Keeping Battery Healthy

[Pepi1677]

I am sure this is probably a silly question but I will ask it any way. I may be able to get a garage but it will not have power. I was wondering if any one has come up with a system to keep the battery charged using a battery charger/conditioner and mobile power/ batteries? TIA

 

[tscaptain]

I have a solar panel/charge controller which seems to work ok. There's a thread on here somewhere which I can't find at the moment!
Edit - found it!
http://www.porscheclubgbforum.com/tm.asp?m=422766&mpage=2&key=solar%2Cpanel&#428335

 

[Diesel130]

ORIGINAL: tscaptain

I have a solar panel/charge controller which seems to work ok.

And you live in the UK ? !!

 

[tscaptain]

Daylight (not Sun) only needed, not so great through the Winter[] Although we do get lovely weather all year in the west![&:] (The CTEK 3600 is never far away)

 

[Pepi1677]

I will look into this, many thanks.

 

[KNN]

Can anyone recommend a maintenance charger that plugs in via the cigarette lighter socket on a 996. I keep the car for a week or two at a time in the garage and I am worried about the drain of the alarm and other systems. It needs to be one that is safe to leave on unattended in the garage while I am not using it.

I have seen a few threads about solar powered types but I am happy to use the mains power in the garage.

Thanks []

 

[tscaptain]

I use a CTEK 3600, as do a lot of folk around here I believe. Around £45 or so.

 

[Chrishazle]

For years now I have used a CSI Airflow 5016-01 mains battery conditioner for my 968, connected to the battery terminals whenever I garage the car. The wires are so thin that I can close the rear hatch after connecting it. I've parked the car for weeks at a time due to work - longest I can remember was 12 weeks - and the car has always started first time and battery is always fully charged. I'd certainly recommend this unit to anyone wanting a battery conditioner!

 

[spyderman]

I'll add another "big up" for the C-TEK 3600. Does exactly what it says on the, er, box.

 

[Black80XSA]

CTEK3600 is the normal recommendation - i paid about £54 for mine by the time i bought the ciggy light adaptor too. Not all 996s have a live ciggy socket with the ignition off so check first !

Alternatively by the equivalent units from Aldi/Lidl - the Aldi one is a Tronic T4X (£13.49), which only comes with croc clips, but you can easily wire a ciggy light plug onto it for a few quid.

I have the Tronic and the CTEK - both work EXACTLY the same.

 

[Spy]

Thanks, I had a quick look on the web for this. How does it connect to the Mains ?

 

[ukmastiff]

Er with a mains plug ?

 

[tscaptain]

ORIGINAL: Spy

Thanks, I had a quick look on the web for this. How does it connect to the Mains ?

Spyros - will your car be garaged? If so has the garage mains power? If the answer to these two is yes then a CTEK is for you. If the answer to first is no then it depends on whether you have a long extension lead and are prepared to run it from the house to the car! If you garage the car and there is no power there then the same applies![]

 

[Spy]

ORIGINAL: ukmastiff

Er with a mains plug ?

That's what I thought but I couldn't see the mains plug in the photos - does it come with one then ?

 

[tscaptain]

Yep - I think they have to by law these days. This is a helpful vid
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qHSI_qHOI4U

 

[Steve777]

I've got the Tronic. Works fine. Bargain at the price to

 

[ashley]

I paid an extra £35 to get the porsche branding on mine[] 2 days later saw the CTEK in Lidl, looks exactly the same, Costco do them too

 

[Spy]

Thanks, do you know how much they are in Costco ?

 

[ashley]

from memory about £30-£40,

I get all my Mobil 1, waffle drying and microfibre cloths from there too, cracking value

 

[997GT3_KO]

C-TEK 3600 gets my vote ... I have a pair that keeps my 2 cars healthy ...