Considering Battery change in Luxstiva

[Safety Guy]

So far I've lived with my B6 ATX swap now for several months. I'm using an Odyssey PC 680 dry cell that is rated at 680 PHCA and 220 CCA.

It's worked fine until recently. It seems to be a bit weak now.

I'm using a 6 ga. battery cable for both pos and neg (ground). Since my battery is mounted in the back, maybe that's a long ways for the charge to travel. The wire may be too thin as well. "Electrical engineering" isn't my area.

I got this idea from a Honda guy who wrote up his Odyssey swap into a CRX with a 5 speed. My ATX is undoubtedly taking more juice to start due to the heavier ATX parts rotation, compared with an MTX.

I'm considering swapping to an Odyssey PC 925:

http://www.batterymart.com/battery.mv?p=ODY-PC925MJT

Before I do so, I'll switch to a heavier battery cable. Wil used an 8 ga. in his MTX writeup, so I figured 6 ga. would be good for me. Maybe I really need a 4 ga. I'll try that first.

If I get another battery, my current PC680 will go into Twinstiva.

Another thing I read concerned insufficient recharging of Odyssey batteries when used in Harleys. Short trips won't recharge the battery enough and it will slowly lose its charge. Could be happening to me too. Here is a link to Odyssey's new charger that also explains the story:

http://www.batterymart.com/p-ACC-12V7A-S.html

My guess is that the combination of my thin battery cables coupled with my relatively heavy ATX starting needs is wearing my poor PC680 down.

Any advice for me on this issue?

Karl

[oxbrain]

Make sure you are getting a full 14.2v at the battery terminals when the battery is charging. If not, you aren't charging the battery all the way.

I'll be interested to hear the problem, I was about to buy a pc680.

[Safety Guy]

Do I just use my voltmeter to touch both terminals while the car is running?

Karl

[oxbrain]

Pretty much yes.

If you aren't getting enough, you might try cleaning the terminals, then try cleaning the connections on the alt.

The batteries aren't really made for automotive use. The charging cycle is different from a normal lead/acid battery. They can be discharged almost 100% without serious damage.

When a drycell battery dies it doesn't just stop taking a charge like a normal car battery, it just slowly loses cranking power. It might be that your battery it just failing early. You might try calling Odyssey to see if it's still under warranty.

http://www.odysseybatteries.com/