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Which Battery Conditioner??

Sifly

Sifly

PCGB Member
Member
I am going to need a battery conditioner for the car over the winter. I will give it a good run out if we get any crisp dry (non salty) days, but as we all know, these can bee weeks apart!![:(]

I've never used one before, and just wondered if they are all much the same or whether I should be looking for a certain make, type etc before I rush out an purchase 1???

Cheers

Simon
 
I've used the CTEK XS3600 one for a couple of years now and cannot fault it - great build quality and does exactly what it says on the tin.

I think Porsche sell a rebranded version of it as their own
 
Simon,

There are a few makes on the market and, to be perfectly honest, I doubt there is much to choose between them. However, there is a great difference between a battery charger and a battery conditioner as (I'm sure you realise).

Porsche themselves sell a couple of different models - which are actually rebadged CTek models. I have seen, in the past that even Lidl sell versions of the Ctek at MUCH reduced prices compared to the Porsche price but they only come up from time to time on special offer. I've got a Carcoon unit which is actually a rebadged version of the Optimate which works perfectly.

It's worth checking out the connection type that best suits you since different makes come with different connections. The Porsche/Ctek units seem to come with a cigarette lighter connection which may not suit if the car's lighter is not live with the ignition off. My Carcoon uses connections permanently bolted to the battery posts with a plug conveniently sited near the bonnet lip so I can just plug in when the car goes in the garage. Mine is left connected 24/7 and can often take 8 days or more to bring the battery up to full charge after a long stint away from home. Highly recommended if the car isn't in regular use.

Regards

Dave
 
ORIGINAL: Dave Wilkinson

Simon,

There are a few makes on the market and, to be perfectly honest, I doubt there is much to choose between them. However, there is a great difference between a battery charger and a battery conditioner as (I'm sure you realise).

Porsche themselves sell a couple of different models - which are actually rebadged CTek models. I have seen, in the past that even Lidl sell versions of the Ctek at MUCH reduced prices compared to the Porsche price but they only come up from time to time on special offer. I've got a Carcoon unit which is actually a rebadged version of the Optimate which works perfectly.

It's worth checking out the connection type that best suits you since different makes come with different connections. The Porsche/Ctek units seem to come with a cigarette lighter connection which may not suit if the car's lighter is not live with the ignition off.
Regards

Dave
Click to expand...

My CTEK one also has connectors for the battery posts and then a short lead that plugs into the corresponding connector from the CTEK unit, so you can simply unplug the lead before driving the car - no need for cigarette lighter sockets etc.

Definitely keeps the battery in top shape and the car always turns over enthusiastically when you come to use it.
 
I brought a conditioner from Halfrauds which brought my battery back from the dead in about 48 hours and also works as an ongoing conditioner which can be connected constantly. I have had no further charging issues with the battery and try to take the car for a run every week to 10 days to keep it charged up

I had to take the battery out as I do not have a nice warm garage to put it in, but I could have connected directly in situ having first disconnected the battery leads.
 
I use the OPTIMATE having used them through my place of employment which has a large fleet of cars and motorcycles..super job
 
Thanks for the info guy's, spent an hour or two surfing and reading up on the subject! Will probably give the CTEK XS3600 a go as seems to have a good reputation with most car enthusiasts, and looks easy enough to use. Also ordered a De-humidifier/heater for the garage which should keep the air moving and the dampness at bay.

I was considering a Carcoon or similar but I think it would be too much hasstle for me to get the car out at short notice on a nice dry day, and knowing me, It would probably end up back in its box sat in the corner!! Plus, I think one would get in the way of my up and over doors.....more hastle than its worth. [&:]

Simon
 

Yep, had the CTEK3600 a couple of months now and found it really useful. Wired up direct to the battery connectors with the quick release connector, main unit screwed to the side of garage bench and always plugged in when in the garage - perfect. Engine always fires up instantly on first turn.


 
Hi Simon,
I use the Accumate 6/12 V battery conditioner from Auto electric supplies ltd. They adverise in the Porsche post. I've used it for 3 years now without a problem. Its fully automatic. Payed £42.60 total including postage.
 
Hi,
I bought an El cheapo from Halfrauds a couple of years ago. Works well and has not not let me down. Hope I'm not tempting a mishap here.
It was only about 20 something quid and just plugs into a 13 Amp socket. Nice and neat. Charger is not much bigger than a mobile phone charger.
It was supplied with two types of connectors, croc clips and a permanant fix directly to the battery. I chose to use the permanant attachment. When the car is required (I'm lucky because it's garaged) I just unplug the cable, attach the blank safety plug close the luggage lid and away we go.

I guess you make your choice and pay your money. Good luck.

Regards

Ian.
 
Thanks for the info guy's, will pop in to Halfords over the weekend to see what they have before i pay double the money for a 'well known brand'!

on a similar note

I Plugged my new De-humidifier/heater in this morning. Came home tonight about 8pm and stepped into my detached garage which was noticeably warmer than outside [8D]. Then to my amazement found it had collected about 3 pints of water in about 9 hrs!! - Going to have to plumb in a fixed drain asap [8|]
A couple of cloths i had lying around also felt dry instead of the usual cold and dampish!

Simon

 
Simon,
Wait til you get the elec bill! The collected water very good for battery top up,steam irons even washing your loved one (the 964 you fool).[:D]
 
Well my neighbour has an outdoor socket next to the fence..........................need i say more [;)]!

Can I use the collected water for my fish tank?? [8|]

Simon
 
Hi Simon,
the dehumidifier sounds a great idea. I run one in the house, so will have to buy another one for the garage. Is your garage integral with the house? Mine isn't, and I just wondered if your garage takes any heat from the house.

I may even buy a "tent" for next winter, however this may prove a none starter as I use the car on a regular basis. I would depend how easy it is to access the car.
 
Hi Ian,

No my garage is detatched and seperate from the house. It doesn't suffer from damp but I decided to install a de-humidifier just to keep any condensation at bay!! After searching around I purchased an X-Dry which is good for temps down to 1 degree (apparently). It has a moving louvre with helps keep the air moving and comes with an attachable drain so you can plumb it in permenantly - which is good because it has needed emptying twice each day so far, which is about 10 pints per day![:eek:]

The air which it pumps out is luke warm and so takes the nip out of the air within the garage on these frosty nights [:'(]

Obviously the garage doors do allow an amount of natural ventilation in, the worst area was the gap under the doors. However I have today fitted some 'gap stop' which does exacly what it says on the tin![:D]. Now my doors seal properly which should help keep draughts, leaves, critters etc out (and the warmer dryer air in)!!

On-top of that, I've now got my CTEK charger plugged in keeping the battery healthy - Looks more like an operating theatre than a domestic garage![8|]

Simon
 
Simon,
appolgies for the late response, we have been away for a few days up to the flooded lake district. Not in the 964 I hasten to add.

Thanks for the information on the dehumidifier I'm going to give this a try. My garage door is a good fit mainly due to the fact that its electric, (flash b*****d) I hear you say.
 
Ive bought the Porsche branded C-Tek unit. Ive been told that I will have to convert the lighter socket on the 964 to permanant live. Does any one have any any ideas how?

Cheers
Chris
 
ORIGINAL: deutschland dobson

Ive bought the Porsche branded C-Tek unit. Ive been told that I will have to convert the lighter socket on the 964 to permanant live. Does any one have any any ideas how?

Cheers
Chris
Click to expand...

I have the CTEK XS 3600 unit and it has a connection to wire directly to the battery terminals - no need to use the cigarette lighter and much easier.
 
The 964 lighter is live already all the time, so no need to convert it ..unless someone has already made it non live ?
 
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