Battery trickle charger for 987.2

Andy Sapir · Sep 25, 2018

Hi all,
I have a Boxster 987 Gen2 parked on our drive. During the winter it is covered though does get a 'spin' every 10-14 days. Some advice please about battery trickle chargers:
* What type of charger would you recommend?
* We don't have power nearby, is it safe to run an extension cable from the garage (about 10m). Do I need an all weather cable?
* Is it a problem fitting/using a charger with a car cover?
Thanks in advance!
Andy

DrSimon · Sep 25, 2018

I use a Ctek MXS 3.8 to keep my battery conditioned over the winter months. I found the cable wasn't long enough to reach the car so I bought a waterproof box with an extension cable as well. My car is garaged in a covered area but I was concerned about moisture potentially getting into the sockets. I plug the Ctek charger into the cigarette socket and run the cable through the bottom of the door. The cable isn't pinched due to the soft door seals. If your car doesn't have a cigarette lighter socket you can wire it up to the battery directly and run the cable through the top of the bonnet. Links to the charger and box are below.

Weatherproof box:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Masterplug-WBXBFG10B-Outdoor-Weatherproof-Extension/dp/B0062GTL42/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1537866427&sr=8-1&keywords=masterplug+wbxbfg10b+outdoor+ip54+weatherproof+box+with+13amp+4

Ctek charger:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/CTEK-MXS-3-8-Automatic-Motorcycle/dp/B00E5VS58Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1537866455&sr=8-2&keywords=CTEK+MXS+3.8+Automatic+Battery+Charger

I believe the club sell the a Ctek charger so you might want to compare prices. It's a fantastic bit of kit. Extremely simple to use and keeps the battery in top condition for as long as you want.

Simon

DrSimon · Sep 25, 2018

Hi Andy,

I forgot to say that my car is covered throughout the grotty weather and there's no problem using a charger. As I said before, either run the cable out through the bottom of the door, or through the top of the bonnet if plugging directly into the battery. You might want to run the cable over something soft on the paintwork to avoid scratches - I'm a bit obsessive like that!

Simon

Andy Sapir · Sep 25, 2018

Hi Simon,
Thanks for the info. I hear conflicting views about whether it's OK to plug the charger into the ciggie socket in a 987.2, any idea?
Cheers,
Andy

DrSimon · Sep 25, 2018

Hi Andy,

I use the charger on my 997.2 turbo so I can't comment on the 987.2 Boxster. I'm sure someone will be along any moment to help you out on that.

Simon

Motorhead · Sep 25, 2018

Hi Andy,

FYI I've been using a CTEK charger on my (garaged) 987.2 Cayman for more than 8-years with no problems. Although the cigarette socket works OK (it's permanently live) I prefer to connect to the battery directly.

The only problem I'm experiencing with my ancient CTEK is that the control button is now a bit intermittent, probably due to corrosion build-up on the contacts over the years.

Jeff

DrSimon · Sep 25, 2018

The charger fits neatly into the waterproof box and I find that keeps any moisture out of the system. The box then snugly fits under the car and keeps all the cables out of the way. I'm hoping that it stops any possible corrosion over the years.

Andy Sapir · Sep 25, 2018

Hi Jeff,
Thanks for the swift reply. Just curious why you prefer to connect to the battery instead of the cig socket?
Andy

Hendy3023 · Sep 25, 2018

Hi Andy. I have a CTEK Trickle charger , would highly recommend.
Been discussed at length in previous post - Page 10 8th Feb 2018 ( 2 pages ) might have tips for you.

Hendy.

Andy Sapir · Sep 25, 2018

Thanks everyone for your help, this forum is amazing. Final question on this topic (I hope): is the CTEK 3.8 amp sufficient (not the 5 amp)?
Andy

Chappelle · Sep 25, 2018

I have a CTEK too plugged into the cigarette lighter socket on my 987.1

it is low voltage low current so see no issues doing this and it works perfectly

Surprised Kitchens hasn’t responded. Aldi or is it Lidl do a VERY similar product to the Ctek

Rather than extend the mains I’ve extended the 12v cable with a quality copper wire. Another option for you: keep the Ctek in the garage and run a long low voltage cable

Motorhead · Sep 25, 2018

Andy Sapir said:
Hi Jeff,
Thanks for the swift reply. Just curious why you prefer to connect to the battery instead of the cig socket?
Andy

Andy,

I started off using the cigarette socket but had some connection problems either with CTEK plug or the socket itself, I'm not sure. Since then I've used the croc clips without issues. The CTEK kit includes a lead with eyelet connectors which can be attached to the battery/earthing point directly as an alternative to the croc clips.

