51 replies to this topic

[VitcLJ]

Mate haven't used one myself but have heard nothing but good reports about Odessy batteries. They are expensive but seems they hold thier charge for long time (low self discharge) without any problems. I would get highest CCA that will fit in the space available. Its very easy to under power but very difficult to overpower when intermittent use is involved. We use a SUPER CHARGE silver in our track car and keep it charged with a solar panel sytem seems to work well!

[ls2lxhatch]

Odyssey battery 850 CCA ~ $400.
http://www.batteries...ore.php?crn=309

Optima battery 800 CCA ~ $300.
http://www.batteries...ore.php?crn=310

Absorbed Power AGM GT12-55C 450 CCA ~ $266.
http://www.agmsaustr...roducts/12volt/

The Optima battery I had in my hatch, it did not like sitting around and only lasted about 2 years. I did by another Optima as a replacement and so far so good. I had Absorbed power batteries in my boat for 3 years without any issues.

After the first Optima batter died I fitted a charge and maintain battery charger. They start charging when the battery falls below a preset voltage and the stop and monitor the battery until it needs charging again.

I had this one permanently wired on my hatch with the plug in the grill.
http://www.projecta....d/3/asset_id/15

Edited by ls2lxhatch, 24 January 2009 - 09:57 PM.

[antelopeslr5000]

A Battery Fighter is also great for maintaining a battery with infrequent use. They're available from Supercheap Auto.

I purchased the BFM for about $60.

Edited by antelopeslr5000, 25 January 2009 - 08:33 AM.

[Tiny]

I went for an Odyssey at the time and i got the biggest bastard available... i think they call it ES1500 or something.. it runs about 960CCA and it's about 32Kgs!

I've had NO problems with it holding charge for over a month and i left it discharged for > 6 months when we were waiting for an engine years ago!

I will buy another one if theyre the same physical dimension when this one goes, simply because of how i've built it into the boot of the car. I'm really very happy!


Having said that, My brother bought a car battery sized Odyssey (No idea on the model sorry!) and it lasted <2 years and crapped out. Apparenly with the infrequent use the plated sulfated and the battery died. The distributor of odyssey batteriesd was less than helpful in getting it replaced ( in warranty i believe), he took the battery promising to put it on a reconditioning charger and e never heard again.

He swapped to an Optima red top battery and it's been fine!

I'd DEFINITLY suggest a battery fighter... and i've been thinking about one of those Ctek chargers available from repco and other stores, Apparently they are fantastic for charging and maintaining these kinds of batteries!

[Rockoz]

Jaycar have some nice trickle/maintenance chargers for a pretty good price last time I looked.

[piquet]

Hi Sedz
I have an Oddysey dry cell fitted to my XU1 and it starts and holds charge well
I have an ES12v 650

It cranks over that 186 with about 1.5:1 easily
Give gordon Cox a call at Diamond Valleyt Auto parts a call on 9467 8900 tell him pete snedddon sent you and see what he can do for you
cheers
peter

[Heath]

Jaycar have some nice trickle/maintenance chargers for a pretty good price last time I looked.

Do they have the solar panel ones that you can put on your dash and plug into the cigarette lighter? Because they're cheap and a fantastic idea for a low-use car like most of the vehicles on this forum

[ls2lxhatch]

The cheap solar powered batteries chargers do not have any voltage regulation, they can overcharge the battery which will result in premature failure.

[ls2lxhatch]

The battery charger does not appear to be automatic. The charge and maintain style battery chargers are a better choice.

[Tiny]

You cant go wrong with the ctek charger,

I did alot of research into them and they seem to be the best option (name brand and good money), for anything that sees little use.

I belive it is actually fully automagic and designed to charge and maintain as well as recycle a poorly maintained battery.

Cheers!

[Litre8]

I have had the same Optima battery in L8 for 14 years, at one stage it sat untouched for aboiut 3 years but after one charge session came back to life. Great battery.

[Tiny]

Fair call torbirdie, I can see your logic in that point of view!

I Chose the odessey because it was AGM and gave me the option of mounting it sideways, and also not having to use a ventilated box. getting around a whole heap of headaches for me!

The $400 investment in the battery I belive has been justified in the case that it has not required replacement in the *Easily* 7 years i've owned it. We had standard lead acid batteries die much quicker ( 6 months - 3 years MAXIMUM).

The large CCA rating has also for me given me the ability not to worry about hot start problems, high resistance wiring (long run from teh battery to boot) and things like that enabling quick and painless starting. I personally think it's money well spent if you have it in your budget to do so.

Cheers!

[ls2lxhatch]

After seeing the damage done to cars by wet batteries why would you ever fit one if you can afford a dry battery?

[ls2lxhatch]

I guess my point is that wet batteries suck and there is more than one reason to buy a dry battery. Whether is it size/CCA, mounting options, safety or rust prevention. Even though they more than twice the price of a wet battery it is money well spent.

[Com_VC]

Hi,

So these chargers are pretty good? http://www.batteries...ion=show_detail

I've got an odyssey battery that needs charging. I've been meaning to buy a good charger for awhile now.

The price seems cheap. They seem to have a large range of chargers and the only difference seems to be the amp value and price. Does that relate to the amount of time it takes to charge the battery?

It's confusing, there are a heap of chargers out there and some of them are in the $300 - $500 range. I just want something that will charge a flat battery and something that I can leave connected to a vehicle that sits every now and then.

Thanks