Canadian Hummer Club Forums

I know we have all had this discussion before but now we have some new possibilites to discuss.



A regular Optima Red-Top or Yellow Top fits in all H2s or H3s but causes a problem when installing in H1s until now!



Optima has just released a version of the Red-Top for H1s that clears the factory hold-down bracket without modification!



Check it out!



http://www.optimabatteries.com/find_you ... _popup.php



Group Number: 78 (9078-109)

RedTop?; Battery; BOXED; Group 78; Cold Crank Amps 800; Crank Amps 1000; Reserve Capacity 100; Ampere Hour 50; Side Terminal; L-10 in.; W-7.25 in.; H-7 3/16 in.;



Just another note: If you are going to be doing large amounts of winching or have a big stereo, it is wiser to use the Yellow-Top since it is deep cycle , the Red-Top is fine for occassional  winching and other accessories.



Also Walmart happens to be a great place to buy Optima Batteries here in Canada and saves the headache of shipping from the US and the pricing is almost at par with the US...almost!



Want more battery than an Optima, then step it up to an Odyssey and never replace a battery again!



http://www.odysseyfactory.com/



Food for thought!



Kev

  I have been investigating the Oddysey batteries based on Kevin's post, and from what I have read, they are, to use a truly overworked word, awesome.



There is a place in Newmarket that stocks them, and I just received an email from them that they have the side terminal models in stock in the right size for us H1 guys.



  Unbelievable battery for H2 too.



Should be a drop in fit. I will know more in a couple of days.



INTRODUCTION

The ODYSSEY? battery ingeniously uses absorbed glass mat (AGM) technology to offer, in one box, the

characteristics of two separate batteries. It can deep cycle as well as provide enormous cranking power -

it is almost as if a champion long distance runner and a world class sprinter are one and the same person.

These batteries are capable of providing engine cranking pulses in excess of 2250A for 5 seconds as well

as 400 charge/discharge cycles to 80% depth of discharge (DOD). A typical starting, lighting and ignition

(SLI) battery can do one or the other, but not both. It is either a sprinter or a long distance runner; ODYSSEY

batteries will do both ? provide short duration high amperage pulse or low rate long duration drains.



WHY USE ODYSSEY? BATTERIES?

Guaranteed longer service life

With an eight to twelve year design life (float) and a three to ten year service life, ODYSSEY batteries

save you time and money because you do not have to replace the battery as often.





Superior cranking and fast charge capability

The 5 second cranking power of ODYSSEY batteries is double to triple that of equally sized conventional

batteries, even when the temperature is as low as - 40?C (-40?F), -30?C (-22?F) for PC2250. Also, with simple

constant voltage charging (alternator or independent charger), there is no limitation on the inrush current, so

the user is assured of fast charge recovery.





Superior vibration resistance

ODYSSEY batteries are of military grade technology and have endured rigorous tests that demonstrate their

overall ruggedness and exceptional tolerance of mechanical abuse.

Ready out of the box

ODYSSEY batteries are shipped fully charged. If the ODYSSEY battery's voltage is 12.65V or greater, simply

install the battery in your vehicle and you are ready to go! If below 12.65V, boost charge following the

instructions in the ODYSSEY battery Owner?s Manual and/or Technical Manual. Putting a boost on the battery

will not damage it, even if its voltage reads higher than 12.65V.

Worry -free shipping

Owing to the drycell design, the US Department of Transportation (USDOT) has classified the ODYSSEY

battery as a nonspillable, so it may be shipped worry-free by express service or by air.

Longer storage life



Unlike conventional batteries that require a recharge every six to twelve weeks, the ODYSSEY battery can

be stored for up to two years at 25?C (77?F) from a fully charged state. These batteries can be stored for two

years or when the open circuit voltage (OCV) drops to 12.00V, whichever comes first.



http://www.odysseyfactory.com/index.html

I have found out that the Odessey battery has both top and side posts, and am being told the Optima is the same.



  I need to talk with Kevin about this,



I wonder if the top posts can be sawn off and insulated?

I have cut top posts off before to 'allow' use in a H1. Not the best when you want to keep warranty but no harm to the battery. Another thing that I have done with both Optimas and Odysseys is mount them laying down. The batteries will not leak acid since they are AGMs and they are approved by both manufacturers for mounting in this position. This allows no issues for either the top post or the side terminals and only will require a slight modification to the hold down bracket since they are taller than they are wide. Some rigid black foam normally worked well to allow the batteries to be kept tight and secure in place!



Kev

sorry guys but I have two Redtops going in, I prefer them.....

  Why do you prefer them, other than cost?

I have had them in the past, never let me down.. I had a buddy go to the SEMA show in Vegas, got me two of them, $50 each.. 800CCA, can't beat that cost....

  Since Kevin recommended the Odyssey's, I have been doing considerable research.

You have gas, I have diesel.

I want the best cold cranking I can get for hunting and other pursuits.

  And deep cycling, and long lasting charge when my truck is idle for an 8 week stretch.

  And I don't want to change my batteries every 2-3 years.

  When I was chartering on Lake Ontario I went for Surrettes. The world's best marine batteries.

  Never thought about my batteries again; they just kept doing the job, for many years.



  Kevin has nailed it; Odysseys reign supreme.

Other batteries cannot combine cold starting power with deep cycling and long lasting charge.

But, most don't need that.

H1 guys like me who want that will have to pay the price.

If one is willing to do that, Odyssey is by far the best there is, based on my research.

I do agree... different trucks...different needs..