[LRNAD90]

Anyone use a PC2150 in their D-90?

I’ve been considering trying an Odyssey PC2150 in my D-90. For a single battery, the specs look pretty good (200 min reserve capacity, 1190 cca), but it is costly of course. I want a sealed battery (electric air compressor lives in the same space), but can get similar specs from a wet cell Commercial Interstate (31-MHD -- 950 cca, 195 min reserve capacity) for less than half the price. Is the Odyssey that good a battery? Anyone have personal experience with them?

Of course, there is always the standby option of two yellow top Optimas, but I was liking the simplicity of a single, high capacity battery. Thoughts..

 

[Davis]

I had been debating this questions for a while (until my current battery is done with since if you do dual batteries it is best to use two new ones). The question, to me, is if you want the back up of a second battery. If you have a drain on a BIG battery, sure it will take a while to drain it, but then you are stuck. With two batteries, you always have one in spare for emergencies. With two batteries, you can also hook them together for welding, although you usually can find some one else to borrow a battery or two from. So I was pretty convinced that I wanted to go with two batteries for redundency sake.

What sealed that is the price. I can get two yellow top Excide spiral cells (my preference) for $250 or I can get two red top Optimas from Costco for $220 (Yellow Optimas would be $300). This is basically the same price for the Odyssey beast battery, which runs anywhere from $240 to $300. I already have a battery Isolator (for my winch) but if you did not have one, then you could get one for $30 at most marine places. So for the same price, you get just about equal power, but one with redundency. If you have the extra dough, a battery isolator/charger like the Wrangler one would be a nice addition (or X-mas present).

When my battery dies, I am planning on two yellow tops.

 

[thewap]

I like the specs on the Odyssey battery. I'm running two yellow top Optimas in tandem, but carry a spare for redundancy.
I didn't want an isolator as I want to keep things simple. I would definitely opt for an Odysee as a single, and carry a back up spare (cheap) for emergencies.

 

[Scott 9835]

I got one of the 2150 and it has been truble free, by far the best battery i have ever used. The reserve is amazing. I left the fan on overnight and the thing still started up. If you can aford it i would requment it.

 

[Davis]

Well, that reserve is impressive. I once again am on the fence. Mainly because I like to use the truck to show movies using the inverter (basically, 1 movie per charge) without having to start the truck--I bet that 2150 would handle it.

Just when I thought I was out.....they pull you back in!

 

[LRNAD90]

Thanks for the input everyone. Now does anyone know of a distributor in Maryland, hate to have to pay $100 for shipping...

 

[Davis]

www.batterymart.com has decent shipping

Follow-up Post:

Where to Buy ODYSSEY®
Company Name City State Phone
National Railway Supply, Inc
(Railroad Master Distributor) All All 912-920-4575
P&H Auto Electric Inc. Baltimore MD 410-282-1830
Kunkel Service Co. Bel Air MD 410-838-3344
Batteries Plus Rockville MD 301-738-0606

http://www.odysseyfactory.com/ody_md.htm

And I might just be convinced...

 

[rover4x4]

so it seems this battery is about the same as two optima redtops? One of these would handle winch duty fine?

 

[Robbie Donaldson]

i picked mine up from a local batteries plus: http://www.batteriesplus.com/

they didn't have one in stock, so they just ordered one and i picked it up a couple days later.

 

[Davis]

Robbie and Scott--could you take a picture of where you mounted yours/how you tied it down? Thanks!

 

[Robbie Donaldson]

sorry Chris, I actually have mine in my DII. just drop in replacement for that.

 

[Davis]

Well, I got the 2150, they were out so they gave me the metal jacket version for the same price. They warned me that a short circuit would pretty much melt the D90 (5000 amp short circuit) so I wanted it mounted securely. I made this frame out of some spare 1-1/2" angle iron and then welded it up and welded it to the bottom seat box. Just an FYI.

 

[dmarchand]

Chris, is it too tall to sit vertical?

 

[Davis]

David, yes, it is too tall by about 0.5". I thought about "bumping" up the lid, but I don't want to risk a short. The battery is 9.45" tall and the seat box slopes so the rear terminal at least would hit.

 

[LRNAD90]

David, yes, it is too tall by about 0.5". I thought about "bumping" up the lid, but I don't want to risk a short. The battery is 9.45" tall and the seat box slopes so the rear terminal at least would hit.

That's weird. The battery that Interstate Battery's database recommends for the Defender (Interstate 29H-VHD) is listed at 9.38" tall, and the ODYSSEY 2150 specs show it to be 9.41" no metal jacket, 9.45" metal jacketed (PC2100 Specs), I wouldn't think 3 to 7/100ths of an inch would make a difference.

Is it because of the screw on post adapters the ODYSSEY needs? If I go this route (single battery), I would want it to sit up like the factory battery did. I even considered going with an Interstate 31-MHD because it is relatively cheap, and has good CCA/Reserve specs (950CCA/195 min), but I need to stay with a sealed battery, since I also have my air compressor mounted in there. Here are a couple pics of the mock-up I did with dual Optimas...

I had the Air Compressor mounted on the passenger side of the original under driver's seat battery compartment with the original battery, but would move it to the back of the compartment with the duals idea. May consider ODYSSEY PC1500's in place of Optimas as well, but they might not fit either, since they are slightly larger (but also slightly shorter). Decisions, decisions..

 

[Red90]

Possibly the width?? The normal battery sits down in a recessed area.

I have dual Exide Orbital Marine Deep Cyle/Starters. They just fit. 750 CCA and 50 A-h each.

Have you considered the (large) Group 31 Optima, 1125 CCA and 75 A-h.

 

[LRNAD90]

Possibly the width?? The normal battery sits down in a recessed area.

I have dual Exide Orbital Marine Deep Cyle/Starters. They just fit. 750 CCA and 50 A-h each.

Have you considered the (large) Group 31 Optima, 1125 CCA and 75 A-h.

Hey John,

I suppose the extra quarter inch of width could keep it from sitting down in the bottom of the factory battery channel, thereby making it too tall. Hopefully Chris will see this and chime in, since he has been there, done that.

I did look at the Optima group 31 battery, but its specs seem to be signifigantly off of the PC2150's, and the size difference is very minimal. Reserve time is the most important spec to me, and at 200 minutes, the PC2150 has a 45 minute advantage over the Group 31 Optima, and a 190A advantage over the Optima's 900 CCA rating (I think the 1125 A spec you have is actually the CA, measured at +32 degress F, instead of the CCA spec measured at 0 degrees F).

Optima Group 31 Specs

ODYSSEY PC2150 Specs

 

[Red90]

Your right on that.

On the CCA, in reality I don't believe it matters much above 600 Amps in my experience. The starters can't draw nearly those loads. I live in a place that reaches -40 and never have seen differences in starter performance between batteries in good conditions despite large changes in the CCA rating.

Is reserve capacity a test that is equivalent amongst manufacturers? I know the A-h rating follows a set test, so is comparable.

Here are mine

 

[Davis]

The seat box in the 90's slope, with the front being the tallest. I measured with the battery standing up and at the rear it just barely, if at all, fit. You might be able to make it fit, but it was too close for me and did not want to waste any time since I was planning on making a strong bracket for it to hold it down anyways. Don't even think of using the stock holes to hold this thing down--it is really, really heavy. Something like 75lbs. The battery and cardboard box weighed in at 82 lbs. Off road with josteling, you need to make sure it does not break free--this thing is way above spec's for that stock battery box.

Let me know if I can help further.

 

[Red90]

My batteries (2x38 lbs) are using the stock mounting. Over a year with lots off hard off roading. Everything is solid and secure.