Menu toggle

CTEK trickle charger

Mattcs

Mattcs

New member
It seems that a trickle/conditioning charger, such as a CTEK 5.0 is a good idea to keep the battery in the Boxster in optimum tip top shape. You can buy these with the cigarette lighter plug which I presume will work on my 2004 car? However can you use the charger with the car locked, i.e. with the cable through a small gap at the window top or will this affect the electronics or likely set off the alarm?
 
Just run it across the door sill and shut the door. The seal will just compress around the cable.
 
Mine came with a connector to attach to the battery terminals and crocodile connectors, the cable can pass between the bonnet edge and the screen,
 
Save your money if it is anything other than a 981 buy the Lidl /Aldi one for £14 it has croc clips so just take off the battery cover and clip on the leads and bring the cable out the front trunk simple have 2 in use at present .The reason not suitable for the 981 is to get to the battery you have to dismantle the whole front cover not too easy a job ,I use the CTek for this with a permanent connector to the battery and just plug in to the adaptor into the other end through the battery cover .I have used the Lidl ones for years and do the same job never an issue .
 
I use one with my 981
just plugs into socket in the armrest
gently shut the door on it
no probs yet a year in
 
I've used Airflow battery conditioners for over 10 years on my Boxster, BMW, Land Rover and Honda motorcycle. As others have said, these conditioners can be plugged into the constantly 'live' cigarette/accessory socket with the lead fed in through the door seal (just make sure the lead is fed upwards rather than downwards if the car is parked out of doors to avoid rain tracking along the lead into the interior). BTW, the Lidl conditioners work really well too for under half the price of Airflows or CTEK products.
 
Would say the Lidl ones are at least 1/4 off the price of a CTEK , I always have a spare at £14 how can you go wrong ,the only issue is they are only on special a few times a year. Have put loads of owners on here on to them over the years especially at this time of year when most are not driven on a regular basis a conditioner is essential .
 
kitchens said:
when most are not driven on a regular basis a conditioner is essential .
Click to expand...


Anyone have an opinion as to how often we should drive our cars not to need a charger? I used to charge my Cayman but now we run two Porsches [:)] we share the mileage between them as best we can so both get used.
 
Went for the Lidl charger as in stock at my local store. Quality certainly looks very good and it works fine, excellent value.
 
Hi all I have the LIDL charger and in the instructions it mentions disconnecting the car negative terminal before connecting the charger?? Can anyone advise do you always disconnect the negative, what issues will I have if I don't disconnect it before charging

Thanks
 
Hi Mark,
I made up a little wiring loom connected to the negative side & the positive with an inline waterproof blade fuse and a connector on the end with the reciprocal one on the end of the charger leads. I connect it up and it works fine then disconnect to drive and just tuck the connector down the side. The advantage is I can bring the lead out the top of the bonnet and lock the car and even put the cover on no problem.
 
Hi Mattcs thanks for your response , do you use the LIDL charger with this set up , and looking how you connect the charger it appears that you don’t disconnect any of the existing leads ftom the battery going to the car ? I was just checking that this doesn’t cause any problems with the electrics on the car by leaving everthing connected ?
thanks mark
 
Yes I use the Lidl unit and very pleased with it. Don't disconnect anything and it all seems fine. I was originally contemplating fitting a cigarette lighter type plug to the charger leads and charging that way like the CTEK unit but with this way no need to close the lead in the door even though I know many people do this without problems.
 
I tried my CTEK permanently wired to the battery, seamed like the right engineering solution.
But I found opening bonnet to connect and disconnect it, was an unnecessary faff.
So got the CTEK ciggy lighter extension thingy. It is quite a superb bit of kit. Has nifty LED indicators built-in showing state of your charge.
I just pull into the garage, open the car door, reach across for lead and plug it in.
Close and lock the door on the lead at the cill, no pinching, plenty of play in the rubbers, jobs a good'n, worth every penny.





I have a Lidl smart charger as well, which is superb value, but that it is now relegated to caravan duty.
 
Ive got both as well
Wish I had read this first as I would not have bought the CTEK charger.

Find the CTEK a bit disappointing as the 6 and 7 light do not show what they should (On either car)


my CTEK is permanently wired into battery on 986 and I bought a second lead for BMW Convertible


 
richardjjs1 said:
Find the CTEK a bit disappointing as the 6 and 7 light do not show what they should (On either car)
Click to expand...
Strange, I have two MXS 5s and they both work fine. I used one on my previous 987 with a normal battery, and now on my 981 and Audi with AGM batteries. It can take several days for the last light to come on, particularly using the AGM setting on AGM batteries. The older unit doesn't have an AGM setting but says use the winter setting with AGM batteries.

One downside of the Lidl and Aldi chargers when I investigated a couple of years ago is that they turned themselves off in he event of a power cut (buried in the instructions somewhere), whilst the CTEK just carries on as though nothing has happened.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Posts made and opinions expressed are those of the individual forum members

Use of the Forum is subject to the Terms and Conditions

Disclaimer

The opinions expressed on this site are not necessarily those of the Club, who shall have no liability in respect of them or the accuracy of the content. The Club assumes no responsibility for any effects arising from errors or omissions.

Porsche Club Great Britain gives no warranties, guarantees or assurances and makes no representations or recommendations regarding any goods or services advertised on this site. It is the responsibility of visitors to satisfy themselves that goods and/or services supplied by any advertiser are bona fide and in no instance can the Porsche Club Great Britain be held responsible.

When responding to advertisements please ensure that you satisfy yourself of any applicable call charges on numbers not prefixed by usual "landline" STD Codes. Information can be obtained from the operator or the white pages. Before giving out ANY information regarding cars, or any other items for sale, please satisfy yourself that any potential purchaser is bona fide.

Directors of the Board of Porsche Club GB, Club Office Staff, Register Secretaries and Regional Organisers are often requested by Club members to provide information on matters connected with their cars and other matters referred to in the Club Rules. Such information, advice and assistance provided by such persons is given in good faith and is based on the personal experience and knowledge of the individual concerned.

Neither Porsche Club GB, nor any of the aforementioned, shall be under any liability in respect of any such information, advice or assistance given to members. Members are advised to consult qualified specialists for information, advice and assistance on matters connected with their cars at all times.

Porsche
Lockton
Pirelli
Officially approved
Oracle Finance
WEX Esso
Collecting Cars
Archant Dialogue
Back
Top