VansAirForceForums  
Home > VansAirForceForums

- POSTING RULES
- Donate yearly (please).
- Advertise in here!

- Today's Posts | Insert Pics

  #1  
Old 03-02-2020, 10:06 PM
Robin8er Robin8er is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Socal
Posts: 453
Default Odyssey pc680 replacment

I've experienced my Odyssey 680 fail in under 2 years. I feel the battery was well taken care of and used appropriately, I don't feel I've abused it in anyway. I've seen several posts about this, as well as several people offer various replacement batteries.

Does anyone have any solid replacement solutions? Part of me wants to try a generic $50 lead acid battery. Not much to lose out on if it doesn't last. The other part of me wants to give Odyssey another chance, they aren't THAT expensive.

If anyone has any solid recommendations I'd love to hear it. I guess its just battery season because my car is also needing battery soon. That one lasted a lot longer though
__________________
RV-8 N695RA flying
Working on an RV-4

Born to fly, forced to work
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-02-2020, 10:17 PM
lr172 lr172 is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: Schaumburg, IL
Posts: 5,297
Default

I use the powersonic brand of SLA batteries. They make a version with the same dimensions and capacity as the 680. I think it is the 12180. I have had good luck with them lasting several years and providing dependable service. It is not an off brand. They are a good size company with a good reputation. I get them for around $50-60 on amazon.

In case you don't know, traditional long term trickle charging will greatly shorten thei life of these batteries (SLA).

Larry
__________________
N64LR - RV-6A / IO-320, Flying as of 8/2015
N11LR - RV-10, Flying as of 12/2019

Last edited by lr172 : 03-02-2020 at 10:22 PM.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-03-2020, 04:56 AM
N282S's Avatar
N282S N282S is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Topeka
Posts: 323
Default Take a look at the Apex

Although you posted in the "RV12" side, there is a good thread on PC680s and alternate batteries here:

www.vansairforce.com/community/showthread.php?t=173617&highlight=apex+battery&pag e=7

My post is number 55 in the thread. So far I've had no problems with the APEX.

https://www.apexbattery.com/apex-bat...h-battery.html

Eventhough they are spec'd with the same dimmensions, my Apex was very tight fit in the Van's battery box.
YMMV
__________________
Steve Stucky
Topeka, Ks
N282S - VariEze 500+ hrs
N283S - RV-7 1400+ hrs
KC-135 A/D/E Boomer (Ret.)
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 03-03-2020, 05:37 AM
RickWoodall's Avatar
RickWoodall RickWoodall is offline
 
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: Ontario Canada
Posts: 1,452
Default pc680

I have to say I have never had anything but perfect luck with the pc680. I have replaced it 2 over 9 years just as i figured it was a wise annual item for the $125 spend. The original two are still in use at one of my businesses..

I kind of assumed they were bullet proof.
__________________
Rick Woodall C-GSTT "ghost"
9a -TMX io-320, catto three blade, dual dynon hdx with a/p. 900+ hrs in 8 yrs flying.

Flew to Osh 11,12,15,17,19. SNF 2013. West to Cali /Washington/Vancouver/crossed the Rockies north to Red Deer east to Moosonee and over to maritimes. South to Jekyll Isl, cedar key, and Key West etc. 6 trips and 17 islands of the Bahamas. Flown turtles and dogs for Pilots n Paws too. Love our Rv's
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 03-03-2020, 05:38 AM
BCP Boys's Avatar
BCP Boys BCP Boys is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Kennesaw, Ga
Posts: 825
Default

Although, my batteries have not failed, it's been 4 years and I just did a conditional on the plane so I was thinking that it would be best to replace before they go bad. I bought 2 APEX batteries just about a months ago (my RV7 have 2 batteries), but I was not able to get it to fit properly, also the post terminal on the APEX are not flush like the Odyssey battery so it would have taken some moving of wires, and possibly cutting and re-crimping of the battery wire terminals to get it to fit properly. I decided my time was too valuable to fight with it in such a tight space and decided to try to recondition the batteries per Odyssey's instructions and leave it... hoping they both don't go out at the same time. So I used one of the APEX batteries in my experimental SuperCub and Wow! It just about spins the prop right off the plane . Only 1 very cold morning did it hesitate at all. So far the APEX has performed well, although it's only been about a month and around 10 starts, but for the money you can't beat it with a stick - plus it looks like its on sale. I paid $43 for mine and have a brand new one sitting on the shelf. I will use that in another plane I'm sure but dang they are cheap and perform unexpectedly well. If you can use it with the post terminals that they have have, I believe you will be very happy.
__________________
Amir
----------
RV-7
RV-10 - Sold

Supporting VAF since the first visit
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 03-03-2020, 05:44 AM
BCP Boys's Avatar
BCP Boys BCP Boys is offline
 
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Kennesaw, Ga
Posts: 825
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by RickWoodall View Post
I have to say I have never had anything but perfect luck with the pc680. I have replaced it 2 over 9 years just as i figured it was a wise annual item for the $125 spend. The original two are still in use at one of my businesses..

