Odyssey battery failed after 7 years

[jeffjeeptj]

As the title says. 7 years. This was a PC1500 (group 34) in my LJ Rubi. It had been drained down at least 4 times over the years. to the point where the starter relay would not even click. The first was when the batt had been installed for 3 days. It was used with the Warn 9500ti winch for some pretty heavy pulls many times. It was first in my 2002 TJ, then moved to the new to me LJ. Battery was worked hard and probably abused. I live in the South, so underhood temps can be warmer.
I'm on a contract job where attendance is necessary to be paid and being late is a bad thing. Jeep began having that low voltage start sound. Yesterday AM, overnight voltage dropped to 11.84 prior to starting. SO,

to Sears I went, Diehard Platinum P4. On sale for $199, better warranty than Odyssey, cup of coffee while I waited. Waiting was the hard part, because I like to do the work myself and look around while things are disassembled.

The curious thing is, the 8 year old Odyssey PC1700 in my wife's Sequoia failed a week ago, 10.5 volts overnight. Sympatico?

 

[Bighead]

Did you ever use a battery charger with the Odyssey or did you rely on the vehicle only to keep it charged?

 

[1911]

A Die-hard Platinum is a re-badged Odyssey. 7-8 years is not bad in my book, even for the extra cost of these batteries. I run them in all of my trucks and cars.

 

[Redline]

I agree with 1911, 7-8 years is not bad, but I'm hoping for a bit more from my three Odyssey 1750s in two vehicles. I'd love to see the middle of the 8–12 year lifespan that Odyssey says is possible, of course duty cycle is a factor.

I just recommend the Sears Platinum to a buddy for his diesel, his original Motorcraft batteries are 8 years old and still going.

 

[HenryJ]

Thanks for posting. I'd be happy with that life.
From what research I have done , the Odyssey 34/78 PC1500 is sort of the "black sheep" in their batteries. They must have needed to fill a void in their applications and "outsourced?" this dual terminal battery. Badged as an Odyssey it is a compact plate absorbed glass mat battery, even though their website has it listed otherwise. Much of their line are dry cell.
Enersys appears to be the parent company. Perhaps it is a different line that manufactures the AGM batteries?
Johnson Controls manufactures most of the flooded cell batteries for Sears. Their exception is the Diehard Platinum line of AGM batteries. It has been a very long time ago now, but all indicators were that Enersys was their manufacturer. Every comparison that I have done says the Odyssey 34/78 PC1500 and the Sears Diehard Platinum 34/78 are the same with the exception of the case color and labels. Here is mine:

Things change rapidly today. One company buys another, cost cutting, new suppliers, consolidation. "Caveat Emptor". Be ever vigilant. Change is inevitable. Posts like this keep us all informed about the current state of flux. Thank you.

 

[jeffjeeptj]

I did the original post as a piece of data/info. To fill in a couple of answers, i have a charger that has an AGM setting, and used it to recharge when the discharges occurred at home. When awY, jumped it and drove a while. Probably should look into modifying the vehicle charging system to better fit the AGM voltage requirements. But 7 years is ok with me.
I put the Odyssey 1500 next to the Platinum, cases were identical, except where the 2nd terms exited.
I am a firm believer in these batts

 

[mtnbike28]

Battery question? What are you folks getting from these Sears Platinums? My Taco has it's original battery (2012-2001build date = 10 years) I was at Sears and saw the warranty was short to me for a $200 plus battery... I had an old Red Top Optima in my 40 that was drained dead many times.... but have read several folks saying the newer ones are not as good...

 

[1911]

Battery question? What are you folks getting from these Sears Platinums?

Can't say yet; the oldest one I have is 5+ years old in an FJC and still going strong.

 

[HenryJ]

The Diehard Platinum batteries have , perhaps the best warranty in the industry now. Free Replacement 48 months and Pro Rated Replacement to 100 months. Odyssey offers a 4yr replacement on some of their line too, but no mention of pro-rating.
Optima has changed. Their warranty used to be unmatched. That is no longer the case. They have a 36 month warranty for the RedTop and yellowTop , with 24 months on the YellowTop and BlueTop group 31.
Much of the industry offers the 36 month free replacement on their premium line of smaller automotive batteries. That seems to be the standard for batteries. For larger commercial sizes one year is the norm.

I have only a little over two years on a Diehard Platinum, so I can not attest to their longevity. I'll check back in half a dozen years to update

 

[FellowTraveler]

Ever use a desulfinator,or?

An on-board desulfinator and proper charger and charging rate can work wonders to extend life of batteries.

 

[Tacostan]

An on-board desulfinator and proper charger and charging rate can work wonders to extend life of batteries.

My Sears Platinum P-2 Group 65 was having problems taking a charge, it would max out at 93%. I talked to a battery rep and he advised to discharge to 10 volts which is 0% charge. I then charged it for 24 hours and it reached 100%. This method is supposed to desulpinate the battery. I am currently testing it in my garage with the ARB fridge hooked up to it. So far, things look good with the charge and voltage levels.

 

[FellowTraveler]

On-Board Desulphator-Conditioners will keep batteries at peak performance, I use them for everything!