Frequently asked questions
Please check that the answer to your enquiry isn't on this page before contacting us. If you do not find the answer you need, call us on 0845 458 0075.

Odyssey batteries
What is the CCA rating?
What is a HCA rating?
Are these gel cells?
What is the AH rating?
Is the ODYSSEY a dry battery?
What is impedance?
What is the short-circuit current of these batteries?
Does mishandling the battery void the warranty?
What is so special about thin plate pure lead technology? Is it a new technology?
Why don't you have to winterize your batteries? What's so special about them?
Are these Ni-Cd batteries? Why doesn't somebody make these in Ni-Cd? Wouldn't they charge faster as a Ni-Cd?
Is my battery flat?

General
How can I order?
How can I pay?
Do I pay VAT if I am exporting my parts?
Is my battery dead?
How do I calculate my postage cost?
Are items listed in the catalogue in stock?
How do I submit an enquiry to Odysseybatteriesonline?
How do I find out what is happening with my order?
My details have changed. How do I let Odysseybatteriesonline know?

Frequently asked questions - Odyssey batteries

What is the CCA rating?
The cold cranking ampere (CCA) rating refers to the number of amperes a battery can deliver for 30 seconds at a temperature of -18°C (0°F) before the voltage drops to 1.20 volts per cell, or 7.20 volts for a 12V battery. A 12V battery that has a rating of 550 CCA means that the battery will provide 550 amps for 30 seconds at -18°C (0°F) before the voltage falls to 7.20V. What is the MCA rating? The marine cranking ampere (MCA) rating refers to the number of amperes a battery can deliver for 30 seconds at a temperature of 0°C (32°F) until the battery voltage drops to 7.20 volts for a 12V battery. A 12V battery that has a MCA rating of 725 MCA means that the battery will give 725 amperes for 30 seconds at 0°C (32°F) before the voltage falls to 7.20V. The MCA is sometimes called the cranking amperes or CA.

What is a HCA rating?
The abbreviation HCA stands for hot cranking amps. It is the same as MCA, CA or CCA, except that the temperature at which the test is conducted is 26.7°C (80°F ). What is the PHCA rating? Unlike CCA and MCA the pulse hot cranking amp (PHCA) rating does not have an “official” definition; however, we believe that for true SLI purposes, a 30-second discharge is unrealistic. The PHCA, a short duration (about 3-5 seconds) high rate discharge, is more realistic. Because the discharge is for such a short time, it is more like a pulse.

Are these gel cells?
No, the ODYSSEY is NOT a gel cell. It is an absorbed electrolyte type battery, meaning there is no free acid inside the battery; all the acid is kept absorbed in the glass mat separators. These separators serve to keep the positive and negative plates apart. What is the difference between gel cell and AGM? The key difference between the gel cell and the absorbed glass mat (AGM) is that in the AGM cell all the electrolyte is in the separator, whereas in the gel cell the acid is in the cells in a gel form. If the ODYSSEY battery were to split open, there would be no acid spillage! That is why we call the ODYSSEY a Drycell™ battery

What is the Ah rating?
The ampere-hour (Ah) rating defines the capacity of a battery. A battery rated at 100Ah at the 10-hour rate of discharge will deliver 10A for 10 hours before the terminal voltage drops to a standard value such as 10.02 volts for a 12V battery. The PC1200 battery, rated at 40Ah will deliver 4A for 10 hours. What is reserve capacity rating? The reserve capacity of a battery is the number of minutes it can support a 25-ampere load at 27°C (80°F) before its voltage drops to 10.50 volts for a 12V battery. A 12V battery with a reserve capacity rating of 100 will deliver 25 amps for 100 minutes at 80°F before its voltage drops to 10.5V.

Is the ODYSSEY a dry battery?
Because the ODYSSEY battery has no free acid inside, it is exempted from the requirements of 49 CFR § 173.159 of the US Department of Transportation (USDOT). The battery also enjoys a “nonspillable” classification and falls under the International Air Transport Association (IATA) “unrestricted” air shipment category. These batteries may be shipped completely worry-free. Supporting documentation is available.

What is impedance?
The impedance of a battery is a measure of how easily it can be discharged. The lower the impedance the easier it is to discharge the battery. The impedance of the ODYSSEY battery is considerably less than that of a conventional SLI battery, so its high rate discharge capability is significantly higher than that of a conventional SLI battery.

What is the short-circuit current of these batteries?
As mentioned before, this battery has very low impedance, meaning that the short circuit current is very high. For a PC925 battery, the short circuit current can be as high as 2,500 amperes. Do I ruin the battery if I accidentally drop it? Not necessarily, but it is possible to damage the internal connections sufficiently to damage the battery.

Does mishandling the battery void the warranty?
Our warranty applies only to manufacturing defects and workmanship issues; the policy does not cover damages suffered due to product mishandling.

What is so special about thin plate pure lead technology? Is it a new technology?
The answer lies in the very high purity (99.99%) of our raw lead materials, making our product very special. The technology is not new; the sealed lead recombinant technology was invented and patented by us back in 1973.

Why don't you have to winterize your batteries? What's so special about them?
In general, winterizing refers to a special maintenance procedure conducted on an automotive engine to ensure its reliability during the winter season. The procedure essentially checks the engine's charging system; in addition, the battery is load tested according to a specific method defined by the Battery Council International (BCI). Although ODYSSEY batteries do not specifically require this test to be conducted on them, the final decision whether or not to conduct this test is left to the user's discretion.

