MarkD

Steve, there are various trickle chargers available bit I'd stick with the cig lighter version. Really easy to use... no hassle, very long cord. Little red light comes on at wall plug end when charging. Goes off when not.
To keep it simple, I'd call Sunset Imports (800-346-0182) and ask for a Porsche battery tender. $47.58 +shipping.
There are other manufacturers out there and you could save a few $$ but for the price, the Porsche charger is pretty reasonable.

Denise993

A friend of mine recommended this one... I got it from Amazon because I had a gift certificate, but they sell them on a bunch of sites. Mine works great. I attached the "pig tail" and can hook her up really quickly if I won't be driving her for a few days.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00068XCQU

Steve 96C4S

Thanks for that info. I need "easy" so I'll call Sunset tomorrow. I'll also stop by one of those Battery Warehouse places so they can test my battery. I found the receipt for it and I purchased it 10/04, not even 4 years ago, so I'm assuming it should be OK. It cost $99 and the guy charged me $42 to install it (my indie at the time, but no longer).

Steve R

pedsurg

Congrats on the start. Your symptoms are classic for a battery strong enough to operate the minor electronics but not strong enough to turn over the starter motor (i think).

today's mem day was initially established to honor the union war dead, eventually all us war dead. Confederate mem day is different day, at least when we lived in La.

I hope you have better luck with the cigg trickle charger than did I.

Jack

Marlon

Congrats on the start! It's always something simple. Just get yourself a set of 'trickle charger' cables for next winter and you will be good to go!

And I mean the charger that plugs into a 110 outlet in your garage!

mar

Steve 96C4S

Is there a specific problem with these trickle chargers? Was yours the Porsche charger?

Thanks in advance, and thx again Marlon. It's a great community here.

Steve R

vjd3

I've used the Porsche one for years, it's always worked fine, even after a skunk that got stuck in my garage for two days a few winters ago chewed through the wires and sh-t on my hood.

Well, I had to twist the wires back together that time ;-)

If it ever stops working, there is a fuse in the part you stick in the lighter.

pedsurg

My cigg charger was an "official porsche " unit but i never had a good or confident "mating" of the male-female interface; perhaps the problem was in the female lighter receptacle. My current charger attaches directly to the battery and has worked quite well. I fund the disconnect from the front, before departure, easier than pulling the cigg charger in or out of the window before departure.

Again congrats on the easy fix.
Jack

hn

That's good info to know thanks. I've been using Porsche's for at least 4-5 years and had no problem keeping my cheapy Energizer charged for 7 yrs. I also installed an inline switch so I never have to unplug from the outlet when taking the car out.

race911

Glad to hear it was simple. Now stepping into the wayback machine, does anyone have problems with the ignition switches on these? I used to keep at least one in stock at my shop in the '80's for all the replacements we did...........

AOW162435

Holy shyte!


Andreas

Steve 96C4S

Like I said, it's my former indie

By the way, I don't really need this trickle charger right now until I stop driving it that much in the middle of the winter, right? I had the battery checked today at Batteries Plus and they said it's fine, not super strong, but fine. It was in the "Good" range. I DO plan on driving it at least 2-4 times a week to keep the charge up.

Thx,
Steve R

pedsurg

what's the downside to a trickle ?? Did you not almost miss a big Porsche drive this weekend?? Why risk the next one. If you see yourself needing one at some point in the future (like last week) might as well start now, sorry, couldn't resist.
Jack

Steve 96C4S

I hear what you're saying, but I hadn't driven it for quite a while before this incident. If I drive it more regularly, would I really need the trickle charger now? Do you guys use a charger year round, even if you drive it a few times a week? I thought that alone would charge up the battery.

I called my indie today and he did mention that for some reason, 993's that just sit there for a while do drain their batteries kind of fast vs alot of other cars. I've gone many weeks in the past without my battery draining, when we go on summer vacations and in the winter. Never needed a trickle charger before... which is why I'm asking about this.

Steve R

Phil

why not drive the car? Is the car that much of a princess that it cannot be driven? Will snow and cold weather make if more frigid?... does rain make it melt?...will hot and humid weather, make it bound for more garage time?.........geesh........its a F'n car...........DRIVE IT......it won't hurt the car!!..........and how in the hell do you park your princess on such a grotesque floor? I am not surprised that the car did not start for you.......