Which battery charger?
Discussion
Hi guys...dead battery in my scarcely used Boxster so I think it's time for one of those intelligent trickle chargers. Which one do I want? I assume there's a non-Porsche branded one which might save a few quid.
Car is a 986 (although will hopefully be replaced by a 996 next year if that makes any shred of difference)
Thanks
Car is a 986 (although will hopefully be replaced by a 996 next year if that makes any shred of difference)
Thanks
Hexanchus said:
Ctek MXS 5.0 been using one for a while and the previous model and they work well. OPC versions are badged CTek.
Got the same one - very good . Only issue with it is I want to keep it connected to the battery, but the length of the flex , the one with the clips , is too short to protrude out of the bonnet . I want to do this so I can leave it connected all the time and put the car cover on and charge at the same time . Does anyone know where I can get one ? Cheers 
http://smartercharger.com/products/accessories-cat...
Edited to add : found it on Amazon
Edited by RSVP911 on Saturday 12th November 17:15
RSVP911 said:
Hexanchus said:
Ctek MXS 5.0 been using one for a while and the previous model and they work well. OPC versions are badged CTek.
Got the same one - very good . Only issue with it is I want to keep it connected to the battery, but the length of the flex , the one with the clips , is too short to protrude out of the bonnet . I want to do this so I can leave it connected all the time and put the car cover on and charge at the same time . Does anyone know where I can get one ? Cheers http://smartercharger.com/products/accessories-cat...
Edited to add : found it on Amazon
Edited by RSVP911 on Saturday 12th November 17:15
Nice one, thanks guys.
Just so I am clear, I can keep the C-Tek connected 100% of the time, and it only charges the battery when needed?
The car gets enough use in summer that I don't need to worry about it, and although in winter it's taxed and ready to go, it only gets occasional use and this is where I have a problem!
Just so I am clear, I can keep the C-Tek connected 100% of the time, and it only charges the battery when needed?
The car gets enough use in summer that I don't need to worry about it, and although in winter it's taxed and ready to go, it only gets occasional use and this is where I have a problem!
You don't need an "intelligent" charger. A dumb battery conditioner will do just as well. It delivers ~300mA until the battery is charged, then stops. Is it intelligent? No. It stops because the battery voltage rises to the same as the output, and this means that no more current flows. You cannae change the laws of physics, cap'n.
I've also used a slightly bigger standard charger (1A iirc) and put it on a timer so that it only runs for an hour or two a day. This was on a car in a holiday home, it kept the battery in perfect order for several years, in fact the battery outlived the car.
Changing from a 986 to a 996 will make a difference of somewhere between nothing and bugger all.
I've also used a slightly bigger standard charger (1A iirc) and put it on a timer so that it only runs for an hour or two a day. This was on a car in a holiday home, it kept the battery in perfect order for several years, in fact the battery outlived the car.
Changing from a 986 to a 996 will make a difference of somewhere between nothing and bugger all.
Buster73 said:
Hexanchus said:
Sad I know but made up one up with ribbon cable so can shut the bonnet without squashing!
Hex , Let us in on your secret of how to do it please.
Bearing in mind we're not all engineers....
I used 20-way standard ribbon with 1.27mm pitch and is less than 1mm thick. Half the ribbon cores used for positive and the other half for 0V. Each conductor can carry approx 1A so total is about 10A which is double the Ctek's output so more than sufficient.
Split the ribbon at each end and strip back say 10mm and then twist half the cores together and then the other half. I soldered and insulated with heat-shrink but you could maybe use terminal blocks and then pot with glue to secure. Obviously have to be careful you don't swap the positive and negative or mis-count at one end which will cause a short! Double check and use a meter if you have one to verify connection.
I bolt the quick connect lead to the battery as the clamps don't hold that well and can ping off when the bonnet shuts.
edc said:
All this faffing around with splicing cables - just get the cigarette connector. Plug in and lay cable flat across sill, the door seals have some give, and job done.
This is what I do with my MXS-5 on my 996, been working fine for the last 2-3 years & means I'll never forget it's plugged in when I drive out of the garage 
edc said:
All this faffing around with splicing cables - just get the cigarette connector. Plug in and lay cable flat across sill, the door seals have some give, and job done.
I wan't sure that you could charge a 964 via the lighter - if you can then I agree - much simpler - does anyone know if you can ? Tight Git said:
If you can still find one in Aldi - they are £14 and source them from the same place as Ctek.
HTH
But they are not compatible with AGM batteries.HTH
CTEK model mentioned is.
It will also charge at 5amps to 80% capacity and then drop voltage gradually until full.
I've the 10amp version which is great with it's constant supply function.
Gassing Station | Porsche General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff