Charging my flat battery, help me avoid making a mess of it...

[Worsey]

Avo Chaps

Jumped in the S2 last weekend, fitted the CS steering wheel and then promptly got nowt but the dash lights and clicking when I tried to fire it up. To be expected if I'm honest as it's been out intermittently over the last few months (though am leaning towards not wrapping it in cotton wool and getting more use out of it but that's another matter).

Luckily I have power at the rear of my snug garage so at least I can plug in a charger but is there an idiot's guide anywhere?
E.g I bought a charger the other day but it's only rated up to 2.5L which I thought was odd - assume it's something to do with battery sizes? Anyhow will change it for one rated up to 3L tomorrow just in case but anything else to be aware of? Won't be jumping it as it's Rs end in, and I won't be using the boost to get it started so I don't fry the DME. Just want to have it on charge for a night and then take it out.

Also, any kind of maintenence tips?

Dad and brother over this weekend so wouldn't mind taking them out for a blast round the TT course (separately, so I have to go twice[]).

Cheers
Lee

 

[andy watson]

2 sets of jump leads when reversed in works - I had to find out!

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Should start fine with a jump or a good charge, but how old is the battery? If it is old, and wasn't great to start with, it might not take a charge properly.

If you have power, then keeping it on a battery conditioner is a sensible idea, and if the garage is dry then opening the windows a crack to keep it ventilated helps avoid condensation inside the car, and the electrical gremlins that can cause over time.

You won't be able to open the hatch if the battery is totally flat, the it's electric opening even with the key. To get around having to climb in to the boot, there's a terminal for a charger under the bonnet, but don't try to jump it from there!

I did have a picture of the terminal, but can't find it. [&o]

 

[pauljmcnulty]

Found it. []

 

[supersport]

I feel your pain, I had the same situation, but in reverse. 911 at the back of the garage and 944 behind it. Ended up swapping the batterie around over night and leaving the battery on the bench overnight to get some charge in.

Just don't make the same mistake I did after jumping the 944, had no petrol in it so went to the garage and then couldn't start up afterwards, had to sit there until the wife could come and bump it. I un-hook the battery or leave it on a trickle charger now. Don't know why I didn't do that in the past as the 911 lives on one.

 

[zcacogp]

ORIGINAL: pauljmcnulty

Found it. []

Oi - that's MY picture! I noticed it was missing and was wondering where it had got to!

[]

Oli.

 

[Worsey]

It's a fairly new batt, receipt came in the folder so should be good.

That terminal...+ or -? And where does the other charge lead go?

There's a "porsche battery conditioner" on ebay, looks like it plugs into the lighter socket?[8|] got some spare change having flogged the old steering wheel and like to keep it real, would that do the job?

Cheers for the replies.

 

[944 man]

Positive. You can use it to attach a low amperage positive line in order to open the boot, or you could charge through it at a push, but you mustn't ever try to jump start the car using it.

In the past people have been quite arsey when Ive said this (that may have been on PH or TIPEC), but you will be able to see that the cable is extremely thin and absolutely not suitable for carrying a high amperage current.

 

[zcacogp]

Wot Simon said. +ve to the terminal under the bonnet, -ve to a good earth point somewhere in the engine bay, and you'll be able to open the boot. Once you've done this then I'd be tempted to disconnect the battery and charge it directly onto the terminals (again, +ve to +ve, -ve to -ve.)

ORIGINAL: 944 man
In the past people have been quite arsey when Ive said this (that may have been on PH or TIPEC), but you will be able to see that the cable is extremely thin and absolutely not suitable for carrying a high amperage current.

Yes, the cable is thin but it is possible to jump start other cars and be jump started using the terminal under the bonnet. However it's not a good idea and certainly should be avoided.


Oli.

 

[vitesse]

The advance of science-my BMW has a +ve terminal right by the dipstick under an anonymous black plastic hinged cover served by a thick battery style cable-& a metallic colour large nut -ve on the suspension post on the opposite side.

Sometimes even BMW specialists don't know about them--will jump the car but hopeless for fast/high charge because of the cable lengths to the battery in the boot

 

[Frenchy]

It is positive +, remove the blue insulator cap first by unscrewing it, this is desiigned to put 12 volts on to the electrical system to allow the hatch to open and gain access to the battery for jump starting.