The diesel version does come with two batteries and actually, they often run three batteries under the hood. However, our US spec airbox gets in the way, so we can only fit two in the LC and one in the AHC equipped 100, due to the AHC pump.
Mounting a Battery Inside The Rig. Any real downsides??
- Thread starter Boston Mangler
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Hey Les,
What about these
With a 3 year warranty on these from Sears @ $249 I would go with this before the Odyssey at $100 more since they come out of the same factory
DieHard Marine Battery, Platinum PM-1 - Group Size 31M - Model PM-1 at Sears.com
Thanks, and you have very valid points. I fabricated 2 totally custom battery mounts (trying to find pics)for the race truck (80 series land cruiser) and we had (2) Odyssey 925s installed. Long story short, truck barrell rolled down a 700ft cliff, batteries didnt budge!
I feel i can pull this off safely from that standpoint.
I was more curious about the gases, i am going to go for it! At least one of my windows is open all the time anyway!
Sounds like you are already on top of the mounting issue.
Don't forget however that shock/forces of running a vehicle into a dead-stop wall at 80mph, or a head-on collision at high speeds, can break things loose from the vehicle beyond what you might expect. In the split-second of such conditions, a big massive battery will impart HUGE forces to its mountings.
...
Boston;
Don't think the out gassing is going to be a problem. Odyssey's can be sent by mail system.
U will need a proper charger for the Odyssey series and one is now available. The 80 series alternator does not have the correct charge algorithm - which means u will need to periodically need to charge the batt with the below battery charger (25 amp model). This will allow u to get around 10 years out of the battery.
This is one dam fine charger.
Odyssey charger:
ODYSSEY Batteries - Chargers
West Coast Batteries:
Odyssey Drycell Batteries
Hold downs:
Odyssey Battery Hold Down
On the subject of battery boxes; if u scour the web, u might be able to find a stainless steel aircraft box, which was used for the odyssey that fit in aircraft and helos. I used to have one but don't know where it is now.
Aluminum Battery Racks & Boxes from Aircraft Spruce
Don't think the out gassing is going to be a problem. Odyssey's can be sent by mail system.
U will need a proper charger for the Odyssey series and one is now available. The 80 series alternator does not have the correct charge algorithm - which means u will need to periodically need to charge the batt with the below battery charger (25 amp model). This will allow u to get around 10 years out of the battery.
This is one dam fine charger.
Odyssey charger:
ODYSSEY Batteries - Chargers
West Coast Batteries:
Odyssey Drycell Batteries
Hold downs:
Odyssey Battery Hold Down
On the subject of battery boxes; if u scour the web, u might be able to find a stainless steel aircraft box, which was used for the odyssey that fit in aircraft and helos. I used to have one but don't know where it is now.
Aluminum Battery Racks & Boxes from Aircraft Spruce
Is this an issue with his 100 series too?
Yes; almost all alternator/regulators in the US are designed for lead-acid (standard) batteries. As such, these charging systems fall a little short of the specs for the hi-tech Odyssey series.
For example, the Odyssey PC925's that I run in my 80 want to see full charge at 12.8 volts. 12.6 volts is around 95% charge. The alternator/regulator will get there on a long drive, but around town driving will result in a lower voltage over time. This means charging the battery with the proper charger because the battery will slowly get weak over many months of use. I've been recording this over the last 6 years.
Besides, its good PM to check the batts every 6 months.
I'm not sure about newer cars, but have read that the charge algorithm is suppose to relate to the new hi-tech batteries. There are systems out there to modify the alternator that I have been looking into:
page1index
but this doesn't look like a plug-n-play arrangement.
If u study the specs and info on the Odyssey (and Optima-Gates) there are requirement for getting full charge and longevity out of these wonders. A lot of guy just throw a junk charger on the battery and wonder why they crap out at two years - when a proper charger will bring these gadgets back to life...
...
