Revisiting Battery Discussion

[Jim F.]

Hello to all!
A couple of days ago I discovered that the Banner battery that came with my '02 Roadsport has started to gas and needs to be replaced. Reading the info that was available on this topic from the archives, would you all be able to offer me a recommendation as to how to proceed? Should I try to find another Banner as a direct replacement so there'd be no modifications needed or go with what seems to be popular with you guys, the Odyssey PC625, the PC680 or some other brand of which I have no knowledge? The car is only street driven....has the Caterham supplied "202hp" Zetec w/ITB's (TWM/Pectel). Not knowing what the ratings and performance numbers really mean, the Banner #s are 30Ah & 240A and seems to have been adequate. Can you have too much battery which might harm the starter motor or some other component? I can't find a Banner dealer on Google but might find one through a Cat dealer, even though they might not be able to ground ship it into Oregon. Anxiously awaiting your input, please? I understand the Odysseys come with their own tray and hold-downs?

[Doug Liedblad]

Please don't waste your time or risk your car on a battery that is filled with aluminun dissolving acids.

My brand new, as supplied with the car, Banner battery leaked from an improperly sealed top. Caterham covered it but it was a pain.

I currently have a PC625 up from a PC535. The PC535 lasted a good 6 years maybe 7.

You can mount them in any position, I have mine under the throttle bodies to get the weight lower in the car and generally out of the way.

Plenty of starting power especially if you have a gear reduction starter.

The tray and hold down with the Odyssey depends on which battery you get. I built my own battery box and clamp it to

the frame. Send a PM if you want more details.

Shipping the Odyssey is not a problem. Please read their section on proper charging.

Someplace I've read that a if these batteries are deeply discharged the initial recharge should be at 6 AMPs or more. Voltage as in the technical literature on the website. Once charged they can be on a trickle charger. I recommend one of the ones Odyssey sells.

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/

[slomove]

Agree with Doug. I replaced my first PC625 after 6 years thinking it was bad. But it was another problem and that old battery is now still doing duty in my trailer, going strong after 8 years. These glass mat batteries will keep charge for several months without trickle charger.

For the tray I riveted four 1/2" aluminum angles to the aluminum sheet where the old battery was, to keep the PC625 from wandering. As a bracket I bent a 1" x 1/8" aluminum bar to hold the battery down. That bracket is wrapped with some cushioning material.

[Elv15]

Another thumbs up for the PC680. Expensive, but a darn good battery.

[Doug Liedblad]

The only issue I have with the 680 is it's two lbs heavier and the 625 is working fine.

A bit less $ too.

[Jim F.]

Thanks so much Doug, Gert, & Tom! I talked to Jeff at JAE in Goleta (also an Odyssey distributor) and West Coast Batteries in Corona today. Collectively, I've been convinced that Odyssey is the way to go and will be ordering one tomorrow. I'm leaning toward the 680 and its available hold-down mounting bracket (non-billet) for a fast, clean, sanitary installation, but considering the 625 and, as Doug has done, fabricating my own tray and hold-downs.
I'm really appreciative for the help and support all you CCC members offer!

[Dave Nichols]

We use Odyssey batteries quite a bit in custom motorcycles as well. They last a very long time, as Doug mentioned, you can mount them anywhere in any position, they are small in size and Odyssey stands behind their product.

I had one in a custom bike that was hooked to a battery tender and it lasted 12 years.

[11budlite]

Another fan of the Odyssey batteries. I've been using a PC680 in my Birkin for years and it's never let me down. This photo shows it mounted above the passenger footwell with the Odyssey holddown.

[Jim F.]

That's the clean installation I was talking about! Did you have some acid cancer in the area where my Banner tray was mounted in my Cat and make a cover panel to aid the cosmetics? Nice job!

[GWise]

Also have a PC680 and I've had good luck with it. I purchased mine at napa auto parts. If you have your AAA card I think you can get a 7% discount as well.

[Jim F.]

Thanks for the tip, GWise........I'll visit NAPA and check it out!

[Sean]

The PC625 has slightly higher performance numbers across the board, weighs less, and cost less than the PC680. (REF: see page 6 at http://www.odysseyfactory.com/docume...S-006_0209.pdf) The downside is that it is a funky, non-standard size, so no mounting bracket for it seems to be available off-the-shelf. But then a battery mount is not a difficult or costly thing to make or to have made.

I found the PC625 for just under 100 bucks + ~12 bucks for 3-day shipping at gotbatteries.com, but there may be cheaper sources around.

[athens7]

What about this Braille battery?

http://www.braillebattery.com/index.php/batteries/b2015/

It is the same weight, slightly smaller, and seems to have much more power. It is $25 more, but that seems more than reasonable given the higher performance.
On a related subject, what about jacketed vs. non-jacketed batteries? If the goal is to keep heat in or out, does the battery hold down perform a similar function if shaped like the one in 11budlite's Birkin?

[rnr]

What about this Braille battery?

http://www.braillebattery.com/index.php/batteries/b2015/

It is the same weight, slightly smaller, and seems to have much more power. It is $25 more, but that seems more than reasonable given the higher performance.
On a related subject, what about jacketed vs. non-jacketed batteries? If the goal is to keep heat in or out, does the battery hold down perform a similar function if shaped like the one in 11budlite's Birkin?

Several Elise owners have complained that the Braille both drains easily and doent last very long. Most folks there prefer the Odyssey over the Braille.

[slomove]

What about this Braille battery?

http://www.braillebattery.com/index.php/batteries/b2015/

It is the same weight, slightly smaller, and seems to have much more power. It is $25 more, but that seems more than reasonable given the higher performance.
On a related subject, what about jacketed vs. non-jacketed batteries? If the goal is to keep heat in or out, does the battery hold down perform a similar function if shaped like the one in 11budlite's Birkin?

A sheet metal jacket is not going to make any difference in the battery temperature. After an hour (probably earlier) the battery internal temperature will reach equilibrium with the surrounding engine compartment. Even if it was made from insulating material, it would only delay this. If you want to keep the battery cool you must remove it from the hot environment.

But the metal jacket looks good and makes for a clean installation.