I'm thinking of replacing my wet lead acid "Interstate" battery in my '02 vert with an "Odyssey" model 1500.

This is a very heavy duty battery in the "78" size group so dimensionally it should fit fine in my existing battery tray. My only concern is that it is listed as weighing around 50 pounds and I'm not sure if '02 battery tray will support that kind of constant weight.

Any thoughts or comments on this would be appreciated.

DH

 

I just ordered a new tray and modified it to fit my Odyssey 925 which is now installed. From what I saw the factory tray will easily support 50lbs. The bulk of the weight on the tray is transfered to the steel support under the very center of the tray. I think you could probably stand on it without any damage.

 

Thanks "Last C5" for your reply.

That's great information.

I really like the "1500" because its the one "Odyssey" battery that is designed more like a traditional auto battery and will fit right into my tray and tighten down withe the stock screw down wedge fitting.

Its also one helluva powerful battery. The weight doesn't bother me at all. I'm not racing the car.

I've done quite a bit of research on its size dimensions and it should fit my existing tray. It's bottom length is 10.1 inches. Have you actually measured your tray? Would 10.1" fit the length dimension? The width and height are fairly standard and shouldn't be an issue. The "1500" is listed by "Odyssey" in the 34/78 group size which I believe will fit my stock tray.

Thanks again for the very helpful information. The weight was the one thing that was concerning me the most. I think the "Interstate" I have in there now weighs about 34 pounds.

Let me know if you have the dimensions of the stock tray.

Sincerely,

DH

 

The factory tray is 10 1/8" X 6 5/8" at the very max. Nominally it is 10X6 1/2.

 

Funny, before opening it I was sure this thread would discuss the latest super light-weight battery that still starts the car.. Maybe next time.

 

That would be the Odyessy PC680 at 15.4 lbs. for a track car or the PC925MJT at 26 lbs. for a daily driver.

 

Thanks "Last C5",

That's very helpful information!

Sincerely,

DH

 

Last C5, I am very interested in the Oddyessy battery but i was concerned that the 680 would not be strong enough for a weekend driver. In the winter she will sit 3 or 4 weeks before I take a cruise and I afraid the battery will be dead/weak. I love the weight saving but I dont race so it really dont matter (like to offset my frost king/dynomatt extream mod). Also how are you going to secure the battery? Do they make a side post to go with my factory wires? Thanks.

dhend25, Do they make a battery that is smaller than the 1500 that will fit in a C5? Unless you have a big stereo the 1500 may be overkill plus maybe you can save some weight with smaller one. I been looking into the Oddyessy batteries as well - im glad you asked this question.

Any other Oddyessy owners with more input on the batteries?

 

Jeep/C5,
The 680 looked a little too small to me too. I installed the PC925MJT, it has a metal jacket (for heat) and the SAE 3/8" posts for our side mounts. You mount this battery on its side with either a generic battery holddown cross bar or Odyssey's custom aluminum hold down (#HD925SM) for side mounting the 925. I used the aluminum side mount and it looks very nice. I'll see if I can get a picture posted.
Last C5

 

Jeep/C5,

I've been looking at the "Odyssey's" for a few weeks now. To answer your question; yes, they do have a smaller model than the "1500", its the "1200". It will fit your C5 with room to spare. It's not light weight however.

You and I have the same issues as our cars are mainly used recreationally, and many times will sit for extended periods especially during the winter months.

One of the reasons I was leaning toward the "1500" is because its the only battery in their line that can be secured in our stock tray with our stock hold down. Every other model in their line has to be turned up on its side so that it top mounted terminals will meet our side post type cables for connection.

As "Last C5" already mentioned, you have to modify your tray to be able to secure one of these batteries on its side. All of their existing mounts assume that your going to mount the battery normally. When you go to mounting it on its side like we need to do, their mounts pretty much don't work, unless I'm missing something.

I think that "Last C5" is our resident expert on mounting and has been extremely helpful to me. He and several other forum members seem more than satisfied with the "925 MJT" model. I'm like you, I really am not concerned about the extra weight because I don't race my car.

