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Lightweight batteries


slngsht

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Anybody use Odyssey batteries? They have a full lineup, but the lightest is this one:

 

 

 

Small 680 cranking amp battery with metal jacket and SAE automotive terminals.

 

Also available without the metal jacket for low temperature applications.

 

Battery measures 3.11" wide x 7.27" long x 6.67" tall with the metal jacket and weighs 15.4 pounds.

 

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/battery/pc680mjt_lg.jpg

 

 

Recognize that the reserve rating is small, so storage time with computer draw can discharge the battery in a few weeks. Ideal for Street Rods up to 5.7 liter V-8. Can be mounted in the glove box flat on its back - only 3 1/8 inch high.

 

 

 

Excellent starting battery where high reserve capacity is not required.

 

Great lightweight racing battery for shedding extra pounds.

 

Can be mounted upright or flat.

 

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I have a PC680 and it works great.  No problem doing multiple starts or starting in cold weather (32F).  It also has plenty of charge left to fire up the engine after a 3 week layoff, but I have not tried going longer than that without hooking up the battery to the charger (you need a special type of this kind of battery).

This type of battery doesn't like heat, so it is best to mount it away from the exhaust system.  I mounted mine in front of the driver's side footwell on the lower chasis rails to keep the center of gravity low (the Duratec exhaust exits on the passenger side of the car)

-John

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John, it's good to know someone else has used them.

 

 

 

My battery is currently mounted on top of the passenger side footwell. Engine is a V8, so I have exhaust on both sides, but it exits with a quick 90 from the manifold, and is very low on the car - hopefully it'll be fine.

 

 

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

I ordered my Odyssey 680MJT today and it will be shipped to Dennis Hedges at Short Mountain Enterprises.

 

I was looking at the EnerSys website about the Odyssey. A special charger is not necessary. They suggest a 6-7A charger which maintains at least 14.2 volts but not more than 15 volts while charging. It must go to trickle after fully charging the battery or be disconnected after 2 hours if using a manual 10A charger.

 

>Odyssey Charging Information

 

Dennis says that this Odyssey 680 is cranking Mazda's V8 really well!

 

Rob Mitchell

 

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I was looking at the EnerSys website about the Odyssey. A special charger is not necessary. They suggest a 6-7A charger which maintains at least 14.2 volts but not more than 15 volts while charging. It must go to trickle after fully charging the battery or be disconnected after 2 hours if using a manual 10A charger
  Right, so not just any charger.  Hence the term "special"  http://www.usa7s.com/aspnetforum/images/emoticons/smiley2.gif 
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In summary, to maximize the life of your sealed lead acid battery do the following:

 

-Always keep the battery charged.

 

-Avoid deep discharges of the battery.

 

-Use the correct charging voltage and current.

 

-Keep the battery temperature below 77ºF (25ºC).

 

-Never attempt to remove the top decal cover of the Genesis or Odyssey battery because this will cause the battery to fail.

 

Well what about the 95ºF heat we have in Atlanta in the summer?? Plus the engine compartment !!

 

Rob Mitchell

 

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  • 8 months later...

I just bought a Battery Charger Tender plus SUPERCHARGER 12 V 3 Amp off eBay for my Odyssey 680 Battery. It uses constant current charging instead of tapered charging and is made for the Odyssey and Optima Batteries. It comes with both washer connections and clip connections. The washer connections can be "permanantly" connected to the battery for convenient plug-in charging.

 

 

 

Rob Mitchell

 

 

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I installed the PC680 about a year and a half ago, I have had no problems with it while using the car as a daily driver. After I replaced the original Banner battery the car would fire up quicker with less cranking. Another bonus is that it saves about 9 lbs. (cannot remember exact number)

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FWIW, I have one of those little C-TEK "smart" trickle chargers and it works well enough on the battery that came with the Caterham. I bought it after buying one of those big-a$$ schumacher ones that you can get at AutoZone. While I use that to jump start cars still, didn't seem as sophisticated as perhaps the Cat's battery warranted.

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I have the smaller 625 model in the Seven since I bought it (4 years and probably was in there before a while). No issues and I have had it sitting around for 6 months one time. After that it started the engine right away. Drained it a few times unintentionally but a cheap Autozone charger qualified for "deep cycle" batteries brought it back to life.

 

 

 

I know many Se7eners are using this battery type and have heard very few complaints.

 

 

 

Gertslomove2006-10-24 13:25:09

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I've used Odyssey for years...in a street Miata, in a very high compression Nissan, and in the race prepared Caterham (currently installed is the PC925). No complaints. I do use a special charger made specifically for gel cell batteries.

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  • 2 years later...

My Odyssey PC680 died after only one season of driving the car. I bought the special charger and it will not fully charge to turn the car over at all.

 

I am changing to a small lead acid battery that fits in a Civic. Longer warrantee .. but it weighs twice (?) as much.

 

So I have the two Odyssey auto terminals and the 680 metal jacket up for grabs.

 

Rob

 

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I used an Extreme Battery AGM battery from Battery Plus for the Caterham. It is half the size and weight of the original Banner lead acid battery. I have it for over two year now. The battery can turn over the Zetec even after sitting still for 3 months without recharging. Take a look at the Battery Plus website.

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