Optima vs. Odyssey and what model?

[HongerVenture]

Okay, so my truck’s battery has finally given up the ghost… and she’s stranded in the garage (which is the best place for this to occur).

I’ve held off on dual-batteries until this point because I wanted to use identical batteries and I couldn’t bring myself to change over while the current battery was still in good shape… seemed wasteful.

First decision to make… Optima or Odyssey.

People seem to be switching over to Odyssey around here because of dissatisfaction with Optima. Can some of you folks share some stories of your Optima woes (or your satisfaction if that be the case)? Also, is there anyone here who has long-term experience with Odyssey? I’ve noticed lots of folks switching, but haven’t seen any “I’ve had my Odyssey for 7-years, through 500 full-discharges, and it still powers my Engel 45 for a month!” type of stories. Okay, so I exaggerate, but I’m looking for success stories.

I’m leaning Odyssey, so that brings up my second choice…
PC1200 series… or PC1500 series? I’ve noticed several people here using the 1200 as their starter battery. Heck, FlyingWil is using an additional 1200 for his auxiliary as well. The only thing the PC1200 model lacks in comparison to the Red Top Optima is CCA. Any input from ya’ll in this department?

Any suggestions or food for thought is appreciate…

If I go Odyssey batteries I’m going to have to do the whole dual-battery system in stages… these batteries come with a hefty price tag.

[BigAl]

My Optima yellow top performs as advertised. Long winch pulls and my assorted electronic gadgets don't seem to bother it.

[DaveInDenver]

I have a Optima Red Top that is at least 6 years old now. It might be getting weak, but it's been used several times to drive the truck with the starter over the years and it's been fine. I'm planning on replacing it with another Red Top, although I think a Yellow Top might be a better fit for me. I dunno what people are doing to kill Optimas, but I use it as a light duty deep cycle running the radio all night or a small campsite light as it is my only battery and it's gone this long (it will be 7 years in October). Maybe winching doesn't make it happy?

[bigreen505]

Dave my recollection is that the combination of hard use in high heat environments is what does it. I think most of the complaints came from the Arizona/Baja contingent. My experience is that temperature extremes are tough on batteries. According to my mechanic, they get as many people coming in with dead batteries when the temps rise above 95 as they do when it drops below zero, both are significantly higher than average and increase exponentially day by day with sustained heat/cold periods.

[Bergger]

Not sure about the hot weather problems but I've got friends that swear by Optimas. I just replaced my battery a few months ago and decided to give this a try. It's a spiral cell like an Optima. Made by Exide. I found some good articals on it so I got one and have been happy so far. Just another option to think about.

http://www.procomp.com.au/Images/PcImg_ProCompBatteries.gif

http://www.exideworld.com/News/pressrelease/general/20021021_4_wheel_parts.html

[p1michaud]

Can't offer any advice on the Odyssey, however I have installed and used an Optima Red Top in my 1999 Tacoma for 3 years with no issues. I've also recently installed a new Exide Orbital Xtreme Cycle Duty Battery (34XCD (http://www.exide.com/products/automotive/exide_select_orbital_XCD.html)) as my aux. battery used to power a winch, off road lights, CB radio and full time power outlets. Can't comment on longevity since it's about 2 months old, but so far so good.

Cheers,
P

[dieselcruiserhead]

I ran the Exides last time and they were great, that is what I plan doing again probably.. I killed two optimas when not being used regularly... The Exides and especially the Optimas are very much mass produced, not sure what the overall quality control is. The Odysseys are also factory made (of course) but are generally considered much higher quality and are made in smaller numbers. Also hence the price difference. Does it really make a difference? Not sure...

[DaveInDenver]

I ran the Exides last time and they were great, that is what I plan doing again probably.. I killed two optimas when not being used regularly... The Exides and especially the Optimas are very much mass produced, not sure what the overall quality control is. The Odysseys are also factory made (of course) but are generally considered much higher quality and are made in smaller numbers. Also hence the price difference. Does it really make a difference? Not sure...
I've been to the Optima factory (it's where I got mine, mine is technically a factory second blemish). I dunno, seemed like any other manufacturer and I sort of doubt Odyssey is much different. Odyssey is smaller, although that also means that they are more likely to fluctuate in ability to handle surges in demand without quality issues. I'm also not completely sure that Odyssey doesn't farm out some production, too. I don't have any particular reason to know that, just been enough job interviews with contract manufacturing places and you see a lot of stuff being built in places you wouldn't expect. Shrug.

