S4Per

Can you provide details on what/how exactly you extended your battery cables for your pc1500? I know you extended the ground (easy) and the positive (never looked at that, hence I'm asking).

Also, after some time with it: still happy with the PC1500?

Thanks much,
Per

HIS4

My battery is actually a Scosche ED1500 but it's just a rebadged Odyssey PC1500.

Basically what I did is replaced the entire ground cable for a longer 1/0 AWG cable. The +12V coming from the alternator was fine because the run is actually shorter with the positive terminal on the opposite side. I just had to cut the factory plastic ties that are attached to the firewall so I could bend the cable where I needed it. Finally, the +12V cable going from the battery to the interior fuse box was the one I needed to lengthen. I used a set screw 4 AWG to 4 AWG coupling from stinger

Here's a pic

<img src="http://stingerelectronics.com/prodimages/SPT5211.jpg">

I covered the entire coupling with heat shrink to ensure the cable didn't get pulled out from the set screw. I also put new ring terminals on the end of each wire and replaced the battery terminals with Stinger terminals for ease of installation and a little bling. Just make sure that when you put your new terminals on, the terminal does not short out on the firewall. My clearances were very close and I had it short several times. It wasn't a dead short but it was getting close enough that the voltage was not getting up to 12V and the car wouldn't start.

Here's a pic of the battery terminals I used. It has two hex bolts on the bottom that accept 1/0 AWG ring terminals. I have a 1/0 on one bolt and 2-4 AWG on the other for the positive terminal. The ground just has the single 1/0 AWG connection.

<img src="http://www.darvex.com/miva/graphics/00000001/SPT53103.jpg">

Here's some pics of it all installed in the car. Don't mind the wire mess.

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/19077/scosche_batt1.jpg">

<img src="http://pictureposter.audiworld.com/19077/scosche_batt2.jpg">

The reason I had to turn the battery terminals sideways is to provide more clearance from the firewall. I had them facing forward at first but the barrels from the ring terminals were getting too close and shorting out.

Hope that helps. If you have more questions, you can email me.

S4Per

can't decide between that or the 1700...probably overkill, but like you, i'm running a lot of equipment. weight wise: it's 5 more pounds, so who cares. terminals are actually better re: reversed. dimensions: smaller in height and width but 13" long...maybe it'd squeeze in, just maybe???

Edit: or the 1750? 11 13/16 x 7 1/4 x 7 7/16

HIS4

It looked like the air conditioning lines might be in the way of that 13" long monster. I don't recall if depth was an issue too because my battery is pretty much pressed right up against the front strut tower brace and the firewall behind it.

S4Per

restocking fee if it didn't fit since they'd send it right back.

Now I just saw the Sears DieHard Platinum series...available in group 34 size, only normal terminals:
CCA=880
RC=135 minutes
Amp hours @ 20 hour rate = 68

those numbers are all better than the 1500 and most of the 1700 at a cost of $189. I might just go with that instead. Thoughts?<ul><li><a href="http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_02850090000P?vName=Automotive&amp;ke yword=diehard">DieHard</a></li></ul>

HIS4

Look at the shape of the housing and the location of the terminals. Looks almost exactly like the PC1500. Even the specs are very close. That would be a pretty good deal if it really was a rebadged PC1500 considering the sears is only $190 and the Odyssey is usually $250 and you get a longer warranty. Plus with Sears you can always just drive down and have them look at it if anything goes wrong.

HIS4

Odyssey is part of the Enersys Corp.<ul><li><a href="http://www.searsholdings.com/pubrel/pressOne.jsp?id=2007-02-28-0004536634">http://www.searsholdings.com/pubrel/pressOne.jsp?id=2007-02-28-0004536634</a</li></ul>

Slave IV

*Making mental note of this info.

S4Per

but glad that it should be a good one!

HIS4

BTW, big heat shrink and a small butane mini torch will be your best friend when you're putting the new ring terminals on all the cables. A heat gun will do also but I didn't have one at the time. Finding heat shrink big enough for 1/0 AWG and the ring terminal was a pain though.