If it’s sitting for a couple weeks I do. Over the winter it’s on it the whole time.
Odyssey Battery has gone the way of Optima crap
- Thread starter explorerlyon
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If it’s sitting for a couple weeks I do. Over the winter it’s on it the whole time.
I just sent Odyssey an email asking about the above warranty issue. I also invited them to register and participate in this thread, hopefully they will accept. Odyssey has too good of a reputation to lose with warranty issues like were described above.
It might be interesting, but complicates the whole charging scenario. Lithium charge profiles like a lot of amps up front, with increasing voltage as the battery tops off. At about 90% charge, the voltage stabilizes around 14.4 to 14.6 volts and the amperage tapers off. Very different than Lead Acid charge profiles.
Good. Let's see what they have to say. Here is the proof of them denying my claim. Why spend a $100+ premium for what is supposed to be a quality battery when the company will not warranty the battery and the shop that sold it (Auto Zone) cannot exchange the battery? To add some further facts, I tested the vehicle for any parasitic draw-none There were no lights or accessories on at the time the battery died. Battery worked fine a week ago. Sat for 1 week and then had low voltage. Won't take a charge. This is on a vehicle with a good working alternator and a well-maintained battery.
After my claim denial yesterday, I went back to Auto Zone and they made it right for me. Auto Zone has now verified TWICE that the battery is defective. I no longer have an Odysses battery and will never recommend one again. Way too difficult and too much time to request warranty coverage from Odyssey, not worth it. I just hope whoever joins from Odyssey doesn't turn out to be the same as Optima Jim.
The Sears Diehard Odysseys never lasted that long for me. One failed within warranty and Sears replaced it. The second one failed just out of warranty.
I got a deal on an Advance Diehard Plat. AGM in '20 and it's been holding up so far. Not sure who actually makes them for Advance.
I got a deal on an Advance Diehard Plat. AGM in '20 and it's been holding up so far. Not sure who actually makes them for Advance.
This warranty issue with them is nothing new whatsoever. We've been dealing with it since right after they switched from being Black Panther batteries to Odyssey. All AGM batteries suffer from the same problem. If you let them sit discharged for more than a day, that pretty much ruins them and most of them won't even be able to be brought back with fancy chargers they have at their facilities. Once they drop below a certain voltage, they are generally trash.
I've had the exact same issue with Northstar, X2, Odyssey, Duracell, Platinum Diehard, Bosch Platinum, Optima, et al. It is an AGM issue, not an Odyssey issue.
Found some interesting information. Both Optima and Advance Diehard AGM are made by Clarios now. Never heard of them. Apparently Johnson sold off the battery business.
Inversely, I ran at least 10 of them with zero issues unless I caused it. I still have one that is over 10 years old on the trailer that is still fine.
I heard he went to work for Odyssey.
I just learned something new. Do you run AGM batteries because of that or stick with lead acid? I have two lead-acid batteries in my boat that takes a beating probably worse than my Jeep and never had an issue with lead-acid in that environment.
I can't deal with the corrosion issues that typical Lead Acid batteries cause so I ONLY do AGM.
100%
Odyssey battery user here
I had my motor replaced earlier this year and the battery sat a a few weeks before I got the correct agm charger.
Charged it up the whole time my Jeep was being serviced.
Went to crank over and it lasted maybe a few days before it just died. Total waste of money imo
Took it to autozone to check it out and they said yeah battery no good.
Plus not having a battery that can keep a low charge is bad for my premier power welder I would think.
Gonna stick with a regular Napa battery
Just received the reply from Stacey Delzeit at Odyssey...
"Hi Jerry,
There are a couple of point to address from the thread. First, AutoZone does sell our products. We have a nationwide program with them. Some stores may not stock Odyssey, but they can order the batteries from either the AutoZone Distribution Center or directly from our factory. AutoZone should honor warranty on any battery that was purchased through AutoZone.
Second, we have a warranty process in place that allows customers to work directly with us if the local Dealer can't help for some reason. It would be helpful to know if the person who started the thread could provide a warranty case number that was submitted with us. If so, I'll be glad to look into the details for why the battery was not covered.
We absolutely stand behind our product and honor warranty when a manufacturing defect is confirmed within the warranty timeframe.
Feel free to copy and paste my response on the thread."
"Hi Jerry,
There are a couple of point to address from the thread. First, AutoZone does sell our products. We have a nationwide program with them. Some stores may not stock Odyssey, but they can order the batteries from either the AutoZone Distribution Center or directly from our factory. AutoZone should honor warranty on any battery that was purchased through AutoZone.
Second, we have a warranty process in place that allows customers to work directly with us if the local Dealer can't help for some reason. It would be helpful to know if the person who started the thread could provide a warranty case number that was submitted with us. If so, I'll be glad to look into the details for why the battery was not covered.
We absolutely stand behind our product and honor warranty when a manufacturing defect is confirmed within the warranty timeframe.
Feel free to copy and paste my response on the thread."
I think it may have been due to my 06 only charging at 13.4 or 13.5V and I only lived 5 mi from work.
Jerry, thank you for reaching out to Odyssey. I also send them a private message with more facts than this thread. Since you posted their response, I have added my comments as their response is not entirely accurate and a bit misleading.
Odyssey batteries are offered on Auto Zone's website as a ship-to-home option only. They cannot be shipped to the store. You can no longer even check on their website if a store has an Odyssey battery in stock. I visited two different Auto Zone stores. Both told me they do not sell Odyssey anymore. Both offered a Duralast AGM replacement instead. One store offered a refund, which is the ultimate choice I took and purchased a different battery.
I followed that warranty process. The warranty was denied because "Battery is over-discharged." Implying it's my fault the battery died. I find no reason to pay nearly double for an Odyssey battery anymore. The DEKKA AGM (East Penn) is $200 with a three-year warranty. Half the price of an Odyssey and still a high-quality battery. I would be interested to know under what circumstances Odyssey considered a battery defective if one that does not hold a charge is not defective. I posted above the proof of warranty denial.
I was taken care of by Auto Zone so I am good. I did send a detailed letter to Odyssey and will post any response in this thread.
I hope they explain why a discharged battery is not eligible for a warranty. I have rarely had a bad battery, but isn't every battery low on volts when bad? I have never had a dead battery that was still 12.5+ volts. I realize the amps can be low, but usually, low amps is also accompanied with low voltage.
I am sure AutoZone will send back my bad battery to Odyssey and obtain a refund under whatever agreement AutoZone has with Odyssey. AutoZone has its criteria for determining a bad battery and it's their call. Ultimately I came out ahead (but should not have) as I was able to purchase another battery with a full warranty. Whereas I would have only had 1 remaining year on an exchange with Odyssey. Frustrating process, but it's taken care of now. A+ on AutoZone's help.
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