Battery charger to plug into cigar lighter?

[Christopher Brown]

During the recent snow the Cayman stayed in its garage and because it was so cold and the car was not used for some time, it failed to start one day with a flat battery. I charged it up using a conventional battery charger on the terminals and all was well.

I have heard about a type of charger/conditioner that plugs into the cigar lighter that you can leave in all the time the car is parked (my PC tried to sell me one when I bought the car) but rather than pay the usual Porsche premium, I am looking for an alternative one that I can plug in in cold weather to keep the battery in good condition.

Has anyone any experience of these gizmos - are they safe to use considering the amount of electronic wizardry going on even when the ignition is switched off?

Any recommendations?

 

[tscaptain]

Loads of threads on here previously Chris but the CTEK 3600 is one that features regularly and the one I use.

 

[barrie nunn]

i use the ctek as well fantastic peace of kit never ever let me down go for it

 

[Christopher Brown]

Thanks - I have checked various websites and it appears that I will need an adapter to convert it to use the cigar lighter. Is that correct and are there any issues with this?

 

[spyderman]

Correct - the converter is not standard but there are no problems with it as it uses a nice inline connector.

 

[Christopher Brown]

Thanks chaps - very useful advice. Nothing more embarrassing than a Cayman that won't start!

 

[chrisH]

You might want to check with your local OPC for the price of their Porsche Conditioner comes ready to plug in and more importantly is warranteed for 2 years. I think they are about 35 pds and by the time you have messed about getting the unit form one source and the cigarette adaptor elsewhere you might as well get it all in one unit and know it works OK on your Cayman. Great piece of kit- use it all the time it's in the garage.

 

[spyderman]

ORIGINAL: chrisH I think they are about 35 pds...

Add £100 and you'll be close to the mark! You can easily get the C-TEK 3600 and adaptor together from [link=http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/products/ProductDetail.asp?cls=ROAD&pcode=HAMCTEK36]Demon Tweeks[/link] or [link=http://www.theultimatefinish.co.uk/ctek/xs3600-car-battery-charger-and-conditioner.aspx]The Ultimate Finish[/link].

 

[uknick]

I bought the Porsche one in June 2009 and it cost £74 after PCGB discount. They do a smaller one for about £30 ish but I think that only conditions and does not charge, if that makes sense. However, if I was buying again I would buy the CTEK one. I only went for the Porsche one as it was partly funded by a leaving collection.

 

[mikec]

Nicks correct, a smaller unit won't do the job. I used an Accumate and it worked well till one day the Cayman didn't start. After doing a bit of digging I found out it was slightly undersize for the battery in the car so I bought the next size up. It has worked a treat for a couple of years now. I've fitted the connector onto the battery terminals so I don't have the lead running through the window or squeezing it in the door. It now slips under the bonnet where there is no seal to distort.[]

 

[chrisH]

Mike, That's not true, the Porsche conditioner does do the job and of course it charges just at a smaller current, so it takes longer to reach full charge. It is designed to keep the battery up to full charge when the car is not not in use. Accumate is also a conditioner but the one I used for my TVR worked fine and that was a heavy duty battery. It costs even more then the CTEK Nick is correct in saying the Porsche conditoner is 35 pds retail via your OPC and that is a lot cheaper than buying a CTEK or Accumate online - check it out, plus add on price for the cigarette adaptor and delivery. My point is just that the Porsche one does work well and is cheaper an is waranteed by Porsche. Chris

 

[spyderman]

ORIGINAL: chrisH Nick is correct in saying the Porsche conditoner is 35 pds retail via your OPC and that is a lot cheaper than buying a CTEK or Accumate online...

I wonder if you are talking about a completely different charger? The only Porsche charger I have seen is the [link=http://www.porsche.com/uk/accessoriesandservice/personalisation/tequipment/911-996/carcare/?focus=porschecharge-o-matii-911-996-pflege&hideintro=true]Charge-o-mat II[/link] which is a re-badged C-TEK 3600. When I have seen it at OPCs, their asking price is in the region of £100 - if you can get it for £35, go for it because its a lot more than just a charger! Additionally it comes with the cigarette lighter connector, so you don't need an adaptor. ...later: I wonder if this is the device you're talking about for £35? http://www.porscheshop.co.uk/acatalog/other_gift_ideas.html#a2_215325

 

[mikec]

Chris I said "a smaller unit won't do the job". I didn't say the Porsche one will not suffice. I only realised this when I checked the Accumate specs against the Ah rating of the Cayman battery which was larger than the Accumate unit I had originally bought. I still use the smaller one for the Audi and it does work ok for that. I was warning someone so they don't end up buying 2 chargers when one would have done like I did.

 

[chrisH]

Spyderman, From the link you posted I have the item descibed as "Porsche Cigar Lighter Battery Charger" and my point was just that at £45.24 it is cheaper than getting the CTEK, £46.99 and cigarette lighter adaptor £8.21. Infact I would not describe it as a Charger as they do as it can take several days to charge fully, it is a Conditioner. Hope this helps save Chris and any other readers some money, that's all guys. Chris