Are these Ni-Cd batteries? Why doesn't somebody make these in Ni-Cd? Wouldn't they charge faster as a Ni-Cd?
No, the ODYSSEY is NOT a Ni-Cd battery. It is a valve regulated lead acid (VRLA) battery. In general, Ni-Cd batteries are much more expensive to manufacture and recycle, so they are less cost effective than a lead acid product. A Ni-Cd battery would charge faster than a conventional lead acid battery; however, the ODYSSEY is NOT a conventional battery and its charge characteristics are somewhat similar to nickel cadmium batteries. In fact, with a powerful enough charger, it is possible to bring ODYSSEY batteries to better than 95% state of charge in less than 20 minutes! That is very comparable to the fast charge capabilities of a nickel cadmium product.

Is my battery flat?
To double check it may be worth charging it whilst disconnected from the bike; since some electrical problems on the bike could lead to a constant drain on the battery whilst the ignition is off. (e.g. leaky diodes in the charging circuit). A faster test is to use a multi-meter between say the battery +, and the + cable (disconnected from the battery) and check there's no current flowing with the ignition off. Start with about 5A setting just in case, then work down to about 500mA (fsd).

Frequently asked questions - general

Please check that the answer to your enquiry isn't on this page before contacting us. If you do not find the answer you need, ring us on 0845 458 0075

How can I order?
1) The easiest way to order is through the secure shopping basket system on this site. Select products by browsing the site and adding to your shopping basket, when you are finished proceed to the checkout where you are still able to alter quantities etc.
2) By 'phone at local rate 0845 458 0075 (international 00 44 1484 353600). This line is open from 9.00 till 5.30 Monday to Friday and 9.00 till 1.00 on Saturday. We are closed on bank holidays and between Christmas and New Year.
3) By fax. Use our fax number at any time of day or night. This can be a good method if you need to send us drawings etc. Our local rate fax number is 0845 458 0078. The international number is 00 44 1484 353604.
4) By post. If you are unsure of any details then it can be best to ring before posting an order; we can then also have your order waiting when your cheque arrives. Please include telephone number if using this method.
5) For pre-ordered parts you can collect at our collection counter rather than having the parts posted. Please include a telephone contact number when ordering so we contact you if necessary and please ring before you collect to check availability. Remember - we are a mail order company so we do not cater for customers arriving with a shopping list.

How can I pay?

We accept all credit and switch cards except American Express, Diner, International EDC-Maestro and Laser. If you are ordering on this site please double check your number after entering. Note that some "solo" cards do not authorise if the user is not present so can only be used at our collection counter. Please note we do not store card details and use 'Sage pay' to process all our card payments. Sage Pay’s system is extremely secure and encrypted using 128-bit SSL certificates. If ordering by telephone please have your card details, including security number, to hand.

We also welcome cheque or cash or postal order on telephone orders and collections but not on orders placed through this site. We recommend that if you send cash or postal orders by post you use registered post. We cannot accept liability for cash or postal orders lost until signed for at this end.
Customers abroad sometimes find it easier to use a bank transfer. When you order the goods we can supply our bank details so that you can transfer the money to our account. This method is usually very quick. All prices shown on the site include Value Added Tax and are in £/GBP (pound sterling). The currency converter is for reference only and you will always be charged in £/GBP

Do I pay VAT if I am exporting my parts?
If you buy goods in this country but then permanently export them you can reclaim the VAT. Ask us for the appropriate form when you buy the goods and get it stamped at customs. Return the form to us and we will refund the VAT. Parts posted to addresses outside the EU are not charged VAT

Is my battery dead
Any current flowing over say 50mA (allowing for alarms/clock etc) suggests there may be an electrical problem other than the battery.

How do I calculate my postage cost?
Postage cost are given for each type of battery in the ordering section of the site. For Northern Ireland (BT), Isle of Man (IM) and Postcode areas KA27-28,PA20-49,PA60-78,PH17-26,PH30-44,PH49-50, IV,HS,TD,TW, KW, ZE the charge is larger than for other areas of the UK Postage insurance is included in the postage charge quoted. All prices quoted inc VAT. PARCEL DELIVERY TO EUROPEAN COUNTRIES, EIRE AND CHANNEL ISLES CHANNEL ISLANDS £12.00 (No VAT payable) EIRE £18.00 BELGIUM, LUXEMBURG & THE NETHERLANDS £15.50 DENMARK, FRANCE AND GERMANY £17.00 ITALY, SPAIN, PORTUGAL AND GREECE £25.00 Smaller parcels (battery terminals etc.) can be sent to the above countries by mail at reduced prices. Other services such as Saturday and timed delivery, registered post and delivery to other countries (not USA or Canada) are available. Prices are quoted with order.

Are items listed on the site in stock?
When you order a battery or accessory, assume that it is in stock and we will contact you if there is a problem. If you are collecting the parts then please ring before you collect to check availability. We pride ourselves in a quick and efficient service and aim to have all parts listed on the web site in stock at any time.

How do I submit an enquiry to Odysseybatteriesonline?
Customers within the UK should call 0845 458 0075 local rate (or fax 0845 458 0078). International customers ring 00 44 1484 353600 or use the international enquiry form.

How do I find out what is happening with my order?
Please use the order process enquiry form to get an update on your order.

My details have changed. How do I let Odysseybatteriesonline know?
Please use the change of details form to notify us. We can then update our in house records