718 Cayman Trickle Charging Advice

[SK555]

After a fair few “Battery Protection Active During Parking” messages and a few instances of the passenger mirror not unfolding when the car is unlocked I have thought about getting a trickle charger.

I know there seems to be mixed advice about using the 12v socket in the passenger footwell but it seems to be the no faff option.

Question I have is I use the car 1/2 times a week - so how long/often/when should I be trickle charging? Surely unless it’s always on it won’t be benefitting the battery?

Open to advice!

[SV_WDC]

The battery basically shouldn't be getting a deep discharge so how often it needs to be charged also depends on what sort of use it is getting when you are using it.

But for simplicity maybe just plug it into the trickle charger when you're not using it?

[Voodoo Blue]

I've got a 718 Boxster and generally stick it on the trickle charger if it's not going to be used for a couple of weeks or more. I use the cigarette adaptor in the passenger footwell and haven't had any issues with that providing the plug is correctly inserted and always check the unit to make sure its working properly a day or so after setting it up just to make sure.

If you're using it a couple of times a week there is a possibility that any reduction in battery capacity may not recover if the car is only being used for short journeys especially in winter so that might be an indication of why you're getting the error messages unless you have a voltage leak somewhere. Or your battery might just be going bad.

Edited by Voodoo Blue on Sunday 18th January 17:23

[Panamax]

You don't need a trickle charger, you need a new battery.

[Redline88]

I put my GT4 on a charge every few weeks if I m not using it. I don t have power in the garage so need to use a portable power pack but that tends to take it back up to 100% within around 10-12 hours.

Before I started doing that; I would get the same message as you if it was left for around 4 weeks but no problems if left for less time than that. I don t bother if it s going to be used within a couple of weeks

ETA - I use the 12v socket in the centre console

[SK555]

Panamax said:

You don't need a trickle charger, you need a new battery.

I was hoping this wouldn’t be the case - I assume a new battery will need to be coded?

[mikef]

I only have a problem with battery drain in winter partly because of not driving my Cayman for longer periods and partly because of sub-zero temperatures in an unheated garage

In winter I use a wall-mounted CTEK charger, the same model that Porsche used to rebrand and sell at an extortionate price. I attach a CTEK eyelet connector to the battery that is accessible from the middle of the windscreen and can be tucked inside by opening the bonnet. Then attach a long CTEK cable to charge in the garage with a large Remove before Flight banner attached so I don’t jump in and drive off with it still connected (duh)

It takes seconds to connect or disconnect the charger

ps: for ease of detaching the connector from the battery when needed, I used tinsnips to convert the eyelets

[SV_WDC]

SK555 said:

Panamax said:

You don't need a trickle charger, you need a new battery.

I was hoping this wouldn t be the case - I assume a new battery will need to be coded?

It should be coded, yes.

But labour at an indie should be 30mins max

[Snowy999]

You can extend the wires of a CTEK adaptor so that it can be tucked away where the screen wash filler is and keep your battery in great shape and it is invisible when you are driving and safe as CTEK's charger lead is fused and has weather protection on its plug end.

If you don't fancy doing it an Indy will set you up.

[Panamax]

SK555 said:

I assume a new battery will need to be coded?

If you install a new battery of electrical specification identical to the old one you don't need any coding. The charging system will learn what it needs to do.