I'm curious why you didn't mount the box and battery against the high wall of the battery box.

All

 

This is the Odyssey PC680 battery and an aluminum battery box.  The box is from odysseybattery.com. 

 

Don V

I believe that the later EFI Minis had a much smaller form factor battery. No idea what the spec was.

Terry

Another aspect of my battery purchase:  It was what the guy had on the shelf.  Clearly it is outrageous overkill for a mini.

Apparently in the U.S. you can buy directly from them.

Here.  I do quite like the sealed aspect, especially for the awkward in-car wagon placement.  I will likely build an entirely new hold down system before MMW as one concern I have is the posts contacting the steel across the lower front of the seat squab in a massive accident.  It is too close.  At least the sedan battery box solution stays pretty much the same in a major accident.

K-mart had a fifty dollar battery. raised their prices 10%. now it's $55. Has a handle. works great.

I didn't consider the weight and the fumes issue. Keeping battery acid off the battery tray would be worth any additional expense IMO. p.s. Doug you are correct, fifty bucks for a lawnmower battery maybe, even a cheapo that would work in a mini is over 70 bucks wt

Hey Terry,

I run a Group size 48 in my Austin Mini Countryman. I'm not sure if that is the "Factory" spec. size, but it fits really well under the seat. I know Sears Die Hard Gold Plus and Les Schwab Xtreme Power both carry this size. My Les Schwab Battery has like 820 cold cranking amps and is good for (7) years, (actually my battery is going on (8) years now! Still cranks like new!) Hope this helps.                Mini Estate

I use the same Odyssey in my airplane (Lancair).  It weighs half as much as a normal aircraft battery.   And weight savings in an airplane is a big deal.  The first one lasted nine years in the airplane.  It was still going strong when I changed it out because of age.  Just got nervous about it.  I still use it in the shop for random uses for the last five years.  AGM's are the way to go.  They can be mounted in any position, on there side, back, upside down, whatever, no acid to worry about.  I use them in all the motorcycles, scooter, and quads here.  It'll be what I replace the wet battery with in the Mini when it gives up.  Odyssey's are not cheap, but they are better than everything else I have used.

Hi

This battery was a little over $100. I like that it is a sealed AGM so no leaks and no fumes.  I also got it because of the reduced weight.  I have reduced the weight in the rear end by 40 lbs because I also installed a RC40 muffler 8lbs versus 18lbs for the previous one.  I am hoping for quicker accelleration.  The batttery is 3 by 6.5 by 7 inches. The specs are on the odyssey website.  The battery will go in the existing battery box with lots of room leftover.  I will post a pic when its installed.

 

Don V

Where have you found batteries for about $50?  I haven't seen batteries that inexpensive in years.

Great topic - it would be quite helpful - photographs and part/model numbers:

• Knowing which Odessey would fit and still allow for a spare tire/tyre.
• Which Optima fits and still allows for a spare tire/tyre.
• Other batteries of similar type that could substitute for the above.
• Are the Odessey batteries superior to Optima?

I'm also looking for a new battery which would allow for a spare tire/tyre.

Interesting idea. However since they seem to cost around or over 100 bucks, I'm wondering why buy one when you can still get one that will fit in the mini battery area for around half that? I understand the need for this battery in places where a smaller battery needs to be fitted.

wt

Murray:

Could you please post a photo of yours in the wagon as well? Part number?

Our Traveller has been off the road for more than a year and I suspect the battery will not be a happy camper when I ask it to start a car on regular basis. The old one was an Autozone that barely fit, but it was what they had at the time.

Terry

There are a few folks that I know who are running small Odyssey batteries in near daily use and daily use cars.  I had wanted to go with one as well, but ended up buying one nearly the size of a regular battery to go with the mounting hardware for my wagon's under-seat battery placement.

I expect you will get years of excellent service out of that.  lease post a photo when you have secured it in the battery box.

This old battery weighs 48 lbs and filled the battery box. I got the biggest battery that would fit.  The new Odyssey PC680 weighs 18 lbs and works great for what I use the car for.