OK,...so I'm that guy that insists on carrying the inflatable spare...., And I use separate rims in the winter. Yes, I like back-up systems...what can I say.
So,...in the latest Autoweek there is a Black & Decker product featured that you stick in your lighter and it boost starts your car in case of battery failure.
My question is: does this thing really work? does it carry enough spark to do the job or will it make my PCM/PSM/brain jump through the roof? I know the Porsche battery charger works through the ciggy lighter so I guess it makes sense.


And,...as a special Thanksgiving treat, here is Autoweek's review of the 997TT Tip. It was their fastest 0-60 mph recorded (previous was CGT), 4th fastest 1/4 mile, and best 60mph->0 (PCCB equipped, previous winner was Evo). Now before the 'it's not a damn dragster' rants begin, I'm only the messenger! If you are e-challenged, please note that you must click on the image to read it or use a really good magnifying device.

BTW, if the average male American puts on 10 pounds between now and through New Year's, your 997 gains about 0.3% fat !!!!!!

 

Cooch.. Why fool with yhe B&D model. I have been usung yhe P Maintainer first in a 04CayenneTT and now the 06C2S. Cars only driven on weekends, and in winter sit sometimes for 3+ weeks. Never a problemo. Happy TG

 

Does the Porsche one carry a charge? I thought it had to be plugged into AC.

 

I think RAKLAW's confused.

That B&D battery booster is basically a battery pack that you plug into your cig lighter. The internal battery of the booster is connected in parallel to the car's battery via the connection. Undoubtedly it's only good for just a few minutes of operation, but that should be sufficient to start your car.

As for a battery maintainer, why bother with the pricey P model. Get a Sears Diehard maintainer like I did. Only 29 bucks and it works just as well if not better than the $70 p-model.

 

I recently purchased a B&D Battery Maintainer / Trickle Charger. The cigarette lighter adapter will not fit in my '06 997S cigrette lighter receptacle. I suspect it will fit fine in any domestic vehicle. I haven't tried it in any Japanese makes yet.

I am just going to bite the bullet and pick up a Porsche Battery Maintainer. They have them on e-bay from a Porsche dealership for $115 plus shipping.

 

Try it in one of the power ports either passenger foot side or the console box first!!

 

Sunset or suncoast have the cheaper Porsche one for $55 or so, I bought one!!

 

Yes.
What these devices do (they're simply batteries) is transfer charge to your car's battery via an unswitched connection/path (in this case a cigarette lighter).
Your car's battery is the one actually starting the car, not this plug in device; so your PCM and everything else is fine.
(actually, Porsche requires that all electronic components in the car be capable of surviving a 'double battery jump start'.....24-28VDC for 2 minutes.)
Your car's battery can accept charge at a fairly high rate, so think of this device as a gasoline dump can, quickly transferring charge into your car's battery....hopefully enough to allow the engine to crank/start.
Of course, if your battery has an internal short or fault, then it won't work, as the charge transferred in will simply be turned into heat.

 

Not the same thing.

This is what he's talking about. Like I said above, it's just a battery pack.

 

there is no way that the wire to the cig lighter can carry enough current to jump start (not charge, jump start) the car.

but that's not what this thing does. it has a 7A output that can source for 15 minutes off a full charge. can the cig lighter circuit can handle 7A, the trickle charger plugs into it, but its worth checking. If that's enough to charge a dead battery, then you can start the car. if the battery is dead because it won't hold a charge, this thing won't do much good.

and you've got to keep the thing charged for it to be of any use.

I could see carrying one of these on a long trip, but that's about it.

 

Thanks.
I ordered one from Amazon (about 50 bucks). I don't know the dimensions (couldn't find them) but the ad says it'll fit in most glove boxes so it can't be too big.
There can be the occasional freakishly cold days here come Winter and I can work some lonnnng days meaning my poor baby might be sitting in an exposed garage in the cold. Might also come in handy when somebody else needs a jump (no pervy meant).