996 Battery Size
Discussion
What size battery should be in a 2003 996 Carrera S Tiptronic?
I can't find anything in the handbook on battery capacity. I note when checking the battery that it has an output voltage of about 12.38v after the car has been unused for three days. I would be happier with a voltage of about 12.5. I realise that the alarm takes a fair whack and this cold weather doesn't help.
I would like to put in a larger battery when I change and was wondering which one is used in northern areas like Canada or Norway?
I have read about owners who have had trouble starting vehicles after 7 days or more without use and the handbook does say that the battery should be charged occasionally. Perhaps I am just comparing it with my Hilux Truck which starts first time, even after a rest of three months.
H
I can't find anything in the handbook on battery capacity. I note when checking the battery that it has an output voltage of about 12.38v after the car has been unused for three days. I would be happier with a voltage of about 12.5. I realise that the alarm takes a fair whack and this cold weather doesn't help.
I would like to put in a larger battery when I change and was wondering which one is used in northern areas like Canada or Norway?
I have read about owners who have had trouble starting vehicles after 7 days or more without use and the handbook does say that the battery should be charged occasionally. Perhaps I am just comparing it with my Hilux Truck which starts first time, even after a rest of three months.
H
Something like a Bosch S5 010 would suit. The size on the link is what you need (the pic is wrong). It's an 85Ah whereas the standard 996 battery is either 70 or 80Ah depending upon the spec of your car.
http://www.boschcarbatteries.co.uk/index.php/bosch...
http://www.boschcarbatteries.co.uk/index.php/bosch...
I had a brand new Porsche battery fitted free as a replacement for a previous brand new one that died during a one year saga trying to fix a gearbox problem.
It went flat after 14 days of non-use following a long run.
OPC checked Batt & Alternator & pronounced both OK, adding that 2 wks was perhaps a little long to leave it unused. Car was in a garage with temperatures of more than 0c.
Porsche batteries are as useful as a chocolate teapot (particularly as for many it is not a daily driver) as you can't even leave the damn thing for 2 wks at an airport whilst on holiday. I had a Bosch S5 before & will probably put the cost of the (1st) Porsche battery down to bad experience & go back to Bosch for the peace of mind of knowing it will start. At one point the car was parked before for 1 month at a time, and always started (strongly too) with the Bosch.
It went flat after 14 days of non-use following a long run.
OPC checked Batt & Alternator & pronounced both OK, adding that 2 wks was perhaps a little long to leave it unused. Car was in a garage with temperatures of more than 0c.
Porsche batteries are as useful as a chocolate teapot (particularly as for many it is not a daily driver) as you can't even leave the damn thing for 2 wks at an airport whilst on holiday. I had a Bosch S5 before & will probably put the cost of the (1st) Porsche battery down to bad experience & go back to Bosch for the peace of mind of knowing it will start. At one point the car was parked before for 1 month at a time, and always started (strongly too) with the Bosch.
Hilux2400 said:
What size battery should be in a 2003 996 Carrera S Tiptronic?
I can't find anything in the handbook on battery capacity. I note when checking the battery that it has an output voltage of about 12.38v after the car has been unused for three days. I would be happier with a voltage of about 12.5. I realise that the alarm takes a fair whack and this cold weather doesn't help.
I would like to put in a larger battery when I change and was wondering which one is used in northern areas like Canada or Norway?
I have read about owners who have had trouble starting vehicles after 7 days or more without use and the handbook does say that the battery should be charged occasionally. Perhaps I am just comparing it with my Hilux Truck which starts first time, even after a rest of three months.
H
What battery some one has in his car may or may not be the right battery for your car. The battery size is tied to the car's VIN.I can't find anything in the handbook on battery capacity. I note when checking the battery that it has an output voltage of about 12.38v after the car has been unused for three days. I would be happier with a voltage of about 12.5. I realise that the alarm takes a fair whack and this cold weather doesn't help.
I would like to put in a larger battery when I change and was wondering which one is used in northern areas like Canada or Norway?
I have read about owners who have had trouble starting vehicles after 7 days or more without use and the handbook does say that the battery should be charged occasionally. Perhaps I am just comparing it with my Hilux Truck which starts first time, even after a rest of three months.
H
You really should at least check in with the parts department at your local OPC and get a battery spec. Some years ago when it became time to replace the original battery in my Boxster I did this and learned that Porsche had spec's a larger capacity battery.
It was still a 12V battery but had more AHs and more CCAs. (IIRC roughly about 10% more than the original battery.)
The new replacement battery was actually larger too, longer at least than the original battery but the larger battery fit just fine in the battery tray and while the hold down clamp had to be moved out the battery size was such the clamp bolt lined up perfectly with a hold bolt hole which even had a threaded insert present.
Just thought I'd tag onto this thread rather than start a new one.
When charging a (crappy) Porsche/Moll battery does one loosen the cell caps to release the gas like in the old days or are they vented? The 2 1/2 year old battery (Porsche replaced the original battery at 2 years service foc) in my wife's 987 flattened between using the car last Monday and today. Will probably replace it with a Bosch item but meantime I'm giving it a charge.
When charging a (crappy) Porsche/Moll battery does one loosen the cell caps to release the gas like in the old days or are they vented? The 2 1/2 year old battery (Porsche replaced the original battery at 2 years service foc) in my wife's 987 flattened between using the car last Monday and today. Will probably replace it with a Bosch item but meantime I'm giving it a charge.
