I am looking for a new battery for my coupe, thinking of trying either Odyssey or Optima to mount under my seat base. Any advice on which model is suitable? I have been looking at the Odyssey PC 925, would any other of their range be ok?, Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app
yeah I have done a search, thats what lead me to the PC 925 just wondering if there was any other recommendations Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app
After all I have read on Optima, I just wouldn't. Really, a battery has a simple function... turn the starter to start the car. AGM (Optima brand and many others) just allow you to mount it upside down if you want to or need to. Ask yourself why you "need" an AGM type battery. Then if you need it, I would suggest anyone but Optima. Google search. Braille and Interstate would get my money if I needed it, but a plain high quality "normal" battery serves every purpose I can possibly imagine. Kind of like mounting a "super" coil in a stock ignition with a stock engine. Great, you spent a lot of money, and you gained nothing.
yeah I had a stock battery, but it's mounted under the bench seat and its difficult to vent it properly. the one i have now sweats a bit so I was looking at swapping it. Sent from my DROID device using the TJJ mobile app
I use a Odessy 925. From what I can tell it's a great battery. I do have a charging issue with using my generator and haven't figured out whether the generator can push the juice into the battery with it being a deep cycle unit. That may make no sense but it IS the only modern part in the equation. I can tell you this, even without my car charging, I can get around pretty damn far with that odessy just powering the system. Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
I have owned Optima's and Turbo Starts and I wouldn't use anything else but an AGM battery in a Hot Rod or a Race Car. I recommend using a charger designed for AGM's. If it's going to sit for an extended period of time, (more than a couple of weeks) do a maintenance charge from time to time.
I'm using an Odyssey PC680 in my coupe. It turns the 318 poly over fine and my alternator is only 35 amps output. I've done 10000 miles in the last 12 months and it hasn't let me down. You can mount it any way except upside down. And it is very compact.
My history with Odyssey : Bought a PC 925 in 2005, basically to fab up the battery box..stored it on a Battery Tender til Nov 2011.. put it in the roadster , fired the engine right up.. I now have 18 mos./ 2500+ miles on the car since I "finished " it..Battery still healthy as ever. I'll buy another PC 925 if/when this one gives up the ghost.. Stan
I had a space problem in my 23 and needed a small battery, ran across the PC680 and called the factory. I was concerned that it might not have the power to start a 350 Chevy. I spoke with the President of the company and he told me he is using one to start a blown big block Chevy with no problems. I bought it and for the 3 years I owned the car it worked like gangbusters. The car would sit for extended periods and still fireup immediately. As far as I know, the guy who owns the car today is probably still on the same battery. I would use one again in a heartbeat. Don
I have PC925s in two cars since 2007/2009 - could not be happier. I also bought the Odyssey charger with the flying lead for quick connect charging....
thanks for your input guys, I was looking at the 680 also but was a bit unsure if it was powerful enough because it is advertised as a motor cycle battery. I know they can be mounted on there side but are there any issues with venting it at all?
No venting issues at all. A friend has one under the dash of his 32 pickup and it is starting a healthy engine that Lil John Buttera built for an indy car. That little 680 is amazingly strong. You won't be disappointed and it only takes up 7 x 7 x 3 inches of room. Don
I have used two Optima's with very good results. The one I have in my OT Jeep has been in there 12 years without so much as a hiccup. I have one in my '32 and it sat all winter without any attention whatsoever and it fired the flattie up on command. I am using a generator in the '32 and I was not sure if it would be up to the task of keeping the battery up but so far it has been fine. The fact that they need no venting is a plus also.
I love the Odyssey. It is small, and the car starts so quick I barely have to touch the key. I have used both, and the Optima is not as good.
Here's a link to info re the PC680 http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=796365&highlight=ct1932ford
http://www.odysseybattery.com/vtwin.html You'll be happy with an odysee battery. It's best to not design in a small battery compartment if you can, but if small size is what you need then these do the job. Yes they cost a bit more and aren't available 24 hrs on every corner but you designed in a small battery.
I stepped up and bought the 680 last week. I fitted it in over the weekend, fired it up right away. thanks for you input Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
The hot buy for Odyssey is at your local Sears store - Platinum is the same. Just bought a PC1500 (group 34) last week for the Dart at Sears online...... They had a $20 off online deal to boot, paid $217 out the door compared to $277 here where I would buy it with the Odyssey label. Picked up at the store, my core was a 9 year old Optima that still held a charge! That was when Optima was US made, now the new owners are cutting quality corners and making them south of the border.
I do not know if it is true, however I have read where some guys felt that the Odyssey did not have much reserve capacity-anyone know if there is any truth to this?
Just bought an Odyssey 925 a couple of weeks ago. The box looked like they had it for a while with all the dust. Fired the 350 sbc up just fine. Prices in this part of the state run from 165.00 to 198.00. Used them when I had my cycle shop. The only thing I am leary about is cold weather starts. On the cycles, they didn't last long on cold weather starting.
I have had 14 PC925 Odyssey batteries, all have been great. My first two lasted from 2004 until 2009 with zero problems in an intermittent use installation....sit for a month or two and then use them. Didnt keep them on a maintainer...my mistake. Then, I swapped some work for 10 new ones and all of those are doing great in cars (passed seven of them out to friends). Just bought two more for the 39. Best battery going. Use a maintainer rated for AGM batteries.
I used a PC680. it has been on the road almost a year and a half and works great! Mounted under seat.
My daily drive 66 VW with a high compression motor has an Optima in it - no prolems. Also have one in the Falcon Race car. Probably installed about 10 of them over the years in my shop with only one failure. My 37 Coupe has an Odssey PC1200 that has been in there for at least 5 years. I put an Odssey PC925 in my 29 RPU in 206 and it is still working well. Just put another one in the new 29 RPU as well. So basically I've had good luck with BOTH brands!
I have a six year old Optima yellow top in my 61, the thing is awesome. I also had a red top that I bought back in 2000, just took a crap No way I would buy a new Optima based on what I've read here.
I have the odyssey 680 mounted under my floor in my sedan. Starts my flathead up right away but if I have to crank it for a while the battery gives up. When working on the car in the garage, I sometimes have to jump it with a spare battery if I try too many starts in a row. Works fine for the most part, but nervous about that day that the car doesn't want to start and have to crank it too long. Just got my car on the road a month ago, so I carry a bag of tools, jumper cables and spare battery with me for now. Haven't had to use any of them....yet.
I have a Braille battery. Small, light and works great. (I think it's made in the USA). http://www.braillebattery.com/index.php/braille/product_series/advanced_agm
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