Odyssey PC1200 Owner's Manual - page 6
MAINTENANCE
ODYSSEY
®
batteries are very different from standard liquid-acid batteries that are openly vented. The ODYSSEY
battery is and operates as a sealed battery, recycling nearly all gases internally under normal operating conditions.
There is no corrosion of the positive terminal or corrosion to the surrounding area. ODYSSEY batteries are shipped
fully charged from the factory, but prior to installation, check the battery’s voltage to see if it is 12.65 volts or greater.
If not, recharge it using the procedure below.
Do not charge in an air tight compartment
Never attempt to remove the top decal cover, as it will cause the battery to fail.
CHARGING
The state of charge in an ODYSSEY battery can be determined from the following chart:
To get long life from the ODYSSEY battery, it is important that the battery is kept near full charge, approximately
12.8 volts. If there are electrical loads during storage, then the negative battery cable should be disconnected or an
independent float charger used. Low power 2.0 amp chargers for storage charge will keep a fully charged battery fully
charged but cannot recharge if the ODYSSEY battery becomes discharged.
Racing Vehicles using total loss (no alternator) - standard automotive type chargers are not designed to return
105-108% of the energy removed. They normally boost charge to 80-95% and expect the alternator to complete the
charge. Chargers listed on our website at www.odysseybattery.com are specifically designed for ODYSSEY batteries
that are routinely deeply discharged. They provide the 105-108% recharge and then switch to storage charge.
ODYSSEY Ultimizer™ chargers as listed on www.odysseybattery.com are specifically designed for ODYSSEY
batteries and are required for routine deep discharge applications. They provide 105-108% recharge and then switch
to a storage charge.
To fully charge a 31-PC2150 battery that is routinely discharged deeply, a minimum of 40 amps are required with
charger voltage within the range of 14.1V to 14.7V. It is imperative not to exceed 15.0V as this will cause the pressure
valves to open and out-gas hydrogen, oxygen and water from inside the battery. This will shorten the life of the
battery and cause premature failure. Some portable chargers exceed 15.0V, especially two-wheel garage chargers, so
charging voltages should be verified by measuring the charging voltage during the time when the charging amperage
is reducing from full output. The deep cycle charging voltage must be within 14.1V minimum to 14.7V maximum.
If a standard automotive charger is used to boost charge a discharged battery because of an accessory left on, it is
important to make sure the charging voltage does not exceed 15 volts during charge. A hand held voltmeter can be
used to monitor this periodically. The following chart provides recharge times under this type of boost charging to an
80-95% recharge and then allows the vehicle charging system to complete the charge.
6
Publication No. 2602-0232, Rev. 11 - February 2013
www.odysseybattery.com
12V PARALLEL CONNECTION
Voltmeter Reading
State of Charge
12.84 Volts or higher
100%
12.50 Volts
75%
12.18 Volts
50%
11.88 Volts
25%
BATTERY 1
BATTERY 2
12V MOTOR
GROUND
VEHICLE &
CONNECTION