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What is the best battery tender?

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#21 ·
#22 ·
Summary:
Buy ctek
Plug into 12v socket in passenger footwell
Run cable under door
Put warning, cloth on steering wheel to remind!
Lock car
End of summary
 
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#23 ·
#24 ·
Everyone likes to buy OEM, I understand that. The fact that you own a Porsche means you have the money to buy what you want. I myself is a cheap with my money guy.

I compared the specs of the CTEK and the BatteryMINDer Plus and they are electrically identical devices.
  • The CTEK has the high $100 price tag($80 on sale), the BatterMINDer is $30-40 on sale.
  • The CTEK has 8 flashy lights to show 8 stages of charge, BatterMINDer 2 LEDs (It is a set and forget device)
  • The Cord is proprietary on the CTEK and BatteryMINDer industry standard Quick-connect connectors.( You have inexpensive choices of Ring Terminals, Cigarette Lighter, Alligator Clips)
  • I like the wall wart style because it keeps the bulk/clutter off the floor

BatteryMINDer Plus Battery Charger/Trickle Charger/Desulfator 12 Volt, 1 Amp, Model# 12117TC | Northern Tool

The BatteryMINDer Plus Battery Charger/Trickle Charger/Desulfator is an 8-stage maintenance charger/desulfator that extends performance and...
www.northerntool.com www.northerntool.com

I have batteries that are 13 years old on cars of the same age. One battery is 18 years old and holds 85% capacity of a new battery. Yes, I tested my batteries with a carbon pile tester.

Remember a battery that is not charging, is discharging!
 
Discussion starter · #25 ·
There is a power outlet 'inside' the little storage compartment / under the armrest adjacent to the console. It specifically says "Power Outlet 12V." Rather than use the outlet in the passenger footwell, can this outlet be used instead? Also, for guys who have the CTEK, if the battery is not charging properly, won't it show that there is a problem with the lights on the CTEK?
 
Discussion starter · #27 ·
When I posted earlier about the CTEK, a few mentioned they thought it necessary that the door locks be engaged to keep the passenger floorwell plug live. I can confirm that is not necessary. My battery charged well and all 7 stages on the CTEK were achieved without the doors being locked. Also, I can easily run the cord under the door without any damage to the cord.
 
#29 ·
Used my CTEK 5.0 for the first time today. I've seen a lot of threads and videos and different ways of doing it. Seems the only thing generally not recommended is direct connection to the positive and negative battery terminals. Usually I get the Cayman out in winter for some long drives but it's been a bit colder than usual and I am on summer tires. Besides the Macan is a bit more practical this time of year. Plugged the cig lighter adapter into the socket in the console (smokers package option). Connected that to the CTEK unit. Plugged the CTEK to house power. It went to the "car" setting on its own and I didn't change the mode. No error lights. After a few mins the indicator light got to 3, and soon after to 4. Stayed at 4 for about 2 hours, and then went to 7 (green light). Disconnected from the house power and then worked back to the lighter socket. Nothing blew up. No smoke or odd smells. :)
 
#30 ·
Naptown said:
Used my CTEK 5.0 for the first time today. I've seen a lot of threads and videos and different ways of doing it. Seems the only thing generally not recommended is direct connection to the positive and negative battery terminals. Usually I get the Cayman out in winter for some long drives but it's been a bit colder than usual and I am on summer tires. Besides the Macan is a bit more practical this time of year. Plugged the cig lighter adapter into the socket in the console (smokers package option). Connected that to the CTEK unit. Plugged the CTEK to house power. It went to the "car" setting on its own and I didn't change the mode. No error lights. After a few mins the indicator light got to 3, and soon after to 4. Stayed at 4 for about 2 hours, and then went to 7 (green light). Disconnected from the house power and then worked back to the lighter socket. Nothing blew up. No smoke or odd smells. :)
Click to expand...
Seems the only thing generally not recommended is direct connection to the positive and negative battery terminals.

Why do you make this statement about connecting you battery maintainer to you battery?

I have direct battery connects on all of my vehicles. It make the process of connecting your charger so easy. I even have my wife trained to use her charger on the car.
Electrically there is no reason that a person should not direct connect to the battery, unless you do not have a fuse on the + Positive charging wire. I have not traced the wire diagram on the 718 for the cigarette lighter socket.

