Battery Maintainer?
11-17-2014, 10:35 PM
#31
Rennlist Member
Actually... the recommended and safest way to charge a battery is via the cigarette lighter socket. This socket connection is correctly fused and offers the necessary resistance to damp the initial current surge. Where there is no cigarette socket, I am pretty sure Porsche supplies a properly fused 12V socket somewhere in the cabin. This is usually stated in every Owners Manual and follows best battery charging practices. Connecting directly to the battery terminals is far less safe. Should one prefer a direct battery connection, the negative should not be connected to the battery negative terminal, but instead to a nearby bolt ground connection.
11-17-2014, 10:38 PM
#32
Nordschleife Master
No one said the CTek is a constant flow charger... Actually, it is at different current charging levels, but that is beside the point. What I pointed before still stands from a charging and safety stance.
11-17-2014, 10:39 PM
#33
Race Director
Actually... the recommended and safest way to charge a battery is via the cigarette lighter socket. This socket connection is correctly fused and offers the necessary resistance to damp the initial current surge. Where there is no cigarette socket, I am pretty sure Porsche supplies a properly fused 12V socket somewhere in the cabin. This is usually stated in every Owners Manual and follows best battery charging practices.
Connecting directly to the battery terminals is far less safe. Should one prefer a direct battery connection, the negative should not be connected to the battery negative terminal, but instead to a nearby bolt ground connection.
Connecting directly to the battery terminals is far less safe. Should one prefer a direct battery connection, the negative should not be connected to the battery negative terminal, but instead to a nearby bolt ground connection.
What you say about connecting a charger is true if, for example, one is using alligator clamps at the battery terminals. The safety concern is that a spark could cause an explosion if there is outgassing from the battery, which is why a ground connection apart from the battery is recommended. With the CTEK cable, the eyelets are "permanently" affixed to the battery terminals and the actual connection to the charger occurs some distance away with a plug so there is no danger of spark at all. Additionally, the positive lead of the CTEK cable is fused.
11-17-2014, 10:50 PM
#35
Rennlist Member
With due respect Tony, the CTEK charger is specifically designed to be used either via direct connection to the battery or via a 12V socket with the correct adaptor. It is also an "intelligent" charger and has the built in capability to protect the battery and itself from surges or overcharging. What you say about connecting a charger is true if, for example, one is using alligator clamps at the battery terminals. The safety concern is that a spark could cause an explosion if there is outgassing from the battery, which is why a ground connection apart from the battery is recommended. With the CTEK cable, the eyelets are "permanently" affixed to the battery terminals and the actual connection to the charger occurs some distance away with a plug so there is no danger of spark at all. Additionally, the positive lead of the CTEK cable is fused.
11-17-2014, 11:26 PM
#36
Race Director
Good point. It's just that with the semi-permanent eyelet connections one doesn't need to go anywhere near the battery to make a connection and the possibility of a particularly clumsy owner causing a short with the alligator clip is completely eliminated.
11-18-2014, 12:29 AM
#37
Rennlist Member
In looking at the Ctek site, they do make the comfort connectors in three different sizes. I believe the smallest is delivered with the charger. So, maybe the larger ones wouldn't require clipping the eyelets?
12-20-2014, 04:35 PM
#39
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12-20-2014, 04:46 PM
#40
Nordschleife Master
12-20-2014, 08:38 PM
#41
Race Director
It does turn off automatically, I think after about 15 minutes or so. In order to get it to come on again you actually have to close the hood completely and then reopen it.
12-21-2014, 12:21 AM
#42
Rennlist Member
Off to ski tomorrow!
12-21-2014, 01:11 AM
#43
Race Director
Nick, one of our RL buddies (mcsmcs1) followed up with an e-mail to Banner, the Austrian manufacturer of our OEM AGM batteries. They confirmed that the snowflake mode on the CTEK charger is the right one to use. Have fun and be safe on the slopes!
12-21-2014, 09:24 PM
#45
Nordschleife Master
I'm not sure what size comes with the combo kit. Maybe someone can confirm the metric size of the bolts on the battery where the eyelets would attach ?