Optima vs. Odyssey and what model?

[JonS]

The 2150 is huge and I can't see how it would fit anywhere in the Tundra engine bay. What am I missing here?

Maybe you're thinking of the 2250. That's the really big Odyssey. The 2150 is a group 31 and will easily fit right where my standard battery goes. It's only slightly bigger then the battery the Tundra came with. It's 13" long and the width and height are almost identical. http://www.odysseybatteries.com/battery/pc2150.htm I have to either find or make a longer tray. That's it. I've got a 2002 AC. I've measured several times.

 

[xcmountain80]

My engle 45 and my Optima yellow dont get along well. I think the opty is getting week. I've only had it for mmm 1 or 2 years. I'm in need of something a bit stronger. Looks like the Odyssey is good but damn pricey.

Aaron

 

[texas taco]

Talk to Will over at Sierra Expeditions. I am very pleased with my Odyssey that I got from him.

 

[silverton62]

Fullriver FR24 Battery

I considered Optima, but went with acFullriver FR-24, GSA technology, deep cycle battery. I am running and ARB fridge, inverter for laptop, and charge with solar. Bought thru/from DC battery specialist in Florida. Found them thru MUD.

 

[Clark White]

I had a Optima Red Top, which lasted about a year and a half when the positive terminal broke off inside the battery. Friend of mine had the blue top and same thing happened to his negative. I'm now running a yellow top, but I think if I had to do it again I would get the Odyssey, having a terminal break off would leave me completely stranded (Taco's wont run without the circuit being closed by the battery).

 

[calamaridog]

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

Joel, somehow I missed this before.

They have an awesome battery tray for the 1200 right here. Very very nice.

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/accessories/welded.htm

 

[MaddBaggins]

I had a Optima Red Top, which lasted about a year and a half when the positive terminal broke off inside the battery. Friend of mine had the blue top and same thing happened to his negative. I'm now running a yellow top, but I think if I had to do it again I would get the Odyssey, having a terminal break off would leave me completely stranded (Taco's wont run without the circuit being closed by the battery).

My red top was nearly 3 years old when the pos terminal broke inside the battery just last week. I was on an expedition and had to buy a battery off someone who had duals. I'm getting it warranteed (hopefully).

 

[targa88]

Maybe you're thinking of the 2250. That's the really big Odyssey. The 2150 is a group 31 and will easily fit right where my standard battery goes. It's only slightly bigger then the battery the Tundra came with. It's 13" long and the width and height are almost identical. http://www.odysseybatteries.com/battery/pc2150.htm I have to either find or make a longer tray. That's it. I've got a 2002 AC. I've measured several times.

75lbs - not withstanding space considerations - that's an anchor!

 

[FlyingWen]

We switched from an Optima to dual Odyssey 1200MJT about a year ago. Running our Engel MT45 on the lowest setting was draining the Optima overnight. No need to worry about excess weight, the Odyssey 1200 is the size of a motorcycle battery, so we were able to fit dual batteries in the stock location.

Used a Sure Power Separator.

We haven't had a single issue since upgrading to dual. We run the Engel, gauges, compressor and Camera System on the Taco!

I can't say enough positive things about the Odyssey Batteries!

 

[xcmountain80]

We switched from an Optima to dual Odyssey 1200MJT about a year ago. Running our Engel MT45 on the lowest setting was draining the Optima overnight. No need to worry about excess weight, the Odyssey 1200 is the size of a motorcycle battery, so we were able to fit dual batteries in the stock location.

Used a Sure Power Separator.

We haven't had a single issue since upgrading to dual. We run the Engel, gauges, compressor and Camera System on the Taco!

I can't say enough positive things about the Odyssey Batteries!

I need a write up and the batteries becaue this is where I'm headed. I don't like optimas bla bla bla.


Aaron

 

[cnskate]

I think I'm going with a Deka. The price is good and the name cracks me up. My wife gets a kick out of the names of men's toys too, and she'll love this one:

http://www.autobarn.net/eas9a78dt.html

 

[robert j. yates]

I have been able to kill two Odyssey batteries from overdischarging--I let the vehicles sit too long. My fault. I now have a battery tender. $40 well spent.