For example, the Odyssey PC925's that I run in my 80 want to see full charge at 12.8 volts. 12.6 volts is around 95% charge. The alternator/regulator will get there on a long drive, but around town driving will result in a lower voltage over time. This means charging the battery with the proper charger because the battery will slowly get weak over many months of use. I've been recording this over the last 6 years.
Besides, its good PM to check the batts every 6 months.
I'm not sure about newer cars, but have read that the charge algorithm is suppose to relate to the new hi-tech batteries. There are systems out there to modify the alternator that I have been looking into:
page1index
but this doesn't look like a plug-n-play arrangement.
If u study the specs and info on the Odyssey (and Optima-Gates) there are requirement for getting full charge and longevity out of these wonders. A lot of guy just throw a junk charger on the battery and wonder why they crap out at two years - when a proper charger will bring these gadgets back to life...
...
- Thread starter
- #27
- Thread starter
- #28
Thanks for the great links! Very informative!
Those bat chargers are $400+ WOW
There are lots of folks running them in the 100 series, so i assume the alt is ok??
Yeah, the downside of those is that the sears version has 2 additional terminals!
The plus side of this for me is that i ONLY drive my truck when we do long trips, so there will be lots of charging!
Yes, BM just showed those to me and I will probably go that route as well. I also like the in-store pick-up savings.
I've been using the Battery Minder for the past couple years to maintain my other Odyssey battery. It was only like $40 and the company states it is for use with Odyssey AGM batteries.
So you have to be KEEN to pay $400 for a charger and try to save an extra year or 2 out of a $250 dollar battery
It will be OK, the 100 series alternator specs output between 13.2 and 14.8 volts, they will get charged and give you a useful service life. If you are going to constantly "Deep discharge" this battery to 100% depth of discharge, then you may wish to purchase a special charger to help try to save your battery from the detrimental affects that this has on the battery.
Yeah, the downside of those is that the sears version has 2 additional terminals!
Hacksaws are made for the purpose of removing items you don't want
The plus side of this for me is that i ONLY drive my truck when we do long trips, so there will be lots of charging!
Good, so when you discharge it while you are away, it will get a good charge on the return home.
See above and below
The typical service life of the battery is 6 to 8 years. This can be achieved in controlled conditions, especially if the battery is kept at 25 degrees Celcius. You may well achieve this in your vehicle, but if you are relying on "any battery" in remote locations without suport, I would not be going out with a 6 to 8 year old battery. $250 for the sears DieHard battery over 5 years is $50 per year. Cheap and probably reliable over that period but personally "for $50" I wouldn't push it any further. One breakdown on the highway will cost you that, (plus time and inconvience) and a lot more time/money and headaches if you are in a remote location.
No alternator will charge exactly as each and every different battery and manufacturer requires.
However, they will generally maintain a battery in a good condition, as long as the vehicle is not being used to go for extremely short trips constantly, or if they get excessively HOT. I have previously recommended that anyone who fits an AGM or sealed/VRLA/low maintenance battery under their bonnet, to adequately insulate it from the under bonnet temperatures. As a battery's temperature rises, the charging voltage must be reduced to stop excessive gassing of the battery.
Your alternator is designed to maintain a voltage output that will charge and maintan the battery, as well as supply enough current for all running devices on your vehicle. It is also designed to have a reserve capacity to charge the battery (in addition to running devices) in a certain time , after the battery has been discharged to a low level either by ancilliary devices, or by cranking an engine that will not start.
Most people think starting an engine really discharges a battery.
Lets say your starter motor is a 3kW starter and uses the full 3kW for 5 seconds to start.
3kW = 3000W= amps x volts = 12 x 250amps for 5 seconds = 1250amps for one second or 15amps for 84 seconds. Forgetting losses, if you recharged your battery for 84 seconds at 15 amps you would replace what you have taken out.
