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I just took delivery of a new to me ‘96 993. Living in Southern Indiana means we have a winter of sorts. It will get cold and it will snow occasionally but we don’t usually have snow all the time. I plan on driving the 993 periodically (none snow/rain days), therefore, from what I have read I should do some type of battery maintenance during the intervals (couple weeks at a time) of not driving. Is a battery tender the preferred option? Has anyone used one of the tenders that you hook up to the battery and leave attached to the battery at all times and just plug an extension cord into when parked for extended periods? Thanks for the help.

Mike in Chi

Hi Brian

So how's the car? Congratulations.

I've been using Porsche's maintainer that plugs into the lighterlighter.

been using it on both for a couple of years, no problems, and now annual $100 for a new battery.

M

Bruce SEA 993

Congrats on you new car...I also have a '96 and am in similar weather patterns here in Seattle. We prolly have more rainy days tho.

I have been using the "wired in" battery maintainer for about 3 years and it works well and is real convenient.

I plug it in with the trunk lid open but I push the lever down on the latch to turn off the trunk light. To close the lid, I have to pull the lever from inside the car to pop the latch open to be able to close it. Simpler than it sounds.

The cars like to be driven so I don't like to leave it sit for too long. Besides, it's a whole lot of fun!

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Mike,

Thanks for the reply. The car is great so far, unfortunately our weather has been horribly rainy (over 4 inches in last two days) since I took delivery and I have not really had a chance to drive it much. That should change this weekend.

Is the Porsche maintainer one that shuts off when the battery is fully charged and turns back on when the battery drops? Curious how much do I get taken for getting the "Porsche" one?

Thanks

amfp

Good luck with your new 993.

I've been using the Porsche battery maintainer that plugs into cigarette lighter for years with good results. Just make sure battery water level is correct. I seem to add distilled water about twice a year. Also check that the battery rubber tube is attached and vented properly.

Mike in Chi

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It shuts off when charged.

Around sixty as I recall from dealer with PCA discount

M

Jack

bet:

You can get the same charger/maintainer w/o the Porsche logo from Griot's Garage. Cost is $40.

Dick in TN

Jack, your Speed Yellow Turbo with the matching brake calipers is gorgeous. What a head turner!

Jack

Dick:

Thanks for the compliment on the car. Just for the record, it's paint-to-sample Ferrari Gelb. Not the best picture!

993Widebody

The Porsche charger can be had from anywhere between $60-85, check excellence for the best price.

R SQUADRON 911

I used to use an Optima Red top gel cell battery and it works great! No maintenance needed it's a fully sealed case that can be mounted any which way.

Currently I am using a REACTOR BATTERY. It's pricey, but you don't ever have to worry about the battery. It's good for 100 cycles. Gell cell, 7 lbs ligher, smaller. US tanks use them LOL =O). The problem is you must fabricate a batter tie down or holder as it's much much smaller than a regualr battery.

But the best bang for the buck is the Optima.
So if your car hasn't had a battery change since 96' you're probably going to have to change it very soon anyways. Get an optima and you won't need to worry about keeping the car plugged in over the winter season.

Viken

Porsche's "Charge-o-Mat" can also be found here:

Charge-o-Mat From Carnewal.com

c4-toy

Got my porche charge-o-mat from Sunset Imports in Oregon $57.50 + $7 shipping. Cheapest i could find. Plug it into lighter socket, and forget it. Shuts off automatically. I noticed if i lock the car with remote (ie: alarmed) it consumes a little more power so charger seems to be on more. So now i leave it unlocked. The charger works great.
Joe 96 C4 Cab

Jack

Here's the Griot's version of Porsche's "Charge-o-Mat"

Jim Sullivan

For you cheapskate types (or those like me who have about 8 other batteries around that need charged in the winter), check out Walmart for their "smart charger." $25 gets you the charger which trickles until fully charged, then shuts off until needed. I've used them for 3 years with excellent results.