Battery opinions?(Hawker Odyssey, Exide Orbital)

r854rnr · 10-25-2006, 04:28 PM

I've read thread after thread about the Optimas, so I have a good handle on those. However, it is the other brands that I'm still unsure about. I've been looking into the Exide Orbitals and the Hawker Odyssey. My question is, outside of the optimas that are so well liked here, what experiences have you people had with these other brands?

Also, what are your favorite battery stores?

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SLC97SR5 · 10-25-2006, 09:50 PM

We run NAPA (Exide) Orbitals in all of our ground equipment at the Airport. They see tons of starts every day in extremely hot and cold weather. Some of our TUG's vibrate hard enough to slosh electrolyte out of convential batteries. They are much better than your standard wet cell but personally I'm an OPTIMA man.

Keggo · 10-25-2006, 10:14 PM

I have one in my 4Runner and love it.

LSUMatt1514 · 10-25-2006, 10:39 PM

I have an Exide Orbital and have been very pleased with it.

r854rnr · 10-26-2006, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LSUMatt1514

I have an Exide Orbital and have been very pleased with it.

What group size are you using? and where did/do you buy your batteries?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Keggo

I have one in my 4Runner and love it.

One what? Exide Orbital?

bigacuralvr · 10-27-2006, 08:04 AM

I got an Orbital from 4 Wheels Parts. It works great, and starts up everytime!

4Crawler · 10-27-2006, 08:16 AM

AFAIK, the Orbital is the same basic design as the Optima, have not used one but have just retired my old Optima red top (circa 1998). I am still running a pair of Hawker type batteries in my 4Runner. They have both going strong and I just ordered an Odyssey battery to replace the dead red top in my daily driver.

SLC97SR5 · 10-27-2006, 09:02 AM

Roger-
That's what I understand as well, it's all the AGM design. I prefer the D34M with the dual top posts opposed to the GM (secondary) style lugs on most Orbitals. For our GSE they have been great and the warranty has been no problem...when you have 300+ batteries on the ramp you are bound to have some crap out prematurely.

914runner · 10-28-2006, 01:44 AM

Odyssey's are the best, thats why they run around $250-$300.

One is going in my '91 4Runner as we speak.

FredTJ · 10-28-2006, 04:44 PM

Odyssey...
I won't have another Optima in any vehicle of mine.
The Optima's (for me and others out here in the SW) simply don't have the durability.
I get. maybe, two years out of an Optima.
A couple of other friends of mine here in southern AZ and southern CA have had good luck with Optima's, but most don't.

Fred

Midget96 · 10-28-2006, 05:48 PM

I would never waste money on an Optima. They just don't last in extreme conditions.

I ran an Odyssey PC680MJ in my daily driver/weekend club racing Integra for 2 years. I drained it numerous times and had it mounted near the header, but it never faltered. There is no better battery, but you do pay a premium.

The Odyssey PC1500, which is stock sized, runs around $200 or so. You might be able to use a PC1200MJ (metal jacket), which is way cheaper and more durable, but not as powerful.

LSUMatt1514 · 10-28-2006, 10:27 PM

Sorry about the delay, but I'll have to check the model number in the morning. I bought it at a local NAPA store for around $120 if I remember correctly and as stated above, it is a very similar design to the Optimas.

Matt

Keggo · 10-29-2006, 10:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by r854rnr

What group size are you using? and where did/do you buy your batteries?

One what? Exide Orbital?

Sorry should have specified. I have an Exide Orbital.

r854rnr · 10-29-2006, 07:40 PM

Anybody using a series 35 Orbital? rather than the 34R that is suggested?

10-25-2006, 10:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
Keggo Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Bakersfield, CA Posts: 1,831	I have one in my 4Runner and love it. __________________ - Kevin E. G. SOLD!!! '91 4Runner SR5 V6 5spd: CLICK!! FOR SALE NOW! Proud dad of Kai E. G.!

10-25-2006, 10:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
LSUMatt1514 Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Birmingham, Alabama Posts: 1,278	I have an Exide Orbital and have been very pleased with it. __________________ 01' SR5 Sport Edition Performance: Deck Plate w/ Amsoil Filter, ISR Mod, Dynomax Super Turbo w/ Pacesetter Tip Exterior: Manik Brush Guard, Piaa 1000X, Piaa 540, OEM Skid Plate, Custom Sidemarkers, Clear Corners/Bumpers, H/L Alenzas, Thule Lappland Cargo Basket, Reverse Lamps, Silverstars Interior: Stereo System, Dakota Digital Gauges, Coleman Inverter, Speedhut Gauges http://community.webshots.com/user/phi1514

10-27-2006, 08:04 AM	#6 (permalink)
bigacuralvr Registered User Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Evans/Greeley, CO Posts: 293	I got an Orbital from 4 Wheels Parts. It works great, and starts up everytime! __________________ Current: 94 4Runner SR5 3.Slow...for now. SOLD. :( 99 4Runner Limited SuperCharged, Hood Scoop, Westin Bull Bar, PIAA 510's, PIAA GTX Heads and Fogs, ProComp 1069's, True Flow Intake, Jardine Exhaust, Red Interior Lights, Other Little Stuff...

