914 Battery, Odyssey models, other AGM brands? Options

[horizontally-opposed]

Have had Optima red tops in my 914 since ~1992.

I think I have only had 2, maybe 3…so easily 10 years per. The big attraction back in the 1990s was avoiding hell hole rust. But they are heavy, so I think about an Odyssey or Anti-Gravity. Or that new orange top from Optima. For both of my fun cars, as I value less weight over more hp.

Having just lost a fair bit to a house fire (electrical, but not car related), @technicalninja has me rethinking the value of 30-40lbs saved vs having the car/garage/house.

[Highland]

I need to buy a new battery. Is the Odyssey PC925 the best replacement for stock/street driving? (I know it's a recent post, but things change quickly)

Like the original poster, trying to go lighter than a group 42, but don't want to sacrifice performance or longevity.

[Root_Werks]

I need to buy a new battery. Is the Odyssey PC925 the best replacement for stock/street driving? (I know it's a recent post, but things change quickly)

Like the original poster, trying to go lighter than a group 42, but don't want to sacrifice performance or longevity.

Go bigger than the PC925 if you can. You have plenty of room, I'm still running my PC1200 in my 914-6. Nice to have the extra umph. We've been stuck in the Ferry line, 914 off, radio running, even charging a phone for a few hours. PC1200 had plenty of reserve juice.

[Justinp71]

I was trying to put my car on a diet so I went with a PC680, works great so far. I do have a hi-torq starter and starting relays which both help the typical starting issues.

[rjames]

I’m still running an Odyssey PC925 with zero issues. If going this route make sure to look up which battery tenders are compatible. Not all of them are, and using the wrong one will shorten the battery’s life.

[campbellcj]

I was trying to put my car on a diet so I went with a PC680, works great so far. I do have a hi-torq starter and starting relays which both help the typical starting issues.

I've used the PC680 successfully for many years though my car's got a very minimal electrical system and load. For a more stock/street car I would lean towards the 925 or similar.

[VaccaRabite]

I had a PC925 in my car.
I went back to a standard battery.

The PC925 just cant store enough energy if the alternator doe not perform at its peak for some reason at night. I got left stranded on a 20 minute drive when the alternator was not charging at full power. The PC925 was at full charge when I left the house. it lasted 15 minutes and died.

Standard or Gel batteries are heavier, yes. But most of the can sustain a car for 30 - 40 minutes in the event of a charging issue to get you home or to somewhere safe.

I would NOT put Lithium batteries in my car without special chargers built for them specifically. Also, I'd look for LiFePo4 batteries instead of L-Ion batteries.

Zach

[930cabman]

Great discussion of batteries, thanks for the info. I have a question though:
I have am Optima 34R red top.Its a least 10 years old. I wonder ifI should replace it even though it still starts the car. The car is driven 100 miles a weaken average and I attach a battery tender when it sits.
My only complaint with the Optima is its weight......

I had an Optima in my 356, lasted 16 years.

[euro911]

I had a Odyssey PC925 in the 'BB' from 2011 until I sold it in 2018, never had any problems starting a 2.1L with 9:1 C/R (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

[scallyk9]

I installed an Interstate Group H5/47 AGM in my 3.2L conversion last Summer and it was a perfect drop-in fit for the stock battery tray. This replaced an Optima. I had been shopping batteries for a while then impulse purchased this when I noticed it while walking by the tire area at Costco. Less than $200.00 after I returned the core Optima.

[tygaboy]

I'm running a Braille in my LS car. 17 lbs and 475 CCA. Very happy with its performance:
- It sat for over a year before I installed it. Put it on a Battery Tender to top it up and BOOM! Fired up the LS just fine.
- I accidentally left my ignition in the "on" position on when trailering home from WCR, plus a day or two before I unloaded. Totally drained it to ZERO. Put it on the Battery Tender and BOOM! Back to full function.
- Length (in.): 6.8 in., Width (in.): 4.0 in., Height (in.): 6.1 in.
- I'll likey go with the same thing in the 914 Ferrari build
- Buy on Summit Racing, $199 and free shipping to your door:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/brl-b2317
- You can get a super cool, aluminum mounting frame, too. See pic.