The 3.8 amp version will be fine. Mine's an ancient version rated at 3.6 amp (I think) and it's still working fine.

As Richard has pointed out, Lidl sometimes have a special offering which seems to be cheap and well regarded according to a number of forum posts.

Jeff

Hardy · Sep 25, 2018

I also use a Ctek MXS 3.8, an excellent bit of kit, on my 987.2 Cayman. I have the cigarette lighter socket adaptor cable as well. The charger sits on the garage floor with the cable running under the passenger door. The cable runs past the door seals without getting nipped or marking the paintwork. No problem with the connections provided the cigarette lighter plug is fully inserted. It’s used most of the time when car is in the garage, summer or winter.

richardjjs1 · Sep 25, 2018

CTEK unit is waterproof. Must admit I think I should have a longer cable But otherwise it excellent

DrSimon said:
I use a Ctek MXS 3.8 to keep my battery conditioned over the winter months. I found the cable wasn't long enough to reach the car so I bought a waterproof box with an extension cable as well. My car is garaged in a covered area but I was concerned about moisture potentially getting into the sockets. I plug the Ctek charger into the cigarette socket and run the cable through the bottom of the door. The cable isn't pinched due to the soft door seals. If your car doesn't have a cigarette lighter socket you can wire it up to the battery directly and run the cable through the top of the bonnet. Links to the charger and box are below.

Weatherproof box:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Masterplug-WBXBFG10B-Outdoor-Weatherproof-Extension/dp/B0062GTL42/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1537866427&sr=8-1&keywords=masterplug+wbxbfg10b+outdoor+ip54+weatherproof+box+with+13amp+4

Ctek charger:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/CTEK-MXS-3-8-Automatic-Motorcycle/dp/B00E5VS58Y/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1537866455&sr=8-2&keywords=CTEK+MXS+3.8+Automatic+Battery+Charger

I believe the club sell the a Ctek charger so you might want to compare prices. It's a fantastic bit of kit. Extremely simple to use and keeps the battery in top condition for as long as you want.

Simon

kitchens · Sep 25, 2018

Right on Q Richard [

] save a fortune buy the Lidl one on offer this Thursday for £13.99 suits the 987 just connect the crock clips direct to the battery ..as others have said waterproof the extension cable .Using both and works well but not so suitable on the 981 as its a faff removing the battery cover to connect the clips so use the Ctek for that .

Wollemi · Sep 25, 2018

For the last five winters I have used a solar trickle charger propped up behind the seats with the car parked facing south. It just plugs into the cigarette lighter socket and works perfectly. Even in the depth of winter there is enough power generated that the car starts without any trouble, even on one occasion after six weeks. Much easier than running a power cable to a car which lives outside. I guess with a garaged car you could put the panel in a window or outside the garage (my solar panel is waterproof).

T911UK · Sep 26, 2018

The Lidl one is excellent, you need a big solar panel to properly charge a battery!

Gorsh · Sep 26, 2018

If you haven't already bought a CTEK I think it's worth getting a good one - I have the MSX 5 bought from Amazon, this will charge most vehicles including motorbikes. 10m is too far to run a CTEK extension lead as I'm not sure if the joints are waterproof, so an extension lead into a waterproof junction box by the car would be the best way and running the cable under the drivers door saves it rubbing on paintwork anywhere (just ensure the cable is flat where it goes under the door).

Andy Sapir · Sep 26, 2018

Thanks everyone for your help, much appreciated. I have bought a CTEK and a waterproof box.
Andy

phlize · Sep 28, 2018

Motorhead said:
Hi Andy,

FYI I've been using a CTEK charger on my (garaged) 987.2 Cayman for more than 8-years with no problems. Although the cigarette socket works OK (it's permanently live) I prefer to connect to the battery directly.

The only problem I'm experiencing with my ancient CTEK is that the control button is now a bit intermittent, probably due to corrosion build-up on the contacts over the years.

Jeff

I've had problems with the control button on my CTEK - it's a simple fix if you are handy with a soldering iron. What you need is an 'intermittent tactile switch' - ie. one that doesn't stay 'on' - I think they call it 'push push'. The problem is the quality of these switches - they tend to be sold by the 100 for just a few pounds. I found a deal on eBay - 2 for 90p incl post - but I guess I'll be replacing it again in a couple of years. I've done it twice now in 10 years. Better than throwing the thing away as they're not cheap.
Phil.