avincar

<center><img src="http://www.batterystore.com/Odyssey/OdysseyImages/PC1700T_large.jpg"></center><p>
My 2001 ar badly needed its original battery replaced.

I've read about the standard batteries that many here have used as replacements, and that's cool, but I wanted to take advantage of the space allowed in the ar battery area to use something stern.

Now, I'm in the the car stereo and electronics business, and while I am no thumper or basshead (all my systems are hidden, and are oriented towards music, not special effects), I test products in my car often. I demo my system fairly often for potential clients, and I didn't want to worry about killing a non-deep-cycle battery while using the Audi no-key-radio-on feature, nor did I want to have issues with limited cold-cranking amps in the winter.

My system has a Zapco DC350 and a Zapco DC200 - not the most current-hungry amplifiers out there, but they pull more than the Bose amp did

I researched Kinetik, AudioForce, Exide, and Optima. No one had a battery that fit that came close to maximizing the potential of the space.

So I have installed an Odyssey PC 1700. MSRP is around $260 or so, and I got mine for less because I know a guy. I see them online for $215-230, but I can't imagine how much it costs to ship a 59-lb battery. I buy locally whenever I can, and I got a good deal.

It's made by Enersys, a pretty technical company who supplies the military with batteries.

There is a PC1700 and a PC1700MJT with a metal jacket. Don't use that one. The footprint of the 1700 is apparently that of a Group 65 battery.

The rope handles on the ends made insertion of the battery far easier than removal of the OEM battery, which essentially required me to lift the passenger-side end with my left hand and then lift the driver's end of the battery with the driver's side battery handle.

It is slightly narrower than the OEM battery, and slightly shorter. The top of the deck is not as tall, but the terminals are not recessed as much, so the top of the brass terminals are actually taller than the highest point of the OEM battery. They do clear the battery cover, though.

You may need to loosen the 8AWG wire coming off of the stud on the positive battery terminal to change its angle coming off the terminal. The driver's side tab for the battery cover may hit this wire and not latch shut.

I took pics of the entire process and may post a DIY if there seems to be interest. Since there is already info on the topic, I don't know if it's of value or not.


PC 1700T Specs:

* 1700 cranking amps for 5 seconds
* 1540 cranking amps for 10 seconds
* 1355 cranking amps for 20 seconds
* Short circuit current over 3500A
* 68 amp hours
* 142 minute reserve capacity with 25amp load
* Length 13.0"
* Width 6.5"
* Height 7.5" including terminals
* Weighs 59 lbs
* 3 year full exchange warranty
* Rugged Drycell AGM sealed design
* Military grade
* Vibration resistant
* 2 year storage life
* 8-12 year design life
* No venting required

Edited to add - the lack of a tab on the bottom of the casing meant that I turned the Audi metal bracket around 180 degrees and used it to sandwich the battery into place. It was a tight, but perfect fit in the second bolt hole for that bracket. You'll see if you look down there what I'm talking about.

http://www.enersysreservepower.com/ody_b.asp?routine=ody_why&amp;brandID=5

http://www.enersysreservepower.com/documents/US-ODY-65-002_1206.pdf

paulroad

What about the vent and its position?

Did you also look at Decca Batteries?

avincar

One point for the Odyssey was no venting req'd - and I did not look at Decca.

allroad'Ed now

BMW bike that is.

alrightroad

Good write-up. Thanks.

RMcQ

"Deka"

mustbeaudi

Second. Interesting, well considered, clearly written.

paulroad

you still living?

kingfishgrapejam

Any ABS errors on your bike and that battery?

allroad'Ed now

Nope. Seems to work just fine.