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Trouble with my C-Tech charger

ian harvey

PCGB Member
Member
I've been trying to keep my battery topped-up with my C-Tech, with only modest success. Firstly the cig-lighter connection was slack and I kept having to re-position the plug to maintain contact. Whenever I return to the garage it will have timed-out and need a waggle to get going again.

Someone suggested that I sprain the cig-lighter contacts out to secure the plug (once you've disconnected the battery) and this has been a success as far as a secure contact is concerned but now, with the battery pretty much dead, I get a electrical switch-type chatter from within the car's dash area accompanied by the C-Tec tripping out and what sounds like the alarm preparing to go off.
Does anyone know why this might be, please? I'm going to re-charge the battery via it's terminals and see if the C-Tec is happier working with a reasonably charged battery.

Any constructive information gratefully received. And yes, I am using the car regularly but a persistent heater-related issue is sapping charge after a few days...
 
You can also get a connector that fixes onto the battery. It is another way of doing the job and the lead wil come out of the Boot rather than the door
Are you sure the Cigar Lighter is Always on I know the 987/6 997/6 are
Do you have a separate auxiliary connector in the car - this may work better
 
I have a 964 and the cigarette lighter socket is only live with the ignition on or in the accessory position. Therefore I have connected a charger socket directly to the battery (it's a Ctek accessory but I've added a small inline fuse) and thus connect my charger in the boot. If you go this way, its best to lower the lid enough to turn the courtesy lights off but not to fully close it which would pinch the charge lead.

I recognise the relay chatter problem when the battery is very discharged and in that situation I disconnect one of the battery terminals until there's enough charge in the battery to hold all the relays.

My cigarette lighter socket is also slack, as you describe which is annoying if using it with a phone charger or a sat nav as it does need periodic checks to ensure it has not lost connection. I've been considering replacing it with a USB socket as it's only use is as a USB power source.

Paul.
 
Thanks Paul, Richard,

Very useful. MY socket does seem to be live (when the battery has any charge!) but I will recharge the battery direct for now. I'm relieved to hear about your experiences of the relay chatter, hopefully once I have restored some charge and now that the cig lighter is tightened I'll be able to use this option again.

If not I'll lash something up so direct with the battery, as suggested.

Ian
 
Charging via direct connection to the battery worked as intended and once reasonable charge was achieved I was able to resume charging via the cig lighter,again as expected. result, thanks.
 

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