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[rmcgraw351]

Originally Posted by LMJD

rmcgraw351, I have a question also, if you don't mind. Are the Oddsseys the spiracell type construction like the Optimas? I have two Optimas in my F250 that will be six years old next month, so I'm about due for new batteries. I've been real happy with the service I've had from the Optimas, but after reading this thread, sounds like they're not the way to go anymore.

LMJD,
No the oddessey's are flat plate, but, they were one of the gates spinoff companies along with optima. The battery chemistry is the same. I wouldnt have said this when I was employed @ optima, but the spiral shaped cell actually has less surface area for energy production than a flat plate does, a flat plate battery has substantially more surface area. The main idea for the spiral shaped cell is for vibration resistance, and originally, to alter the footprint configuration, but be carful not to bang the radius of the case, (it doesnt take much), because that shorts the plates inside and greatly reduces the battery life. The flat plate AGM battery of oddessey is basically an original chemistry optima un rolled, so to speak. The cells are much better protected from shorting and technology has increased to the point where they can compress the plates so efficiently, that vibration resistance is comparable, but with the added bonus of more surface area. Some of the engineers that were displaced by jci when they took over optima, went to oddessey. Based on my experience at optima, with their engineers, scientist, PHD's and chemists, as well as with other people that I became friends with that had been involved with the invention and development of the gates battery chemistry, (GEP), my choice of batteries is very clear, I will choose oddessey.