Odyssey PC680 Battery - Types, Features, and Recommendations

Odyssey PC680 Battery is a dual-purpose AGM battery designed for Powersports vehicles in mind like ATVs, motorcycles, snowmobiles, and other applications that require a compact yet sturdy and durable battery.

Odyssey PC680 Battery comes in several versions, which are electrically identical but differ in the level of protection, terminal types, and, thus, physical dimensions and weight.

Updated: December 20, 2022.

Odyssey PC680 Battery Features and Specifications

The Odyssey PC680 battery features rugged and durable body construction, with tightly packed pure lead plates which can be practically 100% recycled.

The non-spillable AGM design and strong outer casing protect it against shocks, vibrations, and other mechanical 'wear-and-tear,' allowing the user to use and abuse (up to a point, of course) this battery in various applications.

Thanks to such design, the Odyssey PC680 battery has very good cranking capabilities, combined with good deep cycle performances, making it an excellent dual-purpose battery for various applications - it is designed to withstand up to 400 cycles at 80% depth of discharge while keeping the capacity at 80% or more of its nominal capacity.

The Odyssey PC680 battery weighs 15.4 pounds (~7 kg) and has a nominal capacity of 16 Ah (20h discharge, down to 10.5 volts).

As a starting battery, it can supply 170 CCA (Cold Cranking Amps) and 520 PHCA (5s Pulse Hot Cranking Amps), making it an excellent choice as starting battery for smaller internal combustion engines, commonly found in ATVs, snowmobiles, jet-skis, and motorcycles.

In an emergency, the Odyssey PC680 battery can even be used as a car starting battery (for smaller gasoline engines), BUT although this battery has plenty of starting power (at least for a battery of this size), modern cars have plenty of electrical equipment that requires constant power, like alarms, GPS, onboard computers, etc.

Note that larger internal combustion engines require much more than 170 cranking amps, especially during winter - in that case, use a larger battery, recommended by the vehicle manufacturer or perhaps, if they can fit your car's compartment and are compatible with the car's electric system, go for much larger and stronger Odyssey 34M-PC1500 (850 CCA) or Odyssey 31M-PC2150 (1150 CCA).

While the Odyssey PC680 battery can supply such a load for some time, it can't be compared with regular car batteries with much larger capacities (50-70-90 or even more Ah) in regard to low discharge applications.

If left for a longer time in the car with alarm, GPS, onboard computer, etc., the Odyssey PC680 battery (or any similar AGM battery) can be completely drained and even damaged, probably rendering the warranty void due to the misuse or neglect of the battery.

The Odyssey PC680 battery comes with a two-year limited warranty, which is very good for such a small AGM battery designed for intensive use.

The Odyssey PC680 battery features 24 RC (Reserve Capacity) minutes, allowing it even to power a smaller trolling motor or similar load for a limited amount of time - don't forget that this is a 16 Ah battery!

Odyssey PC680 Battery Versions

The Odyssey PC680 Battery comes in several versions, shown in the following table:

Version	Photo	Short Description	Dimensions
PC680		No metal jacket, internally threaded brass terminals, M6 SS bolts.	7.15 x 3.00 x 6.65 inches 181.5 x 76.3 x 167.8 mm
PC680MJ		With metal jacket, internally threaded brass terminals, M6 SS bolts.	7.15 x 3.00 x 6.65 inches 181.5 x 76.3 x 167.8 mm
PC680MJT		With metal jacket, SAE brass automotive posts with 3/8 inch internal threads.	7.15 x 3.00 x 7.5 inches 181.5 x 76.3 x 190.5 mm
PC680T		No metal jacket, SAE brass automotive posts with 3/8 inch internal threads.	7.15 x 3.00 x 7.5 inches 181.5 x 76.3 x 190.5 mm

Electrically, these batteries are the same, differing in the presence of metal jackets, terminals/posts, and height.

If you are looking for a battery of this size and performance, be sure to check what terminals/posts you need!

Odyssey PC680 Discharge Performance Data

The following table lists discharge performance data of the new fully charged Odyssey PC680 battery.

Note: since Odyssey batteries generally tolerate deep discharges well, so these data are given for the discharge down to 10.02 volts and not to the more common 10.5 volts.

When being discharged down to 10.02 volts for 20 hours, the capacity of the Odyssey PC680 battery is 17.1 Ah.

However, its nominal capacity is 16 Ah since nominal capacity is measured when the battery is discharged down to 10.5 volts for 20 hours.

Odyssey PC680 Battery As The Power Generator Battery

Odyssey PC680 battery can be used as an excellent power generator battery, where it functions as starting/cranking battery for the internal combustion engine and as a deep-cycle battery required by the onboard electronics while the engine is turned Off.

Such onboard electronics usually include a remote control receiver that requires just a few milliamps (or slightly more) when the engine is Off.

When the power generator is stored, the parasite load on the battery is zero Watts, the battery can be stored for a few months (temperature dependent) easily without adverse effects on the battery.

However, when the Odyssey PC680 battery is stored, it is highly recommended to connect it to a good AGM battery maintainer - better safe than sorry.

Obviously, when the power generator engine is On, the power generator should recharge the battery completely.

If You are looking for a new power generator battery, and the Odyssey PC680 fits your need, consider it as your next power generator starting battery.

Odyssey PC680 Battery As The Fish Finder Battery

Many fishermen use dedicated AGM batteries for powering their fish finders when going on fishing trips, sparing their starting batteries for cranking-only duties.

Typical high-end fish finder draws on average 1.5 Amps during use, which means that a fully charged Odyssey PC680 battery can power such a device for at least 10 hours.

Smaller fish finders require less power, often under 0.5 - 0.6 Amps, and such units can be powered using an Odyssey PC680 battery for more than a day constantly.

Some lighter AGM batteries (even 5 pounds less than PC680 batteries) feature similar or even better electrical performances, but such batteries are not as reliable, rugged, and durable as Odyssey PC680 batteries.

For more about this topic, please check our Choose the Best Fish Finder Battery article (link opens in the new window).

Long Story Short: Odyssey PC680 battery has good starting performances, tolerates deep cycling operation, comes with a 2-year limited warranty, and comes at an affordable price, considering all its features.

Regardless if you need a starting battery for a smaller internal combustion engine (ATV, snowmobile, motorcycle, boat, power generator), a good fish finder battery, or UPS battery, or some similar application, consider the Odyssey PC680 battery.

For more reviews and recommendations, check Odyssey PC680 Battery Amazon link (link opens in the new window).