CTEK Car Charger
- Thread starter Bear911
- Start date
] - meant in best fashion ( Porsche batteries (MOLL ?) are poor)
Paul,
As far as I'm aware there's no difference between the Porsche and CTEK battery conditioners, so save yourself some money and buy the latter.
The charger comes with crock clips and also with an eyelet connection, so you can choose how you connect the conditioner to the battery. You can also purchase a cigarette lighter connection; but watch out, because on some Porsche variants the socket isn't always live when the ignition is switched off, although I've a feeling that the footwell socket is always live.
I've used an older version of CTEK conditioner for nearly 8-years and can wholeheartily recommend one for use on a lightly-used car.
Jeff
As far as I'm aware there's no difference between the Porsche and CTEK battery conditioners, so save yourself some money and buy the latter.
The charger comes with crock clips and also with an eyelet connection, so you can choose how you connect the conditioner to the battery. You can also purchase a cigarette lighter connection; but watch out, because on some Porsche variants the socket isn't always live when the ignition is switched off, although I've a feeling that the footwell socket is always live.
I've used an older version of CTEK conditioner for nearly 8-years and can wholeheartily recommend one for use on a lightly-used car.
Jeff
plherbert
New member
I've been doing a few short journeys of late and ultimately not many miles, however for the first time today, my car failed to start after 2 attempts. I left it 30 mins and thankfully when I tried again it fired. Couple of quick questions, I took it for a 12 mile, 20 min blast to Porsche Hatfield to enquire about battery conditioners. Not sure this is enough of a drive to recharge the battery but it did start no issue as I left the dealer. Battery is OEM and only 16 months old. Anyone know how long it takes to fully charge a battery?
They sell a 3.6amp (£95) and 5amp (£141) pro model that connect to the cigarette lighter. Both branded Porsche obviously but heard CTEK made them for Porsche. My question is how does the CTEK one that the Porsche club sell for £58 differ. To be honest the pics make it look like it connects to the terminals of the battery, quite like the idea of just plugging into the footwell, is this possible with Porsche Club offering? Clearly happy to buy the PCGB model as it's quite a saving but keen on the cigarette lighter connection? Anyone own this model?
Thanks in advance
They sell a 3.6amp (£95) and 5amp (£141) pro model that connect to the cigarette lighter. Both branded Porsche obviously but heard CTEK made them for Porsche. My question is how does the CTEK one that the Porsche club sell for £58 differ. To be honest the pics make it look like it connects to the terminals of the battery, quite like the idea of just plugging into the footwell, is this possible with Porsche Club offering? Clearly happy to buy the PCGB model as it's quite a saving but keen on the cigarette lighter connection? Anyone own this model?
Thanks in advance
plherbert
New member
Specifically want to take advantage of the footwell cigarette lighter adapter. As it will just be easier and most convenient for where my outdoor plug is situated. Does anyone know if the PCGB CTEK model comes with cigarette adapter, description doesn't state!!
Anyone from from the club care to comment or anyone who has purchased this item?
As far as driving it more, would love to but got my hands full with a newborn...
Anyone from from the club care to comment or anyone who has purchased this item?
As far as driving it more, would love to but got my hands full with a newborn...
The ctek works well.
I've used it over two winters (probably pointlessly as my battery is young) but it is does the job.
I plug it in the lighter socket which is easy and minimum intervention (many years ago I got the terminals wrong in the dark on jump start- on a cheap car fortunately-and you don't want to go there).
That said the ctek is a little erratic, sometimes you need to leave it half an hour or so to get a charging light confirming it's doing the business. Don't expect mobile phone type responsiveness (this is probably normal).
I paid the premium over generic for comfort that this was a state of the art product (googling will reveal this).
I paid less than Porsche branded because I suspected Stuttgart were clawing back some of the value you get when you buy a new car, especially one with low non-technical spec. (A theory-possibly paranoid- that began to build when I changed my oil and got ready to insert a nice new Porsche filter and pulled out the old one-a Mahle from the 2 year change by the dealer -the dealer won't be wrong it'll be Porsche approved it just costs 25% less, ok only peanuts, but the principle remains).
