240hoke Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I recently ran into a little bit of an issue with my car. Ive been running a Odyssey PC680 dry cell battery in my car for quite a while. While the battery was really cool and light it was more aggravating then anything, any little current draw would drain it almost instantly. I usually only get to take my car out every two weeks or so and every single time I would go out my battery would be dead or very low...headlights would dim when I came to a stop etc. Anyway not a big deal until I started running the VQ... the ECU must see 10V or it will not behave properly. The other weekend I came home and tried to start my car without hooking up the battery charger first, battery had enough juice to turn the car over but when it did so the voltage dropped and the ECU could no longer control the relays. When this happened it noticed the throttle circuit not responding correctly and the engine went into lock down and would only idle. Throttle lockdown prevents the throttle from opening period and the throttle plate will rest on the idle screw (5 degrees). Anyway had to clear all the codes with a scanner before it would run. After this it lost all its idle memory and had a lot of trouble idling and would die when I came to a stop. After driving it a bit it seems to have fixed itself pretty well but I still have to get up with somebody with a Nissan Consult to Relearn my Idle Air volume since I dont have a engine check light for self diagnostics........pretty aggravating. Anyway to solve to issue I went ahead and bought a bigger battery. Im using a Braille B3121 , which is almost twice the size and has alot more power. Odyssey PC680 Specs (15.4 lb): 680 cranking amps for 5 seconds 595 cranking amps for 10 seconds 525 cranking amps for 20 seconds Short circuit current over 1800A 17Ah 25 minute reserve capacity with 25amp load CCA - 220 (Is this important?) Braille B3121 Specs (21 lb): Voltage: 12 Volts Full Charge Voltage:13.8 Volts Short Circuit Current (Max Cranking Amps):3000 est. Pulse Cranking Amps (PCA) 5 sec @ 80F: 1380 Pulse Cranking Amps (PCA) 10 sec @ 80F:1207 Pulse Cranking Amps 20 sec @ 80F:1066 Cranking Amps 30 sec @ 80F:892 Cranking Amps 30 sec @ 32F:742 Cold Cranking Amps 30 sec @ 0F: 550 Reserve Capacity: 1hr 15mins Capacity (C/20 rate): 31 amp hr Internal Resistance: 4.0 milliohms (.004 ohms) Life Cycle @ 10% DOD:3100 cycles est. SO far I am very impressed by Braille, I the design of their terminals much better. The terminals are designed like a motorcycle battery with a nut instead of internal threads which can strip on the odyssey. Also they give alot of specs on there battery and have nice mounts. I also bought there charger which serves as a tester, quick charger, and floater so I can leave the battery hooked up if im gone for a long time. They have some sick lieghtweight carbon batteries as well that are super smae and pack a big punch. Anyway here are the pictures, still working on finding a better way to hook up the positive terminal...hopefully i can find a cool factory distribution block. Also since the batteries are hte same width I was able to reuse my Odyssey mounting point, just had to drill two new holes in the Braille Mount. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MJLamberson Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 Hey the mounts for that thing are cool! And thats good to know because Im sure other engines may respond in similar ways... Time to tell me friend with a 350z to go buy an oddessy battery to get back at him for always pointing out that my car is down, hahajk. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tombarace14 Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 I just picked up a PC680 too, oh well let me know how the Braille works out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
240hoke Posted February 18, 2009 Author Share Posted February 18, 2009 I think the PC680 will do fine if you drive the car regularly or run a float charger on it if you leave it stored for a while. I just didnt want to risk getting stuck because of it somewhere... the 3121 has a much larger reserve capacity. And my main point is regardless of the battery don't try to start your car unless you have a good battery let it charge first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Young Z Posted February 18, 2009 Share Posted February 18, 2009 How much did the braille run you? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
240hoke Posted February 18, 2009 Author Share Posted February 18, 2009 Braille's Website: http://braillebattery.com/index.php/ I bought all my stuff from Jegs because it nded up being cheaper with 12 dollar shipping and the mounts was 20 bucks cheaper then msrp. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tombarace14 Posted February 19, 2009 Share Posted February 19, 2009 Advice taken, thanks man! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RB26powered74zcar Posted February 23, 2009 Share Posted February 23, 2009 Thanks for the great advice 240hoke!! I've had the exact same issues using the Odyssey PC680. I got stuck after forgetting my lights on for just a short period of time not log ago. Plus, my Electromotive Tec3 ecu I think, is acting up during start up, due to cranking voltage drop. I just received my Braille B3121 kit, just like what you ordered, from Jegg's today. It's a very nice set up, and I'm sure it will solve my issues I had using the other. I will just keep the Odyssey as a spare, tucked away in the storage box behind the seats (that's where it's now mounted anyway) to use as a emergency battery.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mayolives Posted February 24, 2009 Share Posted February 24, 2009 The Odyssey PC680 is a good set up for a race car without electrical parasites like a radio, lights, etc., but not so good for a daily driver/street car. It's doesn't take much to draw it down. I have the Electromotive Tec3 system and if the battery voltage drops below 9 or 10 volts, the car will not start. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EF Ian Posted March 11, 2009 Share Posted March 11, 2009 IMO the PC680 is fine for a daily driver, I've had no problems and I've been using it for almost a year. Although the only thing it ever has power is the headlights at night and very rarely a radio. Just make sure you diconnect the negative if you will be leaving the car for over a week. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smoorenc Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 I was geting ready to order this Braille Battery: Braille Auto B2618 and I wanted to do a search to make sure it was an OK battery. I liked this one since it was ling and skinny and I could mount it behind the passenger seat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jasper Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 FYI I work on new Toyotas all day long. I have seen a recent rash of marginal batteries, that seem to crank normaly.(I've been at this for many years, fooled me). But the measured voltage drop,(low) causes the computer to cut the ignition, in leui of the electric power steering. This can cause an extended crank or no start. COMPUTERS NEED PROPER VOLTAGE, PERIOD. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
260DET Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 Satisfied 680 user here, it has been good, cranks the engine fine, several times if necessary, even if the car has not been used for a month or two. Car does have a good size alternator and no after switch off drain sources, such as a fuel gauge though. Any constant drain even if small is not good for these types of batteries. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pharaohabq Posted March 1, 2010 Share Posted March 1, 2010 Satisfied 680 user here, it has been good, cranks the engine fine, several times if necessary, even if the car has not been used for a month or two. Car does have a good size alternator and no after switch off drain sources, such as a fuel gauge though. Any constant drain even if small is not good for these types of batteries. Hmm this is an interresting issue, perhaps it would be a good idea tro make a circuit that uses a decent size capacitor for only the computer power so that the computer will charge to 12 volts even if the battery drops low. This should make it easier to use a lighter battery but still enable the computer to function provided Battery power doesn't drop too low for too long while trying to start Phar Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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