The Jalopy Journal

**Blue One** · 07-21-2012, 10:27 PM

Who makes the smallest 12 volt battery that will provide the cranking amps and life needed for multiple engine turn overs and starts without causing problems ?

Im looking for a very small battery ( packaging issues- where to put a battery

) for my Y Block powered 26 roadster pickup.

I want to be able to start the engine and make repeated starts after short distances, without turning the key to find a battery that won't turn the engine over

brpowel4 · 07-21-2012, 10:42 PM

I used a 2003 Honda Civic battery from Advance Auto rated at 500 cold crank amps. its pretty small.

Here is a link to battery sizes based on BCI battery group number. The Civic battery is group 51.

http://www.rtpnet.org/teaa/bcigroup.html

A 2003 Toyota Rav4 battery is slightly bigger but has roughly 640 cold crank amps. Its a group number 35.

Bryan

swifty · 07-21-2012, 10:48 PM

I'm using an Odyssey PC680 to run my 318 poly in the 32-5w. It seems to do the job just fine and ct1932 ford on here is using one to crank the 21 studder in his revamped 32 roadster. You could PM him and ask him if it's doing the job OK. I don't think you would get anything smaller that would do the job.

Dimensions are 7.15" long, 3" wide and 6.65" high
You can check them out at odysseybattery.com

BTW mines in the trunk and I'm only using an early birdcage Chrysler alternator which has a WHOPPING 35amps output.

bryceaugustine · 07-21-2012, 10:55 PM

optima 75/25. http://www.optimabatteries.com/optim...dtop/specs.php

i love these batteries. wont run nothin else.

32dude · 07-21-2012, 10:55 PM

I use a group 51 battery you can get them with positive at right or left

**hotroddon** · 07-21-2012, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swifty

I'm using an Odyssey PC680 to run my 318 poly in the 32-5w. It seems to do the job just fine and ct1932 ford on here is using one to crank the 21 studder in his revamped 32 roadster. You could PM him and ask him if it's doing the job OK. I don't think you would get anything smaller that would do the job.

Dimensions are 7.15" long, 3" wide and 6.65" high
You can check them out at odysseybattery.com

BTW mines in the trunk and I'm only using an early birdcage Chrysler alternator which has a WHOPPING 35amps output.

X2 - this little power house is great. Had one in my 29 RPU with a High Compression 347 stroker for 7 years, no problems.

Putting one in another 29 I'm building for a customer right now.
http://www.odysseybattery.com/autospecs.html

mgtstumpy · 07-22-2012, 07:18 AM

Another Odyssey fan, lays on floor under front seat, been there for years now and had no issues whatsoever. I use a trickle charger to keep it topped up as not a daily driver.

**striper** · 07-22-2012, 07:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swifty

I'm using an Odyssey PC680 to run my 318 poly in the 32-5w. It seems to do the job just fine and ct1932 ford on here is using one to crank the 21 studder in his revamped 32 roadster. You could PM him and ask him if it's doing the job OK. I don't think you would get anything smaller that would do the job.

Dimensions are 7.15" long, 3" wide and 6.65" high
You can check them out at odysseybattery.com

BTW mines in the trunk and I'm only using an early birdcage Chrysler alternator which has a WHOPPING 35amps output.

I run one on my 401 too

bustingear · 07-22-2012, 07:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bryceaugustine

optima 75/25. http://www.optimabatteries.com/optim...dtop/specs.php

i love these batteries. wont run nothin else.

They take a special charger
A regular one will not work
The charger is as much as the battery

**striper** · 07-22-2012, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chopp'd49

A u1rt at advance auto is for a newer miata. It is the size of a lawn and garden battery and has 500 cca.

Check again. 370cca

zgears · 07-22-2012, 07:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by swifty

I'm using an Odyssey PC680 to run my 318 poly in the 32-5w.

I also have one of these in a Honda Insight. tiny battery, works great.

**Ebbsspeed** · 07-22-2012, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bustingear

They take a special charger
A regular one will not work
The charger is as much as the battery

A decent "regular" charger works fine. Some of the chinese crap on the market today probably doesn't fall within the charger specs outlined on the battery data sheet, but your'e not going to have one of those if you are a traditional rodder.

If they required a "special" charger, then they would also require a "special" alternator on the vehicles they are installed in.

**31Vicky with a hemi** · 07-22-2012, 07:51 AM

Odyssey battery would be the first place I look.
Amazing how much power is in their small packages.

zgears · 07-22-2012, 08:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zgears

I also have one of these in a Honda Insight. tiny battery, works great.

pic for reference, with styrofoam spacer.

**mctim64** · 07-22-2012, 08:29 AM

I may have to look into one of those Odyssey batteries, we were just talking about a small bat for my Tudor.

unkledaddy · 07-22-2012, 08:36 AM

Satisfied Odyssey PC680 owner here as well. I have it mounted up under the dash.

flatheadpete · 07-22-2012, 08:40 AM

I used a 12v tractor battery (Interstate) in my flatty powered bucket.

**Blue One** · 07-22-2012, 08:52 AM

Thanks guys it looks like the Odyssey PC680 will be the one. It really is the smallest and I was concerned in its ability.

Good to hear that it has been used sucessfully in applications like mine.

bryceaugustine · 07-22-2012, 10:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bustingear

They take a special charger
A regular one will not work
The charger is as much as the battery

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ebbsspeed

A decent "regular" charger works fine. Some of the chinese crap on the market today probably doesn't fall within the charger specs outlined on the battery data sheet, but your'e not going to have one of those if you are a traditional rodder.

