Battery
Author
Discussion

Dave 500

Original Poster:

7,725 posts

266 months

Thursday 10th May 2012
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Does anyone know what Optima Red Top battery fits in the cerb smile

Steve_T

6,356 posts

296 months

Thursday 10th May 2012
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The below should fit - the height is the key dimension.

http://www.tayna.co.uk/Optima-Red-Top-Batteries-S1...

One thing to watch for is these are only 50Ah batteries so they won't last as long without charge.

Dave 500

Original Poster:

7,725 posts

266 months

Thursday 10th May 2012
quotequote all
thumbup

ChimpanLucky

9,637 posts

203 months

Thursday 10th May 2012
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I think TVR originally fitted an 072 to the Cerb, just like the one that went in the Chimaeras.

Length = 250mm
Width = 170mm
Height = 205mm

I believe talking to a mate with a Cerb the important bit is to make sure it's not taller than 205mm.

I wouldn't bother with Optima, the quality took a nose dive when they moved production from the US to Mexico.

The spiral technology is more hype than anything, just get a quality AGM battery in the correct dimensions.

With batteries size counts, the truth is you want the biggest battery you can squeeze in there.

If you want to compare the quality of a few batteries of the same dimensions you should weigh them.

The heavier the better, the weight of a lead acid battery tells you a lot about the quality & size of the lead plates inside.

It's always worth paying a bit more for AGM technology too.

You don't need to pay a fortune, my mate imports batteries from China, some are pure rubbish but some are actually quite good quality.

The thing is you would never tell just by looking at them.

Before he commits to buying a batch, he always weights a example.

However, if you want the very best, the Odyssey brand is the only way to go.

They are made in the USA to military standards.

Here are the details for the Odyssey 25-PC1500.

Length: 275.6 mm
Width: 171.7 mm
Height: 198.6 mm
Weight: 22.4 kg

Pulse Hot Cranking Amps: 1500 (For 5 seconds)
Cold Cranking Amps: 850
Hot Cranking Amps: 1250
Marine Cranking Amps: 1050

I would measure up really carefully before you commit.

As I said Chimaeras were also fitted with an 072 by the factory, and the Odyssey 25-PC1500 fits my Chim a treat.

If the 275.6mm length doesn't present an issue in a Cerb (you could remove the clamp), you wont find a better battery than the Odyssey 25-PC1500, period!

Talk with Bristol Batteries and ask for Steve Bonser, tell him Dave with the Chimaera recommended him.

http://www.bristolbatteries.com/

Steve_T

6,356 posts

296 months

Thursday 10th May 2012
quotequote all
I have a PC1500 in my Cerb - it just fits. They're pretty dear now and also the PC1230 is probably a better choice for ease of fit. As per the Red Top it's down on capacity compared to the standard item (55Ah).

ChimpanLucky

9,637 posts

203 months

Thursday 10th May 2012
quotequote all
Odyssey 25-PC1500 Vs Optima Red Top RTS 4.2 Battery

  • Amp Hours: The Odyssey 25-PC1500 has 30% more than the Optima Red Top RTS 4.2
  • Reserve Capacity: The Odyssey 25-PC1500 has 30% more than the Optima Red Top RTS 4.2
  • Weight(kg): No surprise the Odyssey 25-PC1500 also weighs 30% more than the Optima Red Top RTS 4.2
  • Cold Cranking Amps (EN): The Odyssey 25-PC1500 has almost 10% more than the Optima Red Top RTS 4.2
If this isn't enough to convince you, consider the quality question.

The word in the battery trade is the Optima brand have become more trouble than they are worth.

Just recently there have been more Optima warranty claims than you can shake a stick at.

My mate in the trade no longer promotes them for this reason.

On the flip side, he has never had a single Odyssey customer return.


Dave 500

Original Poster:

7,725 posts

266 months

Thursday 10th May 2012
quotequote all
Thanks Dave smile will give Steve a call in the morning.

PS do you know if they deliver?

Gazzab

21,583 posts

306 months

Thursday 10th May 2012
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Are the terminals in the correct positions?

