Hey Troy
Thanks for the heads up on your troubles with the Odyssey batteries - guess I was excited about this new 48 series they just released.  I believe the 1200 batteries have a lower reserve unit than the 1220s but your point about product quality and service are to be heeded, especially at a price of $300.
I will explore the golf cart batteries but I really don't want to sacrifice storage needed for these much larger batteries.
My search continues..............
cheers, Richard

Date: Wed, 15 Sep 2010 17:02:17 -0800
From: colorworks@gci.net
Subject: new series 48 Odyssey battery
To: dickd@SYMPATICO.CA
CC: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM

Like may of us, I have been looking for that 
perfect deep cycle battery that
will fit in the tiny spot under our seat in 
our vanagons.  Well I recently
came across the Odyssey brand of 
batteries and they have introduced a new 48
series 
unit................

specs on the Odyssey PC1220 ( group 48 ) 
battery.

CCA 680, 70 amp @ 20hr rate, 135 reserve capacity, 
11.89x6.88x7.48price
about $300

I just wanted to add a few comments here about 
the odyssey batteries and perhaps save the unsuspecting a few dollars.  Several 
years ago I was a happy new owner of an 89 Westy, and easily influenced by all 
the hype on Go Westy's site, and bought one of the odyssey batteries. (the 1200) 
The AH ratings were very optimistic, and even before installing my DC 
fridge, the battery did not have enough reserve capacity. These batteries also 
require a fairly high amperage to charge them properly, and the stock alternator 
can not do that, so unless you use a auxiliary battery charger on a regular 
basis, you're going to cause premature death to the battery.  I have a Subaru 
conversion, which puts out more amps from the alternator than normal, but 
the battery still lost its reserve capacity very quickly.  I got to the point 
where I got maybe 2 or 4 hours worth of reserve power.  At several 
hundred dollars, I figured I would just get a new battery, but no.  In fact, the 
warrantee sucks big time.  I was given a prorated amount.  I think I ended up 
with something like $20 and had to haul the battery over 300 miles away to a 
dealer to get that. Wanted to throw the damn thing, well, don't get me started. 

 
So, I cannot say enough bad things about the 
Odyssey brand battery.  Absolute garbage in my opinion. Go to Carl's site www.westyventures.com  and follow 
the links to the golf cart batteries.  Put yourself four of those behind the 
seat, (88AH) and add a few extra if you like behind the rear seat for some real 
reserve capacity.  They are true deep cycle batteries.  I'd also like to add 
that a number of people were putting standard car batteries behind the driver's 
seat, knowing that they are not designed for deep discharge and taking advantage 
of the warrantee.  After only one year, my car battery no longer has the reserve 
capacity it did. So, if I had this to do over, I would simply buy the golf cart 
batteries.  I currently have 2 of those in the rear, and then a car battery 
upfront.  I have 2 years left on the warrantee, but think I will scrap the car 
battery anyway, as they are kind of a PITA to get in and out. 
 
Stay clear of the Odyssey!!!!  The best thing 
about odyssey batteries is their advertising! Search the archive if in 
doubt.
 
Troy