Battery Maintainer

[BadBoyS]

Using the Battery Tender Brand on all three cars. Long winters in Nothern Ohio. Have been using the tenders for years with out any problems. Even use on one my motorcycle. I have had a buddy use the Harbor Freight cheapo brand and it cooked his battery. Buyer beware........

[MNBoxster]

Hi,

I just use a Schumacher which cost maybe $25. It's 6 or 7 years old now and I use it to keep several batteries fresh thorugh the Winter by wiring them in series (removed from the Car). Works great, never killed a Battery. It can also be used in situ, but you have to raise the hood.

Despite their widespread popularity, I am extremely distrustful of the ones which plug into the Lighter socket. If you check the Wiring Schematics, the Lighter Circuit is not directly routed to the Battery. The Juice flows all sorts of places first before reaching the Battery, and all you need is one short in the Wiring Harness and you could Fry the DME or some other mega-expensive component.

I'm probably being over-cautious, but I take the time to connect directly to the Battery, takes only a couple minutes and gives me peace of mind in a sort of Better Safe than Sorry way...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[donv]

Originally Posted by MNBoxster

Despite their widespread popularity, I am extremely distrustful of the ones which plug into the Lighter socket. If you check the Wiring Schematics, the Lighter Circuit is not directly routed to the Battery. The Juice flows all sorts of places first before reaching the Battery, and all you need is one short in the Wiring Harness and you could Fry the DME or some other mega-expensive component.

I'm probably being over-cautious, but I take the time to connect directly to the Battery, takes only a couple minutes and gives me peace of mind in a sort of Better Safe than Sorry way...

Hi, does it matter whether that juice is coming from the battery end or the lighter socket end? Meaning, in either way, whatever circuits are live or shorted are getting power from one end of the connection or the other - from the battery end or the lighter plug, right? The current from a Charge-O-Mat is really small compared with a standard charger too. The same short will be there in the spring even if you pull the battery in the winter, so I'm not sure I understand the electrical advantages of avoiding the Charge-O-Mat.

Now, on the other hand, I do understand the idea that charging a non-sealed battery while in a stationary car (as in storage) might lead to corrosive outgassing which can eat parts you care about... but that is simply an argument for or against pulling the battery, not the method of charge.

And yes, I use the Porsche Charge-O-Mat lighter plug maintainer . Works like a charm and it was trivially easy to take a midwinter drive recently when the weather cooperated - just unplugged the C-O-M to leave and popped it back in when I came home - no dirty hands required.

[fab]

I have to agree with Don. I also have the Porsche Charge-O-Mat lighter plug maintainer (purchased @ Suncoast). Easiest thing ever...and I've had no problems. We've had some nice sunny days so out came the Porsche.
Simple unplug start and go......Ready to put it away pop it back in.

Fab
00 Boxster blk/blk

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by donv

Hi, does it matter whether that juice is coming from the battery end or the lighter socket end? Meaning, in either way, whatever circuits are live or shorted are getting power from one end of the connection or the other - from the battery end or the lighter plug, right? The current from a Charge-O-Mat is really small compared with a standard charger too. The same short will be there in the spring even if you pull the battery in the winter, so I'm not sure I understand the electrical advantages of avoiding the Charge-O-Mat.

Now, on the other hand, I do understand the idea that charging a non-sealed battery while in a stationary car (as in storage) might lead to corrosive outgassing which can eat parts you care about... but that is simply an argument for or against pulling the battery, not the method of charge.

And yes, I use the Porsche Charge-O-Mat lighter plug maintainer . Works like a charm and it was trivially easy to take a midwinter drive recently when the weather cooperated - just unplugged the C-O-M to leave and popped it back in when I came home - no dirty hands required.

Hi,

Actually, with some circuitry it does matter (microcircuitry with Diodes, etc.). But, when I use a Trickle Charger/Maintainer, I disconnect the Battery, even if it's in situ.

As I said, I may be overly cautious, but I guarantee that I'll never Fry an Electrical System trying to maintain a Battery, or test Porsche's C-O-M Warranty section on Consequential Damage (and judging from their response to RMS and the like, I'm not brimming with Confidence). And, to be fair, you may not either.

But, I've owned so many Cars with Lucas Electrical Systems, and seen several friends' cars go up in smoke, that I choose to exercise more caution. You'll note I did not advise anyone to do this, just explained my method and reasoning. I don't Applaud or Condemn your method, I simply choose another...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99