I'm not sure what you mean by a battery tender but Odysseys require a specific charger that will charge them at the required 14.3 volts. Anything less does not deliver them back to a fully charged state.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

Again I have been a big fan of the Exide gels. They are common and similar priced to the Optimas. I ran my set last year and enjoyed them greatly again after having some medeocre experiences with Optima and poor customer/warantee service (yellow top completely dead in less than 2 years). They are at Checker, etc, but you can find them all over the place. I have paid as low as $140 each...

 

[robert j. yates]

My Optima yellow top puked out after 26 months so I replaced it with a Odyssey PC1200 which lasted me 3 good years until a 50yard uphill dry winch pull (no motor due to power steering box explosion) took it out. It lasted the rest of the day but would no longer hold a charge. I'm now running dual PC1200 Odyssey batteries in my Jeep and wouldn't have it any other way. IMO, Odyssey's are made better, have a better warranty and deliver their advertised power more consistently

Pix of the Kodiak dual PC1200 TJ kit installed for those interested.....

 

[pismo62]

I was looking into the dual Odessy 1200 set-up after reading about it on a Land rover web site.

I was slightly worried about the reserve capacity but with the double 78 (78x2)=156 that's fairly substantial. Although with two 1500 @ 135 each that's a wopping 270.

The fact that you can get the 2 batteries side by side, plus the lighter weight issue makes it attractive. Could the National Luna set-up be used with this, I'm guessing it can. To me sounds like it would be a great system.

The real issue to me would be how much reserve capacity you really need?

I would like to know from flyingwen or Robert a little more about how their systems worked out on trips, any issues?

Here's the figures for the other batteries:
(some info I couldn't find, but most of it's here)

Exide Orbital ORB78DT-84 Battery
Specifications:
● BCI Group Size: 34/78 (Top & Side Post)
● Voltage: 12
● CCA @ 0° F: 770
● CA @ 32° F: 1000
● Reserve Capacity: 95
● Amp Hour @ 20 Hour Rate: 50

Dimensions:
● Length: 10 1/8"
● Width: 7"
● Height: 8 13/16"
Price $ 170.00

Optima Red Top 34-1050 Starting
Specifications:
• BCI Group Size: 34
• Voltage: 12
• Cold Cranking Amps @ 0 F: 800
• Cranking Amps @ 32 F: 1000
• Reserve Capacity Minutes: 110
• Amp Hour (20 Hour Rate): 50
• Weight: 41

Dimensions (Maximum Overall)
• Length: 10
• Width: 6 7/8
• Height: 7 13/16
Price $143.00

DEKA Intimidator 9A78DT
Specifications:
Part Number : 9A78DT
BCI Group Size : 34/78 (Top & Side Posts)
Voltage : 12
Cold Cranking Amps @ 0° F : 740
Cranking Amps @ 32° F : 850
Reserve Capacity Minutes : 120
Amp Hour (20 Hour Rate) : 55

Dimensions:
Length: 10 3/4"
Width: 6 7/8"
Height: 8"
Price $ 110.00

Odyssey Battery - PC1500T
SKU: PC1500T
Odyssey PC1500T
Specifications:
Voltage: 12
Capacity: 62 Ah
Cranking Amps: 1500
Cold Cranking Amps: 800
Group Size: 34
Reserve capacity: 135 minutes

Dimensions:
Length: 10.1"
Width: 7.0"
Height: 7.8"
Price $225.00

PC 1200 Specs:
1200 cranking amps for 5 seconds
1090 cranking amps for 10 seconds
900 cranking amps for 20 seconds
Short circuit current over 2600A
44 amp hours
78 minute reserve capacity with 25amp load
Female brass terminal w/M6 SS bolt
No metal jacket

Length 7 11/16"
Width 6.5"
Height 6 5/8"
Weighs 37.5 lbs
Price ??