I will be traveling for 3 weeks in December and I was wondering if a tender is needed in this time frame to keep the battery from dying.

If so, which tender would you guys recommend?

Thanks

 

No you live in warm climate. Proly not.

 

For $20 +/- you can buy a Battery Tender Jr. from Amazon or go to WalMart and buy a Black and Decker (1amp, 2 amp, auto turnoff) and avoid the downside of what you have to go thru if your battery goes TU. I have one of each and they both plug into the cigarette or 12 volt outlet which is about as simple as it can get. They both work well. No use spending big bucks on something that has a Porsche logo on it for several times that price. Read the section in your owners manual on the emergency procedure to open the frunk to get to the battery should it fail. You'll happily spend the $20 and it keeps your battery fresh at the same time too. Best,

 

Absolutely not necessary.

 

I tend to think that it is necessary. Depending on the health state of your battery, three weeks is a long run to go without starting the car. Even if it does restart, cycling down the battery isn't really good for it.
Re chargers, the best one I've seen is the version that Porsche sells as 'their' product. I purchased the non-Porsche branded version (CTEK 3300), but it seems like an excellent product. I have used Battery Tenders for years, but I have noticed (personal observation and comments on the web) that they may cause problems in cars with overly sensitive electronics (many Ford GT owners feel that their BT zapped their (troublesome) dash instruments) so I now avoid them. Also the one sold by the makers of Braille batteries is excellent as well.

 

Shouldn't be needed.

I could stop by and drive the car every few days if you'd like.

 

I think it depends on the temperature where you live and the age of your battery. If it's getting chilly where you are and your battery is 3-5 years old I think it stands a good chance of being weak when you get back and try to crank it.

I bought the Porsche battery tender recently and have no complaints. It plugs into your cigarette lighter and is very easy to use.

 

I wouldn't think so in AZ. I let mine go for almost 3 weeks due to shoulder surgery and there was no problem.

 

I think it depends also on how much you typically drive your car. If you commute with it every day as your DD, then I don't think it will be an issue. But if you drive relatively short distances only a couple times a week, I would definitely get a battery tender for it. And by the way, I bought a generic Stanley charger that plugs into the cigarette lighter and it works just fine. Been using it for over a year.

 

If you have a bunch aftermarket wired gizmo's running... you may need it.

 

Its always a good idea. The Tender Jr. is very low amp/trickle charge. I have a couple of them. All my cars are hardwired with them under the hood (or truck depending on where battery is). Its easy to plug in with the quick plug adapter it comes with!

 

I just picked this one up: http://www.amazon.com/Black-Decker-B...0264718&sr=1-1 but from Walmart for $19.99. I hope to have no issues from it.