Installed Exide Select Orbital AGM Battery

[goldstar]

Updated December 2011

In November 2006, my original OEM battery was 4 years, 4 months old and, while still functioning properly, in order to forestall any winter problems I decided to replace it with a new one of the absorbed glass mat (AGM) type because of its superior characteristics compared with the conventional flooded electrolyte lead-acid battery.

General Information
The Battery Council International (BCI) determines specifications for lead-acid storage batteries. One of their functions is to provide a list of standard battery dimensions codified under the title of BCI Group number. Each group number specifies a given battery size in terms of length, width, and height, as well as the terminal polarity; left hand positive, right hand positive or centerline layout. Looking down on the top of the battery with the terminals closest to you, a R/H positive battery would have the positive terminal on your right. Finally, the terminal location is also listed - top, side or both top and side. BCI publishes a Battery Replacement Data Book each year and the latest 2009 edition costs ~ US $7. For more information, go to:
http://www.batterycouncil.org

BCI Group Number charts can be easily found online. When seeking a replacement battery, securing one of the same group number as OEM will ensure correct fitment. Keep in mind that there may be some variation from the standard, depending on the manufacturer, which may require minor adjustments when fitting certain replacement batteries. Using a battery of opposite terminal polarity may result in the cables not being able to reach the terminals.

Battery Types Used in the Protege
The '02 FSM lists specified battery types using Japan Industry Standard (JIS) type numbers. The two types listed, 50D20L and 75D23L are equivalent to BCI Group 35 in terms of dimensions and terminal polarity layout, according to the BCI Battery Replacement Data Book (2007 Edition).

The model number of the OEM battery in my car was was (JIS) 50D20L and was molded on the battery top. It had R/H-POS polarity. After removal, I measured the case size to provide comparative data useful in selecting a replacement.
50D20L Dimensions L x W x H, inches (mm)
7 13/16 x 6 11/16 x 7 13/16 (198 x 170 x 198)

Note: Height measurement is to top surface of battery (clamping surface) and does not include terminal length.

JIS Battery Designation Code
This information is taken from the BCI Battery Replacement Data Book (2007 Edition). For example:
50 D 20 L

first 2-digits (50) = performance ranking
first letter (D) = classification by battery width x container height
next 2-digits (20) = approximate battery length in mm when multiplied by 10
Last letter (L) designates polarity. R = standard left-hand front positive terminal; L = reversed right-hand front positive terminal

Generic Dimensions and Terminal Polarity of BCI Group 35 Battery
L x W x H, inches (mm) ______________ Polarity
9 1/16 x 6 7/8 x 8 7/8 (230 x 175 x 225) ___ R/H-POS

In the next post I'll cover battery selection and installation.

Happy Motoring!

[goldstar]

Battery Selection and Installation

In seeking an AGM replacement, I had narrowed down my choices to Odyssey, Optima and Exide. I chose the Exide based purely on price. The correct Exide replacement dimensionally is the Orbital ORB75DT-84. A local battery store quoted me a price of US $130 and my nearest NAPA dealer wanted US $140. However, at the time, I was able to obtain the battery from Remy Battery for a cost of US $101.50 + $18.08 shipping for a total of US $119.58. The current price is US $160 + shipping at:

http://www.remybattery.com

This particular model is a starting, not a deep cycle type. It has a 24-month free replacement period and a total warranty period of 84 months. Additionally, it comes equipped with fold-away handles. The battery arrived one week after I ordered it in an extremely well-protected shipping carton and surrounded by styrofoam form-fitting blocks that made it virtually impervious to damage. After unpacking, the first thing I did was to measure the battery voltage with my Wavetek HD160 DVM. It read 12.6V which according to most sources indicates a battery ready for installation without the need for a prior charge.

