Discussion
Just getting back to completing my GTR after yet another layoff.
Anyways to the question, I periodically fire up the engine to keep everything nicely lubricated. Now over the past 5 years or so I've got through 2 Odyssey PC625 batteries. The last one was purchased a couple of years ago and just doesn't hold charge, even when not connected up.
So I know its not the best way to treat a battery, but surely it should be better than that.
Before I decide what to buy, has anyone else had problems with these batteries or have any advice.
David
Anyways to the question, I periodically fire up the engine to keep everything nicely lubricated. Now over the past 5 years or so I've got through 2 Odyssey PC625 batteries. The last one was purchased a couple of years ago and just doesn't hold charge, even when not connected up.
So I know its not the best way to treat a battery, but surely it should be better than that.
Before I decide what to buy, has anyone else had problems with these batteries or have any advice.
David
David . by the way the pc 925 will fit in the Ultima with little issue. Nearly same money, always better to have more amps in the battery if practical. My P.C. 925 just sat for a month with no issue at all, but I agree with the folks above a battery tender that cycles on and off to keep the battery topped off is best. Lee
I'm pretty sure, the reported damage was, supposedly, caused by trickle charging, however as you said the sophisticated chargers we have now just keep the batteries conditioned.
The first PC625 I had lasted a couple of years before giving up the ghost. I made the mistake of leaving it connected on the car and apparently the alternator always draws a slight current, plus I found out subsequently my alternator was knackered. So perhaps a combination of faults and my oversight caused it to die.
The second battery however has only ever been connected when starting the car, with a new alternator fitted. The odyssey blurb states a fully charged battery will hold its charge for up to 2 years when in storage. Hmmmm, mine doesn't.
So am I just unlucky? What are the batteries of choice?
David
The first PC625 I had lasted a couple of years before giving up the ghost. I made the mistake of leaving it connected on the car and apparently the alternator always draws a slight current, plus I found out subsequently my alternator was knackered. So perhaps a combination of faults and my oversight caused it to die.
The second battery however has only ever been connected when starting the car, with a new alternator fitted. The odyssey blurb states a fully charged battery will hold its charge for up to 2 years when in storage. Hmmmm, mine doesn't.
So am I just unlucky? What are the batteries of choice?
David
ROWDYRENAULT said:
David . by the way the pc 925 will fit in the Ultima with little issue. Nearly same money, always better to have more amps in the battery if practical. My P.C. 925 just sat for a month with no issue at all, but I agree with the folks above a battery tender that cycles on and off to keep the battery topped off is best. Lee
Thanks Lee,I found with both batteries I had, that if my car didn't start within 6 to 8 goes of 10sec cranking then the battery was flat. I'm definitely investing in a ctek charger.
David
David
Your car should start first time if it is an LS engine (I couldn't find details in your profile).
The Factory recommended battery is at it's limit with a large capacity engine, so you do need to keep it topped up. I increased the size of my battery to a red top 60, with no issues since.
No battery likes to sit, so charging and discharging it regularly is the only way to keep it in good condition.
Paul
Your car should start first time if it is an LS engine (I couldn't find details in your profile).
The Factory recommended battery is at it's limit with a large capacity engine, so you do need to keep it topped up. I increased the size of my battery to a red top 60, with no issues since.
No battery likes to sit, so charging and discharging it regularly is the only way to keep it in good condition.
Paul
If you run a battery completely flat. That is it, knackered, buy a new one! I have an odyssey which is now 6 years old and going strong. It is always connected to a trickle charger when not in use. The thing with Odyssey and any other AGM type batteries is that its fully charged voltage is slightly less that a normal lead acid. SO if you charge it with a charger that does not have the correct setting for battery type it will get overcharged and damaged. AGM batteries which the Odyssey is are a better type of battery which is why they are used in most new cars with stop/start systems but they require the correct trickle charging voltages.
I have a factory supplied ER30 (from memory that's what they supplied). Sat around and didn't go into a "driving" car for 2 years. Didn't need to be charged up, was OK then. Now I drive the car once a month (or less). I don't trickle charge. I've never had the car not start. LS7. Each of my drives does however last at least 1 hour of driving.
Optima yellow top, If it runs flat they are recoverable, Mine has run completely flat (alarm /immobiliser) after a non-scheduled lay-up, four years old now.
Sometimes it is weeks before I get to drive the car but starts after a few cranks every time, obviously if you intend to leave the car over winter trickle charge it as said above using a "smart charger" like C-tek et al.
Sometimes it is weeks before I get to drive the car but starts after a few cranks every time, obviously if you intend to leave the car over winter trickle charge it as said above using a "smart charger" like C-tek et al.
Storer said:
David
Your car should start first time if it is an LS engine (I couldn't find details in your profile).
The Factory recommended battery is at it's limit with a large capacity engine, so you do need to keep it topped up. I increased the size of my battery to a red top 60, with no issues since.
No battery likes to sit, so charging and discharging it regularly is the only way to keep it in good condition.
Paul
PaulYour car should start first time if it is an LS engine (I couldn't find details in your profile).
The Factory recommended battery is at it's limit with a large capacity engine, so you do need to keep it topped up. I increased the size of my battery to a red top 60, with no issues since.
No battery likes to sit, so charging and discharging it regularly is the only way to keep it in good condition.
Paul
My engine is an sbc, in fact it's the one from the factory demo car (640). The battery was what,at the time was recommended by the factory.
As has been suggested, I've always felt the battery has been at it's limit and as I've said is quickly depleted. Sounds as though most are opting for a higher capacity battery.
David
Edited by djb222 on Tuesday 7th July 10:06
There is a big difference between deep discharge and completely flat. Completely flat = alarm/immobiliser/clock/stereo putting a constant small draw on the battery for months until there is nothing left at all.Modern more expensive batteries can do more deep discharges i.e. red/yellow top and odyssey but charging recommendations should be adhered to. Why spend £200+ on battery and £5 on crap charger.
F.C. said:
Optima yellow top, If it runs flat they are recoverable, Mine has run completely flat (alarm /immobiliser) after a non-scheduled lay-up, four years old now.
Sometimes it is weeks before I get to drive the car but starts after a few cranks every time, obviously if you intend to leave the car over winter trickle charge it as said above using a "smart charger" like C-tek et al.
Optima yellow top for me also......no problems including leaving disconnected over couple of winter months as well as leaving connected (inc immobiliser) for a few weeks. Now 5 years old.Sometimes it is weeks before I get to drive the car but starts after a few cranks every time, obviously if you intend to leave the car over winter trickle charge it as said above using a "smart charger" like C-tek et al.
Rscocca said:
Braille battery makes some very light weight yet powerful battery's.
I installed a ML30C Weight 4.2 KG 1650 cranking amps. Yes pricey but I'll never have a problem cranking a hot LS7 after a long run.
Also, Upgrade the gauge of your cables, I ran 0 gauge for both + and - cables.
The issue with these is that you have to sell several organs to afford one. I make it at around £1 per cranking amp!I installed a ML30C Weight 4.2 KG 1650 cranking amps. Yes pricey but I'll never have a problem cranking a hot LS7 after a long run.
Also, Upgrade the gauge of your cables, I ran 0 gauge for both + and - cables.
My original Red Top 40 was bought in 95, sat for a couple of years untouched whilst build was finished an then was used until about 2007 when I thought it was getting a bit weak so it was replaced by a second red top which is still going now. Its sits trickle charging from an Optimate v4
The first one still holds plenty of charge and is the family 'jump start' battery. So sits for long periods without being charged and then is asked to jump a car. Occasionally gets put on the Optimate for a charge when it runs out of puff.
Can't fault the combination, at least with my SBC
The first one still holds plenty of charge and is the family 'jump start' battery. So sits for long periods without being charged and then is asked to jump a car. Occasionally gets put on the Optimate for a charge when it runs out of puff.
Can't fault the combination, at least with my SBC
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