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Battery chargers.

adrian996

adrian996

New member
I've been thinking about the best way to look after my battery on my MY '03 C2 996.
I hardly use the car in the winter and have noticed the obvious discharge effects whenever I start her up. I don't want to damage the battery by putting it under too much pressure. Unfortunately, the car has to be kept on my drive outside under a cover "" so leaving a trickle charger on (which I don't have) could be a bit difficult "" but not impossible as I do have outside power available.
I'm also a bit concerned about disconnecting the battery as I'm sure that I'll lose the code (Standard CDR 22 (?) with CD slot). I called my OPC about the code and they said that I shouldn't disconnect the battery "" just get hold of a trickle charger and use the cigar lighter, which doesn't really answer the problem. I'm a bit old-school so I'd prefer to give the battery a complete charge at least once a year anyway "" rather than leaving it all to the alternator.
Any ideas would be gratefully received.

 
I use an "Accumate" battery conditioner - no need to disconnect battery, simply use the clip on terminal connectors, feed the cable up past the wiper blades, close the bonnet and lock the car as usual. I leave mine on for weeks at a time without any problems.
 
Since you mentioned Vertar, I should inform everyone that there is a new discount coupon code worth 5% that can be used which is

"PCGB"

The old code is no longer valid since we upgraded the site.

This code can be used against any products on the site including Zymol, Meguiars, car covers etc.

Cheers,
Phil
 
Julian, I have never tried to charge a totally flat battery, as I purchased this as soon as I paid OPC nearly £200 for a new battery!! I now make sure that mine is permanantly connected when the car is not being used for more than a few days at a time.

The table within the manual states the following bulk charge times:
20 AH battery = 4.5 hrs
50 AH battery = 11.5 hrs
80 AH battery = 18 hrs
120 AH battery = 27 hrs

Regards, Jason
 
If you do decide to charge via cigarette lighter, if you feel along the rubber seal at the base of the door, you should find a notch through which to route the cable to prevent creasing of the seal when the door is shut.

Not a lot of people know that and neither did I 'till Tool Pants pointed it out.
 
Just remember that on some, if not most, of UK 996's the cigar lighter socket is only connected after the ignition is turned on, and disconnected when the key is removed.
 
ORIGINAL: Richard Hamilton

Just remember that on some, if not most, of UK 996's the cigar lighter socket is only connected after the ignition is turned on, and disconnected when the key is removed.
Click to expand...
That's the way it is on mine.
 
The lighter socket on my 02 and my 01 was permanently live.

Strange how some are/some aren't. I thought they were all built the same - or is this a 'non-smoking option' thing?
 
Guys

I appreciate the tips and hints - where would we be otherwise?

But why?

When in my case I went for a 50 mile drive only to find two weeks later that my battery was so flat I will have to 'jump' start to open the rear engine cover so that I can then fire it up off the BMW battery (this car used 5 days per week at least).

What is causing the drain on the 996?

I have heard stories about Road Angel (hard wired but only 'works' when ignition is switched on), sat nav disc being left in situ, cd head unit, etc.

If we can stop the drain surely it should be ok after two - three weeks. Machtech fitted Bosch silver top 6 months ago.

Why is it we have to endure such features on these cars?

D

Happy Christmas to all.

s1.gif
 
ORIGINAL: pwafer

My cigar lighter is on permamently... just checked...
Click to expand...

Most are on a "time-out" function - to prevent the battery running down when you park it with the tomtom/radar detector still plugged in and running, the power to the socket is shut off after an hour or so (not sure of the timing...)

So it's easy to think it's permanently live when it isn't [&:]
 
This is the load switch-off description from a 2003 manual. I'm not sure if the cigar lighter is affected. On mine, it definitely disconnects when you remove the key, so it's a handy supply for TomTom and phone. I believe that on most US cars the lighter socket is permanently connected.



8B96B66E5E3F42B8B9453BCA2E7811E5.jpg
 
Just received my ctek today and it's busy charging. After filling up in Tesco last week my GT3 failed to start due to a flat battery (I'd had to start it using jump leads), with about 30 people watching I was pushed off the forecourt, luckily the push was enough to start it. What an embarrassing moment, I never want to do that again.
 
ORIGINAL: dpoynton

Machtech put me onto the idea of a solar powered trickle charger as my car also has to stand outside.

Sounds like a winner to me, £9.99 and in time for Christmas!!

D

Any one used one of these?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=47902&source=2001&doy=search
Click to expand...
I've used one to keep a 12v battery topped up on a pigeon scarers(gas gun) it cost around £24 two yrs ago and lasted 2 winters, untill being out in the wet and frost finally got to it. That should not happen if it's in the car on the dash top though.
I'll get some more now they are that cheap at only £9.99 you cant go wrong.
DW
 
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