Do you guys use a battery tender?
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Joined: Jan 2016
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From: On a pygmy pony over by the dental floss bush
The CTEK MUS 4.3 I have will tell you when the battery is charged enough to crank the car, but still not quite have 100% charge back into the battery. It does not have enough power to crank if the battery is so discharged it won't open the frunk. I haven't tried it, but I'm pretty sure it will provide enough power to allow opening the frunk with a dead battery.
Banned
Joined: Feb 2011
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From: colorado canyons
The CTEK MUS 4.3 I have will tell you when the battery is charged enough to crank the car, but still not quite have 100% charge back into the battery. It does not have enough power to crank if the battery is so discharged it won't open the frunk. I haven't tried it, but I'm pretty sure it will provide enough power to allow opening the frunk with a dead battery.
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Joined: Dec 2013
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From: El Paso TX
I used to have BT+s and CTEKs, but found a much better unit in the Optimate6. Also have a top-of-the-line CTEK, but only use it when I need its deep desulphating mode. It's always been prone to issues, mainly not going into float mode (keeps charging), even when connected directly to the battery. Zero issues with the Optimate in years, which has 2 things none of the others have: You can charge a completely dead battery, and it can charge at up to 5A. I did install a pigtail directly to the battery, and routed it to the passenger corner at the base of the windshield. It's completely invisible, and no need to leave anything open. Plus as mentioned, it serves to open the frunk if battery ever goes flat. Car can sit for 3 weeks and still start, but that lengthy discharge is what permanently sulfates batteries. It's always better to charge it once a week, or 2 at the most. I never leave chargers connected, but I wouldn't be worried about leaving my Optimate. A CTEK? Hell yeah. The same unit that Porsche sells came with a Ferrari (with a Ferrari logo, obviously), and cooked the battery. Tried it again on a newer Ferrari, and found it still charging after several days, after functioning correctly before. That was the last time I used a CTEK charger. Now every car gets a pigtail installed, and use the Optimate, which also includes an automatic desulfating mode. Hope this helps.
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Joined: May 2016
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From: FL
It depends on the car. My 987 was fine through the cigarette lighter socket. Some newer models shut down the sockets after a time period. I connected my CTEK directly to the 981 battery using their connector kit.
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Joined: Jan 2016
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From: On a pygmy pony over by the dental floss bush
My BS is a late July 2015 build, so an early 2016 model. I can leave the CTEK MUS 4.3 connected to the cigarette socket by the passenger's foot, lock the car, and it will charge and maintain the battery without issue. I've heard the 12V power outlets in some 981 cars go to sleep after a period of time and aren't suitable for trickle charging. My GT4 (sold) was a late May 2016 build and it could be charged through the footwell power outlet just like my BS.
Nordschleife Master
Joined: Mar 2006
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Wife's car, over the winter, I leave it on the Porsche/CTEK unit via the cigarette lighter. She drives it too much during the warmer months to use it (daily).
My Cayman, I have a similar CTEK unit (WeatherTech branded). I've got the battery pigtails on it. Usually plug it in if it sits for more than a week.
My Cayman, I have a similar CTEK unit (WeatherTech branded). I've got the battery pigtails on it. Usually plug it in if it sits for more than a week.
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From: Medina, Ohio
I drive mine pretty-much daily for 8+ months a year. The rest of the time I use a maintainer. Bought the Porsche-style/CTEK one from Pedro at a much lower price.
Last edited by Kevin Rohrer; Jul 21, 2017 at 02:19 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2014
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I have one of these in the garage:
http://www.batterychargers.com/se-1275a/
I don't drive my 987.1 often, so after two weeks, I throw this on at the 2A trickle charge setting. If I'm in a jam, I can set it to 12A for 30 mins, then set it to 75A to help jump the car. It has come it handy a few time.
When the current battery dies, I'll switch to a Deka Dominator AGM battery. Great battery for the price.
http://www.batterychargers.com/se-1275a/
I don't drive my 987.1 often, so after two weeks, I throw this on at the 2A trickle charge setting. If I'm in a jam, I can set it to 12A for 30 mins, then set it to 75A to help jump the car. It has come it handy a few time.
When the current battery dies, I'll switch to a Deka Dominator AGM battery. Great battery for the price.
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Joined: Dec 2009
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I purchased two Battery Minders model 1200 for my CR and 993. I had a Porsche branded CTEK on my CR and a year ago the original factory, maintenance-free battery blew up. The P-dealer checked the charger/maintainer and said, "Don't use it." I don't know if the charger failed and overcharged the battery or the battery developed a catastrophic short internally. The P-dealership was very aggressive in cleaning up the mess. The cost to clean the acid and replace the battery (some $1800 as I recall) was covered under comprehensive. Because we acted immediately there appears to be no residual damage from the acid. I've used the 1200 model now for over a year, and throughout last winter stored in my Car Bubble in an unheated garage, without a problem. It seems to be "smarter" than the CTEK that it replaced.
Race Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,897
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From: Suburban Philly
Yes, CTEK MUS 4.3.
Bought this kit, has everything but the kitchen sink:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Bought this kit, has everything but the kitchen sink:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Racer
Joined: May 2016
Posts: 349
Likes: 245
From: Los Angeles, CA
I know a lot of us probably let our cars sit in the garage but I had a few questions -
Are you guys using a tender? Any recommendations?
Would disconnecting the battery be okay?
I'll most likely be letting the car sit 2-3 weeks at a time (Work keeps me busy) and wanted to avoid the battery dying on me. Figured I'd ask here!
Are you guys using a tender? Any recommendations?
Would disconnecting the battery be okay?
I'll most likely be letting the car sit 2-3 weeks at a time (Work keeps me busy) and wanted to avoid the battery dying on me. Figured I'd ask here!
Race Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 3,897
Likes: 11
From: Suburban Philly
My BS is a late July 2015 build, so an early 2016 model. I can leave the CTEK MUS 4.3 connected to the cigarette socket by the passenger's foot, lock the car, and it will charge and maintain the battery without issue. I've heard the 12V power outlets in some 981 cars go to sleep after a period of time and aren't suitable for trickle charging. My GT4 (sold) was a late May 2016 build and it could be charged through the footwell power outlet just like my BS.
2nd Gear
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2
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From: Alabama
Amen. Skeptical as to whether it would live up to all the praise I'd heard and read about it, but it does. Extremely well engineered and manufactured. Besides replacing my OEM pirellis with Michelins on my GTS at only 2000 miles (Why waste some of the car's best times- first 15,000 miles- with it riding on awful tires?), the CTEK has been the next best purchase i've made in connection with the car.
