Porsche 997 battery charging
Discussion
Hi all,
So I finally fulfilled a dream and bought a 997 at the weekend (YAY)
The aim is to use the thing as a weekend driver, and so occasionally it will go a couple of weeks without use. The previous owner has said the car may not start after a few weeks idle And suggested I get a trickle charger.
I know next to nothing about these, so would appreciate any recommendations. It looks like there is a type that connects straight to the battery and youtube appears to have a few that connect via the cigarette lighter - is this correct? Any preferences?
Thanks in advance
So I finally fulfilled a dream and bought a 997 at the weekend (YAY)
The aim is to use the thing as a weekend driver, and so occasionally it will go a couple of weeks without use. The previous owner has said the car may not start after a few weeks idle And suggested I get a trickle charger.
I know next to nothing about these, so would appreciate any recommendations. It looks like there is a type that connects straight to the battery and youtube appears to have a few that connect via the cigarette lighter - is this correct? Any preferences?
Thanks in advance
Get a Ctek.
The battery is under a cover in the front boot. Remove cover, wire up charger fly lead and replace cover. When you want to put car on charge pop boot and clip on charge lead.
The 997 will default into "high security" mode (well mine did anyway) after a few days of non use so you will have to use the key in the drivers door to unlock the car.
The battery is under a cover in the front boot. Remove cover, wire up charger fly lead and replace cover. When you want to put car on charge pop boot and clip on charge lead.
The 997 will default into "high security" mode (well mine did anyway) after a few days of non use so you will have to use the key in the drivers door to unlock the car.
Thanks,
Car is parked indoor (underground car park) approx 4 metres away from nearest charge point, in case that is relevant.
Is the idea to keep the car plugged in permanently, or is this just an ad hoc solution to start up the car when the battery is flat? The latter would be what I would prefer if possible.
Cheers and apols for basic questions!
Car is parked indoor (underground car park) approx 4 metres away from nearest charge point, in case that is relevant.
Is the idea to keep the car plugged in permanently, or is this just an ad hoc solution to start up the car when the battery is flat? The latter would be what I would prefer if possible.
Cheers and apols for basic questions!
You will need to keep it plugged in permanently.
Alternative is to disconnect the battery but there are implications, like needing to leave the windows a few mm down (they won't automatically rise upon closing the door) so you can't leave the car outside. This is what I do, as long as it's viable it's probably the simplest solution.
Alternative is to disconnect the battery but there are implications, like needing to leave the windows a few mm down (they won't automatically rise upon closing the door) so you can't leave the car outside. This is what I do, as long as it's viable it's probably the simplest solution.
Its going to need to be left on charge. You could rig up a leisure battery in the boot - 150A or something - that might keep it alive for a couple of weeks. BUT then you will need to charge that battery....
Jump starting all the time is not a good idea - you alternator wont like it.
Is the car park secure?
Jump starting all the time is not a good idea - you alternator wont like it.
Is the car park secure?
red_slr said:
Get a Ctek.
The battery is under a cover in the front boot. Remove cover, wire up charger fly lead and replace cover. When you want to put car on charge pop boot and clip on charge lead.
The 997 will default into "high security" mode (well mine did anyway) after a few days of non use so you will have to use the key in the drivers door to unlock the car.
After a week the car shuts down. Lifting the driver's door handle will wake it up.The battery is under a cover in the front boot. Remove cover, wire up charger fly lead and replace cover. When you want to put car on charge pop boot and clip on charge lead.
The 997 will default into "high security" mode (well mine did anyway) after a few days of non use so you will have to use the key in the drivers door to unlock the car.
As me. When I know I will not use the car for a week or so I connect to the battery conditioner. Mine is attached to the battery with a cable and a connector outside of the plastic battery trim. So if I will not use the car, I open the front and connect the charger to the connector but from the wiper panel side and job done. It's really easy. Just put some highly visible tell tales so you don't drive off when it's connected. Well worth the investment.
hurricaneone said:
Thanks,
Car is parked indoor (underground car park) approx 4 metres away from nearest charge point, in case that is relevant.
Is the idea to keep the car plugged in permanently, or is this just an ad hoc solution to start up the car when the battery is flat? The latter would be what I would prefer if possible.
Cheers and apols for basic questions!
You can get an extension lead for the charger. Car is parked indoor (underground car park) approx 4 metres away from nearest charge point, in case that is relevant.
Is the idea to keep the car plugged in permanently, or is this just an ad hoc solution to start up the car when the battery is flat? The latter would be what I would prefer if possible.
Cheers and apols for basic questions!
That CTEK is what I've been using on my 996 turbo when I don't use it for a few days.
Having said that, I am surprised that with a healthy battery a 997 would fail to start after 2 weeks. That's not really very long - and as suggested already, the car goes into sleep mode after a few days (5 for the 996 and I assume the 997 is similar). I'd be surprised if such a short period was normal - might just mean it's time for a new battery.
Having said that, I am surprised that with a healthy battery a 997 would fail to start after 2 weeks. That's not really very long - and as suggested already, the car goes into sleep mode after a few days (5 for the 996 and I assume the 997 is similar). I'd be surprised if such a short period was normal - might just mean it's time for a new battery.
FWIW, just researched and ordered. I think the £35 (80A/h) job might just have done the job, but I've gone for the up to 100 A/h job to be on the safe side.
From what I gather, the 996tt battery is rated at 80A/h but the cars have a habit of developing current-draw issues, so better safe than sorry.
From what I gather, the 996tt battery is rated at 80A/h but the cars have a habit of developing current-draw issues, so better safe than sorry.
CTek will put around 1A back into the system per hour. The draw should be <1Ah really hence 2A in = 1Ahr charge.
So a "flat" battery at 10v will probably take 2 to 3 days on CTek to get back to full charge.
But that's not what CTek is about - its about long term storage and keeping the battery in decent health.
You cant just keep pumping an amp in forever so the CTek will actually start to discharge the battery and then charge it again. IYSWIM.
I would advise against anything that puts over a couple of amps in because it puts a lot of stress on the alternator and you might well fry it if you leave it on fast charge for too long. That and your battery will produce a lot of excess gas.
I use an MXS 3.8 on my tin top. Dual trackers plus short trips mean the battery will often lose its power over a few weeks so I always plug it in on a Friday night, leave it over the weekend and its ready to go again on Monday morning for the rest of the week. Not helped by the fact the car has "low power detection" so when the ECU sees <12v it starts to disable things like interior lights, power tailgate etc... so I always like to keep it as close to 100% as I can.
So a "flat" battery at 10v will probably take 2 to 3 days on CTek to get back to full charge.
But that's not what CTek is about - its about long term storage and keeping the battery in decent health.
You cant just keep pumping an amp in forever so the CTek will actually start to discharge the battery and then charge it again. IYSWIM.
I would advise against anything that puts over a couple of amps in because it puts a lot of stress on the alternator and you might well fry it if you leave it on fast charge for too long. That and your battery will produce a lot of excess gas.
I use an MXS 3.8 on my tin top. Dual trackers plus short trips mean the battery will often lose its power over a few weeks so I always plug it in on a Friday night, leave it over the weekend and its ready to go again on Monday morning for the rest of the week. Not helped by the fact the car has "low power detection" so when the ECU sees <12v it starts to disable things like interior lights, power tailgate etc... so I always like to keep it as close to 100% as I can.
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