Exide Select Orbital Design Elements
The Exide Select Orbital battery is representative of the "spiral wound" construction typically employed in many AGM types. Each of its six cells is essentially a meter-long flexible mat tightly spirally-wound into a cylindrical shape ~ the size of a beverage can. The mat is a sealed unit of thin lead plates and electrolyte, separated by an absorbent glass fiber material, which allows for high conductivity. The electrode plates are virtually pure lead grids with small amounts of alloy material (tin for the Exide Select Orbital) used to strengthen the plates. This design gives the battery its very high resistance to vibration. According to the manufacturer, the electrolyte will neither freeze at temperatures as low as -40 deg F (-40 deg C) nor vent fumes at 120 deg F (49 deg C). Optima batteries also use a spiral wound design.

Orbital Battery Brief Specifications
Part number: ORB75DT-84
BCI Group Size: 35/75DT
Plate Design: Spiral wound
CCA at 0 deg F: 690
CA at 32 deg F: 850
Reserve capacity (with 25A load): 80 minutes
Ampere hour at 20 hour rate: 45
L x W x H, inches (mm): 9 1/16 x 6 7/8 x 8 13/16* (230 x 175 x 224*)
Weight: 36 lbs

*Height measurement is to top of terminals; height to top clamping surface of battery is ~ 1" (25.4 mm) less.

Note that, except for its dimensions, this is not a BCI Group 35 battery because its terminal layout does not conform to that group. Instead of R/H-POS terminals, it has centerline SAE top terminals and additional GM side-mounted terminals. Despite these differences, it fits perfectly in the Protege. For more information, go to:

http://links.exide.com/products/automotive/exide_select_orbital.html

Installation
Tools Required:
3/8" drive ratchet
17 mm socket, 6-pt
10 mm deep socket, 6-pt
10 mm box wrench

Proceedure:
Open hood and put support in place.

Disconnect ground cable from battery negative terminal.

Disconnect feeder cable from battery positive terminal.

Remove the four strut tower bar mounting nuts (17 mm hex head) that hold the bar to the stiffening plates. Remove the strut bar from the engine compartment and set it aside.

Remove the two flanged nuts (M6 x 1.0; 10 mm hex head) that secure the battery hold down clamp across the top of the battery. One end of the clamp is affixed to a threaded stud on the strut tower - the other end is held by a threaded J-rod on the other side of the battery tray. When loosening the nut that holds the clamp to the J-rod, the rod will fall into the engine compartment unless held.

Remove the plastic battery box by lifting it off the battery.

Remove the battery from its tray.

Since the dimensions of the Orbital battery are similar to those of OEM, installation is fairly straightforward. The main differences are that the SAE terminals are located along the centerline of the Orbital rather than at the edge and the Orbital is somewhat lower in height. The Orbital also has GM 3/8"-16 threaded side terminals but since these are covered with plugs, they don't interfere with battery mounting or placement.

After placing the Orbital on the battery tray, making sure the negative terminal is placed to the rear of the engine compartment, the battery box can be fitted over it as before.

Complete the installation by carrying out the removal steps in reverse order. It might be a good idea to place a light coating of dielectric grease on the battery terminals before connecting the cables but keep in mind that AGM battery terminals do not build up corrosion common to that found on conventional batteries.

When replacing the battery hold down clamp, note that due to the lower height of the Orbital, the hold down nut may bottom out on the non-threaded portion of the rod before the clamp is sufficiently tight to hold the battery securely. I eliminated this problem by fitting six M6 x 18 mm SS fender washers to act as a spacer between the OEM flanged nut and the bracket, ensuring that the nut remains located on the threaded portion of the rod. The wide o.d. fender washers are required for a firm base because the hole in the hold down clamp is considerably larger in diameter than that of the threaded rod (to allow for adjustment), and the flanged part of the nut is no longer in contact with the hold down clamp. I bought the fender washers from:

http://www.boltdepot.com

I applied a light coating of Red Line synthetic grease to the threaded part of the hold down rod on which the battery clamp is fastened to prevent future corrosion. BTW, watch the amount of torque you apply here as you don't want to crack the battery case or strip the strut tower stud. The positive and negative battery cables fit just fine despite the centerline location of the SAE terminals. When replacing the strut tower bar, the FSM specifies that the bar nuts be torqued to 13 to 19 ft/lbs (18 to 26 N-m).

