Fuchs Flat Dish 6's, Factory Recaro's.