Battery trickle charge - 718 GT4

[nammynake]

I’ve just bought a 718 GT4 and would like to use a trickle charger when not in use, particularly over winter where it’ll see less frequent use.

Recommendations for a charger and also attachment method? I’ve seen mixed reviews on CTEK but understand this is what Porsche sell albeit unbranded. Also, what about attaching via the 12V socket in the passenger footwell versus direct to the battery? I’m looking for the most convenient method.

[JurassicGTS]

CTEK MXS 5.0 is excellent.
Use the terminal connector.
Positive to the battery terminal and negative to the spare strut top bolt hole.
You can then run the lead out through the hand grip of the plastic battery cover. Then just use the CTEK extension lead, take it out by the wipers or out of the frunk at the front. The frunk seal easily closes over the lead.
Maybe sounds complicated but so easy.

Edited by JurassicGTS on Wednesday 4th September 22:14

Edited by JurassicGTS on Wednesday 4th September 22:14

[Paul_N]

Also use CTek via the socket in footwell on ours, had car 2 years, been good as gold

[Augustash]

nammynake said:

I’ve just bought a 718 GT4 and would like to use a trickle charger when not in use, particularly over winter where it’ll see less frequent use.

Recommendations for a charger and also attachment method? I’ve seen mixed reviews on CTEK but understand this is what Porsche sell albeit unbranded. Also, what about attaching via the 12V socket in the passenger footwell versus direct to the battery? I’m looking for the most convenient method.

[url][img]https://forums-
I use the CTEK & just charge via the smoking pack wrongly or rightly. Been doing it for 6 years and no problem. Very easy

images.piston heads.com/569950/202409052823164?resize=720[/img]|https://forums-images.pistonheads.com/569950/202409052823164[/url]

[Augustash]

[M11rph]

CTEK MXS 5.0 for me too.

I use the socket in the passenger footwell but whatever works for you. Battery clip as outlined above, or you can get the hardwire option.

For me: Charger> CTEK extension lead > "cigar lighter" adapter and run it out the driver's side door. There's a divot formed into the underside of the door specifically to help routing the thin cable, run your hand under the door and you'll soon find it.

Doing it this way means I'm not going to drive off with it attached!

If using the passenger footwell socket just be aware that approximately 30 mins after switch off the ignition the car isolates this socket if not in use. Simply attach and start charging before that time and it stays live and charging continues uninterrupted. If you have frequent power cuts then this could lead to charging stopping, going direct to the battery gets around this as the charger should just restart in the same charging mode it was using before the power was cut off.

I use the AGM option which charges at the slightly higher voltage than "normal" (14.7 vs 14.4v) , but still comfortably below what the car will charge at when using Sport mode (up to 15.3v).

[HighwayStar]

JurassicGTS said:

CTEK MXS 5.0 is excellent.
Use the terminal connector.
Positive to the battery terminal and negative to the spare strut top bolt hole.
You can then run the lead out through the hand grip of the plastic battery cover. Then just use the CTEK extension lead, take it out by the wipers or out of the frunk at the front. The frunk seal easily closes over the lead.
Maybe sounds complicated but so easy.

Edited by JurassicGTS on Wednesday 4th September 22:14

Edited by JurassicGTS on Wednesday 4th September 22:14

Yep… my preferred method…

[PM3]

I did same on 992 ( what Li ) but I didn't like the unprotected permeant wire to battery , so bought and spliced in an inline fuse ( 10A ) on +ve
Paranoia , in case of CTEK misbehaviour or trapping the red wire . Surprised CTEK does not include the fuse
Saying that I use the LiPo version and a standard version of the 5A Ctek chargers and never skipped a beat in few years now.

Edited by PM3 on Thursday 5th September 10:14

[JurassicGTS]

HighwayStar said:

Yep… my preferred method…

Exactly thanks for saving me trawling through old photos

[JurassicGTS]

PM3 said:

I did same on 992 ( what Li ) but I didn't like the unprotected permeant wire to battery , so bought and spliced in an inline fuse ( 10A ) on +ve
Paranoia , in case of CTEK misbehaviour or trapping the red wire . Surprised CTEK does not include the fuse
Saying that I use the LiPo version and a standard version of the 5A Ctek chargers and never skipped a beat in few years now.

Edited by PM3 on Thursday 5th September 10:14

I spliced the extension cable and put a fuse in there. Overkill probably!

[NDA]

nammynake said:

I’ve just bought a 718 GT4 and would like to use a trickle charger when not in use, particularly over winter where it’ll see less frequent use.

Recommendations for a charger and also attachment method? I’ve seen mixed reviews on CTEK but understand this is what Porsche sell albeit unbranded. Also, what about attaching via the 12V socket in the passenger footwell versus direct to the battery? I’m looking for the most convenient method.

I have just bought a 911 and also the CTEK MXS5. The CTEK is wired directly to the battery and I leave the bonnet open so I don't drive off and forget it's charging. I lock the car and the frunk light goes out ...

I've never been a fan of charging through cigarette lighter sockets - but this is illogical and not founded on any technical reason...

Assuming your 718 is garaged, I'd hard wire it to the battery. Not a tricky job.

[JurassicGTS]

NDA said:

I have just bought a 911 and also the CTEK MXS5. The CTEK is wired directly to the battery and I leave the bonnet open so I don't drive off and forget it's charging. I lock the car and the frunk light goes out ...

I've never been a fan of charging through cigarette lighter sockets - but this is illogical and not founded on any technical reason...

Assuming your 718 is garaged, I'd hard wire it to the battery. Not a tricky job.

But not to both sides of the battery, positive to the battery and negative to the spare bolt on the strut top.

[NDA]

JurassicGTS said:

NDA said:

I have just bought a 911 and also the CTEK MXS5. The CTEK is wired directly to the battery and I leave the bonnet open so I don't drive off and forget it's charging. I lock the car and the frunk light goes out ...

I've never been a fan of charging through cigarette lighter sockets - but this is illogical and not founded on any technical reason...

Assuming your 718 is garaged, I'd hard wire it to the battery. Not a tricky job.

But not to both sides of the battery, positive to the battery and negative to the spare bolt on the strut top.

My 911 (surprisingly) came with the CTEK female already wired to the battery - I am not sure exactly how it's connected. I have read that some people use spade connectors (open ended) to wire to the battery to avoid having to disconnect anything.

[JurassicGTS]

NDA said:

My 911 (surprisingly) came with the CTEK female already wired to the battery - I am not sure exactly how it's connected. I have read that some people use spade connectors (open ended) to wire to the battery to avoid having to disconnect anything.

CTEK sell larger eyelet connectors which go onto the battery terminal bolt. However if the CTEK is connected to both terminals it apparently confuses the electronics/stop start/etc, which is why it is recommended to connect the negative to an earth and the fact the spare bolt hole on the strut top is in the perfect position, most people connect there.

[HoneyBadgerUK]

Also using an MXS5.0 on my 718 GT4. I use the passenger footwell socket also.

[FMOB]

Also use a Ctek MXS5.0 on my 997.2 C4S.

[nammynake]

Thanks for the suggestions. I’ve bought the Ctek MXS 5.0 with cigarette lighter adapter.