The proceedure is very simple and takes little time.

There was a large scale test of automotive batteries in the november 2009 issue of Consumer Report (CR) magazine in which a number of AGM batteries were tested along with conventional flooded electrolyte types. Although no BCI Group 35 batteries were tested, in BCI Group 34/78 the AGM batteries were rated 1st (Sears Diehard Platinum), 2nd (Optima Red Top), and 3rd (Deka Intimidator). The Exide Orbital was rated 8th. The Sears Diehard Platinum and Optima Red Top as well as the Exide Orbital are available in BCI Group 35 (or equivalent).

Notwithstanding the above results, the Exide Orbital has now been in my car for 3 years, 3 months and performs as well today as when it was brand new.

FYI, virtually all batteries available in the US are manufactured by just three companies: Johnson Controls (makers of Optima), East Penn (makers of Deka), and Exide.

Happy Motoring!

In the photos below, note the SS spacer washers on the hold down rod used to accomodate the lower than OEM height of the Orbital. Also visible is the top edge of the battery box and part of the 4 AWG, 9" long additional ground wire added between the battery negative terminal and the chassis ground plate. On my car, this reduced the potential difference between the two points to 0 ohms.

[yunvmyegt]

i have one of the exide orbital 34/78s left from the 4 i was running for my stereo. i paid 250 for 3 new, and almost full price on the 4th for in front. drop in testing against optima i kept higher voltage and got better scores.... i suggest an orbital over a wet cell anyday. the only thing i found stronger than my omptimas was a telecomunications battery. one of those was alot stronger and louder than anything i used when i competed.... but the optimas are deffinatly strong, mines from atleast 00 or 01 when ever they came out or got popular or what ever....lol...

[goldstar]

i have one of the exide orbital 34/78s left from the 4 i was running for my stereo. i paid 250 for 3 new, and almost full price on the 4th for in front. drop in testing against optima i kept higher voltage and got better scores.... i suggest an orbital over a wet cell anyday.

Yes, I certainly agree. Not only do they require no maintenance but they have a much lower self-discharge rate than wet cell batteries as well as a considerably longer life.

Happy Motoring!

[goldstar]

Longevity Report

It's now been 5-years since I installed the Exide Orbital battery and it's still performing like new, exactly as the day I first installed it. Being an AGM type, of course it requires no maintenance and even the terminals have remained clean and totally corrosion-free due to the recombinant nature of the design where the H₂ appearing at the negative plates and the O₂ appearing at the positive plates recombine to form H₂O, eliminating water loss and preventing corrosion-causing outgassing.

Interestingly, Consumer Report magazine has consistently over time rated the Sears Diehard Platinum (frightfully expensive and too rich for my blood) and the Optima AGM types, respectively, superior to the Orbital but to date I have no complaints. I am curious as to how much longer the Orbital will last but if it does go down I hope it won't be in the dead of winter miles from home. Wouldn't it be funny if the battery died soon after making this post? Not!

In any case, I anticipate the electrons will keep happily flowing along for some time to come.

Ever responsive to the needs of my fellow Forum members, I have made this post in the interest of science and for humanity. But you need not thank me (unduly) as virtue is its own reward.

Happy Motoring!

[goldstar]

Longevity Report, 2

Just an update for those of you who've been eagerly following my battery's journey through time. It's been 6 years since I installed the Exide Orbital battery and it's still going strong. I don't know how much longer it will last but I've certainly gotten my money's worth, so far.

AGM rules!

Happy Motoring!

[goldstar]

Longevity Report, 3

Well folks, after 7 years and 1 month (85 months) the battery has finally reached the end of it's useful life. Flooded electrolyte batteries experience sudden death but AGM batteries, like old soldiers, just tend to fade away (another advantage of AGM technology). It had reached the point where, in very cold weather, the battery could barely rotate the engine. Clearly, a replacement battery was needed. And just as clearly, the new battery would also be an AGM type after the stellar service provided by the present one.

Exide Select Orbital AGM battery, RIP!

Happy Motoring!