I'd only say that unless the battery is truly dead (dead cell) then the fact that it went flat was almost certainly because there was a drain on it, which our beloveds are so well known for.
Do you garage the car, did you leave the key in the ignition? Mine dies in 3-4 days under such circumstances.
Lowest drain is with car locked and alarm active.
Battery disconnected, it can go many months without issue.
Do you garage the car, did you leave the key in the ignition? Mine dies in 3-4 days under such circumstances.
Lowest drain is with car locked and alarm active.
Battery disconnected, it can go many months without issue.
Ah well that's answered that; it's totally dead which is a bit confusing because there was enough charge yesterday afternoon to start it when I moved it a bit closer to my garage door so I could hide the leads and lock it overnight.
It's all very odd though because if it's not locked it seems the interior light stays on instead I would have thought it should go out after a period. Also because the lead goes in through the bonnet I don't want to close that down fully in case I can't get it o[en again but I wonder if the bonnet illumination light stays on? It's a bit like a fridge door... does the light go out just before it closes!
In fact I'm getting a bit pissed off with the whole car. It was new in 2009 and so far it's been away on the Porsche rescue truck 2 or 3 times. Now it's chewed up another battery, all in 4 1/2 years of ownership. It's no good if I'm away on business and my wife wants to drive her car if it won't start.
Actually it's been by far the least reliable car we've owned over the last 20 years... bit sad really because when it's working I really like it. I know how some unlucky people felt about their TVRs now. Fortunately my Griff 500 has been 99.9% reliable in 15 years of ownership.
As the Pig is blocking my garage I might just push it out of the way and get the Griff out for a blast to calm me down a bit.
It's all very odd though because if it's not locked it seems the interior light stays on instead I would have thought it should go out after a period. Also because the lead goes in through the bonnet I don't want to close that down fully in case I can't get it o[en again but I wonder if the bonnet illumination light stays on? It's a bit like a fridge door... does the light go out just before it closes!
In fact I'm getting a bit pissed off with the whole car. It was new in 2009 and so far it's been away on the Porsche rescue truck 2 or 3 times. Now it's chewed up another battery, all in 4 1/2 years of ownership. It's no good if I'm away on business and my wife wants to drive her car if it won't start.
Actually it's been by far the least reliable car we've owned over the last 20 years... bit sad really because when it's working I really like it. I know how some unlucky people felt about their TVRs now. Fortunately my Griff 500 has been 99.9% reliable in 15 years of ownership.
As the Pig is blocking my garage I might just push it out of the way and get the Griff out for a blast to calm me down a bit.
I found that the specified size and new Bosche 70Ahr battery with a CCA (Cold Cranking Current)of 640Amps would not last more than a few days with the car standing idle. When I changed it I put in a 90Ahr with a CCA of 800Amps. It is a much better option. It is slightly larger, but still fits. It will comfortably last for up to 10 days when the car stands idle.
I have two Toyota cars that can stand unused for up to three months and they still start first time, with no fuss. I suppose it's all to do with weight and fuel economy. The original size smaller battery in the 996 was a few pounds lighter and in its own small way aided fuel economy. However, I am more concerned with the car starting when it's needed.
H
I have two Toyota cars that can stand unused for up to three months and they still start first time, with no fuss. I suppose it's all to do with weight and fuel economy. The original size smaller battery in the 996 was a few pounds lighter and in its own small way aided fuel economy. However, I am more concerned with the car starting when it's needed.
H
The drain will kill any battery, it's pretty academic if a larger battery lasts 4 days instead of 3 days 18 hours...
When the battery is on charge with terminals connected my car does not "sleep" in fact the (open) bonnet (and rear engine cover) lights just don't ever go off, which I don't like as the bulbs generate heat, I have seen deformed light fittings due to this heat (on other cars).
I would check that you don't have an excessive current drain while idle, which it seems you do.
Possibly it is so bad that it drained faster than the battery charger charged the battery, since you say that it's worse after the charge.
Before you fit the new battery it may be a good idea to charge the old one with the terminals disconnected and see how it goes. If well, you know that you have a problem to sort out, if not then the battery has likely dropped a cell.
Unfortunately I have taken to disconnecting the battery (when garaged) if the car is not being used for more than 4 days, even though I would lock it inside the garage.
When the battery is on charge with terminals connected my car does not "sleep" in fact the (open) bonnet (and rear engine cover) lights just don't ever go off, which I don't like as the bulbs generate heat, I have seen deformed light fittings due to this heat (on other cars).
I would check that you don't have an excessive current drain while idle, which it seems you do.
Possibly it is so bad that it drained faster than the battery charger charged the battery, since you say that it's worse after the charge.
Before you fit the new battery it may be a good idea to charge the old one with the terminals disconnected and see how it goes. If well, you know that you have a problem to sort out, if not then the battery has likely dropped a cell.
Unfortunately I have taken to disconnecting the battery (when garaged) if the car is not being used for more than 4 days, even though I would lock it inside the garage.
Why do you leave the bonnet (front) open? Why not close the bonnet and run the cable out towards the windscreen? I have fitted a charging tail on my battery which comprises a connection to the -ve terminal and a 10amp fused connection to the +ve terminal. On the end of this tail there is an insulated socket. I can therefore leave the battery cover on while charging.
I would go for the larger battery. It won't cause any harm. providing you can fit it in.
I would go for the larger battery. It won't cause any harm. providing you can fit it in.
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