Dry Cell Batteries

The Oily Bits S2 Specific Topics
1

I had the carpets out of the boot last weekend to go sprinting, and when I took the battery shroud off I noticed that the battery had been leaking. I now want to replace it with a dry cell battery to save a little weight and prevent any future leaks.

What have others fitted. I’ve been considering the ODYSSEY PC 680, and found it for a reasonable price at Active Robots

What do you think. Is there a better alternative, or somewhere cheeper.

Cheers
Will.

2

Mate the Odyssey battery is a cracking unit, its only a 17amp battery but its cranking amps (the power to turn the engine over)for the first 5 secs are 680, this is the sort of power you would expect from a 70amp battery. You will have to find a new way of clamping the battery in place as its a much smaller item. Its reserve capacity is smaller than the standard Exige battery so it will run flat quicker. If you need any info or a price I might be able to help, would be interested to find out how much you can get it for, I work for Bristol Batteries a specialist in the battery industry.

3

Another alternative is Ultima who makes a similar size. But dry cell units have the same characteristics, it holds it’s “memory” charge alot better than on-dry cell batteries and size determine how much cranking and storage power.

The 680 is fine as long as you only use it as a starting/cranking application. Never use it to run a radio/CD even for an hour to wash the car, it’s not designed to run anything other than to crank and charge up to be ready for the next crank.

4

I put the Odyssey 545 in mine, needed to make a bracket to keep it firmly in place. It has worked well for a couple of years now…
[image]http://192.168.0.51/car/batt/DSCF0003.JPG[/image]
In the picture I had mounted the posts but it works a lot better removing the posts and the clamps, bolting the cables directly to the battery.

5

Thanks for the replies.

The 680 is fine as long as you only use it as a starting/cranking application. Never use it to run a radio/CD even for an hour to wash the car, it’s not designed to run anything other than to crank and charge up to be ready for the next crank.

I’d never run the radio or CD when the car isn’t running, but it would have to run the alarm. Is that going to be a problem? I’d been expecting it to run down quicker than the OEM but I tend to put the car on a trickle charger when at home anyway.

6

my 680 lasts a week with no charger.

but i use a cetek 8000 i think most of the time.

7

I’d never run the radio or CD when the car isn’t running, but it would have to run the alarm. Is that going to be a problem? I’d been expecting it to run down quicker than the OEM but I tend to put the car on a trickle charger when at home anyway.

Nah mate, you’re perfectly fine then. The 680 can last up to 3 weeks on most cars without it being started. I used to have it like that before I wired in a battery disconnecting switch. However, if you have a trickle charger connected. You’d never have that problem to begin with. It’d always be a one smooth start experience.

8

Mate the Odyssey battery is a cracking unit, its only a 17amp battery but its cranking amps (the power to turn the engine over)for the first 5 secs are 680, this is the sort of power you would expect from a 70amp battery.

Is 17 amps enough for a road-based car with a full load of lights, demister, and wipers?

9

The battery has a capacity of 17 Amp Hours, which just means it cant be run for very long with the engine off. In normal running the alternator will drive all the ancilaries anyway.

10

Have you considered a DMS Red Top battery?

I used one of these on my prepped CRX and it was light, and lasted well!

Gary

11

Have you considered a DMS Red Top battery?

I think the Red Top 25 is much the same spec. I’d nearly gone for it in the past on another car, but never got round to it.

This time I was put off by something I read on elisetalk or seloc, can remember where, or specifically what. It was probably nonsense anyway.

I’ve ordered the PC680 and I’ll let you know how I get on.

12

my 680 lasts a week with no charger.

but i use a cetek 8000 i think most of the time.

Have you got any pictures of yours fitted David. I’ve just been out in the garage trying to come up with some ideas for a bracket.

Cheers
Will.

13

will post a pic on sunday, out allday tomorrow.

14

Thanks