Laying Up my 981

[Stevew1]

Due to a medical issue and a subsequent leg in plaster (right leg of course!), I can no longer drive my 981 for the next few months. I have purchased a CTEK MXS 5 charger and would like to know which power socket I can connect this too rather than grovelling under the bonnet for the battery. Is there a power socket which is still live even when the ignition is off and the car locked? Any help gratefully received. Thanks

 

[Nick_USA]

From another forum:

Charging 2015 Boxster GTS it works just fine by plugging into the 12v socket in the rear compartment of the centre console. It does NOT work connected to the cigarette lighter socket (my car has the optional smother package).

 

[BrianJ]

It also works in the footwell socket. I use mine frequently. In the early days of 981 there was differing advice from Porsche about whether the powered sockets deactivate with time - the advice I had was make sure you turn on the CTEK before you lock the car.

 

[ralphmusic]

If in doubt, just check the CTEK charger after a week. If all lights are illuminated it's charging, otherwise it's a bit like wondering if the refrigerator light has gone out when the door is closed....

 

[elstonc]

Glove compartment socket works. Charger light should stay lit for a couple of days until fully charged then go out.

Chris

 

[BrianJ]

Charger light should stay lit for a couple of days until fully charged then go out.

Chris

Not mine. CTEK lights stay on permanently.

 

[Stevew1]

Thanks for all comments. Will plug it in and check back. Cheers Steve

 

[Jarmin]

mines laid up for the winter with the porsche version of the CTEK charger plugged into the centre console working fine light changes from amber to green when fully charged no problems yet !

 

[Stevew1]

Plugged it in as suggested and CTEK lights are on also as expected. Will leave it connected and see if it shuts down at any time in the future. Thanks again, Steve

 

[gouldian]

Interesting responses, I used the Porsche charger on my 2001 (986) Boxster "S" when I knew it would not be driven for a few weeks or so and as a result the much maligned Moll battery lasted nearly 12 years! When I visited OPC Guildford recently, out of interest I asked the technicians about using my charger, and was advised that the battery on my 981"S" is different in composition from previous and designed to last considerable longer when not in use for extended periods. Furthermore, all internal sockets completley shut down after a short period as part of the enhanced longer life system, resulting in any top up chargers being of no affect whatsoever!!!????. It appears the debate continues.

 

[chrisH]

Interesting responses, I used the Porsche charger on my 2001 (986) Boxster "S" when I knew it would not be driven for a few weeks or so and as a result the much maligned Moll battery lasted nearly 12 years! When I visited OPC Guildford recently, out of interest I asked the technicians about using my charger, and was advised that the battery on my 981"S" is different in composition from previous and designed to last considerable longer when not in use for extended periods. Furthermore, all internal sockets completley shut down after a short period as part of the enhanced longer life system, resulting in any top up chargers being of no affect whatsoever!!!????. It appears the debate continues.

Yes, indeed they do and Guildford did some testing to prove it when I had a 981 and confirmed it. The best way around it is to get yourself the croc. leads adapter form the cig. lighter connector they can supply you with and under the bonnet pull out the plastic cover and connect to the battery RHS and the earth pole on the wiper arm LHS. Then either a CTEC or Porsche Battery Conditioner will work normally. The new battery design holds it charge a lot longer (it has a higher AmpHr rating) so charging is not necessary in the words of their service advisor.

 

[Jarmin]

"all internal sockets completley shut down" if this is the case i will take the charger shine it up real nice and shove it up Porsche's lols joking aside why sell them if that is the case with that adapter already moulded on to the unit as listed 981 Tequipment accessory i will demand my money back in that case! and not be very happy

 

[kitchens]

Go buy the Lidl one on offer at present for £15 and adapt it ,and it does the exact same as the C-Tek I use both and no difference had them on Porsche cars for years .

 

[BrianJ]

The reason I bought CTEK is that the Lidl one (and the Aldi one) resets in the event of a mains power outage, whereas the CTEK does not - it just carries on with the same settings as before. As we always seem to have power outages when we are away from home, I didn't see much point in having a trickle charger which turns itself off just when I wanted it to be working. I have no problem using the CTEK on my 981 footwell socket, as per previous post.

 

[chrisH]

"all internal sockets completley shut down" if this is the case i will take the charger shine it up real nice and shove it up Porsche's lols joking aside why sell them if that is the case with that adapter already moulded on to the unit as listed 981 Tequipment accessory i will demand my money back in that case! and not be very happy

You can use still the internal sockets if it is connected within 3mins of last having the ignition on then it will detect it and leave the socket live, I was told.
I bought mine for the 987.2 Cayman so when I got the 981 I complained and they sent me the croc lead adapter FOC so I could use it connected to the battery as I described earlier.

 

[Curious2]

I use a C-Tek connected to the passenger footwell socket of my 981 and it works indefinitely with no problems with the car electrics de powering the socket even after months of use. Checked this out with my OPC techy this morning and he confirmed the footwell socket is permanently live.

 

[Jarmin]

i'll connect it to the footwell from now on see what happens