Optima vs. Odyssey and what model?
- Thread starter HongerVenture
- Start date
Mlachica
TheRAMadaINN on Instagram
I don't have any experience with optima's but this is what I've heard from those that have. The red tops seem to be pretty reliable. I've heard quite a few stories of people killing yellow and blue tops fairly easily. I think it's TLC, they won't install any yellow or blues, just red.
As for odyssey's, I had a dual odyssey system for over a year. Not that long I know. But they always performed great. I did a lot of camping using the fridge, lights, and notebook. I used a 1200 for starting and a 1700 for all of my aux loads. They always recharged and discharged properly.
Remember, you don't want to discharge a battery more than %50. So take that into consideration on your setup. Try to figure out how much amps you'll be using while camped and base your battery off of that. If you use to small of a battery and consistently discharge the battery under %50 the life expectancy diminishes.
I'm not sure if you have a dc clamp on ammeter or if you can figure out how much amps your starter pulls. If I remember correctly the tacoma's starter only pulled about 70-80 amps. So a starting battery with tons of cca's was not really necessary.
As for odyssey's, I had a dual odyssey system for over a year. Not that long I know. But they always performed great. I did a lot of camping using the fridge, lights, and notebook. I used a 1200 for starting and a 1700 for all of my aux loads. They always recharged and discharged properly.
Remember, you don't want to discharge a battery more than %50. So take that into consideration on your setup. Try to figure out how much amps you'll be using while camped and base your battery off of that. If you use to small of a battery and consistently discharge the battery under %50 the life expectancy diminishes.
I'm not sure if you have a dc clamp on ammeter or if you can figure out how much amps your starter pulls. If I remember correctly the tacoma's starter only pulled about 70-80 amps. So a starting battery with tons of cca's was not really necessary.
devinsixtyseven
Explorer
Been using a blue top for about six years now. I disconnect it during stretches camping where the doors are open a lot but the truck isn't on. A while back it discharged over a two or three week period of disuse. Since then, if it sits, I unplug it. Also since then, if the headlights are left on more than about 30 minutes without the truck running, the battery barely turns the starter.
Since then it seems to have recharged ok, but I'm still paranoid about it.
I'm going to give Odysseys a try when I go dual remote, but not for any particular reason than to try something different, I think. On paper, the Optima is more power for the size and weight.
-Sean
Since then it seems to have recharged ok, but I'm still paranoid about it.
I'm going to give Odysseys a try when I go dual remote, but not for any particular reason than to try something different, I think. On paper, the Optima is more power for the size and weight.
-Sean
BlueHZT60
Adventurer
Optima red top: 3 years - dead (two times)
Optima blue: 2 years - dead
Exide Regular & Deep cycle: going on 2 yrs and working
Changes: the batteries are now in the rear QP, not under the hood, so that may explain a whole lot.
In the bigger picture batteries are cheap, compared to being stranded. That's my $0.02. Bob
Optima blue: 2 years - dead
Exide Regular & Deep cycle: going on 2 yrs and working
Changes: the batteries are now in the rear QP, not under the hood, so that may explain a whole lot.
In the bigger picture batteries are cheap, compared to being stranded. That's my $0.02. Bob
MaddBaggins
Explorer
I'm on 3yrs with an Optima redtop and it see's extreme heat down here. We see about 5 months of temps above 95 and 3 of those are 100-115. We probably get about a dozen nights a year that drop below freezing. It still works fine, but I'm waiting for it to die. The extreme heat is hard on them.
The only electrical demand I have is my 700w stereo, no winch or fridge or computer.
The only electrical demand I have is my 700w stereo, no winch or fridge or computer.
pwc
Explorer
I had posted this elsewhere and it applies here. we were discussing whether to use a second battery a backup or as an auxillary. I'm not getting into that discussion now, but I directly compared a Odyssey and Optima. Personally, I run a Odyssey 1200 as my main and the same as a backup with a HellRoaring isolator
============
Taking a closer look, let's compare the Optima Yellow top 34/78 with the Odyssey 1500 34/78
The Odyssey is not rated as a "deep discharge" yet has a longer reserve and more cold cranking amps than the Optima.
The Odyssey has 62 amp hours vs. 55ah, 135 minutes of reserve vs. 120 minutes and has 880 cold cranking amps (0 degrees F) vs. 750CCA. The Odyssey is ever so slightly smaller (not really, but .3 inches in width) but weighs 6 more lbs. Other than cost, which I think the Optima has an edge, I don't see any reason to go with the Yellow Top over the 1500 34/78. No need for a "deep discharge" battery when you can have both longer discharges and more CCA with the Odyssey.
Also, the Odyssey has a 6-8 year service life and shows some other stats on amount of discharges and battery life. The Optima doesn't have that info on their site.
============
Taking a closer look, let's compare the Optima Yellow top 34/78 with the Odyssey 1500 34/78
The Odyssey is not rated as a "deep discharge" yet has a longer reserve and more cold cranking amps than the Optima.
The Odyssey has 62 amp hours vs. 55ah, 135 minutes of reserve vs. 120 minutes and has 880 cold cranking amps (0 degrees F) vs. 750CCA. The Odyssey is ever so slightly smaller (not really, but .3 inches in width) but weighs 6 more lbs. Other than cost, which I think the Optima has an edge, I don't see any reason to go with the Yellow Top over the 1500 34/78. No need for a "deep discharge" battery when you can have both longer discharges and more CCA with the Odyssey.
Also, the Odyssey has a 6-8 year service life and shows some other stats on amount of discharges and battery life. The Optima doesn't have that info on their site.
ZooJunkie
Explorer
I just replaced my aging battery w/ an Odyssey PC1200 in my Z Coupe. I have an Optima red top in my Trooper, so only time will tell which of the two will last longer.
Odyssey like many other batteries are manufactured by these guys here:
http://www.enersysreservepower.com/
I purchased my PC1200 at Batteries Plus locally here in the BayArea, check their website for a store near you. Excellent wealth of info with the sales guys.
www.batteriesplus.com
Odyssey like many other batteries are manufactured by these guys here:
http://www.enersysreservepower.com/
I purchased my PC1200 at Batteries Plus locally here in the BayArea, check their website for a store near you. Excellent wealth of info with the sales guys.
www.batteriesplus.com
IntrepidXJ
Explorer
i've had an Optima red top in my XJ for 4+ years at this point. It has been totally discharged more times than I can count, and it keeps coming back for more. I'm getting another one for my new XJ
calamaridog
Expedition Leader
The 2150 is huge and I can't see how it would fit anywhere in the Tundra engine bay. What am I missing here?
HongerVenture
Adventurer
Its good to see some additional feedback in this thread.
I've not used the truck a whole lot since getting the Odyssey PC1200 in there, but have been very pleased with it so far. It is so tiny compared to my last battery that I had to wedge it in there with some 1x4 lumber.
I fully plan on going dual-battery with a second PC1200 and fitting them in right next to each other (they'll easily fit in the spacious area under the T100 hood). At that time I'll have a custom tray/bracket fab'd up to hold them safe/secure.
Joel
I've not used the truck a whole lot since getting the Odyssey PC1200 in there, but have been very pleased with it so far. It is so tiny compared to my last battery that I had to wedge it in there with some 1x4 lumber.
I fully plan on going dual-battery with a second PC1200 and fitting them in right next to each other (they'll easily fit in the spacious area under the T100 hood). At that time I'll have a custom tray/bracket fab'd up to hold them safe/secure.
Joel