Odyssey PC 1200 Battery Won't fit ! What gives...

[pete000]

I wanted to go with a sealed high performance battery to support my new audio system and heard the Odyssey battery is a good choice.

I looked up the battery model recommended to use in the Vanagon on the Odyssey web site and it calls for the PC 1200.

I then found one for a fair price and mail ordered one.

Went to install it yesterday and discovered it is way too tall. The posts will not allow for the hinged cover behind the seat to close. I think the seat would even hit hit posts on this thing. The Die Hard I currently have bairly fits flush to the lid.

I do see the actual battery measures the proper height but then adds the posts making it over an inch too tall. I would rather not use screw on type clamps either.

I tried laying it on its side but that will reverse the terminals and the positive lead is too short to reach over.

Looks like it is going to be returned. What a dissapointment.

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1990 Vanagon RS 2.1
1967 Deluxe 21 window
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Koni Shocks
H & R Red Springs
Addco Sway Bars Front-Rear
18 X 7.5 and 18 X 8 OEM Porsche Wheels
Recaro Power-Heated seats

[1621]

Don't return it! Simply unscrew the terminals and use a stainless M6 bolt to make your connections. I've also got my Odysseys on their sides if that makes it any easier for you. It appears you have the battery with the metal jacket, which means the positive is on the left side (also visible in the picture). The same battery is available with the terminals reversed if it makes the wire run any simpler.

I use one of the metal jacketed versions for my starting battery (I think they have the MJT added to their name) because it makes the wiring easier on that side. I use the standard PC1200 for my auxiliary again due to the location of the terminals. My batteries are on their sides with the terminals facing the front of the vehicle. It's been a great set-up.

If you're opposed to cutting the stock vehicle connection terminals and replacing with ring terminals (assuming you're intending to use this as starting battery), then yeah I guess you should send it back and get another DieHard. But consider it first, as these are really good batteries.

Check these pictures:

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'85 Westy

[pete000]

Unfortunatly I need a post type mount for my aplication. Event the eyelet type connectors for the large guage wire I am running would sit too high.

I think its kind of lame that Odyssey does not mention that you will have to alter the type of connector the vehicle comes with in order to install their product.
_________________
1990 Vanagon RS 2.1
1967 Deluxe 21 window
--------------------
Koni Shocks
H & R Red Springs
Addco Sway Bars Front-Rear
18 X 7.5 and 18 X 8 OEM Porsche Wheels
Recaro Power-Heated seats

[1621]

[Dogpilot]

You can also just make buss bars that bolt to the battery and then you bolt you wires to it. This allows you to bolt a section of flat bar stock that you drill a hole through and bolt to the battery, then you can bend it down as it passes the edge of the battery and then run a bolt & nut arrangement to capture you large wire and eye.

This is how I packed mine in to keep it from rattling around:

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Geology with a Syncro rocks!
86 Syncro Westy AKA "The Bughunter"
98 Disco I
08 Range Rover SC
08 VW Rabbit S
1951 O-1G

[Typhon2222]

Folks, I AM a mechanical idiot. Hoping someone can give me some tips.

Our first Odyssey 1200 was installed for us by the gents at the BusLab in Berkeley. It's finally died, and I managed to buy another one online. It's sitting in my living room right now, and I can't figure out how to get those big brass terminal posts off. I think they're called SAE posts? Anyway, I've tried using pliers, but they just won't budge.

They look very like the ones in the OP. The only difference I can see is that on that one, the negative post has one thicker rough band around it for traction, and the positive one has two thinner bands. Whereas on the one sitting in front of me, the posts look identical: each has a single thicker band.
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Basil — '88 Dove Blue Westy.

[Type17]

[Typhon2222]

[joetiger]

[Typhon2222]

[thatvwbusguy]

Stainless would be best and shouldn't be too difficult to find, but you can go with zinc plated or plain steel as long as you remember to put a thin coating of dielectric grease or anti-seize on the threads so you can remove the bolts in the future for any maintenance.
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Jay Brown
'85 Zetec Westfalia
Newmarket, NH


If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion.

[Typhon2222]