[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

[offroad_nomad]

I'm running an Optima Blue Top D34M for about a year and its worked well in the 4Runner. The D34M is both a starting and deep cycle battery. A nice feature are the extra pair of threaded posts with wing nuts to power accessories.

[Beowulf]

Mr. Yates,

What system are you using to run the dual batteries?

[spressomon]

I have had two Orbital Deep Cycle batteries within the past 22-months; first one was under non-prorate warranty and the second, last month, was not. Both batteries failed after having my rig down for mods for 3-5 weeks. For whatever reason the voltage could not be increased beyond about 7-volts both times. These were used in my second dual battery circuit.

Both times they deamed them bad batteries. But I also have a 23-month old Orbital (non deep cycle) that has performed perfectly...this one serves as the primary battery in my dual battery system.

[HongerVenture]

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

This is good to hear since I've got a PC1200 on its way from Sierra Expeditions (Thanks Wil!).

I'll be adding another PC1200 or a PC1700 for my second battery. There's a couple other things I'd like to do with the cash before I go dual battery.

Keep the feedback coming, thanks for all the info here guys.

[calamaridog]

The PC1200 should be great as a primary battery. If you were only going to have 1 battery, I would go with something larger like the PC1700.

Since the Odyssey combines the qualities of both a starting battery and a deep cycle battery, they don't have quite as many amp hours as a true deep cycle battery.

For this reason, I may not use one as my second battery and go with a true deep cycle battery instead for more amp hours.

If I was only going to have one battery, it would definitely be an Odyssey PC1700 or larger.

[Nullifier]

Well I have been runing optima batterys for a long time . Why I don't know. Got sucker written on my forhead probably. Never had one go more then 3 years. Never had optima stand behind one either. Most of my hotrods had been set up to run batteries on the side and they were the only available option for awhile. I just blew a yellow in my toyota and replaced it with the red out of my ranger since the tranny just crapped out. Stupid tranny I mean I only got 247,000 miles out of it. Damn POS tranny LOL!
Anyway I'm going to be replaceing my battery selection with something else.
Probably the Deka Intimidator. Mike just startedwitht hese soo I will probably give them a go. Can't be any worse that's for sure!

[asteffes]

I'm going to go the single-huge-battery route for less wiring complexity, using an Odyssey PC2150. It's a huge battery and should provide all the power any basic rig will ever need.

[Mlachica]

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.

[devinsixtyseven]

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

[hoser]

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.

[PhulesAU]

3+ years with a red top. 4 radios stereo and enough lights to scare a UFO away. I leave the radios on for extended period and a scene, usually running 25w when transmitting. strobes running and lap top plotting team tracks. NO problem.

[BlueHZT60]

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

[MaddBaggins]

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.

[pwc]

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 (http://hellroaring.com/) 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.

[ZooJunkie]

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

[IntrepidXJ]

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

[Dave]

I'm going to go the single-huge-battery route for less wiring complexity, using an Odyssey PC2150. It's a huge battery and should provide all the power any basic rig will ever need.

Did you end up with the 2150? Thoughts?

[JonS]

I've got a 2150 that I bought for my travel trailer. I'm planning a long trip to Baja in the future and I'll take the battery out of the trailer and either use it as my only battery in a Tundra or set it up as an auxillary. The battery has performed great.

[calamaridog]

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

[PhulesAU]

A Shoe Horn and some Vasoline????:littlefriend:

[HongerVenture]

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. :eek:

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

[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]

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. :eek:

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.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/IMG_2118.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/IMG_2113.jpgUsed a Sure Power Separator.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/IMG_2110.jpg

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.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/IMG_2118.jpg
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/IMG_2113.jpgUsed a Sure Power Separator.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/IMG_2110.jpg

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.....

http://www.stu-offroad.com/electrical/kodiak/kodiak-2.jpg

http://www.stu-offroad.com/electrical/kodiak/kodiak-3.jpg

[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 ??

