Boxster 981 - Battery charger/conditioner - connection?

[keiththo]

I have a late 2015 Cayman and didn't think to use the 12v sockets. I have the Ctek start/stop charger and have connected it directly to the battery and terminal post. Initially I removed the large cover in the front boot each time but soon got bored with that and have found that the supplied lead is just about long enough to get the connector to the outside near the offside wiper blade. It still means opening the bonnet to connect connect each time.

Keith

 

[chris.foulger@outlook.com]

Can anybody help with this connection query?
I have a 2016 Boxster 2.7 and am trying to connect a Ctek MXS 5.0 Battery Charger/Conditioner via the 12v socket either under the armrest or in the passenger footwell. I plug the connector in, turn on the mains supply and close the car door. Indicator lights are shown on the Charger/Conditioner - however 10 minutes later the the lights go out and the Charger/Conditioner is obviously not operating. I'm assuming the car's electronics have switched off the 12v sockets. I have a friend with a 718 Cayman and his works via the 12v socket in the footwell. Also on other forums there are comments that connection via the "cigarette" lighter works, including the 981 model. Were the electronics changed for the 2016 year?
I have resorted to removing the big plastic cover in the front boot to expose the battery and then make the connections with crocodile clips on to the Negative post on the bulkhead and the Positive terminal on the Battery. The lead to the Charger/Conditioner can exit under the front boot lid. So the boot is closed, car locked and the Charger/Conditioner works perfectly!
BUT it's a real pain having to remove and re--attach that big plastic cover!
Thanks in advance for any advice.
Chris
Member No. 59490

 

[Motorhead]

Chris,

I have a 987.2 CS so can't speak from experience, but I seem to recall that one way to get round your power socket problem is to have the ignition switched on when you connect and power-up your CTEK. Once the unit is active you can then turn off the ignition and the socket should then remain active - but don't take that as gospel..!

If that doesn't work then the only way is to connect directly to the battery/body post either with croc clips or using the method described by Keith. In my opinion (and experience over 10-years of CTEK usage) this is always a more reliable method.

Jeff

 

[Chappelle]

I use the cigarette lighter in my older 987 when in the garage but both cars have the cable-with-plug connected directly to the battery / battery connections on the Boxster / Macan respectively meaning I can charge either on the drive if I chose to

 

[tjb]

I have the CTEK on my Boxster 981 and following previous research which advised that connection to the power point/cigarette lighter socket did not work I made the connections to the battery using the supplied ring connectors, connecting one to the battery terminal and the other to an Earth point near to the battery, again research advised against connecting to direct to both terminals as this may damage the electrics or cause other problems.

So the cable runs out onto the top of the battery cover so I do not have to remove this to connect to the charger and the connector has a rubber seal to protect it from the elements when not in use, I then have an extension cable that plugs into the connector and runs out of car in the gap near the windscreen wiper so that the front can be closed and then connects to the charger.

A very simple and easy solution.

 

[n8ony]

Hi. I have a 981 and use an optimate charger. I also used the permanent fly lead which is long enough to sit on top of the plastic panel once connected to the battery, and then is simply plugged in each time and the bonnet closed on top. The BIG issue is to remember to disconnect it before driving off !!!!

 

[GrahamW]

The CTEK charger works well on my 718 and on my previous 981 via the cig lighter in the arm rest and has done so for the last 5 years. The trick is to have the ignition live to get power to both connection points before you connect the CTEK. So, drive car in garage (or on driveway), switch off ignition, and within 10 mins ( the manual says the cig lighter connection points remain live for up to 10 mins) connect the CTEK charger. The car then recognises the input power source from one of the car inputs and leaves this point live. Simples!

 

[Gorsh]

The CTEK charger works well on my 718 and on my previous 981 via the cig lighter in the arm rest and has done so for the last 5 years. The trick is to have the ignition live to get power to both connection points before you connect the CTEK. So, drive car in garage (or on driveway), switch off ignition, and within 10 mins ( the manual says the cig lighter connection points remain live for up to 10 mins) connect the CTEK charger. The car then recognises the input power source from one of the car inputs and leaves this point live. Simples!

Hi Graham, you're method is correct for cars that work this way - but many cars still disconnect the power sockets. This is a well known issue as mentioned above. I have had a 2015 981 GTS, a 991.2 GTS which always worked with my Ctek from the power sockets, but my present 981 BGTS (also 2015) will not work no matter what combination of actions I try. So as above the best method is using the CTEK cable with eyelets, positive one to the battery and negative one to the unused threaded hole on the LH inner wing (need a M8 bolt). I then have the connecting plug fed through the finger hole on the plastic cover ready for connecting the CTEK easily by just lifting the bonnet and run the cable out by the wipers, then close the bonnet.

 

[tjb]

The CTEK charger works well on my 718 and on my previous 981 via the cig lighter in the arm rest and has done so for the last 5 years. The trick is to have the ignition live to get power to both connection points before you connect the CTEK. So, drive car in garage (or on driveway), switch off ignition, and within 10 mins ( the manual says the cig lighter connection points remain live for up to 10 mins) connect the CTEK charger. The car then recognises the input power source from one of the car inputs and leaves this point live. Simples!

