Battery Conditioning

[eddtheduck]

Well, the winter's over and from the posts in the 997 section we're getting out and about.

I thought I'd kept on top of the charge in my battery over the snowy and icy weather when I took the 4x4 instead. However today I found out I didn't have enough power to turn the engine.

I'm giving it a trickle charge to get it going again but have the followng questions to ask the assembled throng of experts - if you'd be so kind.....

1. I always disconnect the battery when charging - is that necessary?
2. Why have Porsche painted red alignment marks on the battery connector bolts - no warranty issues I hope?
3. Whilst I have no security issues where I live I can't see a way of charging with the battery disconnected and the doors locked - am I right?
4. I clearly need a battery conditioner - sounds like the CTEK one is best - I assume that is OK for a fully connected battery and locked/alarmed doors?
5. Is it any CTEK conditioner?

Many thanks in eager anticipation.

Let's hope the roads are dry tomorrow []

 

[spyderman]

Many of us use the CTEK XS3600 - porscheshop have a good price on them at the moment. I plug mine into the cigarette lighter, leave the battery connected, shut the door on the cable and lock it - no problems at all. You will need to buy an additional adaptor cable in order to use the cigarette lighter approach. The version of this same charger that Porsche themselves sell comes with the cigarette lighter connector as standard.

 

[Geoff_Fields]

I plug mine into the cigarette lighter, leave the battery connected, shut the door on the cable and lock it - no problems at all.

Ditto

 

[SteveMorrow]

I do exactly the same as Spyderman says. Just dont drive off with it still attached! []

 

[Alex L]

ORIGINAL: spyderman

Many of us use the CTEK XS3600 - I plug mine into the cigarette lighter, leave the battery connected, shut the door on the cable and lock it - no problems at all. You will need to buy an additional adaptor cable in order to use the cigarette lighter approach. The version of this same charger that Porsche themselves sell comes with the cigarette lighter connector as standard.

Same here. Wouldn't garage another car without one. I use it every time I know I won't be taking the car out again for more than a couple of days. I use it in the summer as well as the winter. It can even charge a fully flat battery, something the Porsche branded model can't do.

 

[blueSL]

I'd certainly advise against the type of cheap charger you can pick up at any car parts place; the quality of the DC they generate is decidedly iffy. That's one reason conventional wisdom says disconnect the battery - the battery can handle voltage spikes and other nasties, the electronic control units which are permanently powered should have protection but you don't want to be the one to find out otherwise.

The problem with disconnecting the battery is that the VTS may play up and the car may forget other settings.

I use a 5A Mascot charger which is intelligent in that it takes the state of battery into account and runs a 3 stage charging process leading to trickle charge - which will therefore also charge from scratch. I have it mounted on one of the roof timbers in my garage with a telescoping reel; I just pull the cable out of the reel, plug in, shut the door and then when I want to use the car, let it wind back into the reel.

For some reason which I can't fathom, Porsche suggest using the inaccessible socket in the footwell, I just use the cigarette lighter socket.