Turbo no longer DD, how do I handle this?
#1
Racer
Thread Starter
Turbo no longer DD, how do I handle this?
My Turbo is no longer going to be my daily driver. My plans for driving it are as follows:
1) If the weather is nice during the week drive it to work...maybe 1 day a week
2) Take it out a minimum of every other weekend to local cars & coffee events
3) Of course take it to as many PCA and other local events as possible
So with this plan do I need to buy a dual mode battery charger and use the pulse maintaining mode during my down times? I know that if my car sits more than 72 hrs (which will happen) things shut down for the most part but based on my plan above do I take the chance of coming out and finding a dead battery?
Also is there anything else I need to do or know about in reference to my car doing a lot of sitting in the garage? Thanks
Brett
1) If the weather is nice during the week drive it to work...maybe 1 day a week
2) Take it out a minimum of every other weekend to local cars & coffee events
3) Of course take it to as many PCA and other local events as possible
So with this plan do I need to buy a dual mode battery charger and use the pulse maintaining mode during my down times? I know that if my car sits more than 72 hrs (which will happen) things shut down for the most part but based on my plan above do I take the chance of coming out and finding a dead battery?
Also is there anything else I need to do or know about in reference to my car doing a lot of sitting in the garage? Thanks
Brett
#3
if you don't park it with a trickle charger prepare for it not to start when you'd like it to. i recommend the ctek 3300 for 50 bucks on ebay or anywhere. a MUST have for any turbo owner. esp if parked for extended periods.
#4
Three Wheelin'
I was lazy and didn't connect my battery charger for over a week. When I went to start the car there wasn't enough battery left to start it. Even my portable starter/charger wouldn't start it so I called my insurance company and requested roadside assistance. They sent a guy with a larger portable starter who got it started and left. I let it warm-up for a few minutes and then to my horror I discovered he'd initially reveresed the battery polarity (European cars are opposite of US cars I think) and shorted my PCM fuse. Because I was on my way to the dealer anyway I didn't blow a fuse too and just had them replace it.
#5
Burning Brakes
Bret
Questions like this crack me up. If you didn't have Tampa listed as your home I would have guessed your in the NE trapped and bored in the house or hotel.
Bret I'm not picking on you but really why would you be cheap just get the CTEK from Porsche or any high end computerized do it all charger. Reeves who your near Blow them out once in a while for $110 as does Suncoast.
I have numerous P Car's and couldn't possibly drive them all the time they mostly just sit around I don't keep them all charging continuously. Typically 7 days with no charge if older battery they might crank slower. I'm using 3 different charges 2 CTEK/Porsche and 1 Schumacher.
Good Luck
Ian
Questions like this crack me up. If you didn't have Tampa listed as your home I would have guessed your in the NE trapped and bored in the house or hotel.
Bret I'm not picking on you but really why would you be cheap just get the CTEK from Porsche or any high end computerized do it all charger. Reeves who your near Blow them out once in a while for $110 as does Suncoast.
I have numerous P Car's and couldn't possibly drive them all the time they mostly just sit around I don't keep them all charging continuously. Typically 7 days with no charge if older battery they might crank slower. I'm using 3 different charges 2 CTEK/Porsche and 1 Schumacher.
Good Luck
Ian
#6
Racer
Thread Starter
I was lazy and didn't connect my battery charger for over a week. When I went to start the car there wasn't enough battery left to start it. Even my portable starter/charger wouldn't start it so I called my insurance company and requested roadside assistance. guy with a larger portable starter who got it started and left. I let it warm-up for a few minutes and then to my horror I discovered he'd initially reveresed the battery polarity (European cars are opposite of US cars I think) and shorted my PCM fuse. Because I was on my way to the dealer anyway I didn't blow a fuse too and just had them replace it.
Bret
Questions like this crack me up. If you didn't have Tampa listed as your home I would have guessed your in the NE trapped and bored in the house or hotel.
Bret I'm not picking on you but really why would you be cheap just get the CTEK from Porsche or any high end computerized do it all charger. Reeves who your near Blow them out once in a while for $110 as does Suncoast.
I have numerous P Car's and couldn't possibly drive them all the time they mostly just sit around I don't keep them all charging continuously. Typically 7 days with no charge if older battery they might crank slower. I'm using 3 different charges 2 CTEK/Porsche and 1 Schumacher.
Good Luck
Ian
Questions like this crack me up. If you didn't have Tampa listed as your home I would have guessed your in the NE trapped and bored in the house or hotel.
Bret I'm not picking on you but really why would you be cheap just get the CTEK from Porsche or any high end computerized do it all charger. Reeves who your near Blow them out once in a while for $110 as does Suncoast.
I have numerous P Car's and couldn't possibly drive them all the time they mostly just sit around I don't keep them all charging continuously. Typically 7 days with no charge if older battery they might crank slower. I'm using 3 different charges 2 CTEK/Porsche and 1 Schumacher.
Good Luck
Ian
See my first reply on this post...no I am not in the NE but the car could sit for periods of time. I was most likely going to buy this one http://www.suncoastparts.com/product...=2009TTRadiog1 but I plan to stop by Reeves this week to see what they think and buy it there if they have it in stock but just wanted to get input from Rennlist as I know you guys have a lot more experince than me with this. Thanks for the input.
