battery maintainer/trickle charger

[steelerboxster]

Are there any issues with using a battery maintainer for the entire winter on a Boxster S? There are two Porsche trickle chargers on Amazon, they plug into the cig lighter. One is twice the price of the other, but they seem to function the same? Anybody have any experience with this?

[yimmy149]

I think many many Porsche owners do the battery maintainer route. You want something smarter than a "trickle charger" though, it should monitor the state of the battery so that it doesn't damage it.

I recently purchased the CTEK 3300, plus a cig lighter adapter. It seems like a very nice unit, and has many positive reviews around the net.

-james

[JFP in PA]

You can safely leave a quality battery maintainer (not the same as a trickle charger) connected for months without problems. In fact, your battery will be better off for the experience, particularly if you get a unit that has a de-sulfating cycle as part of its programming. I know the Ctek 7002 unit has this (about $90 online), and other units do also; but be aware that not all (like the Battery Tender line) have that capability. Basically, like most stuff, you gets what you pays for…

[schnellman]

I bought my Porsche brand battery maintainer at my Porsche dealer in the Porsche parts department. Strangely, when I left I felt like smoking a cigarette.
It works well, but I'm thinking the same unit with the CTEK logo would work just as well.

[clickman]

The manual for my CTEK 3300 says it has a desulphation cycle.

I used it last year for 7 months, and so far this year for 7 weeks, all good

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by clickman

The manual for my CTEK 3300 says it has a desulphation cycle.

I used it last year for 7 months, and so far this year for 7 weeks, all good

Most of the Ctek models have the sulphation cycle; only their very cheapest unit does not. But a lot of other units (like Battery Tender) do not offer it on any models......................