Battery change on 997

[jcrenner]

The battery of my 997.1 C2S is showing signs of weakness (ie need to recharge it if I don't use the car for a week or so). Assume I do not have much choice under Porsche warranty and need to purchase a new one at an OPC.

How easy is it to replace it myself? Anything to be careful about?
Is there only one model or do I have a choice? Any idea of prices?

[Lordglenmorangie]

A week or so of non use of car does not mean your battery is on it's way out. Buy a battery conditioner and leave on charge, as alarms & trackers are sucking juice all the time. I leave my car on charge even if I am not using for a few days

[bobsan]

before splashing on new batt. get an Optimate 4 charger. they're really good at rejuvenating tired battery's.

[Trev450]

As already said, it possibly only needs to be conected to a battery conditioner. You could, however, also have it checked to determine its condition - local halfords or opc should be able to do this.

[jcrenner]

Lordglenmorangie said:

A week or so of non use of car does not mean your battery is on it's way out. Buy a battery conditioner and leave on charge, as alarms & trackers are sucking juice all the time. I leave my car on charge even if I am not using for a few days

My challenge is that I am London based and the car is parked on the street. So I can do punctual charge when needed but I cannot leave it on all the time....

[williaa68]

How old is the car? Anything past 4 years and you've done well by modern Porsche standards. They are pretty easy to change but i'd haggle with the opc. They changed mine as part of my service / warranty renewal recently and wanted 30 mins of labour. I said it was 5, they waived the charge for labour in the end (in the context of a fairly considerable bill for other stuff). Dont forget your PCGB or TIPEC discount on the parts if eligible.

[jcrenner]

williaa68 said:

How old is the car? Anything past 4 years and you've done well by modern Porsche standards. They are pretty easy to change but i'd haggle with the opc. They changed mine as part of my service / warranty renewal recently and wanted 30 mins of labour. I said it was 5, they waived the charge for labour in the end (in the context of a fairly considerable bill for other stuff). Dont forget your PCGB or TIPEC discount on the parts if eligible.

It is an 05 car but I am not sure it is running on the original battery... Thanks for the advice on the labour!

[David W.]

Even if it's is not the original (prob not at that age) get it done as winter approaches and low temps make life harder for an old battery, and, when they do let you down it is never at the most convenient time as I know to my cost!

[mikees]

If you have a warranty buy one from opc. They keep the battery serials so could used as an excuse not to pay out if your engine goes pop.

[STiG911]

Lordglenmorangie said:

A week or so of non use of car does not mean your battery is on it's way out. Buy a battery conditioner and leave on charge, as alarms & trackers are sucking juice all the time. I leave my car on charge even if I am not using for a few days

+1

[Lordglenmorangie]

jcrenner said:

My challenge is that I am London based and the car is parked on the street. So I can do punctual charge when needed but I cannot leave it on all the time....

No problem run a cable across the foot path

Sorry not helpful , how about a solar power jobby I believe a few owners have used with some success , mind you when is it sunny in the UK

[Tino]

jcrenner said:

My challenge is that I am London based and the car is parked on the street. So I can do punctual charge when needed but I cannot leave it on all the time....

Whereabouts in London. If you find that you are leaving it for more than a few days, I'm happy to drive it

[gsewell]

If you have an OPC guarantee, this would be covered (wouldn't it?).

Failing that - how about a solar charging panel left on the passenger seat. Something like http://www.maplin.co.uk/solar-powered-12v-1.5w-bat...