I've used it over two winters (probably pointlessly as my battery is young) but it is does the job.
I plug it in the lighter socket which is easy and minimum intervention (many years ago I got the terminals wrong in the dark on jump start- on a cheap car fortunately-and you don't want to go there).
That said the ctek is a little erratic, sometimes you need to leave it half an hour or so to get a charging light confirming it's doing the business. Don't expect mobile phone type responsiveness (this is probably normal).
I paid the premium over generic for comfort that this was a state of the art product (googling will reveal this).
I paid less than Porsche branded because I suspected Stuttgart were clawing back some of the value you get when you buy a new car, especially one with low non-technical spec. (A theory-possibly paranoid- that began to build when I changed my oil and got ready to insert a nice new Porsche filter and pulled out the old one-a Mahle from the 2 year change by the dealer -the dealer won't be wrong it'll be Porsche approved it just costs 25% less, ok only peanuts, but the principle remains).
I have the CTEK 5.0MSX from frazerpart.com. It comes with the cigarette lighter attachment - the socket is live in the 996 C2, along with eyelets and crocodile clips. Seems to work well enough but then I haven't left the car unused and not plugged in so it may be surplus to requirements. Car is not a daily user so I was advised to get a charger.
plherbert
New member
Just done some more reading around, PCGB sells the MXS3.8 model which replaced a 3.6 model, amp related I think and some new conditioning cycles!! Old one had a 4 stage process, new one 7 I think. Some great comments about CTEK, it would appear the Porsche OEM one is the old model but does only connect via cigarette lighter, the PCGB seems to be the new one but you would have to buy cigarette adapter for approx £10, so not sure it would save me much by the time you add in postage!!
Interesting reading how the battteries can detiorate without a conditioner/charger!! Understand why people put Bosch batteries on now!!
Interesting reading how the battteries can detiorate without a conditioner/charger!! Understand why people put Bosch batteries on now!!
Ivan Ford
New member
I'm using a Ctek, but I had to make up a lead connected directly to the battery terminals.
On my 991.2 the interior sockets all turn off shortly (about 30 minutes) after the car switched off.
It's not that inconvenient as the lead is under the front bonnet or is it boot...........
As the car is garaged I just leave it open, when you lock the car the storage compartment light goes off, but it's possible to gently close it on the lead if required.
On my 991.2 the interior sockets all turn off shortly (about 30 minutes) after the car switched off.
It's not that inconvenient as the lead is under the front bonnet or is it boot...........
As the car is garaged I just leave it open, when you lock the car the storage compartment light goes off, but it's possible to gently close it on the lead if required.
I've have a simple old school Maypole MP7401 12 volt trickle charger on my 997 turbo that I brought from my local motor store years ago. Mains supply voltage 230v 50Hz, Out put Voltage 14.5v DC , Out put current 0.2 - 0.8 Amps ,Charges when battery voltage drops ceases to charge when battery is fully charged and LED go's out indicating its charged .In 10 years one of the terminal crock clips broke off from the negative welded wire. Still works and going strong and cost me £14.00. My self I wouldn't bother with a CTEK .
Halfords sell the CTek ciggy lighter adaptor for £15 here... http://www.halfords.com/w...7611&storeId=10001
TerryUrquhart
Member
What is the small red piece for ?
i have it on mine but it crossed my mind that I had read why it was separate?
i have it on mine but it crossed my mind that I had read why it was separate?
CTek 5.0 MXS around £60 on Amazon and another £12 for the cigarette lighter adapter. This one has 8 charging modes and can be used on AGM batteries ( when you buy a stop/start 991 in years to come!) All of ours go straight on them after use. I don't think Moll batteries are poor if properly looked after. One on the turbo is 7+ years old but always been on the conditioner when in the garage. Remember these batteries are not maintenance free and the electrolyte level needs to be checked and topped up when necessary.