Hi Graham, you're method is correct for cars that work this way - but many cars still disconnect the power sockets. This is a well known issue as mentioned above. I have had a 2015 981 GTS, a 991.2 GTS which always worked with my Ctek from the power sockets, but my present 981 BGTS (also 2015) will not work no matter what combination of actions I try. So as above the best method is using the CTEK cable with eyelets, positive one to the battery and negative one to the unused threaded hole on the LH inner wing (need a M8 bolt). I then have the connecting plug fed through the finger hole on the plastic cover ready for connecting the CTEK easily by just lifting the bonnet and run the cable out by the wipers, then close the bonnet.

Exactly the same way I have connected mine and run the cables, works perfectly and without problem, also provides easy access to the cables without having to run them into the cars cabin.

 

[chris.foulger@outlook.com]

Many thanks to all who replied. Looks like my car is in the same category as Gorsh suggests. The eyelet lead is obviously the answer, connected in the way proposed.

That saves me the pain of having to remove and replace the plastic cover!

I have tried the "10 minute" solution but both sockets still switch off after that time lapse

Happy Boxstering when you can!

 

[AndrewCS]

Whilst pursuing a C-TEK accessory with a supplier today, he mentioned that the 12v sockets are dealer `configurable` … maybe explains some of the differences that those with similar cars are experiencing ?

 

[hotfrog1]

I have bought three Ctek 3.8 chargers. I have been very dubious about bolting the supplied lead to the battery. It is un-fused and, in my opinion a liability. Considering the amount of trouble that Porsche go to to protect every conceivable item on the car with a fuse, having an insecure un-fused wire directly on the battery makes no sense.

 

[AndrewCS]

Battery connector … 15 amp fused https://www.frazerpart.com/acatalog/Porsche-battery-status-condition-monitor.html#SID=25 … maximum charge rate from C-TEK is I believe 10 amps.

 

[kitchens]

Many thanks to all who replied. Looks like my car is in the same category as Gorsh suggests. The eyelet lead is obviously the answer, connected in the way proposed.

That saves me the pain of having to remove and replace the plastic cover!

I have tried the "10 minute" solution but both sockets still switch off after that time lapse

Happy Boxstering when you can!

Also when fitting the O eyelet cut a small section out to form a C that way you only need to slacken off the nut on the side of the terminal posts and slip the C piece in and retighten ..job done

 

[hotfrog1]

Thank you for that. It looks like an excellent solution.

 

[Tom__P]

I have a late 2015 Cayman and didn't think to use the 12v sockets. I have the Ctek start/stop charger and have connected it directly to the battery and terminal post. Initially I removed the large cover in the front boot each time but soon got bored with that and have found that the supplied lead is just about long enough to get the connector to the outside near the offside wiper blade. It still means opening the bonnet to connect connect each time.

Keith

This is the same as i do on my 2015 981 boxster and works well with the same C-Tek charger. The excess lead i just tuck into the 'Frunk', when its not connected. Its been working well for about 2yrs now. Never thought to use the 12v socket.

Cheers,

Tom

 

[andrew0401]

Our 981 Spyder came with a "free" Porsche battery conditioner (Rebadged CTEK) - but in came with the 12v power plug to go into the internal socket. I am looking for an adapter(?) or even multiple converters to have a permanent connection (via spade connectors) on the battery and feed to cable in under the front avoiding all rubber seals.

I can find cables with the spade connectors and with a small connector to tuck under the front hood - but none that will take a 12v plug designed for the old cigarette lighter socket? Am I looking for the impossible or am I going to start cable cutting and build my own??

Thanks for any clues

Andrew

 

[hotfrog1]

This is probably what you are looking for. www.ctek.com/uk/products/car/connect-cig-plug

I have bought three Ctek 3.8. I am an avid user. Each one came with three adapter end leads: Croc clips. eye terminals for the battery and cigar lighter. I would not use the direct battery connection myself as the leads are unfused and the connector is loose under the bonnet ready to get trapped. The cigar lighter version has a built in fuse and is any case removed when the car is driven. Also, each Ctek that I have bought came with a 13A fuse in the plug which makes it non-compliant, it should be 3A for light consumer device under 700 watts. ref: www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/guidance/safety-around-the-home/plugs-and-fuses/#:~:text=A%20common%20UK%20plug%20is,%2C%20jig%20saw%2C%20soldering%20iron

 

[AndrewCS]

Will these work for you ... ?

https://www.ctek.com/uk/products/car/255-connect-cig-socket ... fused

https://www.frazerpart.com/acatalog/Porsche-battery-status-condition-monitor.html#SID=25 ... fused

 

[SpyderDavid]

Our 981 Spyder came with a "free" Porsche battery conditioner (Rebadged CTEK) - but in came with the 12v power plug to go into the internal socket. I am looking for an adapter(?) or even multiple converters to have a permanent connection (via spade connectors) on the battery and feed to cable in under the front avoiding all rubber seals.

I can find cables with the spade connectors and with a small connector to tuck under the front hood - but none that will take a 12v plug designed for the old cigarette lighter socket? Am I looking for the impossible or am I going to start cable cutting and build my own??

Thanks for any clues

Andrew

You need the CTEK connector that has the larger eyelets so that you can fit one side of the connection to the chassis point - either the wiper base or there is another point on the passenger side suspension turret that will take a bolt and do the same. Do not connect both sides directly to the battery or you bypass the little black box that controls the charging regime - all explained in the manual. None of the 12v sockets stay live in my Spyder - seems that at some point Porsche changed the software as some 981s work and others don’t.