Trickle-charging during the winter months

[SteveM46]

Folks

My 997.1 C2S is getting less driving time now it's getting cold and damp...I've been trying to get it out most weekends, but I have to say that two of the last three weekends it has been left untouched.

I'm a bit concerned about finding the battery flat one day, and have been thinking about a trickle charger, which I understand can simply be plugged into a cigarette lighter socket.

So, two questions:

- should I be concerned about the battery flattening if I don't drive for 2-3 weeks at a time?
- if I trickle charge in the way I've suggested, how can I do that without leaving the car unlocked and so with the alarm off (it's in a garage, but still....)?

Thanks

Steve

[Pickled Piper]

The battery maintainers/ chargers come with a lead that you can wire to your battery and leave there permanently. You then just plug in the conditioner. The lead is quite thin so you can normally find an area around the boot / door seal that will allow you to shut and lock the car without crushing or cutting the lead. The same applies if you plug into the cigarette lighter.

Definitely get one if you plan to regularly leave your car for two to three weeks at a time.

pp

[nsm3]

I use a lead with crocodile clips attached to the battery and feed the lead out through the wiper area.

There is no cable pinching and the car is locked/alarmed as normal.

[SteveM46]

Pickled Piper said:

The battery maintainers/ chargers come with a lead that you can wire to your battery and leave there permanently. You then just plug in the conditioner. The lead is quite thin so you can normally find an area around the boot / door seal that will allow you to shut and lock the car without crushing or cutting the lead. The same applies if you plug into the cigarette lighter.

Definitely get one if you plan to regularly leave your car for two to three weeks at a time.

pp

Thanks PP. Any recommendations on what I should be going for? I've just found the CTE-3600 getting a favourable mention on here from earlier in the year.

And presumably I can be using a trickle charger without invalidating myu OPC warranty? Can't I?!!

[Magic919]

Cigarette lighter point is easiest on the porker. CTEK or Optimate will do nicely.

[Trev450]

Yes I use a CTEK as well. You can leave it switched on permanently as it cuts in and out automatically to keep the battery fully charged.

[DSM2]

C tek 3600. Plug it into cig socket, feed lead under door, set and switch on. Shut door on lead, lock as normal and leave.

Roll car back and forth every few weeks for tyres sake, if you can't use.

Been doing this for 4 yrs now, long winter lay ups, no issues. Yet.......

[rog007]

CTech connection permanently attached to battery, which also shows current charge value (red, amber or green flashing light). When it's time to connect to the charger and the mains, cable easily sits in recesses and allows bonnet to be shut and locked. My OPC content with permanent attachment.

[SteveM46]

DSM2 said:

C tek 3600. Plug it into cig socket, feed lead under door, set and switch on. Shut door on lead, lock as normal and leave.

Roll car back and forth every few weeks for tyres sake, if you can't use.

Been doing this for 4 yrs now, long winter lay ups, no issues. Yet.......

OK, so the cig socket on the 997.1 is 'live' when the car is off and doors locked?

[Martian O]

SteveM46 said:

OK, so the cig socket on the 997.1 is 'live' when the car is off and doors locked?

Yes it is.

[Sunnysidebb]

Been doing the same for the last 5 years. 996 has a live cig lighter as well. Went on holiday 2 weeks ago for 11 days. Came back to find battery dead. Forgot to switch it on (Battery was new June 10 )

[Martian O]

I have left my 997 without the CTEK on for a month and it started without a problem.

[Pickled Piper]

Yep, CTEK or Optimate and you will be fine. I think Costco sell one of them at a good price.

pp

[jamiesonmurray]

Aldi and Lidles sell £13 battery chargers which can be left on permanently,
i have had one in my car for a year and i leave it for 5 weeks at a time,
starts no problem, everytime!

[thegoose]

jamiesonmurray said:

Aldi and Lidles sell £13 battery chargers which can be left on permanently,
i have had one in my car for a year and i leave it for 5 weeks at a time,
starts no problem, everytime!

Do you know if they have them in at present? I believe it's only an occasional thing at Aldi so I went when someone mentioned they had them and bought the last 8 or 9 they had but I could do with some more.

The nearest branch is 10 miles away so I'd like to know if they have them before going over.

[Martian O]

jamiesonmurray said:

Aldi and Lidles sell £13 battery chargers....

It's just a shame that you have to be seen in one of their stores to buy one!

[rog007]

Martian O said:

It's just a shame that you have to be seen in one of their stores to buy one!

I just ask my driver to go in if I need anything from there; and you can't see me waiting in the back of the Jensen either as it has privacy glass...although from now on I won't even have to do that if I need a new charger as it seems Goose is buying bulk and selling on so I'll just go to him in the future.

[STiG911]

I use a Halfords £24.99 unit. Same job as C-Tek but for a bit less than half the price.
I originally got one for my wifes Mini Cabriolet which we lay up for 6 months over the winter and it's worked fine for two years, so I got a second one when I got my 997 in April.
Used the lead which bolts onto the battery terminals, and run the connection end out of the top edge of the bonnet, then just disconnect and drive off when I need too - bit better than jamming a lead in the door seal IMO.

[thegoose]

rog007 said:

I just ask my driver to go in if I need anything from there; and you can't see me waiting in the back of the Jensen either as it has privacy glass...although from now on I won't even have to do that if I need a new charger as it seems Goose is buying bulk and selling on so I'll just go to him in the future.

You squeeze in the back of the Jensen at your age?

I'm not re-selling, I just need more of them so I can keep every car in stock on charge along with a couple of spare jump batteries. Hence the saving's worthwhile - £13 compared to £38 (Costco Ctek price) times 12 is £££.

[jamiesonmurray]

Martian O said:

jamiesonmurray said:

Aldi and Lidles sell £13 battery chargers....

It's just a shame that you have to be seen in one of their stores to buy one!

I'm a Scotsman, were so tight that we can go to Aldi's and feel no shame