Which Battery Charger?

[AndrewT]

So thats clear then
With the car still under warranty, i just want to make the right call.

Are we saying a 5.0 is the way to go?

If you do decide to order the CTEK MX5 you may want to order their cigarette lighter connect and 2.5 metre extension cable so that the conditioner can be positioned outside of the car.

I bought mine from Halfords, a reasonable price but not the cheapest however delivery was very quick.

 

[kjhurley]

I have a 991.2 Targa GTS (with smoker’s package) and can fully endorse Andrew’s last post. I recently purchased a CTEK MXS 5.0 and only realised later that it did not come with the cig lighter connector so ordered one of these separately, together with the 2.5m extension cable.

Setting up has proven pretty easy, particularly having read some of the other posts elsewhere on the forum. All you have to do is ensure there is power in the car at the point of inserting the cig lighter connector and powering the charging unit on. You can then turn the key off and lock the car and leave it; the socket clearly remains live whilst the charger is plugged in.

For me, the MXS 5.0 went through its various stages over about a 24/48 hour period until such time as the battery was fully charged (Stage 7).

Here’s hoping we come out of lockdown before too long!

Keith

 

[Brybentley]

This seems a hell of a faf.

I dont understand the outside of the car bit.

Ive just watched a youtube vid and the guys just opens the boot and connects the terminals. Job done.

Why do i need 2 more cables?

Also im seeing conflicting info on where to attached the black cable.

The video shows attaching direct to the battery buy ive seen advice on connecting to an earth lug to the side of the battery.

surely in 2020 it must be easier than this.[]

 

[Lancerlot]

Why not take a look in the 991 Tricks and Tips section?
Item 1 in the Index provides a link explaining all about Ctek chargers!
Regards,

Clive

 

[findtom.com]

It gets worse. There is a lot of contradicting advice on the internet... Don't connect a charger direct to the battery, it warns you specifically not to do that in the handbook. If you buy the CTEK then they typically fit directly to the battery/terminal post, which on a 911 means you need to open your bonnet and move the battery cover each time you charge the battery, (you can also buy another type of lead that you leave in the car connected to the battery). Another optional CTEK 12v cigarette port lead, means you can just open your car door and plug the charger directly into the 12v socket inside the car. (I think on the 991.2 you need the smoking package, but there might have been an additional 12v socket in the passenger footwell)? The Porsche Tequipment version has the 12v socket fitted as standard.

I went through this last year with my 991.2, did loads of research and am rapidly reaching the same conclusion, that the best way to look after your car is to buy the Porsche charger. Let me highlight why it works for me:

Porsche Charger (Tequipment Charge-o-mat Pro) Pros:
No warranty issues.
It will be the right charger for your car as recommended by Porsche.
Has cigarette lighter connections as standard, (but you need a 12v soccer inside the car).
Is actually a CTEK charger.
Plug in and forget.
Cons:
It is a CTEK charger but only a very simple one.
Costs slightly more than a CTEK and has less features.

CTEK Charger (5.0 or XS) Pros:
Has lots of extra features that allows greater control/recovery of a battery.
Is less expensive than the Porsche version, (but not by much).
Cons:
Not recommend by Porsche, if you have any battery or electrical issues it "could" affect your warranty, (very unlikely but worth noting).
It does more for the battery, but is it needed?
Extra leads are required to make the charging simpler, (12v cigarette or leave in the car lead). Not really a con but one to be aware of.
Its extra features mean it requires a bit more input that just plug and forget.
CTEK customer service is not great. I wrote to them yesterday to ask which charger to use for my 992 and they recommended the wrong one...

I was looking at buying the CTEK but on reflection I have ordered yet another Porsche charger for my 992.

Tom

 

[Motorhead]

I'd be inclined just to go for the croc clip attachment Bryan. I've been using that method for about 10-years to connect my ancient CTEK and haven't had any problems. Originally I used an internal power-point attachment, but reverted to the croc clips when the connection became intermittent. Much more reliable to go direct in my opinion.

Just make sure that you use the attachment method described in your Driver's Manual.

Jeff

 

[fireblade]

For what it is worth I use the 12v plug socket adapter, much quicker and more convenient than opening the bonnet.

 

[AndrewT]

I dont understand the outside of the car bit.

Ive just watched a youtube vid and the guys just opens the boot and connects the terminals. Job done.

Why do i need 2 more cables?
........

My CTEK is connected to the battery (987.2 Cayman) with the boot lid shut and the car cover on,
I don’t want to faf around uncovering the car and opening the bonnet just to see the CTEK battery condition display. With the extension lead I can see the battery condition display without touching the car. The same would apply if I connected the CTEK via a cigarette lighter.

If you want to leave your CTEK in the boot or in the car that will work fine.