ChimpanLucky

9,637 posts

203 months

Thursday 10th May 2012
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Gazzab said:
Are the terminals in the correct positions?
Odyssey offer two versions of the PC1500.

  • 35-PC1500
  • 25-PC1500
It's the same battery but one has the positive on the left and the other has the positive on the right.

Tafford

280 posts

252 months

Friday 11th May 2012
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I fitted a Optima red top some time ago and it's superb - at least comapred to my old battery which was admittedly not superb at all. Red top seems to retain charge a lot better and also cranks a lot faster.

ChimpanLucky

9,637 posts

203 months

Friday 11th May 2012
quotequote all
Dave 500 said:
Thanks Dave smile will give Steve a call in the morning.

PS do you know if they deliver?
Yes, Bristol Batteries will deliver.

camel_landy

5,418 posts

207 months

Friday 11th May 2012
quotequote all
Dave 500 said:
Thanks Dave smile will give Steve a call in the morning.

PS do you know if they deliver?
No, they do Lamb, Chicken & Fish...

getmecoat

camel_landy

5,418 posts

207 months

Friday 11th May 2012
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I've used both Optima & Odyssey in the past in my Landies...

I've had great service from an old Red-Top in the Defender but the Yellow-Tops were st and franky a waste of a lot of money. I spoke to Optima (long story) and they were as useful as a chocolate fireguard... I will never buy Optima again.

I tried Odyssey and while they were better, they weren't brilliant and IMO not worth the extra money. However, if I ever need to mount a battery in an awkward position, I would consider using them.

I've gone back to the good old lead-acid batteries, as have various friends after similar experiences with these battery technologies.

FWIW - The type 72s are commonly used on Landies too.

M

Dave 500

Original Poster:

7,725 posts

266 months

Friday 18th May 2012
quotequote all
Just a follow up to this....

I have a new battery woohoo its an Odyssey PC1500 and it fits like a glove smile







No problems with hight it went straight in.

I ordered it from Tayna.co.uk in the end.

I did call Bristol Batteries but couldn't speak to Steve frown the bloke I did speak to said they could only deliver to account holders and it was also £30.00 more expensive.

Thanks for everyone's help thumbup

tvr1432

20 posts

191 months

Saturday 19th May 2012
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Optima Yellow Top thumbup

Gazzab

21,583 posts

306 months

Friday 9th November 2012
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Over £220 for a battery. Seems pricey but maybe they are worth it...

ukkid35

6,395 posts

197 months

Friday 9th November 2012
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Gazzab said:
Over £220 for a battery.
I've missed something critical, haven't I? There's a free month's petrol included - yes? Or perhaps you get a year's breakdown cover, or tickets to a GP, or...

jackwibble

664 posts

183 months

Monday 12th November 2012
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Crazy prices for Odyssey/Optima they cant be that good! the old 072 mine came with was still ok after 18months but i have it on an Optimate (other battery conditioners are available).

As it was getting a bit long in the tooth and winter setting in i treated her to a Bosch blue series 086 E12 680cca other than being a tad long for the clamp 278mm it fits like a glove comes with a 4year warranty and cost £65.

You can buy a lot of them for the price of an Od/Op batt.

Gazzab

21,583 posts

306 months

Monday 12th November 2012
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jackwibble said:
Crazy prices for Odyssey/Optima they cant be that good! the old 072 mine came with was still ok after 18months but i have it on an Optimate (other battery conditioners are available).

As it was getting a bit long in the tooth and winter setting in i treated her to a Bosch blue series 086 E12 680cca other than being a tad long for the clamp 278mm it fits like a glove comes with a 4year warranty and cost £65.

You can buy a lot of them for the price of an Od/Op batt.
Fab - did you buy it locally? Can you go and buy one for me and fit it to my car please. I'll make you a cup of tea.

jackwibble

664 posts

183 months

Monday 12th November 2012
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For you Gary anything but cash up front and would make life easier if you whip your nearside air box off and intake hoses,short induction? Yes got it from one of my Doncaster contacts, I'm sure i could sort it for you.
Give me a bell if your interested thumbup