I like the idea of the "1200" but if I go with it, I'll have to, at the very least, drill some holes in my battery tray in order to secure it.

I called Bruce Essig at "Odyssey" who seems to be their resident expert. He thought that either the "925" or the "1200" would suit my purposes. We really didn't discuss the "1500".

As far as mounting the battery, he suggested I call a distributor of their's called "West Coast Batteries" (http://www.odysseybatteries.com/index.htm) which I did. The person I spoke with didn't know much about non-standard mounting and promised to have someone who was call me back. I never heard from back from them.

If you do a "search" on this forum for "Odyssey", there is a pretty good thread from a week or two ago that has some good info and a few picture posts.

Good luck in your research. I'm leaning toward an "Exide Orbital" which will bolt right into my stock tray without need for any modifications. Its also gotten rave reviews from other forum members as being a non-leaking, non-gassing sealed battery with plenty of reserve starting power. If you do a forum search for "Exide Orbital" I think you'll find some good threads on it. Its also available locally at retail in most areas. "Odyssey" is pretty much special order.

Hope this helps.

DH

 

DH, Thanks for the info. Any Idea on the weight of the Exide Orbital? What is the CCA? I will look into both. I really dont need a battery right now but my battery is a GM acid battery and I killed it last year (left my radar detector plugged in for a week- i never had a problem in the jeep) and I charged it but the little green "eye" is not green no more. I dont know how long it will last and im kinda afraid the battery will leak. I dont mind paying good money for a battery as long as it last 5 years or so and I dont have any problem with it.

Thanks for all the info.

 

Jeep/C5,

Check out their web site: http://www.exideworld.com/products/a...t_orbital.html

They have two sizes; the "75" or the "78". Most forum members went with the "78" as it will fit our stock battery trays and bolt right in with our stock clamp down fixture. It's weight is listed on their site at 38 pounds with 770 CCA's. This battery is not cheap. Prices around here (northern Virginia) run around $170. NTB carries them and a chain they own called "Merchants tire & auto. I think their web site has a dealer locator feature you can use.

Check out their web site.

DH

 

Thanks DH, I emailed Oddyessy last night to see what the price was on the 925. It looked like a good choice. Not sure if I want to lay it on its side to make it work - might look funny to me and I do attend 3 or 4 car shows a year. I wonder if there is any other light battery choices out their?

 

Jeep/C5,

I don't know of any other "lightweight" batteries out there. The "Odyssey" looks fine on its side. There have been several picture posts of the 925 in that position. Do a forum search. There was a thread a few weeks ago that had some photos of the 925. It looks fine. I just don't want to modify my battery tray to make it secure. I also like the idea that if it fails, I can go up to the corner tire & battery store and get a new battery. I can do that with the "Exide Orbital". I can't with the "Odyssey".

Hope this helps.

DH

 

how does it compare to the Optima? i just got one, hope its ok

 

check this link. You can use as a daily driver as I have done for over five years. Disregard the race talk as it is fine everyday. If you have a bunch of electronics sucking up juice go with the 925 mtj.
http://performance.accuratetechnolog...dda53664b69bb2

 

You might do an internet search on "BRAILLE" batteries...I don't know anything about their reliability, just that they're a compact battery.

 

Jeep/C5
Now I'm just crushed that you think my installation might look funny. I may have to seek therapy. Just look at this gorgeous installation and picture that hold down powder coated in a nice metal flake puce with some shadow flames and maybe a scallop or two. I think there would be car show attendees just swooning over it. OK, maybe not, but it does work out and I thought maybe some of you guys thinking about a 925 Odyssey would like to see the finished product.

 

Last C5, Thanks for the picture - it does look nice. Where did you get the battery tie down? And did you have to drill into the factory battery pan? Looks like 4 screws hold it down. How long have you had this battery? Is your ride a DD? What is the longest you let it sit without charging - and did it start ok afterwards? So many questions. Thanks in advance.