NF4710

Hi Folks,

I've read dozens of threads on trickle charging but haven't found a solution to my problem.

I just purchased a Schumacher solar charger with a charger controller (there are no outlets in my condo parking garage and I wanted an option to trickle charge the car as the battery seems weak at 11.9V). I also have a CTEK 3300 but no place to plug her in.

I've tried both the center console outlet and the passenger footwell outlet but both seem to shut off after 30 minutes. Any ideas how I can keep the outlets active so that I can charge the car?

I know some will suggest to drive the car a few times per week - I am already doing that but occasionally there's salt on the road and I don't want to expose the 911 to that if I can help it.

Thanks,
NF

rkwfxd

I'd use a different style of plug and hardwire it to the battery and run the pigtail from the battery out to the area just behind the hood and in front of the windshield.

Thats what I do with my Battery Tender. Once I unplug it I push it down a bit and you can't even see it.

PCA1983

I had the same problem with my condo garage in Chicago this summer. So I bought a long extension cord and with my step ladder ran out across the ceiling from an outlet further away in the garage. As far as the outlet problem in the car, I have never had a problem with any of my P cars, using my CTEK 4.3. Ive used those interior plugs on my 09 Cayenne GTS, my 981 CS, my Macan Turbo and now my C2S. It always works fine for as long as needed in my 991 C2S. If u are have trouble with the solar charger, it might b one of two problems:
The current from the solar charger is at sometime too low for the PCM 3.0 to sense, or it is not set to provide the higher charging voltage that an AGM battery needs for charging. The CTEKS must b set with the 'snowflake' mode on, for AGM batteries. In either your cases it may be too low a current for the PCM to sense.

NF4710

Thanks for the advice guys. Unfortunately hard-wiring is not a good option as I want to keep the solar panel in the car. Running my CTEK isn't an option as the nearest outlet is 300 feet away and the building management would probably have a fit lol.

Cheers,
NF

LexVan

Just park it. Lock it. And don't worry. A healthy battery will start your car 4 months from now.

NF4710

Wish my battery was healthy. Voltage was 11.9 today; drove it for an hour (varied revs) with a constant 15.0V when engine on and ended at 12.4V after shutting the car down. 3 hours later it's already down to 12.0V. Looks like I'm headed for a new battery.

NF

LexVan

What year is your car? Yeah, maybe buy a new AGM battery. Then again every 3-4 years until you have a place to plug in. Cheap insurance and easier than a solar panel. Buy a battery from places like Pep Boys or Sears.

sctanton52

The Cayenne gets driven fairly regularly year round so I don't bother with a trickle charger on that vechicle. The Boxster which can sit for a couple of months, or more, in the garage, gets trickle charged via the center consol plug, using a Porsche charger. I have never had it shut off, but it is a full plug into 110 VAC system. Perhaps as 09RedGTS has said it could be a low power issue from the Solar System. I use Solar on my sail boat, but those systems are hard wired to both the start and house batteries. Both those batteries are AGM.

rkwfxd

So basically place the charger on the dash and plug it in?

In that case, hard wire as I said. Plug in solar charger and open door. Place it on dash where it will get light and close door.

The door or window being closed on the wires is no different than it would be if you plugged a regular charger into the 12v and ran the wire to an outlet.

pfan

I'm not so sure that 11.9v is abnormal. That's what I show prior to start with what I assume is a fairly healthy battery. Putting a multimeter directly on the battery shows 12.3v. which equates to approx. 75% charge.

991carreradriver

+1, I routinely let my car sit in the winter without starting 4-6 weeks at a time, never a problem.