On my 2019 Audi SQ5 the cigarette lighter socket actually is controlled by the load management module. In these circumstances I would direct connect to the battery.

Scott.
Remember if your battery is not charging it is discharging.

😐
 
#31 ·
Audience said:
Seems the only thing generally not recommended is direct connection to the positive and negative battery terminals.

Why do you make this statement about connecting you battery maintainer to you battery?

I have direct battery connects on all of my vehicles. It make the process of connecting your charger so easy. I even have my wife trained to use her charger on the car.
Electrically there is no reason that a person should not direct connect to the battery, unless you do not have a fuse on the + Positive charging wire. I have not traced the wire diagram on the 718 for the cigarette lighter socket.

On my 2019 Audi SQ5 the cigarette lighter socket actually is controlled by the load management module. In these circumstances I would direct connect to the battery.

Scott.
Remember if your battery is not charging it is discharging.

😐
Click to expand...
Go find the "Winter is Coming" thread. Lots of good information on why your negative connection should not be direct to the battery.
 
#32 · (Edited)
I go right to a pigtail on the battery, did same on previous 911. Never had a battery issue. This way I can close hood, lock doors, whatever. And if I ever need power to a dead battery at least I can plug in and open door, truck etc.. always leave it sitting under wiper area in cold season. Summer time I just tuck it back under. I also only put it on every week or so for a day or so. I don t keep it plugged in as I am in the garage every day anyway.
29378
 
#35 ·
Naptown said:
Used my CTEK 5.0 for the first time today. I've seen a lot of threads and videos and different ways of doing it. Seems the only thing generally not recommended is direct connection to the positive and negative battery terminals. Usually I get the Cayman out in winter for some long drives but it's been a bit colder than usual and I am on summer tires. Besides the Macan is a bit more practical this time of year. Plugged the cig lighter adapter into the socket in the console (smokers package option). Connected that to the CTEK unit. Plugged the CTEK to house power. It went to the "car" setting on its own and I didn't change the mode. No error lights. After a few mins the indicator light got to 3, and soon after to 4. Stayed at 4 for about 2 hours, and then went to 7 (green light). Disconnected from the house power and then worked back to the lighter socket. Nothing blew up. No smoke or odd smells. :)
Click to expand...
So if this process works...

Naptown said:
Car in my garage so I don't need to lock it. At some point I may add the pigtail to the battery positive and the remote ground post. Or just put in on my Tacoma.
Click to expand...
Why worry about connecting it to the battery?
 
#36 ·
Westcoaster said:
So if this process works...

Why worry about connecting it to the battery?
Click to expand...
I had elaborate plans to run wiring so that I could just plug in discretely via the nose of the car, but decided to just use the socket plug and the wire then through the front lower part of the door to the CTEK to the extension cable temporarily. It turned out to be so quick and easy to do the temporary fix that it became the permanent norm. One of those instances where the simple solution just works.
 
#37 ·
Westcoaster said:
So if this process works...



Why worry about connecting it to the battery?
Click to expand...
I like having mine connected to the battery because I don't have to worry about the 12 volt outlet in the car disconnecting while the car is in her winter bubble and inaccessible. Note that when we first got this car, there were a lot of unknowns about when these outlets were actually active. I'm still not 100% convinced and I don't want to risk having the tender get disconnected.
During the summer, the car usually gets driven enough that I don't have to worry about plugging it in to the tender.
 
#38 ·
CaymanMatt said:
I like having mine connected to the battery because I don't have to worry about the 12 volt outlet in the car disconnecting while the car is in her winter bubble and inaccessible. Note that when we first got this car, there were a lot of unknowns about when these outlets were actually active. I'm still not 100% convinced and I don't want to risk having the tender get disconnected.
During the summer, the car usually gets driven enough that I don't have to worry about plugging it in to the tender.
Click to expand...
Although I have never had the car disconnect while using the 12v outlet, I understand the concern in your case. FWIW I plug in the car whenever it is parked in the garage, all year round.
 
#40 ·
jt4006 said:
CTEK MUS 4.3 directly connected to the battery (cable routed from rear of the hood) to avoid using cabin connections that go to sleep. I recall Porsche posted an advisory on this.
Click to expand...
I am glad that your connection method works for you, but I have never had the center console connection go to sleep once the CTEK was connected and operating...
 
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