I kind of assumed they were bullet proof.

I thought they were bullet proof too... but there seems to be so many failures posted just here on VAF. I can't imagine how many more there are. I will say that they new batteries are rated at 170 CCA and the 2 that I have in my RV now are 4 years old and are "labeled" to have 230 CCA. And the ones that replaced 4 years ago also said 230 CCA, I know this because I still use one of them at the shop as well ... I think it may be 9 years old. I'm not sure why the CCA was lowered but I thought I read somewhere where Odyssey said the 230 was never correct and that the 170 CCA is correct and nothing has changed on the battery. Well, something has obviously changed if so many batteries are failing in one to two years.
__________________
Amir
----------
RV-7
RV-10 - Sold

Supporting VAF since the first visit
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 03-03-2020, 06:34 AM
AlexPeterson's Avatar
AlexPeterson AlexPeterson is offline
 
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Maple Grove, MN
Posts: 2,334
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by BCP Boys View Post
I thought they were bullet proof too... but there seems to be so many failures posted just here on VAF. I can't imagine how many more there are. I will say that they new batteries are rated at 170 CCA and the 2 that I have in my RV now are 4 years old and are "labeled" to have 230 CCA. And the ones that replaced 4 years ago also said 230 CCA, I know this because I still use one of them at the shop as well ... I think it may be 9 years old. I'm not sure why the CCA was lowered but I thought I read somewhere where Odyssey said the 230 was never correct and that the 170 CCA is correct and nothing has changed on the battery. Well, something has obviously changed if so many batteries are failing in one to two years.
Data is hard to come by - one thing that has changed is that there are 10,000+ RV's out there, so failure reports will surely go up with that number, not necessarily meaning rates have. I wonder what percentage of the RV fleet use Odyssey? I just swapped mine after 6 years in the plane just because it seemed like time to do so. It will be used in a small tractor next.

I did send one back some years ago - came back with test results ok. I went on to use it a long time, not sure why I thought it was failing.
__________________
Alex Peterson
RV6A N66AP 1700+ hours
KADC, Wadena, MN
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 03-03-2020, 06:37 AM
Sam Buchanan's Avatar
Sam Buchanan Sam Buchanan is offline
been here awhile
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: North Alabama
Posts: 4,301
Default

I recently replaced a six-year-old PC680 that seemed to be slowing down a little (my first 680 was in service eight years). Having heard the anecdotal reports of declining 680 service I decided to try a cheap battery. If it doesn't work out it'll be fine for the tug or lawnmower.

Here is the one I purchased ($36) due to it having terminals that are similar to the 680, in the trade these are known as 'F' terminals:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1



It spins the O-320 adequately so far, we'll see how it holds up.
__________________
Sam Buchanan
RV-6
Fokker D.VII replica

Last edited by Sam Buchanan : 03-03-2020 at 06:58 AM.
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 03-03-2020, 06:47 AM
TomVal's Avatar
TomVal TomVal is offline
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: SC & CA
Posts: 907
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by RickWoodall View Post
I have to say I have never had anything but perfect luck with the pc680. I have replaced it 2 over 9 years just as i figured it was a wise annual item for the $125 spend. The original two are still in use at one of my businesses..

I kind of assumed they were bullet proof.
Ditto...twice in 9 years.
__________________
Tom Valenzia
RV8 (Sold)
RV12 Jabiru 2200 Powered (Sold)
Dues contributor since 2007

Learn from the mistakes of others. You won't live long enough to make all of them yourself...Anonymous
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 03-03-2020, 06:37 PM
ljpgrif ljpgrif is offline
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Wynne
Posts: 7
Default Earthx battery

Owned a ZENITH 750 with a Odyssey 680 battery.......had to replace two of them over a 2 year period. Installed a Earthx etx900 in it and loved it. When it was started, it'd spin the prop on a Jabiru 3300 engine.
Purchased a Rv7a recently and it has a Odyssey 680 in it, soon I'll install a earthx 900 in this one.
NEVER had a problem with the 900.......

Larry
N687VR
Reply With Quote
Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

vB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Forum Jump


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 07:00 AM.


The VAFForums come to you courtesy Delta Romeo, LLC. By viewing and participating in them you agree to build your plane using standardized methods and practices and to fly it safely and in accordance with the laws governing the country you are located in.