Does anyone use these regularly? If so could someone point one out suitable for our cars, also anything to look out for when buying one?

 

I bought this one on Amazon and it works fine.
There is a Porsche one available but it is about 60 bucks. The one I purchased on amazon has all of the adapters where you can plug it into the cigarette lighter or connect it directly to the battery. I hardwired my connection and left a plug that is attached with velcro under the front trunk area so that don't have to leave the window open or run the cord through the underside of the door to charge it from the cigarette lighter. there are posts out there on how to do this

 

I bought the CTEK charger which I've been told is the same exact one sold by Porsche dealers (without the logo of course). You can shop around on eBay and Amazon for the best price. It works great and is well made. My battery was just about dead from sitting for so long . . . now it works like a champ.

Here is one for less than $50. You can get the cigarette lighter adapter for less than $15.


http://www.ebay.com/itm/KURYAKYN-600...5f7098&vxp=mtr

 

I've been using the ctek charger for the last two years. No problems at all with it.

 

+ for CTEK.

 

Thanks will check out Ctek, Seems strange to me a trickle charger that runs off your battery via the cigarette lighter.

I think I need a 220v one? There is a genuine Porsche tequipment one on ebay for $137.

 

The CTEK charger has wires that connect directly to the battery terminals (or you can use the alligator clamps if you want to quickly remove it from your car).

The cigarette lighter adapter is used to provide a temporary power source to the car in order to open the "frunk" lid when you have a dead battery (the frunk release is electric and won't work with a dead battery). This adapter allows you to pop the frunk and get access to the battery so you can charge it up. The procedure is described in your owner's manual.


Seriously, the CTEK is exactly the same as the OEM model, yet it's half the price. It really is a quality unit.


Sean

 

Ah I see, that makes sense.

I will check out the CTEK, just have to find one for Oz power.

 

+997 for CTEK

 

i've had Battery Tender for long while - smart charger- bought it 15+ yrs ago for my Bike- been using it on my '07TT that isn't driven daily-

 

CTek makes the "OEM" version. I use a CTEK charger every day for my "garage queen". I also got the cigarette lighter plug for it. I've owned it for three years. Works fabulously and costs about $50 less than the branded version, iirc.

 

While the cigarette lighter plug surely can be used for that purpose, it also charges the battery as long as there's power to the lighter plug when the engine is turned off (which there is on the 997). I use the lighter plug for that purpose, and just close the door on the flat cord. It doesn't do any damage to the cord or the door, and for me it's the most convenient way to use the CTEK.

 

If you're driving the car semi-regularly, you don't need one. Even here when I don't get to drive for sometimes a month at a time during the winter I've never had a problem. I would only worry about one if I were going out of town for more than 3 months. Even then I wouldn't worry much. Have you used a battery maintainer on all your other cars forever? Probably not.

 

I have the genius 3500 wired to the battery so I can just plug it into the connector. I have had a charger on my last 4 vehicles;Audi S4,Audi s6,BMW X5,and my current car which is a 2008 carrera s with the original battery.

 

I have several Battery tendesr and 1 Ctek. both are good