Odyssey PC680 Battery Mount

[Solamar]

While researching battery options I decided my must have list was –

* AGM sealed battery (I’m not comfortable with the safety/fire factor of Lithium, yet)
* Substantially lighter than the 50-60 lb stock battery (700-900 CCA)
* Ground disconnect
* Battery tender quick connect

The Odyssey PC680 came up as an option. At 15.4 lbs it certainly got my attention, but the 170 CCA gave me some concern. After reading many reviews and considering my use (fair weather weekend fun) decided to go for it.

The dimensions of the battery make it “almost” ideal to mount laying flat so I mocked up a few different layouts in SolidWorks and fabbed up a sample. My plan was to use the brass automotive terminal bolt on stud for the positive lead and the M6 ground. Great plan, but with the automotive positive stud the OE battery terminal was just too close for comfort to the chassis.

Plan B was to ‘reluctantly’ cut off the OE lead battery terminal and crimp on a ring terminal. The four terminals (starter, two to the fuse panel and one tender) proved to be too much to stack under a M6 bolt. McMaster to the rescue with ¼” brass standoffs. Placing the standoff between the starter terminal and the others gave me the flexibility to line things up better. This is my least favorite part of the mount, I’m looking for a remote jumper lug that I can use to clean this up and give a location to use jumper cables. Would also like to find a boot to put over the positive terminal for a bit more safety.

Sure is a nice small package.

[KTL]

That's a beautifully made mount. VERY nicely done and thanks for sharing your strategy in hooking it up.

If it makes you feel any better, I used the Odyssey 680 in my former '87 Carrera street/DE track car, my '79 SC racecar and my current '86 911 street car for like 10 years with no problems in various conditions, even frigid cold weather.

I noticed you have a basic two pole Hella cutoff switch. I think you would prefer to have a switch with alternator cutoff or else the car can still run when you cut off the switch (when it's running) and that also can affect the alternator? However, if you just use it for theft protection and wouldn't ever expect the cutoff-while-running function to be needed, then the alternator feature isn't necessary.

[Driven97]

Oh man I made mine with some poorly welded steel bar. Will not post pics.

Too late for you, but they make little adapter pieces that convert the screw on terminals to automotive style lugs. They're like $4. I used those so I didn't have to modify my OEM wiring.

[Solamar]

Originally Posted by KTL

That's a beautifully made mount. VERY nicely done and thanks for sharing your strategy in hooking it up.

If it makes you feel any better, I used the Odyssey 680 in my former '87 Carrera street/DE track car, my '79 SC racecar and my current '86 911 street car for like 10 years with no problems in various conditions, even frigid cold weather.

I noticed you have a basic two pole Hella cutoff switch. I think you would prefer to have a switch with alternator cutoff or else the car can still run when you cut off the switch (when it's running) and that also can affect the alternator? However, if you just use it for theft protection and wouldn't ever expect the cutoff-while-running function to be needed, then the alternator feature isn't necessary.

Thanks! Appreciate the compliment and your experience with the 680.

I have Zero track experience, but I'm guessing an alternator cuttoff would be part of an emergency shutdown. Something I hadnt even considered, but sounds like a good idea. I just wanted an easy way to disconnect the ground for storage, while working on the car and occasionally as a theft deterrent.

I'm hoping the "Zero track experience" will change in the next year or so

[Solamar]

Originally Posted by Driven97

Oh man I made mine with some poorly welded steel bar. Will not post pics.

Too late for you, but they make little adapter pieces that convert the screw on terminals to automotive style lugs. They're like $4. I used those so I didn't have to modify my OEM wiring.

Those are cool little adapters. Unfortunately the way I laid out the battery they pushed the positive lug too close to the body. After playing with a couple different designs the only way I could make them work was with the battery standing up.