Charging via footwell socket - again

[mikegibson]

Until recently, I never had an issue trickle charging my 2019 992 via the footwell socket. Recently, my car went in for yet another flat battery related issue resulting in the convertible top/service hatch module being replaced. At the same time, a few other software modules were updated. Ever since, my car does not charge via the footwell socket. Historically, I have always used a direct connection if the battery was close to flat as it always refused to charge via the footwell when the battery was low, but for trickle charging, when leaving parked up for a longer period, I never had any issues using the footwell; that has all changed and like many owners (dare I say most), any charging cycle terminates around 30 minutes after starting. I have always suspected it to be a software issue and this recent experience only adds weight to that

In the same vein, a recent post on an other forum (992 trickle charger - Page 6 - Rennlist - Porsche Discussion Forums) which appears to originate from a OPC (USA) workshop seems to confirm the footwell solution is not as it should be. Very annoying if you splash out on the Porsche Charge-o-mat only to find you need to but an adapter to connect to the battery directly.

I cannot believe that Porsche have not addressed this issue or owned up to it.

 

[Lancerlot]

I have a 2021 992 and have been able to charge the lithium battery using the footwell socket by following the procedure outlined in Battery Chat in the 992 Technical Articles here.

As regards your case, with no issues prior to the module updates, clearly something has been changed upsetting the equilibrium. Maybe worth a call back to the PC to ask whether a reinstatement is possible.

Regards,

Clive

 

[checkers]

Having used the footwell charging point
over the last 4 years with a 992S and
now a 992 T the connection process
as detailed works consistently well.
The only problem related to long term
connection over 5/6 weeks when the charger did turn off once or twice.
The workshop manager at my OPC
confirmed this was also an issue for them and was pinpointed slight voltage
variation in their mains supply interfering with the charger circuitry
(ctek)

 

[Lancerlot]

Also the charging process will not resume following a power cut and will need to be reset. ??
Regards,

Clive

 

[mikegibson]

I have a 2021 992 and have been able to charge the lithium battery using the footwell socket by following the procedure outlined in Battery Chat in the 992 Technical Articles here.

As regards your case, with no issues prior to the module updates, clearly something has been changed upsetting the equilibrium. Maybe worth a call back to the PC to ask whether a reinstatement is possible.

Regards,

Clive

Oddly, even when mine charged happily via the footwell socket, it only did so if I turned off the ignition prior to turning on the charger. The footwell socket has a mind of its own me thinks!

 

[mikegibson]

... after a visit to the OPC for its 4 year service, and recoding of some vehicle parameters, charging via the footwell socket is up and going again.

 

[mikegibson]

Since celebrating the resumption of service of my footwell socket for battery maintenance, I have noted some different behaviour in respect of any accessories plugged into the socket.

When I got the car back, I left it a couple of days and plugged in the maintainer. I confirmed that the socket stayed alive - back to "normal" I thought and posted that all was back to normal. Well, that is not quite the case though my experience seems to be the same as a few other owners reported experience on another site.

I then went on a 4 day drive around Wales' glorious roads with some friends. On the first evening, after parking up at our hotel, I left my dashcam and Road Angel plugged into the footwell accessory socket assuming it would turn off after 30 minutes. Imagine my surprise to find both devices alive when returning after dinner several hours later. For interest, I left them plugged in only to find that they were still powered up in the morning (around 12 hours after parking).

The following night, I also left them plugged in only to find that on returning after dinner (4 hours after parking) they were still powered. I left them plugged in. HOWEVER, the following morning they were powered down.

The following night, the same behaviour: several hours after parking they were still powered but after around 12 hours they were off.; I have no idea how many hours they remains on after parking but it is something between 4 and 12 hrs.

My conclusion is that the accessory socket is only disabled once the car electronics detect some drain of the battery; this might be longer than 30 minutes. After a long drive or having already been on the maintainer, that period may be several hours given the light load of a dashcam etc. My thought is that the car will keep the accessory socket alive for a MINIMUM of 30 minutes BUT if the battery is in a good state of charge then it MAY stay alive a lot longer. Furthermore, this does mean that the "30 minute rule" for connection of the maintainer may not be as absolute as we assume; you may have longer if the battery is in a good state of charge to start with; though that is not particularly helpful or relevant.

As a side bar, I have seen several posts elsewhere where owners state that the footwell socket on their vehicle is permanently live; this might be an impression/assumption based on it being active for longer than the legendary 30 minutes. It would be really helpful if Porsche could issue a definitive statement of how this works (if they know []).

 

[Peter_Bull]

I can't really be bothered with the why and wherefores of the intermittent footwell charging socket as it appears, like you say, to have a mind of its own,

With my current and last 992 I have the positive lead direct to the battery and the negative to the terminal ground post nearby.

I leave it connected all the time and just connect the extended lead to the charge as and when I need it. No need to worry if it will every shut off!