[robert j. yates]

Well....I have not really had a chance to really put the dual kit to the test yet where there was a serious discharge of the batteries. I've winched with it but it was no big deal as it was a short pull. I've pulled them both once to use my Readywelder and again....no big deal.

FYI, I also run a Mechman 220amp alternator along with the isolator so that might be affecting my outcome. Eitherway....I have a ton of power *and* reserve. I'm plenty satisfied with my choice.

Edit: I paid $140 ea. for the PC1200's.

[Redline]

Some good posts/info here. I really like the idea of running dual PC1200s, particularly if you separate them so you always have one for starting. But my 4Runner doesn't have the space to turn the PC1200s sideways (7.8-in.) so I will stick with my plan for one PC1750, and maybe add a much smaller back-up later?

[HongerVenture]

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.

http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a352/flyingwil/IMG_2118.jpg

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!

Excellent! I've been really happy with the PC1200 I got from you guys at Sierra. I'm planning on going the dual PC1200 route in the coming months.

[HongerVenture]

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.

I've been giving this a lot of thought myself. The single PC1200 will keep the Engel running for a day with no problem... truck starts right up.

However, as I add accessories I'm concerned about the reserve capacity being enough. I've been toying with getting a PC1500 to supplement the PC1200. The idea would be to keep everything powered off the PC1500 as the main with the PC1200 as my reserve so I can start the truck with it if I draw down the PC1500.

In any case, I've been very satisfied with the Odyssey.

[taugust]

Well, I see that others have taken the same route I did. I bought two Odessy 1200's and mounted them side by side in the stock location in my Tacaoma with a custom fabbed tray and holddown. Used the Hellroaring isolator. By the way, the Hellroaring site is a wealth of info on theory of dual battery systems. Good info.

I have to 2nd battery as backup only. Nothing attached to it directly. So far so good.

Tim

[hoser]

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.Thanks, I am using the VDC Battery Minder (http://www.vdcelectronics.com/batteryminder_12117.htm) that charges between 14.2-14.4 VDC. I have been using it for two years now on my sports cars that rarely move and am satisfied with it.

[TACODOC]

After tons of research and many hours of weighty deliberation... I finally went with a single Odyssey 1700MJT for my 05 Tacoma from Sierra Expeditions :)

Simple, heavy duty, less wiring, less connections to troubleshoot down the road. It should handle my Engel and other small draws with ease.

[Sloan]

There is an article in the March Off Road magazine where they insatalled the Odyssey PC680 as their main battery, used a Power-Gate switch and then an Odyssey PC1700 for the accessories. I was thinking of going this route and then I saw the price tag on the Power-Gate.

[Mlachica]

There is an article in the March Off Road magazine where they insatalled the Odyssey PC680 as their main battery, used a Power-Gate switch and then an Odyssey PC1700 for the accessories. I was thinking of going this route and then I saw the price tag on the Power-Gate.

That's what I had in my taco before I sold it, except my starting battery was the 1200mjt. I was very satisfied with the setup. In my 80 I have the perfect switch and two 100ah lifeline deep cycle batteries, I just need to install the second battery still :( The reason I went with lifeline is because I have the space for them...

[Sloan]

Is the perfect switch worth the money?

[vcsnover]

There was a little article/editorial/ interest piece at the end of the Summer Overland Journal that touches on batteries and personal preference, but I believe he swears by the Optima. This is a great thread, you guys know a lot of stuff. At least compared to me... not that you have to work real hard to know more than I do, but I learn a lot everytime I get into one of these threads. Keep it coming!

[FlyingWen]

Excellent! I've been really happy with the PC1200 I got from you guys at Sierra. I'm planning on going the dual PC1200 route in the coming months.

Glad to hear it!


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

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


We have been very pleased with our Odyssey 1200's (http://www.sierraexpeditions.com/index.php?l=product_detail&p=43). We run a MT45 (usually on the coldest setting) overnight on trips. Toss in a winch, power inverter for Margaritas, axillary lights, and an Extremeaire Compressor and you would think we would have a lull in power, but NOPE! I can't say enough good things about these batteries regardless of the size you choose. They are a great, dependable product!

:26_7_2: