Thread: Batteries - starting, for my '31

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I'm trying to clear out the trunk of my car of electrical clutter and to do that I'll probably need a new and smaller battery and move to below the floorboards somewhere. I haven't been underneath recently to measure things up, but know that space is at a premium. This brings me to my question - what is the experience with the Odyssey Batteries, especially the 680 line or the 545 size. I have an Optima as the current battery and it is getting near the end of its life, just based on the length of time I've owned, so this is an "opportune time" for this mod. And that Optima has served me well, it's just too dang big.

The Odyssey's look to be a pretty good battery/size as long as I'm not using it in really cold weather, then it would probably be a "dog".

Any thoughts on these batteries??

Dave,

I saw a thread in these batteries maybe a year ago I think on this site. Do a search and see what turns up. As I recall opinions were generally favorable.

Jack.

I had that little 680 in my 23 and it was amazingly good. It would sit for weeks at a time and never failed to crank the car. I think several others on here used the same one and loved it, including Ken Thurm.

When I first saw them I figured no way would it start a 350 chevy so I planned on putting two in the dead space behind the body, but when I called Odyssey and spoke to the President of the company he told me he uses the same one to crank a blown BBC in his car. He was right.

Don

I`ve asked the same ?, although it has been about a year ago, I gave my standard batt a good long trickle charge it got me thru the summer, as long as it was driven at least every two weeks, now its gone dead....so I will be watching this thread before I buy.

Dave,
Here's a link to one of the threads - Recommendation: Odyssey PC680 or PC925 for my build?

I used a XS Power D680 AGM battery, mounted under the dash on its side with the terminals coming out toward the seats. I've had zero problems to date - keep a battery tender on it much of the time it's parked. When I researched them I liked the XS Power units - seemed to have just a hair more "punch" than Odyssey, just my $0.02 on batteries. I'm not a fan of the spiral wound Oddyssey's - very inefficient use of space, and they can be a bit cantankerous if they discharge too far, but then that's just an AGM thing....

Originally Posted by rspears

Dave,
Here's a link to one of the threads - Recommendation: Odyssey PC680 or PC925 for my build?

I used a XS Power D680 AGM battery, mounted under the dash on its side with the terminals coming out toward the seats. I've had zero problems to date - keep a battery tender on it much of the time it's parked. When I researched them I liked the XS Power units - seemed to have just a hair more "punch" than Odyssey, just my $0.02 on batteries. I'm not a fan of the spiral wound Oddyssey's - very inefficient use of space, and they can be a bit cantankerous if they discharge too far, but then that's just an AGM thing....

Roger - it almost looks as though the XS Power and Odyssey are virtually identical, only the names have been changed to protect ....... etc. I guess it will depend on which is less costly when I make the plunge

Originally Posted by IC2

Roger - it almost looks as though the XS Power and Odyssey are virtually identical, only the names have been changed to protect ....... etc. I guess it will depend on which is less costly when I make the plunge

Dave,
When I talked to Nathan at XS Power he told me that the purity of their lead and tin components were higher, yielding better performance. There is a Lithium unit that it out there, even more compact with longer life, etc, etc but a year or so back it was cutting edge, only used by some racers with deep pockets. As I recall the charging setup for the Lithiums was around $2K. When you get ready to spring call Nathan at their Louisville office - they sometimes have "specials" that they can apply when you buy direct. Summit is also carrying them now.

Roger - did you use their battery bracket or make your own? I'm a few days from getting the car on jack stands, but am trying to at least know something about the ducks before I line them in a row.

I guess I'll use this thread for a 'how I done did it in several less then easy lessons' (and usually with gooder grammar).

Got the car up on jack stands and it looks like the best place to mount an Odyssey/XS Power 680 size battery will be in their box and mounted on a supplemental cross member that I installed just in front of the gas tank. I looked at mounting it on the RHS frame rail, but on the inside, it will be within an inch or so of the tailpipe, on the outside, out of room due to the tranny cooler. It amazes me that everything operated with that part of my wiring - not pretty I guess I just ran out or inspiration about that time in the build.

I have had the Odyssey 680 battery in my deuce for three years, and I have had no problems with it. The only difference I have noted is that you cannot crank on them as long as a regular-sized battery.

Being a slow day today, I meandered to a resting place under my car to see where the best siting for the new battery will be, using a dummy made up to size from some scrap luan plywood. As I noted above, that supplemental cross member is about the only open area, though I haven't ruled out a floor or splash shield hidden mount. I also have to mount the solenoid and a master shut off. The cables I already have will be just about perfect though may have to make up one new short interconnect a bit longer if I can't keep it away from the fuel line. I will have to make some sort of a flame guard for the gas tank to prevent a short if a battery or cable is dropped, but not a big deal. I will be using the Odyssey PC680T (with terminals), just ordered and hope that Roger wont have to say "I told you so" if it's a POS. The specs for the two are virtually identical though the XS Power is a fair amount more money.

Originally Posted by IC2

Being a slow day today, I meandered to a resting place under my car to see where the best siting for the new battery will be, using a dummy made up to size from some scrap luan plywood. As I noted above, that supplemental cross member is about the only open area, though I haven't ruled out a floor or splash shield hidden mount. I also have to mount the solenoid and a master shut off. The cables I already have will be just about perfect though may have to make up one new short interconnect a bit longer if I can't keep it away from the fuel line. I will have to make some sort of a flame guard for the gas tank to prevent a short if a battery or cable is dropped, but not a big deal. I will be using the Odyssey PC680T (with terminals), just ordered and hope that Roger wont have to say "I told you so" if it's a POS. The specs for the two are virtually identical though the XS Power is a fair amount more money.

Dave, you know I'd never say "I told you so" Just curious, did you call Nathan at XS Power to see what their "factory direct" price was?

Roger - No, I didn't call Nathan. I read a bunch of on-line reviews and the Odyssey had many more then XS. Not the deal maker though, since both brands reviews were generally very positive. Then I started making a few calls - which landed me a PC680MT, not just the 'T' as mentioned above for the price of a straight up PC680. That MT has the metal case that is advertised on line pretty expensively. Now, with that said, you STILL may get that chance to say those words Nothing else done on the car to speak of since the last post, though I did buy a battery lug crimper since I've found most of the cables will need some length 'adjustments':

Cable crimper.jpg

I run an Odyssey PC680 in my Model A. It turns over the blown 406 pretty well. No problems with it this summer. I have my battery located on the right side frame rail just fwd of the rear tire. Just a pain to get to!

Keith

Originally Posted by blwn31

I run an Odyssey PC680 in my Model A. It turns over the blown 406 pretty well. No problems with it this summer. I have my battery located on the right side frame rail just fwd of the rear tire. Just a pain to get to!

Keith

Keith do you have that battery inside of the frame rail or between the rail and the splash shield? That area between the rail and the splash is an alternate for me, but will have to move my tranny cooler. Inside - the Flowmaster mufflers take too much room on mine