Oddesey 925T, Optima 75, or Braille B3121

2002M3Drew · 02-12-2007, 09:04 AM

Can the Oddesey 925 function as a year-round battery in a typical NJ season without special treatment, assuming the car is driven at least every two weeks in the winter months, and several times a week in the warm months?

I like the Optima Red 75 as well, but the thought of that weight going into my car...that thing is a brick...feels heavier than the Delco it will be replacing...

Finally, anyone try out the New for '07 Braille B3121, the one with 1300CA and 550 CCA (or thereabouts?) Looks like it has only side terminals, but I think they could be easily adapted...pricey at $199.00.

Eric-325I · 02-12-2007, 09:10 AM

I'm using the Hawker Odyssey PC680T and have been very happy with it. I bought it here: Portable Power Systems and am amazed at how light the thing is...

Eric

911pcars · 09:52 AM

You might want to contact Noah, one of our mods. He reported he replaced his lightweight Odyssey for an Optima. He also lives on your side of the country where the polar bears are soon migrating.

Cranking power rapidly dwindles in sub-zero weather.

Sherwood

Eric-325I · 02-12-2007, 10:58 AM

Yes, I should have added that I do not drive my 911 in the winter as there is much salt on the roads... So no terribly cold weather for my battery to deal with.

Eric

2002M3Drew · 02-12-2007, 01:29 PM

Hi Eric,

I think the 680 is great (and light), but a little too much towards the single purpose side for what I'm looking for. I'm trying to see if the 925 is truly a do-it-all battery, or if I should just deal with the extra weight and go with a an Optima. The Braille is a compelling alternative, at 21 lbs and more power than the 925, but at close to 2X the price...

2002M3Drew · 02-12-2007, 03:08 PM

Well, bit the bullet and chose the Braille Auto B3121. It seems like the real deal...1300 pulse cranking amps, 742 CA, and 550 CCA. It outperforms the 925 Odyssey on paper by a big margin, yet weighs only 21 lbs. It is an SLA (dry battery) like the Odysseys and the Optimas. The Optimas seem nice, but after examining one in the auto parts store, they are bricks! The 75's minimum weight is 33 lbs, but shipping weight from most retailers on that is closer to 38 lbs, with the larger Odyssey pushing 42 lbs. We'll see how this works out...

Eric-325I · 02-13-2007, 08:36 AM

Let us know how it works out for you... Thanks.

Eric

NY65912 · 03:24 PM

I'm going to install a Braile as well using a Rennline relocation kit to the smuggler's box in the next few weeks. I'll post up for review.

Early_S_Man · 02:33 PM

Another option ... AGM Miata battery

http://www.batteryplex.com/miata.cfm

http://www.ebatteriestogo.com/Miata_Battery.htm

andfar · 02-13-2007, 02:35 PM

Is the AGM Mazda Miata battery a drop-in replacement for the 911's? What about weight savings, if any?

___________________
1986 911 Targa

JBO · 02-14-2007, 05:48 AM

Web site says 26 lbs, which I think is close to the PC680.

2002M3Drew · 02-14-2007, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Early_S_Man
Another option ... AGM Miata battery

http://www.batteryplex.com/miata.cfm

http://www.ebatteriestogo.com/Miata_Battery.htm

I have the Westco Miata battery in.....MY MIATA!

They are pretty fickle...if they discharge they tend to die an early death. I'm not sure they are the right choice for the 911, unless you are talking about an older one without computers and such...

EarlyPorsche · 02-14-2007, 07:09 AM

I went for the heaviest battery I could. 912's only had one battery but I have a 911 engine so I wanted as much weight in the front as possible. So I bought the biggest thing that would fit in there and I am glad I did. I think going light is bad, we need to add weight in the front to give our cars balance I think.

2002M3Drew · 02-14-2007, 07:28 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by JBO
Web site says 26 lbs, which I think is close to the PC680.

The Odyssey 680 is actually around 15 lbs, and the 925 is around 26lbs.

The Optimas are around 33 (min weight) for the 75/25, and 38 for the slightly larger one (78?)...but the real world weights of those I think are a bit more, like 38 and 41 lbs, respectively. When you pick on of them up, they are bricks.

Early_S_Man · 02-14-2007, 10:04 AM

Quote:

They are pretty fickle...if they discharge they tend to die an early death. I'm not sure they are the right choice for the 911, unless you are talking about an older one without computers and such...

That certainly doesn't sound like the typical Miata experience! I have heard of average life around 8 - 10 years for the original AGM batteries.

The absorbed glass mat batteries sound superior to any gell-cell battery ... be it Optima or otherwise.

2002M3Drew · 02-14-2007, 06:44 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Early_S_Man
That certainly doesn't sound like the typical Miata experience! I have heard of average life around 8 - 10 years for the original AGM batteries.

The absorbed glass mat batteries sound superior to any gell-cell battery ... be it Optima or otherwise.

The Westco batteries are warrantied for one year at replacement cost, and three pro-rated. If you drive the car regularly and/or keep the battery on a charger (which many Miata people do), the batteries will last a decent amount of time. Some of the OEM Panasonics did last 10 years. I just killed a Westco, however, that is less than two years old. They don't come back from the dead all that well.

The Optima is actually listed on DC Battery's site as an AGM battery, and if you look at the diagrams on the Optima site, the glass matted construction is shown. The Odysseys are also AGM batteries.