Robert,
I purchased an BC100-1 from B&C Speciality Products in 2003. The BC100-1 is actually an Odyssey PC925 battery. It was recommended by the engineer at B&C because, he said: "I have less customer complaints with these batteries.". I do not have a B&C alternator or voltage regulator, although from what I have read and my experience with them, I would recommend B&C.
Before the B&C battery, I had to replace both Gill and Concorde batteries within 6 months to one year.
In 2005, I forgot to turn off my ignition for 7 days. The battery was really dead. I was in New Orleans and was going to fly home to Detroit. I put a car jumper on the battery and hand propped the plane. Initially the charge was 10 amps. In the 5 hour flight back to Detroit, the charge rate went up to 60 amps and a CB popped. I waited 15 minutes and reset it. A few minutes later it popped again. I reset it again, etc. By the end of the flight, I was back down to a 5 amp charge. When parked, I always keep a 1.25 amp Battery Tender on the plane.
In 2008, I ran the battery dead again. It was not as bad this time.
Today, I am still using the same battery. I have been having a problem starting the airplane when cold. The battery will still crank the plane for 3 to 5 minutes with my high amp SkyTec starter.
Odyssey batteries are without a doubt, in my mind, the best batteries made.
If your Odyssey batteries are unusable after anything less than 5 years, I believe that your charging amperage is to high or to low. You may also try using a Battery Tender or Odyssey's custom charger.
Lorn
Just had two of my four Odyssey PC680 batteries crap out after 2 years of service although an identical set on the other buss are fine. I called the local Odyssey/EnerSys dealer and found that they will not handle warranty claims for batteries bought elsewhere. I phoned Odyssey and learned that is a common problem. Kinda like a local Ford dealer refusing to work on Fords purchased elsewhere. Just be aware that for warranty replacements you may have to deal directly with the factory in MO (who are actually nice folks - they just have some weasels for dealers).
Robert M. Simon
ES-P N301ES
-- Lorn H. 'Feathers' Olsen, MAA, ASMEL, ASES, Comm, Inst LNC2, FB90/92, O-320-D1F, 1,700 hrs, N31161, Y47, SE Michigan
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