6.7L Cummins Forum

Well, was not planning on new batteries so soon, however the driver side started leaking and had to get it out asap.

Decided a while back that I did not want another flood battery, this was the time to change and go AGM technology. Optima and Odyssey are the two doing it. People that I talked to that had Optima's in real service where not that happy with them, and people that had Odyssey's where very happy universally ...... So went with Odyssey.

They retail for 385.00 each, list at 318.00 and was able to get it locally at a master distributor for 285.00 installed (got a discount). Nice folks, got me in and out real quick, cleaned up everything, took all the old stuff in for recycling, installed the new batteries, no questions asked. Very friendly group of folks and even their customers coming in where friendly and wanted to chat ..... Do not see that often !

The Odyssey batteries are roughly the same size. Popped right into place, used the existing hold downs (no adapters needs like the optimas at an extra cost).




The specs for the Odyssey for our truck is very impressive:

ODYSSEY MODEL = 65-PC1750T

Pulse (5-second) Hot Cranking Amps (PHCA) = 1750
Cold Cranking Amps (CCA) = 930
20Hr Nominal Capacity (Ah) = 72
Reserve Capacity Minutes = 135.00

Dimensions
L x W X H - Inches = 11.80 x 7.20 x 7.40
Metric Dimensions
L x W X H - mm = 299.7 x 182.9 x 188.0

Weight (lbs) = 58.00
Weight (kg) = 26.30

Manufacture site: ODYSSEY Batteries - Official Manufacturer's Site
Literature / PDF's: ODYSSEY Batteries - Literature

Where I purchased mine:

Battery Systems of San Jose
504 Dado St. San Jose, CA
Contact: Joe Jackson
Phone: (408) 432-3263
Fax: (408) 432-3288
Email: joej@batterysystems.net

Now I truly have a maintenance free set of batteries !! Will say this, the truck started a whole heck of lot faster with these puppies compared to the OEM.

Cheers all.

Attached Thumbnails

   

__________________

Nice looking batteries I heard alot of good things about them. I swapped out my 2 factory batteries about 2 months ago and replaced them with 2 Interstate mega-tron 850cca batteries due to a bad cell in one of the originals. My truck was dead again last week and noticed a little fluid around the top of one of my new batteries and decided to go a different route. I returned the interstates and upgraded to optimas (144.00 ea). I currently have 2 in service, one in my sons 68 camaro and one in my 79 Trans Am which have been two of the best batteries I have ever owned (both are 5 years old). The Optimas came with a 3 year replacement warranty and the adapters to fit my truck. They are a bit smaller than the originals but the adapters corrected that. After installing them back in my truck I decided to check for current draw. I attached my voltmeter to the battery closest to the fuse box so I could unplug fuses one at a time and see any voltage change. After unplugging more than half, I unplugged number 11 and the voltage stopped dropping and began to rise. After researching what fuse 11 feeds, it appears my glove box light has been on the entire time. I disconnected the wires completely from the bulb so I wont ever have this issue again. Just wanted to pass that along just in case anyone has a sudden problem with their batteries.

I'm 3 years into the OEM (I know any day now, LOL) and have been debating between the Optima and the Odyssey.

__________________

2007.5 Dodge Ram 3500 HD,QC, 6.7L Cummins, 6speed Auto, 4X4, Bighorn Edition.
Click for installs: Carr Steps PML Diff Cover Edge Juice with Attitude Volant Intake Hankook ATM RF10

Squid,

Look at the specs of the Odyssey, expensive but very nice battery. I spent some time reviewing both the odyssey and optima and talking to people actually using them on diesel engines .... Very mixed results on the Optima's (between red and yellow tops), a consistent satisfied result on the Odyssey side. Odyssey is a combination of batteries (deep cycle and high CCA), its like having a large Optima yellow and red top battery in one. I really like how the Odyssey battery uses all its space for plates and uses a press to compress the space used. Before assembly, the batteries are longer.

I wish I would have gotten more time from the OEM batteries (did not need that extra expense at Christmas time).... The battery blanket was soaked on the driver side when the battery was removed. Good thing it was there since it caught everything otherwise the mess would have been great.

__________________

Here is nice little tool for the Odyssey, cost comparison calculator:

Odyssey Calculator 65-PC1750

I have found that average online price is $286.00 and available with free shipping with no sales tax. Not bad when it weights in a 60lbs each.

__________________

Thanks, I think you've sold me.

__________________

2007.5 Dodge Ram 3500 HD,QC, 6.7L Cummins, 6speed Auto, 4X4, Bighorn Edition.
Click for installs: Carr Steps PML Diff Cover Edge Juice with Attitude Volant Intake Hankook ATM RF10

Just for the sake of stating it, if you have a NAPA account or do business with them the sell the Optima style dry cells (they will usually work a deal with you on pricing), can't remember right off the top on my head what they call thiers, but they are about 75% of the optimas. I have run these in fleet trucks for many years and got great service life out of them and no leaking acid either. JMHO

__________________
07.5 3500 Quad, SRW, 4X4, Laramie, Leathered, Dark Metallic Gray, 6.7, 68RFE, 20K Reese, Ride Rite's, 2 Viair air compressors, Bully steps, Kleinn Locomotive air horns (5 in all), Billet polished locking fuel door, 'A' pillar mount Auto Meter Pryo, PML X-deep trans pan
06 Durango 285 RL 5'er Lifted by KZ

Well it appears that after I disconnected the glove box light, I have another draw thats draining my batteries. It may not have been the glove box light at all. Fuse 11 feeds the glove box, key off draw, radio etc. and doesnt have a noticible draw when plugged in. However fuse 27 which feeds power seat(s) has a very noticible draw thats steady and there is no draw on voltmeter with everything but fuse 27 plugged in. Im guessing that there is a relay somewhere that may be stuck or bad or maybe even a bad power seat motor. What do you guys think? Is there a wiring diagram I can look at? Thanks in advance for your input guys.

My constant battery draining problem has been fixed. I stopped by the dealer to ask if they had any issues with glove box lights staying on or power seat problems and the assistant manager answered yes, we've seen a few to the glove box lights but no to the power seat. I managed to make it out to the garage today and take a closer look at the power seat switches and wiring. I found that one of the three switches on the drivers side seat (the rearmost one) was wedged under the cover keeping the switch pushed down. Once I freed the switch, reinstalled the fuse, checked the voltage and it was a steady 12.48. I'll check the voltage in the next day or so just to be sure.