They also offer an 11 lb/360 CCA, if that'd work for you.

In any case, Braille batteries: At The Red Barn approved! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/aktion035.gif)

[Spoke]

I had a PC925 in my car.
I went back to a standard battery.

The PC925 just cant store enough energy if the alternator doe not perform at its peak for some reason at night. I got left stranded on a 20 minute drive when the alternator was not charging at full power. The PC925 was at full charge when I left the house. it lasted 15 minutes and died.

Standard or Gel batteries are heavier, yes. But most of the can sustain a car for 30 - 40 minutes in the event of a charging issue to get you home or to somewhere safe.

I would NOT put Lithium batteries in my car without special chargers built for them specifically. Also, I'd look for LiFePo4 batteries instead of L-Ion batteries.

Zach

@VaccaRabite

Zach, what battery did you end up buying? Was it AGM? I need to replace my Optima red top. After 20 years the first start up of the day is very slow.

[raynekat]

I went with this battery for my six conversion build.
It fits in the stock factory tray perfectly and has tons of power.

[VaccaRabite]

I had a PC925 in my car.
I went back to a standard battery.

The PC925 just cant store enough energy if the alternator doe not perform at its peak for some reason at night. I got left stranded on a 20 minute drive when the alternator was not charging at full power. The PC925 was at full charge when I left the house. it lasted 15 minutes and died.

Standard or Gel batteries are heavier, yes. But most of the can sustain a car for 30 - 40 minutes in the event of a charging issue to get you home or to somewhere safe.

I would NOT put Lithium batteries in my car without special chargers built for them specifically. Also, I'd look for LiFePo4 batteries instead of L-Ion batteries.

Zach

@VaccaRabite

Zach, what battery did you end up buying? Was it AGM? I need to replace my Optima red top. After 20 years the first start up of the day is very slow.

I went backwards. Standard lead acid AC Delco. I’ve not bought a Red Top in about a decade. I’m sure that they have fixed thier issues from 10 years ago. But modern batteries don’t really leak anymore, so I don’t see the point in spending the extra money.

Zach

[Spoke]

I had a PC925 in my car.
I went back to a standard battery.

The PC925 just cant store enough energy if the alternator doe not perform at its peak for some reason at night. I got left stranded on a 20 minute drive when the alternator was not charging at full power. The PC925 was at full charge when I left the house. it lasted 15 minutes and died.

Standard or Gel batteries are heavier, yes. But most of the can sustain a car for 30 - 40 minutes in the event of a charging issue to get you home or to somewhere safe.

I would NOT put Lithium batteries in my car without special chargers built for them specifically. Also, I'd look for LiFePo4 batteries instead of L-Ion batteries.

Zach

@VaccaRabite

Zach, what battery did you end up buying? Was it AGM? I need to replace my Optima red top. After 20 years the first start up of the day is very slow.

I went backwards. Standard lead acid AC Delco. I’ve not bought a Red Top in about a decade. I’m sure that they have fixed thier issues from 10 years ago. But modern batteries don’t really leak anymore, so I don’t see the point in spending the extra money.

Zach

Thanks. Stopped at Autozone and picked up an AGM battery.

[infraredcalvin]

Another optima guy here, I’ve been using since late 90s, I replace them at about 7 years, still have one from 03 and another form 06 still going strong, they are backups.

I’ve used battery tenders with no issue previously, but now have an optima specific charger, it brought a dead lead acid back to life when nothing else worked.

I use a 3 cell yellow top in my track car, I disconnect when not in use, it’s been over a month since I’ve started it, still at 100% when I throw the smart charger on it.

[GBX0073]

Napa Did not exclude batteries from Cyber Monday 25% off so picked this up.
plus earned another $10 off in rewards.

[914rrr]

The Li-ion batteries scare me enough to not run them in anything but a track car.

My youngest, Michael, was a track marshal for MSR (Motor Sport Ranch).

If any of you have video where a young blond "punk" made funny faces in your camera just before you left the pit area, that's my son...