Your alternator replaces most of this in the first few minutes of driving, it is the battery's internal resistance which actualy controls how long it takes to recharge. As soon as the engine is started 50 amps may flow into the battery, however that may quickly reduce to 10 amps or less and the battery will top charge over time.
If you are KEEN, you can outlay the money for the charger.......see above, however "I" personally don't think it warrants it. What I do recommend its that you all take the time to maintain/clean your battery connections, ground connections, alternator connections, alternator brushes, yes check them and replace them if necesary, they are only about $13 from CDAN, and all these things will help your battery be charged to the best available condition from the alternator.
The "open circuit" or SOC (state of charge) voltage does vary between batteries and Odyssey and other AGM batteries do like a higher SOC. My Optima batteries actually have a 100% charge when charged to 13.18 volts. They do specify a charging voltage as follows
From Alternator - 13.65 to 15.0 volts, no amperage limit.
Float Charge - 13.2 to 13.8 volts, 1 amp maximum current, time indefinite (at lower voltage).
My landcruiser vehicle alternator charges within these parameters so I do not worry about using a charger on them unless I tottally flatten them (which I haven't done and don't intend to if possible).
By making sure your vehicle alternator is in top condition, and all your connections are good you will hopefully ensure your trips away are without any battery problems or complications.
My thoughts only, please seek professional advice.
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Kevin,
When I ran dual odyssey's in my tacoma I spoke to the enersys guys and this is the charger they recommended. (prior to their charger being released)
Car battery charger VEC1092A VEC092 VEC1092 VEC1097A - Vector Manufacturing
I have the older 2/10/25a model, which I'm assuming preceeded this model. Save yourself 300 bucks...
When I ran dual odyssey's in my tacoma I spoke to the enersys guys and this is the charger they recommended. (prior to their charger being released)
Car battery charger VEC1092A VEC092 VEC1092 VEC1097A - Vector Manufacturing
I have the older 2/10/25a model, which I'm assuming preceeded this model. Save yourself 300 bucks...
- Thread starter
- #32
Thanks Mark! Good idea!
FYI guys, MLACHICA is the one who informed me of the Die Hards being the same as the Odysseys!
Thanks Mark!
FYI guys, MLACHICA is the one who informed me of the Die Hards being the same as the Odysseys!
Thanks Mark!
My 04 Cruiser has the original battery. I have left the lights on and left interior lights on too long and am amazed that with the amount of reserve this thing has. What is the deal? Are they a larger capacity? Better materials? I just replaced a Sams club battery in my Chevy truck that went bad after only 2 1/2 years. The Panasonic out performs any battery I have tried including Optima.
I have run an optima inside of my land rover for about 6 months now, and have no issues what so ever.
I cant believe no one on here has called BS yet on the few guys earlier who said running a battery, a sealed high end battery none the less, inside of the vehicle is dangerous. Having been a Mercedes tech, I cant say Ive ever seen or heard of anyone having any safety or health issues from any of their cars, that have unsealed traditional style batteries mounted under the rear seats, or in the trunk. Mercedes, as well as many other manufacturers have been doing this for years and years. If anything, the batteries the interior mounted batteries seem to last longer than their underhood counterparts.
I cant believe no one on here has called BS yet on the few guys earlier who said running a battery, a sealed high end battery none the less, inside of the vehicle is dangerous. Having been a Mercedes tech, I cant say Ive ever seen or heard of anyone having any safety or health issues from any of their cars, that have unsealed traditional style batteries mounted under the rear seats, or in the trunk. Mercedes, as well as many other manufacturers have been doing this for years and years. If anything, the batteries the interior mounted batteries seem to last longer than their underhood counterparts.
well its a stupid law here in the united states that doesnt allow vehicles to come from the manufacture with batteries mounted within the cabin. Thats one reason you dont see the Audi RS4(B7) Avants here...their battery is mounted in the cabin. Audi said, meh to hell with the US and only gave us the sedan.
or maybe, its something that has been since revised and lifted. Would be good news for the future.