Odyssey PC-680 Battery Problems: Please Chime In

[Bob Redman]

G'day Bob,

Fortunately my brother is an electrician with a good quality multimeter. He measured current flow from the continuous duty contactor (solenoid ?) to earth with battery master off. It was a few milliamps leaking - not enough for my $9 multimeter to detect. I suspect the leak had been there for a few weeks. The battery would recover volts during recharge, but eventually, although the indicated voltage (Dynon D120 EMS) would recover, soon there was not enough grunt to turn the prop. I purchased a new battery and contactor - all well now.

The old battery (2005 vintage) has recovered sufficiently (using a smart charger) to use on an RV-8A build avionics fit out - the first engine start will tell how good it is now.

The original contactor and battery sat for four years during the build of our aircraft, and all was well for the first few months.

Note that if I was flying every few days, the battery provided a good start. But after a week a would have to recharge because the volts were low.

Good luck with your trouble shooting.

Best regards,

[BCP Boys]

I have 2 of these in my -7 each on a separate redundant bus. I don't charge them, I don't do anything to them . . . Just fly the plane a few times a week. I'm wondering if there is something that I should be doing or am I just waiting until they fail? How long should I expect to get out to them? Before I got in to the RV world I dealt with Gill batteries which were just terrible. I had heard that these were great batteries unlike Gill and would last a very long time. Now I'm not sure what to expect

[Sam Buchanan]

Originally Posted by BCP Boys

I have 2 of these in my -7 each on a separate redundant bus. I don't charge them, I don't do anything to them . . . Just fly the plane a few times a week. I'm wondering if there is something that I should be doing or am I just waiting until they fail? How long should I expect to get out to them? Before I got in to the RV world I dealt with Gill batteries which were just terrible. I had heard that these were great batteries unlike Gill and would last a very long time. Now I'm not sure what to expect

I just ordered a new PC680 to replace the one that has been in my RV-6 for eight years. The old battery still cranks just fine, but I found a good price and decided to retire the battery while it still works.

I have never used a trickle charger, just try to fly the plane at least once a week. I also use a sump heater during winter which reduces stress on the battery.

[Canadian_JOY]

My experience is much like Sam's... six year old PC680 is still going strong. It has never been on any form of external charger, just the aircraft alternator. Sometimes it goes a month without being flown, and often in the winter it might be more than a month of bitterly cold weather before we get a break and can go flying. The 680 has been like a tank - zero problems.

I just ordered a pair of 680's, one for my wife's Mazda Miata, the other to replace the 6-year-old battery in the airplane. The airplane battery would be replaced solely as preventative maintenance, not because it's showing any signs of deterioration. If/when I replace the airplane battery I'll be putting the old one in the Miata, just to keep it charged up through the summer months. I suspect it will soldier on for many more years in that application. In this part of the world, six years is about all one can expect from an automotive OEM battery - if it makes it to six years then you can safely bet it will let you down the next time the temperature hits -20C.

[flyingriki]

Originally Posted by Mike S

Have you searched for prior threads/posts??? this has been discussed quite a lot in the last year or two.

How's that used one doing in your jet ski? That one got weak on me in less than two years. New one still going strong.

[Mike S]

Originally Posted by flyingriki

How's that used one doing in your jet ski? That one got weak on me in less than two years. New one still going strong.

It was still doing just fine when we sold the ski couple years ago. Even sitting a lot more than an airplane sits.

[Pat Falley]

I had 680 go strong for 7 or 8 years. When I replaced it, I upgraded the Van's 35A alternator and regulator to B&C units (got tired of replacing alternators). With the new regulator, I adjusted for 14.5v. The new battery failed after 4 months. I recall talking to the battery company, they said you can damage the battery by overcharging and suggested dialing it down. I'm back at 13.5v, and the battery is going strong, 10 months now.

[bhester]

I'm just a few month over seven years since first flight and my PC680 is still going strong! I've only had a charger on it three or times during panel work in the hanger for a couple hrs each time. I'm hoping for ten years. I don't want to replace it with a new one only to find out that it only last 2 or 3 years. I hope the quality hasn't changed. I'll be waiting to here how Sam's new battery does over the next couple years.

[BCP Boys]

These are all great news. I'm hoping that mine last me 4 years plus! Wow, 7 years! that's incredible. During the time I owned my Cessna 310 I planned on buying new Gill batteries every 2 years during the annual. 2 batteries at over $200 each . . . that's just 1 of thousands of reason why I'm flying an RV now

[sailvi767]

Originally Posted by Pat Falley

I had 680 go strong for 7 or 8 years. When I replaced it, I upgraded the Van's 35A alternator and regulator to B&C units (got tired of replacing alternators). With the new regulator, I adjusted for 14.5v. The new battery failed after 4 months. I recall talking to the battery company, they said you can damage the battery by overcharging and suggested dialing it down. I'm back at 13.5v, and the battery is going strong, 10 months now.

With less then 14.1 volts while charging oddessy states the battery will not fully charge. They recommended 14.5 to 14.7 for me and that matches their written documentation.
You do need to be aware of where the voltage sense wire is attached and the type of EFIS or EMI you're using. There were several threads on how many under report the voltage. The13.5 you are reading could be 14 or more at the battery.
I wonder if what seems to be a rash of 680 battery failures could be because of incorrect charging voltage readings as more and more RV's go with efis installations.

George