One of his duties was fire suppression.
A Li-ion battery fire is very similar to a magnesium fire. Nothing but burying them puts them out. 20 minutes AFTER you think you have it out it starts back up.

A lithium-ion battery fire almost always takes the entire car with it.

These are NOT cheap batteries either. A 200K track car usually gets the very best equipment.

Owners are pissed when this happens...

They have lost multiple cars and garages to Li-ion battery fires at MSR.

I do see the benefits to the Li-ion batteries but until these becomes less flammable, I'll stay with heavier batteries.

I wish my Optimas lived as long as Clay's and Jim's...
10 years is a shitload for any battery.
Had mine lived longer I'd recommend them over everything else.
Optimas can fail but when they do they just barf their guts out of the cases.
I have not heard of any fires being associated with this.

The usual reason for Optima failure is long term trickle charging with equipment that is not specific for Optima batteries.

The Optima smart chargers are a bit on the expensive side and don't work seamlessly with lead acid batteries.

Out at MSR, Porsches gained the title "fire lizards" due to the fact when they leave the track and slither into the grass they catch it on fire far more often than any other brand of car...

PCA and Porsche events at MSR were always super professional with extremely friendly people. Michael loved to work when the fire lizards were running.

The motorcycle crowds were exactly the opposite...

I worked, very breifly, for a LI battery "manufacturer" in Clearwater, FL. 98% of their batteries are made in China and they merely slap a "Made in USA" label on it. Most LI battery sites claim plug n' play / direct swap compatability for lead acid batteries. DO NOT BELIEVE THEM! I quit over their objections to my suggestions of CYA language to add to their website, woefully inadequate fire safelty / supression in their building (they didn't even have a sprinkler system!), "made up" date codes on batteries, numerous "off the books" settlements for battery fires / explosions (one boat battery took out a $MM garage and house), etc etc.. DO YOUR HOMEWORK before choosing a LI battery for anything other than a track car. LI batteries run at different voltages, require LI specific chargers, don't like cold or really hot weather, thermal runaway safety concerns, etc, etc. Read articles below for more info:

https://www.ien.com/safety/news/21136518/fi...r-battery-rules

https://www.batteriesplus.com/blog/power/lithium-starting

[rjames]

Napa Did not exclude batteries from Cyber Monday 25% off so picked this up.
plus earned another $10 off in rewards.

Get the right battery tender for your Odyssey. Here's the list I found online:
 ODYSSEY_approved_12V_chargers.pdf ( 52.61k ) Number of downloads: 65
I have the BatteryMinder 2012-AGM and have been happy with it.

Using one that doesn't meet the battery's requirements of a charging voltage of 14.4-15v may prematurely shorten its life. This did give me some concern after I purchased my PC925 as I'm betting the stock 914 alternator may not be putting out that much, but so far so good, and I always put the battery on the charger when it's in the garage.

[fiacra]

Napa Did not exclude batteries from Cyber Monday 25% off so picked this up.
plus earned another $10 off in rewards.

The Odyssey 96R-600 is the battery that came with my car when I bought it. At 12 years old it was still running strong, kept its charge even when the car sat for a while, and when last I saw it the battery was still giving dependable service. Because it had such good performance I stayed with Odyssey and got a PC925 for my other car. That didn't work out so well.... Three years in, and two months out of warranty, it will no longer hold a charge and I have to replace it. I'm thoroughly disappointed in that decision. I just ordered another Odyssey 96R-600 yesterday. Yes, it's 40.3 lbs., but if I want to carry less weight in the car maybe I should put myself on a diet (IMG:style_emoticons/default/confused24.gif) . Honestly, I never had any complaints about how my car drove with the heavier battery in it and I noticed no difference in performance with a lighter battery. Granted most of the time I drive like I'm in touch with my inner grandmother, but even when doing more "spirited driving" I don't think the few lbs. of extra battery weight made a discernible difference. Running a PC925 did however make a difference in the reliability of my car. Add in the weight of the jump box you'll have to carry with your PC925 and you might as well get the PC1200 or the 96R-600.