BATTERY CONDITIONER
Discussion
Doddler said:
So just reading this thread, and purchased a CTEK mx 5.0 with cigarette lighter adapter. Plugged it into my 981 spyder and it starts to charge, but as has been mentioned before after 10mins the charger on/off light begins to blink and stops charging. I’ve tried all 3 sockets (armrest, glovebox, px footwell) with the same result. I presume there’s now no alternative but to hardwire it to the battery. Interestingly the OPC says my charger must be faulty!
I have exactly the same set up. The armrest 12v socket is the only one you can charge through. My 981 charges fine with it so there's definitely something wrong with your set up. Maybe take it to your OPC and ask if they could try the charger on another car?Then you'll know if it's the car or charger.
Doddler said:
Good thinking, I might give that a go. Does the fact my car does not have the smoker package make a difference to the socket been live, or maybe OPC could code it into the car.
Not sure. But the Porsche branded charger IS a CTEK one. Your OPC will use several every day so they should be able to detect any anomaly with yours.Don't think will be your charger; my Spyder behaves exactly the same as yours i.e not possible to charge through any of the sockets - they all switch off after a few minutes no matter if the charger is plugged in with ignition on/ off etc. Seems like there is a physical or software difference at least on the later cars - mine was built Jan 16. So I have mine hardwired - but you need to ensure that use a physical connection to the chassis (either the one on the windscreen post or there is an empty bolt hole you can use on the nearside if your plug is that side) rather than wiring both sides directly to the battery so that you do not bypass the battery black box as discussed in depth on here. Works fine.
i have a 981 spyder with the smoker pack. i use a porsche branded ctek 5.0
you have to plug it in the right order i find:
plug the charger into the fag lighter plug between the seats .
run the cable out of the car under the door.
then set the unit to "car" .
only then turn on the plug at the wall.
then lock the car.
the unit display then takes a while to set its self.
i always check a few hours after set up that it is working.
mine has 2 columns of lights and when charging ok , both green lights are lit on both columns , and the middle top light flickers!.
to unplug , i unplug at the wall first.
hope this helps.
David.
you have to plug it in the right order i find:
plug the charger into the fag lighter plug between the seats .
run the cable out of the car under the door.
then set the unit to "car" .
only then turn on the plug at the wall.
then lock the car.
the unit display then takes a while to set its self.
i always check a few hours after set up that it is working.
mine has 2 columns of lights and when charging ok , both green lights are lit on both columns , and the middle top light flickers!.
to unplug , i unplug at the wall first.
hope this helps.
David.
davidc1 said:
i have a 981 spyder with the smoker pack. i use a porsche branded ctek 5.0
you have to plug it in the right order i find:
plug the charger into the fag lighter plug between the seats .
run the cable out of the car under the door.
then set the unit to "car" .
only then turn on the plug at the wall.
then lock the car.
the unit display then takes a while to set its self.
i always check a few hours after set up that it is working.
mine has 2 columns of lights and when charging ok , both green lights are lit on both columns , and the middle top light flickers!.
to unplug , i unplug at the wall first.
hope this helps.
David.
Are you sure about that sequence? I have 3 CTEK chargers and none come to life until they have mains power.you have to plug it in the right order i find:
plug the charger into the fag lighter plug between the seats .
run the cable out of the car under the door.
then set the unit to "car" .
only then turn on the plug at the wall.
then lock the car.
the unit display then takes a while to set its self.
i always check a few hours after set up that it is working.
mine has 2 columns of lights and when charging ok , both green lights are lit on both columns , and the middle top light flickers!.
to unplug , i unplug at the wall first.
hope this helps.
David.
Thanks all for your replies, I went down to the local OPC who took note of my VIN and found that it was impossible to charge from any of the AUX sockets with a cigarette lighter adapter. Not sure if this is 981 Spyder specific or due to the later build date of the car as referred to in other Rennlist posts. The battery is also a normal lead acid not lithium which also negates the possibility of a software update to enable a live socket to be achieved, which can be done on the later GT4's. This left with me with 2 options, either hardwire the clip wires in to +ve and alternative -ve (away from battery) which is what I have done, or use crocodile clips which is what I was trying to avoid.
The -ve point is located some distance from the battery so I had to attach it to the bodywork behind the battery which I hope is ok. Interestingly the OPC just use crocodile clips with a cigarette lighter extension and then into CTEK as there crocodile clips have much longer leads. This was on a 718 so maybe all current models need to be attached directly to the battery?? Its currently on charge so I'm hoping all is good, despite me not having achieved the easiest solution of just plugging into the lighter socket.
The -ve point is located some distance from the battery so I had to attach it to the bodywork behind the battery which I hope is ok. Interestingly the OPC just use crocodile clips with a cigarette lighter extension and then into CTEK as there crocodile clips have much longer leads. This was on a 718 so maybe all current models need to be attached directly to the battery?? Its currently on charge so I'm hoping all is good, despite me not having achieved the easiest solution of just plugging into the lighter socket.
AW10 said:
davidc1 said:
i have a 981 spyder with the smoker pack. i use a porsche branded ctek 5.0
you have to plug it in the right order i find:
plug the charger into the fag lighter plug between the seats .
run the cable out of the car under the door.
then set the unit to "car" .
only then turn on the plug at the wall.
then lock the car.
the unit display then takes a while to set its self.
i always check a few hours after set up that it is working.
mine has 2 columns of lights and when charging ok , both green lights are lit on both columns , and the middle top light flickers!.
to unplug , i unplug at the wall first.
hope this helps.
David.
Are you sure about that sequence? I have 3 CTEK chargers and none come to life until they have mains power.you have to plug it in the right order i find:
plug the charger into the fag lighter plug between the seats .
run the cable out of the car under the door.
then set the unit to "car" .
only then turn on the plug at the wall.
then lock the car.
the unit display then takes a while to set its self.
i always check a few hours after set up that it is working.
mine has 2 columns of lights and when charging ok , both green lights are lit on both columns , and the middle top light flickers!.
to unplug , i unplug at the wall first.
hope this helps.
David.
I hardwire a small ctek extension lead - +ve on the battery, -ve on an m6 bolt in a handily positioned empty thread atop the near side suspension tower. Means you don’t have wires stretched right across the car. Exit the socket thing out of the hole where the handle is in the plastic cover. Works fine. Glad to hear that there is an actual issue - I’ve tried every combination suggested and never been able to keep the charging sockets live for more than about 20 minutes.
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