STiG911
New member
I recently changed my battery so here's some useful pics.
like I said I use the bolt-on terminals and run the lead out of the wiper end of the bonnet as there's no seal. Saves damaging the door seal trying to use any of the lighters.
you can just see the disconnect section by the mirror.
like I said I use the bolt-on terminals and run the lead out of the wiper end of the bonnet as there's no seal. Saves damaging the door seal trying to use any of the lighters.
you can just see the disconnect section by the mirror.
plherbert
New member
Thanks for the comments, think I'm leaning towards a CTEK from all I've read. Probably get the MXS 5.0 as that way, it can be used on my other car and also suitable for a 991 if I add to the fleet in the future!! 
There is literally a couple of quid price difference between the 3.8 and 5.0 version so no brainer really! They do a test model which seems useful, anyone had any experience with this?
As far as the Moll battery is concerned, I did read they weren't maintenance free, however my OPC told me they needed no attention as far as fluids were concerned! Clearly this was poor advice, maybe they are referring to the new OEM battery for the 991 AGM style batteries. I'm finding knowledge of 997 specifics slightly less available as they probably work on less and less of our cars!!
There is literally a couple of quid price difference between the 3.8 and 5.0 version so no brainer really! They do a test model which seems useful, anyone had any experience with this?As far as the Moll battery is concerned, I did read they weren't maintenance free, however my OPC told me they needed no attention as far as fluids were concerned! Clearly this was poor advice, maybe they are referring to the new OEM battery for the 991 AGM style batteries. I'm finding knowledge of 997 specifics slightly less available as they probably work on less and less of our cars!!
I have been using a Ctek for years and highly recommend them. I used to leave my Boxster connected to one in my garage for months and it always started first time. You can connect it to the battery with the bolt on terminals and there are Ctek extension cables available on Amazon for a few pounds which i have and i used to run the cable out of the front bonnet. The cables are not too thick and it didn't do any damage to the cable or the car. I am using it now on my C4S and it also starts first time after being unused for a while. I have the cigarette lighter connection, but never used it so far. I highly recommend the Ctek (I don't work for them!).
Just a thought on using the cigarette lighter socket. I use the one in the centre console with the ctek unit cable going in the bottom of the door, centrally. I figure that if it does cause any distortion to the seal, along the bottom of the door will be least problematic! That said it doesn't appear to grip the cable tightly at all.
Just purchased the CTEK 3.8 online for £58 for the C4S. Eyelets on the battery terminal and its working really well.
Also have Porsche charger that only has the cigarette lighter adapter that I use for the Boxster, this also works well.
I used to use Historit to store one of them and they use the 3.8 for all their cars and they have hundreds, got to be a good recommendation! Useful indicators on it that tell you the state of your battery.
Regards
Also have Porsche charger that only has the cigarette lighter adapter that I use for the Boxster, this also works well.
I used to use Historit to store one of them and they use the 3.8 for all their cars and they have hundreds, got to be a good recommendation! Useful indicators on it that tell you the state of your battery.
Regards
plherbert
New member
Thanks for the tip, just ordered the CTEK MXS 5.0 with cigarette lighter adapter, was thinking of plugging in as above, but as my car is in a car port, thinking it might be better to have the transformer inside the car? Also can you lock the car as normal with this operating and cable along the bottom of the door as you describe!!tscaptain said:
Not wishing to hijack the thread but I have available for sale two brand new boxed CTEK bumpers ref 56-915 suitable for CTEK chargers 3.6 - 5.0Ah. Accidentally doubled up on my order. Useful protective cover to protect the charger which has proved to be an excellent bit of kit. For what its worth I use two of the CTEK MXS 5.0 with no problems and batteries are always ready to go. Suggest for Bumper £10.00 each plus a bit of postage if anyone interested. PM me to discuss further.
Mike
Mike
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