10-27-2006, 08:16 AM	#7 (permalink)
4Crawler Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 7,825	AFAIK, the Orbital is the same basic design as the Optima, have not used one but have just retired my old Optima red top (circa 1998). I am still running a pair of Hawker type batteries in my 4Runner. They have both going strong and I just ordered an Odyssey battery to replace the dead red top in my daily driver. __________________ 1985 Toyota 4Runner SR-5, 22REC engine, dual t-cases, 4.88 gears, dual ARBs, 33x10.50 BFGs or 35x12.50 MTRs r.c.brown@ieee.org TruckEditor@tlca.org Project: 4Crawler 4Crawler OffRoad Gettin'Off 4WD Club

10-28-2006, 01:44 AM	#9 (permalink)
914runner Contributing Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Tigard, Oregon Posts: 2,083	Odyssey's are the best, thats why they run around $250-$300. One is going in my '91 4Runner as we speak. __________________ 1997 Toyota 4Runner, 3.4L (5VZ-FE), 5-Speed (R150F), 4WD, 4.10's, 33's 1998 Toyota 4Runner, 3.4L (5VZ-FE), 5-Speed (R150F), 4WD, 4.10's, 33's 1991 Toyota 4Runner 4 Door, 3.4l (5VZ-FE), 5-Speed (R150F), 4WD, 32's, 4.10's

10-25-2006, 09:50 PM	#2 (permalink)
SLC97SR5 Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 392	We run NAPA (Exide) Orbitals in all of our ground equipment at the Airport. They see tons of starts every day in extremely hot and cold weather. Some of our TUG's vibrate hard enough to slosh electrolyte out of convential batteries. They are much better than your standard wet cell but personally I'm an OPTIMA man.

10-27-2006, 09:02 AM	#8 (permalink)
SLC97SR5 Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 392	Roger- That's what I understand as well, it's all the AGM design. I prefer the D34M with the dual top posts opposed to the GM (secondary) style lugs on most Orbitals. For our GSE they have been great and the warranty has been no problem...when you have 300+ batteries on the ramp you are bound to have some crap out prematurely.

10-28-2006, 04:44 PM	#10 (permalink)
FredTJ Registered User Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Tucson, AZ USA Age:60 Posts: 1,529	Odyssey... I won't have another Optima in any vehicle of mine. The Optima's (for me and others out here in the SW) simply don't have the durability. I get. maybe, two years out of an Optima. A couple of other friends of mine here in southern AZ and southern CA have had good luck with Optima's, but most don't. Fred

10-28-2006, 05:48 PM	#11 (permalink)
Midget96 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 325	I would never waste money on an Optima. They just don't last in extreme conditions. I ran an Odyssey PC680MJ in my daily driver/weekend club racing Integra for 2 years. I drained it numerous times and had it mounted near the header, but it never faltered. There is no better battery, but you do pay a premium. The Odyssey PC1500, which is stock sized, runs around $200 or so. You might be able to use a PC1200MJ (metal jacket), which is way cheaper and more durable, but not as powerful.

10-28-2006, 10:27 PM	#12 (permalink)
LSUMatt1514 Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Birmingham, Alabama Posts: 1,278	Sorry about the delay, but I'll have to check the model number in the morning. I bought it at a local NAPA store for around $120 if I remember correctly and as stated above, it is a very similar design to the Optimas. Matt __________________ 01' SR5 Sport Edition Performance: Deck Plate w/ Amsoil Filter, ISR Mod, Dynomax Super Turbo w/ Pacesetter Tip Exterior: Manik Brush Guard, Piaa 1000X, Piaa 540, OEM Skid Plate, Custom Sidemarkers, Clear Corners/Bumpers, H/L Alenzas, Thule Lappland Cargo Basket, Reverse Lamps, Silverstars Interior: Stereo System, Dakota Digital Gauges, Coleman Inverter, Speedhut Gauges http://community.webshots.com/user/phi1514

10-29-2006, 07:40 PM	#14 (permalink)
r854rnr Registered User Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Oakdale, MN Posts: 279	Anybody using a series 35 Orbital? rather than the 34R that is suggested? __________________ Kevin Black 1998 4runner SR5 4wd http://www.cardomain.com/memberpage/760675

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