#7
Rennlist Member
I was lazy and didn't connect my battery charger for over a week. When I went to start the car there wasn't enough battery left to start it. Even my portable starter/charger wouldn't start it so I called my insurance company and requested roadside assistance. They sent a guy with a larger portable starter who got it started and left. I let it warm-up for a few minutes and then to my horror I discovered he'd initially reveresed the battery polarity (European cars are opposite of US cars I think) and shorted my PCM fuse. Because I was on my way to the dealer anyway I didn't blow a fuse too and just had them replace it.
Trending Topics
#8
I use this one on 3 of my Porsches and on a BMW and they work great. On sale at Northern Tool as well. You can attach the permanent wires to your battery(ies) and it quick connects and disconnects. Great price on sale and has the pulse charge and desulfater mode.
Just an option: CLICK HERE
DC
Just an option: CLICK HERE
DC
#9
Did the change the battery between 2010 to present and the .1 generation?
My car when it sat for over a week started up fine. My dad's 981 boxster S that sits for 2-3 weeks at a time during winter, starts up just fine every time too.
My car when it sat for over a week started up fine. My dad's 981 boxster S that sits for 2-3 weeks at a time during winter, starts up just fine every time too.
#10
Rennlist Member
I suspect a weak/dying battery, or a current leak due to aftermarket accessories. The car should be able to sit a week or two no problem...
#11
I have the ctek 3300 as mentioned by 02996ttx50. It's perfect. It's on amazon for $60 but you might be able to find it cheaper elsewhere. ctek product number (56-158-1).
I recommend also getting the cigarette lighter adapter for it. It's quick and easy to plug in when you're car is in the garage.
I recommend also getting the cigarette lighter adapter for it. It's quick and easy to plug in when you're car is in the garage.
#13
Racer
Thread Starter
All interesting responses and it seems like "it depends" but on what? What the car is exposed to (temperature, etc...) or maybe what condition your battery is in?
I started this thread to get input and that has worked but I know from my own experience when I had a 997.2 C4S that sat a couple of times (moving, trips, etc...) for about 6-8 days at a time and I never had trouble starting it. I remember the first time it freaked me out because the remote did not work but once I unlocked the driver door with the key, everything worked fine and the car started right up...each time...
So again based on my plan where I could be driving it twice a week, once a week or it could possibly sit for two weeks or greater (weather, traveling, etc...) I am not sure I need to do anything but maybe hook up the pulse charger when I know for sure it will sit longer than a week? I hope it never sits that long as I want to drive it everyday but I just don't want to have to expose it to the weather, traffic, etc... Thanks again and keep the input coming
I started this thread to get input and that has worked but I know from my own experience when I had a 997.2 C4S that sat a couple of times (moving, trips, etc...) for about 6-8 days at a time and I never had trouble starting it. I remember the first time it freaked me out because the remote did not work but once I unlocked the driver door with the key, everything worked fine and the car started right up...each time...
So again based on my plan where I could be driving it twice a week, once a week or it could possibly sit for two weeks or greater (weather, traveling, etc...) I am not sure I need to do anything but maybe hook up the pulse charger when I know for sure it will sit longer than a week? I hope it never sits that long as I want to drive it everyday but I just don't want to have to expose it to the weather, traffic, etc... Thanks again and keep the input coming
#15
Race Director
You can use a battery tender or charger I guess. I prefer to keep the battery charged up the old fashioned way.
I have at times used my Turbo sparingly, sometimes just once a week for my work commute (60 miles round trip).
The car was fine, the battery was fine. Oh, let me add that I always made sure to unplug any charger cords, NAV unit and lock the car to keep the battery drain to a minimum while the car was parked and not being used.
Where an infrequently used car can experience battery issues is if the car is not driven enough when it is used. The battery runs down from sitting. Then the engine is started. The battery is down but can be recharged provided the car is driven enough to give the alternator time to recharge the battery. A quick trip to the nearby coffee shop -- with another start there when it is time to leave -- ain't going to cut it.
A 30 minute drive should be sufficient. My Turbo has a volt meter and I use it to let me know when the battery is charged up. The voltage level drops a bit after some minutes (~15 to 30) of driving which is a sign the battery's been topped up.
Also, be sure you use the A/C during this drive to let the compressor circulate refrigerant and compressor oil. This helps keep the A/C system, its seals, in good condition. A few miles/minutes from your final destination turn off the compressor and let the cabin fan run to dry the evaporator and ducts of any moisture to avoid the system developing a moldy/mildewy smell. You will still have to replace the cabin air filter every so often, maybe once a year, as this can develop a foul odor too.
I have at times used my Turbo sparingly, sometimes just once a week for my work commute (60 miles round trip).
The car was fine, the battery was fine. Oh, let me add that I always made sure to unplug any charger cords, NAV unit and lock the car to keep the battery drain to a minimum while the car was parked and not being used.
Where an infrequently used car can experience battery issues is if the car is not driven enough when it is used. The battery runs down from sitting. Then the engine is started. The battery is down but can be recharged provided the car is driven enough to give the alternator time to recharge the battery. A quick trip to the nearby coffee shop -- with another start there when it is time to leave -- ain't going to cut it.
A 30 minute drive should be sufficient. My Turbo has a volt meter and I use it to let me know when the battery is charged up. The voltage level drops a bit after some minutes (~15 to 30) of driving which is a sign the battery's been topped up.
Also, be sure you use the A/C during this drive to let the compressor circulate refrigerant and compressor oil. This helps keep the A/C system, its seals, in good condition. A few miles/minutes from your final destination turn off the compressor and let the cabin fan run to dry the evaporator and ducts of any moisture to avoid the system developing a moldy/mildewy smell. You will still have to replace the cabin air filter every so often, maybe once a year, as this can develop a foul odor too.