Battery trickle charger / battery conditioner

[mohamos]

Hi All,

I have a 997 C4 and wonder whether there is a battery trickle charger / conditioner that you recommend?

Thanks in advance!

Sid,

 

[Motorhead]

Sid,

I've used a CTEK conditioner continuously for the past 9-years and have been very pleased with it.

Others I'm sure will be able to provide alternative recommendations.

Jeff

 

[Chrishazle]

It's either Lidl or Aldi (I think Lidl) that occasionally do a conditioner for about £15, considerably cheaper than CTEK. I've seen varied reports, some saying they only last 3 years and others saying they're as good as CTEK! Haven't got one myself - I use one I bought about 20 years ago, think it's Swiss, at the time it was the only one recommended by any major car maunfacturer (BMW, to my eternal shame!) and has served me very well.

I've only ever seen good reports about CTEK (I believe the Porsche conditioner is just a re-badged CTEK at Porsche price!!), and I've seen this question many times between the 4 car forums I frequent.

I'm certain that using a conditioner is good for 2 reasons - it means the battery is fully charged whenever you want to use the car, and I'm certain it enhances and prolongs battery life. My 968 coupe had a 10 year old battery in it when I sold the car, it was still going strong, whereas the car had 2 batteries in the first 7 years of it's life (only 2 1/2 in my ownership, and at that time I did not have a conditioner).

 

[tscaptain]

Moved to 997 as original post was in the wrong area. All the gen on the Ctek conditioners here
https://www.porscheclubgb...OWN+CTEK+Porsche+Forum

 

[66PCF911]

Another vote for CTEK. I have two - older one for the 997 and newer one for a car with stop start which needs a specific cycle. Both have never given any trouble.

Peter

 

[mohamos]

Thanks Jeff,
The recommendation is appreciated!
Sid

 

[mohamos]

Thanks ChrisHazle!

Really appreciate the detailed response,

Sid

 

[mohamos]

Thanks ChrisHazle!

Really appreciate the detailed response,

Sid

 

[tscaptain]

He only needs to be thanked once....[]

 

[matt_muller]

Sid,

I've used a CTEK conditioner continuously for the past 9-years and have been very pleased with it.

Others I'm sure will be able to provide alternative recommendations.

Jeff

hi I'm also looking for a charger:

997 Gen 1 C2

Do you connect the CTEK directly into the cigar point? or to battery terminals.
My options which I'm considering are: Porsche version or CTEK MSX 5.0 - I'd rather use the cigar connector.. for ease of use.
if anyone has any experiences with these Great!

(sorry for piggy backing on this forum question but thought it may help)

 

[Lancerlot]

Take a look at the link tscaptain provided in post #4. It's all in there. []
Regards,

Clive

 

[Motorhead]

Matt,

Just to say that although I started with using the cig connector I favour the reliability of direct connection to the battery terminals using either the croc clips or the flying lead provided by CTEK.

Jeff

 

[matt_muller]

Take a look at the link tscaptain provided in post #4. It's all in there. []
Regards,

Clive

That link doesn't work for me?

 

[matt_muller]

Matt,

Just to say that although I started with using the cig connector I favour the reliability of direct connection to the battery terminals using either the croc clips or the flying lead provided by CTEK.

Jeff

On the video's CTEK MSX 5.0 says to connect earth terminal ? rather than negative.

 

[Lancerlot]

Take a look at the link tscaptain provided in post #4. It's all in there. []
Regards,

Clive

That link doesn't work for me?

Sorry, hadn't realised you were not a Club member. You have to be a registered PCGB member to access some forum areas.
Regards,

Clive

 

[matt_muller]

Take a look at the link tscaptain provided in post #4. It's all in there. []
Regards,

Clive

That link doesn't work for me?

Sorry, hadn't realised you were not a Club member. You have to be a registered PCGB member to access some forum areas.
Regards,

Clive

ok thanks .. I'm going to join just not got rund to it

 

[Chrishazle]

The big question with connecting to the cig lighter is "is it live ignition off". Not on a 968 or, for that matter, any of the cig lighter type connectors in my MB! Fortunately the leads from my conditioner are very thin, so I can connect with crocodile clips direct to the battery in the boot and close the boot lid over the leads without damage to the leads or the boot lid seal.

 

[tscaptain]

The big answer is yes, the ciggie lighter is live ignition off on the 997. It's what I use on both. The 928 one is connected directly to the battery of course.

 

[Motorhead]

Matt,

Just to say that although I started with using the cig connector I favour the reliability of direct connection to the battery terminals using either the croc clips or the flying lead provided by CTEK.

Jeff

On the video's CTEK MSX 5.0 says to connect earth terminal ? rather than negative.

I'm sure either will be fine for your 997 but I've used the negative battery terminal with no problems. There's a gap between the windscreen and bonnet through which you can feed the cable.

I think that connecting to an earth terminal was required for the 991/981 series cars to keep the battery conditioning in circuit.

Jeff

 

[iprice]

I use CTEC since I bought the car 2.1/2 years ago straight on to the battery terminals .been fine and there is a gap top of the bonnet for the cables
I extended the cable leads so I can get the car cover on .it works well