My 993 has been sitting idle for the past 6 weeks or so for the winter. I'm getting anxious to get her out, so I recently picked up the Porsche charge-o-mat. This is the kind that plugs into the cigarette lighter. I got it from eBay, but it is used and came without any instructions. Is there anything special about this thing that I should know about before I plug it in? Can I keep it plugged in for extended periods without causing harm? I think that is what you are supposed to do with it, but I just want to be sure without causing any damage.

Thanks for any help!

 

Plug in the cig. lighter end, then plug in the power cord. It will do its thing. You can leave it plugged in.

However, unfortunately, it doesn't give you much indication if things are going okay (no changing lights, etc.). That's why I set mine on the shelf and opted to buy a Battery Tender version with status lights.

 

Depending on the strength of your battery before the 6 weeks of sitting, it may be too late. These devices will only "maintain", not resurrect.

 

Resurrection requires the dual mode charger, which I've been told does not fit well into the lighter socket on the 993.

 

I got the battery tender plus and it works like a charm. I think my battery is on it's way out as if I let the car sit w/ no charger on it for a week or so, it's hesitant to start. It starts, but it's hesitant.
Amazing how the beast roars right up w/ a charged battery.

 

Kirk,
I have the new-style Porsche charger/maintainer as well. I plug the cig lighter end in first, then the wall plug. Press the mode button to 'car' and the unit will do its thing.

The cig lighter plug is a sloppy fit, so I purchased a lighter socket sleeve from Escort, and then wrapped two or three layers of electrical tape around the barrel. The fit is perfect - nice and snug. If you would like a photo of how I did this, let me know.

Andreas

 

I use the old Porsche trickle charger. No problem fitting and the light only comes on when your battery needs charged (it won't come on after a long drive as your battery is fully charged). Plug in the cig lighter first and then the outlet and do the reverse when you unplug to drive your car. I installed an inline switch near the cig lighter end so I don't have to worry about unpluging from the outlet when I use the car.

 

Thanks for all the comments. I'll be hooking up the trickle charger tomorrow, so we'll see how it works for me!

 

Can someone remind me why you have to plug into car cig lighter first then the outlet and vice versa? I have been just unplugging the cig lighter and then plugging into cig lighter after I drive the car. I just leave the unit plugged into the outlet. Is this a problem?

Also, I have a Porsche trickle charger for a 89' 911 also. However it seems there is no charge unless I leave the keys in and turned to auxillary power. I'm I doing something wrong. I hate leaving my keys in the ignition.

 

If you all drove your Porsches EVERY DAY and had fun EVERY DAY....you would not need to worry about keeping your battery charged......the alternator will do it for you!!

Ray....this one was for you!!!

Sorry guys just could not resist!!!!

I would really like two p-cars...one for everyday and one for w/e!!!

 

Nick, it's probably wise to plug in the cigar lighter connector first so that you don't accidentally touch it's positive (centre) terminal against any metal in the car that is connected to ground (e.g. the bezel on the cigar lighter).

Incidentally, I got a battery conditioner (i.e. maintainer) that comes with wires and a socket that you connect directly to the battery and leave sitting in the luggage compartment, and the lead from the conditioner has a plug that goes into that socket. The wire from the conditioner is thin, and so it gets "absorbed" into the luggae compartment's rubber seal allowing the luggage compartment lid to close normally. I don't know whether using the cigar lighter means you have to feed the wire through a window? I feel a bit happier with my set-up as it means I can leave the car in the garage with everything fully closed and with the alarm/immobiliser on.

 

I agree with Steve that connecting direct to the battery is best.With these chargers ,volts at the battery is everything !
I did some measurements and found that there is a small volt drop from the lighter socket to the battery + PIA having a wire out the window !
Supplied lead directon the battery gives the best charging level.

All the best

Geoff

ps. Anyone know of a snow plow kit for a 911 !! ?

 

Geoff, you could try two Euro Turbo front bumbers bolted together???

 

Anyone concerned with the gases by leaving the hood closed and the charger on?