Odyssey PC680 Battery Dealers

ArVeeNiner · #1 07-24-2008, 10:57 AM

Hi:

I'm shopping for a PC680 battery. I want to make sure that the batteries that are available out there from places other than Van's have the same dimensions as the Van's PC680 so that it will fit into the box that I bought from Van's. I just talked to Van's today and they said that a PC680 is a PC680 no matter where you buy it. After doing a little research on it, they come either with or without a metal jacket. The metal jacket is there to protect it from heat. Is the metal jacket required in our flying machines? I'm thinking that the metal jacket will make it not fit into its' battery box. Plus, I'm thinking that the metal battery box does the same job in protecting it from heat as the metal battery jacket.

Thanks

bullojm1 · #2 07-24-2008, 11:01 AM

Kelley-

The metal jacket is totally removable from the PC680 -- it's not part of the battery. I used the metal jacket version and made my own battery box with it, avoiding buying Van's for $50. If you go with the Van's battery kit, they supply a metal jacket that the PC680 slides into.

Here's how I made mine:

http://rvplane.com/?categoryid=6&dayid=570

mrreddick · #3 07-24-2008, 11:04 AM

Kelly,

I went to EBay and bought a PC680 from a distributor in Florida for under $90 with FREE shipping and no handling fees.
Came out way ahead of Van's price when you add all that in.

ArVeeNiner · #4 07-24-2008, 11:08 AM

Wow, that metal jacket in your pictures, except for the color, looks very much like the Vans box that I already bought and installed. So, it looks like they duplicated the metal jacket and sold it back to us for $50! Shame shame!

OK, but that answers my question. I'll be buying a battery without a metal jacket.

What about the posts? I see that there are a couple of different options. Any ideas?

And, what about the battery charger for it? Odyssey sells their own but it looks like I can only use it on Odyssey batteries. If I'm going to spend that kind of money on a charger I want to be able to use it on my regular lead acid batteries in my cars as well. A cheaper charger would be ideal.

I bet that once I'm flying, the alternator will keep it plenty charged but I won't be flying until next year. Until then I'll be playing with it in my garage for a while. Up until now I've used a car battery and then a motorcycle battery on the floor.

victor · #5 07-24-2008, 11:12 AM

If you are replacing your pc680, get the battery without the metal jacket. Otherwise you will have to remove it.(I think you pay more for it with the metal jacket)

Sam Buchanan · #6 07-24-2008, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ArVeeNiner

And, what about the battery charger for it? Odyssey sells their own but it looks like I can only use it on Odyssey batteries. If I'm going to spend that kind of money on a charger I want to be able to use it on my regular lead acid batteries in my cars as well. A cheaper charger would be ideal.

I bet that once I'm flying, the alternator will keep it plenty charged but I won't be flying until next year. Until then I'll be playing with it in my garage for a while. Up until now I've used a car battery and then a motorcycle battery on the floor.

Here is the charger I use for maintaining an Odyssey (or any other 12v battery):

http://batterytender.com/product_inf...1360db432f1b5d

The Battery Tender is a smart charger and you can leave it on the battery indefinitely. It comes with a pigtail you can attach to your battery so you don't have to mess with clamps.

OregonRVguy · #7 07-24-2008, 11:19 AM

Van's buys the battery and box separate. Most builders are not ready for the battery when they want to install the mount....Years ago, Van's bought them together and builders were installing the mount(box) then by the time they were actually ready for 12V, their battery was dead and out of warranty. The way the sell it now, you can install the mount and then buy the (fresh) battery when YOU are ready. The additional cost for the mount kit is for the brackets, hardware and drawings Van's supplies....

pazmanyflyer · #8 07-24-2008, 11:23 AM

FYI - I bought my P680 from Batteries Plus. www.batteriesplus.com

Here's one in San Jose you can try: http://www.merchantcircle.com/busine...s.408-984-2288 or google this BATTERIES PLUS + San Jose, CA for other locations.

$98 plus tax (1 yr ago) and I can pick it up down the street.

ArVeeNiner · #9 07-24-2008, 11:52 AM

This list is amazing!! Thanks for all the great info.

KJ

Sam Buchanan · #10 07-24-2008, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrreddick

Kelly,

I went to EBay and bought a PC680 from a distributor in Florida for under $90 with FREE shipping and no handling fees.
Came out way ahead of Van's price when you add all that in.

Vans is showing $128 on their web store for the PC680. I haven't found a better price anywhere today. I bought a PC680 for $59 + shipping three years ago but guess those days are gone...