Looks like I have to replace my starter batteries on my 400 Cummins - and I was wondering if anybody out there has used Odyssey batteries for their coach. They are pretty pricey and since this coach is new to me - I'm ok spending the extra money as I don't know much about the battery history etc. - figured start from fresh.
Anybody out there use Odyssey for starting batteries. Here are some specs on Amazon.
Cold Crank Amp (CCA)- 1150;
Better warranty: Limited 3 and 4 year full replacement warranty – not pro rata; Longer service life: With 3-10 years of service life.
Longer cycle life: 70 percentage longer cycle life compared to conventional deep cycle batteries, up to 400 cycles at 80 percentage depth of discharge- high stable voltage for longer periods of time
Faster recharge: The highest recharge efficiency of any sealed lead battery on the market, capable of 100 percentage recharge in 4 - 6 hours; Mounting flexibility: Non-spillable design
Vibration resistance- design protects against high impact shock and mechanical vibration; Extreme temperature tolerant- Operating temperatures from -40 degree Celsius (-40 degree Fahrenheit) to 45 degree Celsius (113 degree Fahrenheit).
My only concern would be if my alternator would be ok charging a quasi deep cell/starter battery combo - is what it looks like to me.
Pat
I know nothing specifically about the brand (good or bad), so take my comments for what they are worth.
Kinda pricey for start batteries - you'll need two of them, I guess...
Odyssey PC2150T Battery | 12 Volt 100 Ah Battery (https://www.batterymart.com/p-odyssey-pc2150t-battery.html?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3P6cvv6h5AIVCIvICh1j3ARHEAkYAyABEgLXn_D_BwE)
Despite all the fancy selling pitch, they are basically just AGM batteries, so your alternator should have no problem charging them.
Odyssey 31M-PC2150 Marine Dual Purpose Battery (https://www.deepcyclemarinebattery.com/reviews/odyssey-31m-pc2150-marine-dual-purpose-battery.html)
Can i ask the proverbial dumb question. You have a 12 year old motorhome. Why would you not replace the obviously good quality batteries with something else?
Thanks - great points. They are pricey for just starter batteries. I'll keep doing some research.
They are not just the normal type batteries as high eng. My Brother has been using them on his 94 gv for couple of years and good so far. He has them laying on their sides in a slide out tray and are going great.
The Buses in BC Canada use them and he was given them by supplier to test them in his coach use.
Maybe pm my Brother for his opinion as I think he may be the only one on forum with first hand knowledge.
His name is geoffh on forum
JohnH
Thank you, I'll reach out to him.
Pat
I installed Odyssey Group 34R; 1500 PHCA; 880 CCA; 1050 MCA; RC Min. 135; L-10.85 in.; W-6.76 in.; H-7.82 in.; w/Tin Plated Brass SAE Auto Posts in my dingy, Lexus GX470, a couple months ago, so far so good. Specs were better than what I found in other brands.
Pat, my Bull Manure detector goes off every time I read this statement. The chemical reactions inside a lead acid battery stay the same no matter how you re-arrange the deck chairs. Four hours from "0" to 80% with a constant voltage power supply that can supply all the current the battery will accept, is a yes. From 80% to 100% takes time and a lower voltage. AGM battery design sacrifices the last 10% of battery charge to achieve that non-spillable design. Gelled electrolyte batteries sacrifice that four-hour charge rate for deep discharge capability and vibration resistance.
Don't worry about your engine driven alternator, Pat, it runs at whoopee every time you drive at night, and most days traveling after you've run down the house batteries dry camping. Art Joly, Toolmaker.
2 years ago when my start batteries were bulging I replaced them with Group 31 Truck start batteries- maintenance free from a truck stop. 950 CCA each and $105/each. I have seen them on sale as low as $80/each. Still working great with no boost switch.
Do what makes you happy. ^.^d
When Foretravel moved the engine batteries from a compartment to the engine bay they changed the batteries to spiral wound optimas.
The spiral wound design handles heat better and vibrations.
Physically hot batteries should be charged at lower voltages. That would require a separate alternator and/or a temp compensating voltage regulator like a heart freedom system that used a link 2000R panel.
So we are overcharging our engine start batteries almost always while driving.
I think the odyssey's are a similar design to the spiral wound optimas but in a flat plate design.
Off road racers use the spiral wound optimas for the vibration and heat rejection abilities.
You can certainly pay less for a battery that will start your motor but my experience is that they last a fraction of the time that the optimas do.
Roughly same cost per year? The higher quality optima seems to have a tighter fit between the battery post and the case so less chance of corrosive gasses being leaked from that area and damaging the cabling ends?
Echo Ted. Our 60 lb 31 series conventional Duralasts 950CCA were about $100 each with discount for buying three. Cummins 8.3 only needs two. The heavier the battery, the better it is in most cases so check weight in the less expensive batteries. Some are 55 lbs. They should last about ten years. Our last set did.
AGM are nice with the advantage that with the batteries disconnected for storage, they will stay at 12.7 for a very long time. On the other hand, they do not like to be flattened and may not recover from that.
Have never used the boost switch to start. If you have the CCAs and clean terminals, you will never need to.
Pierce
Odyssey makes one of the best batteries available anywhere. They are one of the few that use pure virgin lead, similar to datacenter or telco backup batteries that last decades.
I just read the specs and the battery does weigh in at 77 lbs compared to our 60 lbs so an advantage as is the 1150 CCA vs our 950 CCA but they claim a 3 to 10 year lifespan so the same as ours. They get 4 out of 5 stars on Amazon so that's pretty good. Read the reviews.The downside seems to be the $377/ea price tag. If it's in the budget, why not? On the other hand, if you are on a tighter budget, two or three (depending on engine) conventional 31 series will turn the engine over just as fast and last as long for less than half the price. Our 31 series 3 x $110 = $330 . The 31 series Odyssey at $377 x 3 = $1131
Pierce
Thank for all the great input, I think for basic starting batteries my shop recommended I go with some Group 31 NAPA's at a fraction of the cost. I'll save the money and focus on getting additional AGM batteries for my coach - I currently have 3 and maybe I'll add another one.
Pat
Pat,
Sorry in advance, I have not read all the responses. A good friend of mine who owns a Jeep customizing shop, who is a very VERY! good mechanic prefers the Odysseyy over any other.
I have a 06 Jeep that I purchased from him. At times the jeep sat for 3-6 weeks at a time without running. About 10 year old Odyssey battery starts the jeep every time. Once, While in Europe for a while I let the Jeep sit for 2 months. When I got back the battery was death. My friend advised that I use a trickle charge 1-2am charger for 2-3 days. I did that. The Odyseey battery recovered and is still in my Jeep (this story is 3 years old)
I like Odyssey.
Good luck with what ever you do,
Al
I put in the oddsseys on my last sailboat as house batteries. I used the ones from Sears which are made by Oddssey. Very good battery. I use one in my Jeep, also Sears branded Oddssey. I would replace my engine start battery with optima red tops again though. Or a super capacitor start unit.