I use a CTEK in the cigar lighter socket - seems to work and it has not blown up yet.....
Trickle charge
- Thread starter ralphmusic
- Start date
In anticipation of taxing my P for April, I put my TC on charge for a couple of weeks. End of March, the starter would not even make a noise although everything else electrical worked. Eventually, I found that the (well known) TC had boiled the battery dry and wrecked the thing. In spite of them saying it could be left connected. So, beware, keep checking your electrolyte level and don't believe everything 'that it says on the box'.
Richard, John is right. Use a Ctek or similar "smart" charger. This monitors the voltage and charges the battery only when it drops below the prescribed level. Using the point in the footwell is fine. I believe the cigar lighter point is live only with the ignition on. Hope this helps. [
] Regards, Clive.
] Regards, Clive.I have just changed from a Boxster after five good years driving it. Have just bought a 997 can I use the trickle charger in this car & if so is it to be put in the circuit point in the foot well or the one in the middle glove compartment.
I see from the manual its not to be used in the cig lighter point!
Please advise
Richard
I see from the manual its not to be used in the cig lighter point!
Please advise
Richard
I use a Porsche charger in the lighter socket in the Cayman, it's easy to check if the socket is live just turn off the ignition and remove the key then try the lighter. I understood that it's the right socket to use as it has a higher rated fuse at 10A although a 5A live line should be ok.
I have just checked various workshop manuals. They all recommend disconnecting the battery when using a trickle charger. There is a danger of damaging the alternator, particularly the electrodes. You only need to disconnect the earth (negative) lead from the battery and connect direct to it. Usually a 10mm spanner. Just my thoughts " The cigar lighter is perhaps a somewhat dubious connection, designed for only a short term output. Is it good to put a relatively long term input through it ? What fire risk is there in putting a charging load, even if it is only 1.5 amps through part of the wiring loom? " You only usually need a 10mm spanner, it takes only a moment to disconnect one battery lead and a direct connection to anywhere is always the most efficient. So why put any of the above at risk ?.........My charger was not a C-tek. And, don't forget you need to keep an eye on the electrolyte.
clarkes
New member
I come back to my Porsche brand charger - it was only supplied with a cigar lighter connection so I EXPECT that it will be fine (although it has only been connected for about three or four weeks maximum without the car being taken out for a run). I do not know how the output of this charger compares with the one that Richard uses. The socket in the middle glove box is permanently live and if I get any problems from using the charger, such as a boiled battery, Porsche GB will hear about it very loudly!
I'm in the "I've used a CTEK via the cigar lighter socket, with no problems" camp. And have done for the last two years or so. I suspect (but am not expert) that the key word is "CTEK conditioner" not "charger". I've always (on other cars, motorbikes and lawnmowers!) disconnected the battery when using a pure charger. P
I use a ctek on my 997 and have done for the last year, I use the cigarette lighter point in the center console and I leave it charging permanently and never had a problem. I would highly rate the ctek charger and from what i understand the porsche charger is just a rebadged ctek
The differences between the Porsche Charge o mat and the Ctek of the same charge rate ( 3.8A max ) is only that the Porsche Tecquipment branded item has a lighter type plug permanently installed to the lead plus of course the label on the unit. Rather gives the clue to using the socket, as for which socket, I've seen them using a Ctek into the lighter socket at the OPC.[]
]996911porsche
New member
My 996 has a cig lighter plug in PORSCHE designed trickler given to me after i bought it from my friend who also put a new PORSCHE battery on it prior to acquisition. He used to leave it on trickle in his garage long term. anyway on route to Le Mans last year the alternator packed up, I suspect [just a hunch] the trickle charger was to blame? It just seems wrong? Cig lighter is live when ignition is off on my 996.
berty987
New member
The CTEK unit IS the Porsche unit just branded for Porsche. Save 50 pounds and buy the CTEK , then get the cigarette lighter attachment for the CTEK unit. As a trickle charger I fail to see how it will work with the battery disconnected ? The cigarette lighter has the higher capacity fuse, but I doubt the CTEK is rated to push 5A current . Mine is plugged into the passenger footwell socket on my987S.
I also use the CTEK in the cigarette lighter socket by the handbrake. I sneakily looked at the instructions for the Porsche battery conditioner and that's where it said to plug it in. It is live after the ignition is off. I then went and bought the CTEK and as everyone has said - saved £50. This winter I have used it religiously and the car hasn't skipped a beat!
Well - Thank you gents the trickle charge I have is the Porsche one & you put it in the Cig lighter. So maybe I should change it for the CTEK one so still a little confused. Do I stick with Porsche one & plug in the centre consul/ footwell but not chance the cig lighter. With some of you saying that the Porsche charger is a renamed CTEK. If I did wish to purchase a CTEK then what web site supplies? I am meeting a Porsche PO Nottingham rep tomorrow at an event so I will ask him direct. Will post his comments. Thank you for all for your advice. Richard
Richard, If your charger looks a bit like this
then you have a re-badged Ctek. If your cigar lighter works with the ignition off, then it can be used for charging. Otherwise, use the point in the footwell. If you want to buy a Ctek, do a search on Ebay - there are plenty there. Regards, Clive.
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