Lightweight Batterys

[Youngy]

I have had an Odessey for 5 years as well. It has gone flat many times and I just put it on a standard trickle charger and it is back to normal in no time.

I have not had a problem with it if I disconnect it. Those Braille batteries look like a nice option as well.

[kassma]

Got a normal Led-Acid battery in my AW11, 300CA, and I usually get about 2 weeks out of the battery untils it's dead as a ... this is a battery that is just about 3 months old, and it always has been this bad.

When this happens, I just leave it overnight on charge, but need to look into how to install an insulation switch which will allow me to power it off without having to pull out a spanner (Disconnect the battery).

But I'm also looking at moving the battery to the front, and replacing it with an Odyssey battery... Any suggestion on where I can get an Odyssey battery at a good price, and what models would you suggest?

Thanks
MIKE.

[Ben12a]

When it comes time to install your battery isolation switch (less than $20 at any decent parts store) go and see a welding supplier (Gasweld etc) for your cabling. I used 0 gauge welding cable and the associated solder ends to wire mine up. A heluva lot cheaper than trying to buy automotive or speaker wire in a similar size, and arguably better sheilded etc. Good cabling is a must in my opinion as when you are dealing with such small batteries any voltage drop or loss of current can make or brake your installation.

[Ben12a]

Actually- I am in the process of converting my battery isolation switch to a complete electrical kill switch to meet CAMS requirements. If you want to do this you are looking at the $80 -$100 range for a decent 6 pole isolation switch so you don't fry the alternator.

[the_random_hero]

Got a normal Led-Acid battery in my AW11, 300CA, and I usually get about 2 weeks out of the battery untils it's dead as a ... this is a battery that is just about 3 months old, and it always has been this bad.

When this happens, I just leave it overnight on charge, but need to look into how to install an insulation switch which will allow me to power it off without having to pull out a spanner (Disconnect the battery).

But I'm also looking at moving the battery to the front, and replacing it with an Odyssey battery... Any suggestion on where I can get an Odyssey battery at a good price, and what models would you suggest?

Thanks
MIKE.

Isolation
http://www.agmsaustralia.com/agms/products/12volt/

Know a lot of people running them and haven't heard a single issue with them yet. Just don't let them totally decharge and you will be fine.

[Ben12a]

Look at solar power shops as well as the usual battery shops and online. Battery world had a similar line of bateries to the odessy/optima/pulse brands at good prices. I don't remember the brand name but it had a grey case- I went the pulse because it was in stock elswhere- I'm impatient like that.

Just make sure whatever you buy meets your requirements, ie if you are putting it in the cabin there are different specs needed compared to under the bonnet or in the boot. I don't know all the legalities- mine was for a track car.

[RA35GT]

Isolation
http://www.agmsaustralia.com/agms/products/12volt/

Know a lot of people running them and haven't heard a single issue with them yet. Just don't let them totally decharge and you will be fine.

discharge

The only reason i ended up with te odysey was because it was the smallest one i could find (in a short time). Absorbed power that Billzilla mentions seems to have a similar sized battery with equivalent or better specs id prolly give them a shot if i need another one as they are cheaper.

[kassma]

OK... Went past the Battery places, Battery World, and Battery Plus, and a few other stores. I had a look at various batteries, and these are my conclusions...
1) Batter world offered the Odyssey Battery PC680 for $345 and is current stock. It looks a lot more solid and better than most other batteries, and has the right terminals too.
2) Dakar Battery, the ETX16L is a little bigger than teh PC680, cost $230 but requires changing the battery connectors. The Dakar batteries are not solid state batteries, but gel based batteries, so they can still leak apparently.

Personally... I'm leaning more to the Odyssey battery, as it feels better quality and more solid. It's worth the extra $115...

MIKE.

[RA35GT]

I think the reason the odyssey looks more solid is due to its metal jacket.

Technically the odyssey is not solid state either, its an absorbed glass mat battery. (still means it shouldn't leak though)

http://www.odysseyfactory.com/faq.html more info than you probably want to read LOL.

[kassma]

Hmmm... True... so yeah, the Odyssey battery can also leak... but still less likely than a gel based battery, especially if you are intending to mound the battery on it's side.

Interestingly enough, though, I have read somewhere that the reason why the Odyssey battery has a metal jacket is if it is placed in the engine bay, and protect it from the heat of the engine.

Yes, maybe it's due to the metal jacket, and the terminals on top, etc that make the odyssey battery worth the extra $115.

It's like comparing a Hyundai and a Honda... They both do the same thing and get you from Point A to B, yet the Honda is double the price of a Hyundai.

What are your thoughts...

MIKE.

[RA35GT]

I chose an odyysey purely because it was the smallest battery I could find. Since I was rewiring anyway different terminals didn't sway me either way.

Going by some of the technical stuff on odyyseys website, the metal jacketed batteries are rated for higher temps, so that make sense.

Ultimately though, you need to choose a battery that suits your application. Just gotta weigh up whether the extra cash is worth the simplicity (less hassle) of not needing to change terminals.

Having driven a hyundai and a honda (not at the same time), i prefer the honda lol.

[Esteban]

I've got two GT12-55C's, a GT12-40C, and a GT12-35C. I've had them for about 5 years on average (I didn't buy them all at once) The big batteries are the ones I use the most and I've never had them go flat in a vehicle. Diesel hilux was the best example, while I had company cars I'd only ever drive the hilux to the tip or the beach so it could be well over two weeks between outings.

The 35C is a pretty good normal car battery replacement, but I haven't used one in a normal capacity for this as I always isolate the battery if it's going to be for a longer period

One thing I will say is the AGM batteries seem to have plenty of reserve capacity, but that's not really what you want in a racecar, you want lightweight, which these AGMs are NOT, they're heavy, even the 35C is 10kg.

Weekend racer where you need reserve capacity for normal vehicular activities, go the AGM, if you want something light, look elsewhere and isolate it.

[Mole]

Wow big discussion.

So pretty much, any that are small enough to fit where I want it to (half width!) wont last long enough for how often I drive the car - and I don't want to install an isolation switch and loose my radio settings and essentially reset my ECU (them pesky modern ECU's!) every week. Even though this is to make room for a PowerFC which most likely doesn't care if it looses power...

I've decided I'll do a battery relocation, I've been told only gel batteries are legal pretty much (I'm keeping the car 100% legal), although I think the guy was full of crap. Would a Drycell type battery (thinking Odyssey PC925, smaller but not that small) be alright? They're all sealed up but not sure if I still need it to be ventilated. I've got a good idea of the work involved and will most likely get someone locally into giving me a hand. That and I would need to re-wire my amp but thats no big deal...

[RA35GT]

If you drive your car once a week, even a pc680 will be fine without isolating. Theres dimensions of this battery on their website. its basically similar height and length but half width.

[Mole]

Prob is, a lot of the time my weekend drives are short and I don't think I'll get enough charge if I get a small one. I have an alarm also, which would be draining power.

Would help with weight distribution if it was in the boot as well... hmm need more research!