If they required a "special" charger, then they would also require a "special" alternator on the vehicles they are installed in.

got it right. my regular charger from the big W works fine. just make sure you do the slow charge. that seems to work better.

Don's Hot Rods · 07-22-2012, 11:31 AM

I'm another fan of the PC680 battery. When I built my 23 there was no room for a regular battery so I called Odyssey and spoke to the owner of the company. I told him I was concerned that a small battery like that wouldn't start the 350 Chevy in my rod. He said he has a blown BBC in his and it works great. I bought one and he was right, even after sitting for weeks it would crank over like it was fully charged.

And no, you don't need a special charger for any of these batteries, a regular smart charger will work fine.

Don

07-21-2012, 10:27 PM	#1
Blue One Alliance Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Alberta Posts: 2,930	Small Battery. Who makes the smallest 12 volt battery that will provide the cranking amps and life needed for multiple engine turn overs and starts without causing problems ? Im looking for a very small battery ( packaging issues- where to put a battery ) for my Y Block powered 26 roadster pickup. I want to be able to start the engine and make repeated starts after short distances, without turning the key to find a battery that won't turn the engine over

07-21-2012, 10:42 PM	#2
brpowel4 Grenade Inspector Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Christiansburg, VA Posts: 106	Re: Small Battery. I used a 2003 Honda Civic battery from Advance Auto rated at 500 cold crank amps. its pretty small. Here is a link to battery sizes based on BCI battery group number. The Civic battery is group 51. http://www.rtpnet.org/teaa/bcigroup.html A 2003 Toyota Rav4 battery is slightly bigger but has roughly 640 cold crank amps. Its a group number 35. Bryan __________________ My 30 Model A Sedan Progress album: http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/a...p?albumid=8002 Last edited by brpowel4; 07-21-2012 at 11:04 PM.

07-21-2012, 10:48 PM	#3
swifty Member Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Harcourt, Australia Posts: 623	Re: Small Battery. I'm using an Odyssey PC680 to run my 318 poly in the 32-5w. It seems to do the job just fine and ct1932 ford on here is using one to crank the 21 studder in his revamped 32 roadster. You could PM him and ask him if it's doing the job OK. I don't think you would get anything smaller that would do the job. Dimensions are 7.15" long, 3" wide and 6.65" high You can check them out at odysseybattery.com BTW mines in the trunk and I'm only using an early birdcage Chrysler alternator which has a WHOPPING 35amps output.

07-21-2012, 10:55 PM	#4
bryceaugustine Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Gardner Kansas - Transplant...Orgnially Hays America Posts: 696	Re: Small Battery. optima 75/25. http://www.optimabatteries.com/optim...dtop/specs.php i love these batteries. wont run nothin else. __________________ Bryce Dont scratch my rust! Help finding this old Gasser!

07-21-2012, 10:55 PM	#5
32dude Grenade Inspector Join Date: May 2007 Location: in my own little world of 32's Posts: 205	Re: Small Battery. I use a group 51 battery you can get them with positive at right or left __________________ BRUCE'S ROD SHOP *SPRING,TEXAS* *281 376-5932* *"AS FOR ME AND MY HOUSE,WE WILL SERVE THE LORD!"*

07-22-2012, 07:18 AM	#7
mgtstumpy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Brisbane Australia Posts: 1,387	Re: Small Battery. Another Odyssey fan, lays on floor under front seat, been there for years now and had no issues whatsoever. I use a trickle charger to keep it topped up as not a daily driver.

07-22-2012, 07:51 AM	#13
31Vicky with a hemi Alliance Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: cleveland ohio Posts: 7,312	Re: Small Battery. Odyssey battery would be the first place I look. Amazing how much power is in their small packages. __________________ Thank you, I will be installing a breathalyzer on my keyboard the hamb relay network http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/g...hp?groupid=214

07-22-2012, 08:29 AM	#15
mctim64 Alliance Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: California, somewhere just below Fresno. Posts: 4,986	Re: Small Battery. I may have to look into one of those Odyssey batteries, we were just talking about a small bat for my Tudor. __________________ Y-Block Powered Model A Tudor project http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=667198 "it looks just like a Tellafunkin U-47" http://yblockguy.com/

07-22-2012, 08:36 AM	#16
unkledaddy Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Patinaville, Tennessee Posts: 1,880	Re: Small Battery. Satisfied Odyssey PC680 owner here as well. I have it mounted up under the dash. __________________ *"Who's your Unkledaddy?"*

07-22-2012, 08:40 AM	#17
flatheadpete Old School HAMBer Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Flint, MI aka Murder City USA Posts: 7,567	Re: Small Battery. I used a 12v tractor battery (Interstate) in my flatty powered bucket. __________________ 'Armin Tamzarian's reign of terror is over!' -Superintendent Chalmers

07-22-2012, 08:52 AM	#18
Blue One Alliance Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Alberta Posts: 2,930	Re: Small Battery. Thanks guys it looks like the Odyssey PC680 will be the one. It really is the smallest and I was concerned in its ability. Good to hear that it has been used sucessfully in applications like mine.

07-22-2012, 11:31 AM	#20
Don's Hot Rods Old School HAMBer Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: florida Posts: 5,780	Re: Small Battery. I'm another fan of the PC680 battery. When I built my 23 there was no room for a regular battery so I called Odyssey and spoke to the owner of the company. I told him I was concerned that a small battery like that wouldn't start the 350 Chevy in my rod. He said he has a blown BBC in his and it works great. I bought one and he was right, even after sitting for weeks it would crank over like it was fully charged. And no, you don't need a special charger for any of these batteries, a regular smart charger will work fine. Don

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