11-18-2013, 02:59 PM
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#1
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 164
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Question about the Ctek battery tender
I drive the Boxster about once per week, but as it gets colder, there may be times it's two-weeks between drives, so I guess I should hook up a tender to the cigarette lighter.
From what I have read, the Ctek is the one to buy, or something similar.
I found the CTEK Multi US 3300 12-Volt Smart Battery Charger on Amazon, but it calls it a charger, even though I have seen that several are using this Ctek 3300.
Is this the correct one to maintain the battery charge?
Does it also charge if I should ever have a dead battery?
Thanks,
__________________
1999 Boxster - Arctic Silver Metallic
***As You Think, So Shall You Become***
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11-18-2013, 04:33 PM
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#2
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Greensboro, NC
Posts: 245
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mistermac99
I drive the Boxster about once per week, but as it gets colder, there may be times it's two-weeks between drives, so I guess I should hook up a tender to the cigarette lighter.
From what I have read, the Ctek is the one to buy, or something similar.
I found the CTEK Multi US 3300 12-Volt Smart Battery Charger on Amazon, but it calls it a charger, even though I have seen that several are using this Ctek 3300.
Is this the correct one to maintain the battery charge?
Does it also charge if I should ever have a dead battery?
Thanks,
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I have a battery tender jr. You have to buy the cigarette lighter adapter separate. I plug it in during the winter or anytime the car will set more than a couple of weeks. Keeps the battery topped off. It will charge your battery to it's full limit and keep it there. Very compact. Check them out at amazon. Bought mine at Sears.
__________________
2000 Boxster - Loved and sold
1999 911 Cabriolet - Also loved and sold.
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11-18-2013, 04:55 PM
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#3
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: It's a kind of magic.....
Posts: 6,541
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mistermac99
I drive the Boxster about once per week, but as it gets colder, there may be times it's two-weeks between drives, so I guess I should hook up a tender to the cigarette lighter.
From what I have read, the Ctek is the one to buy, or something similar.
I found the CTEK Multi US 3300 12-Volt Smart Battery Charger on Amazon, but it calls it a charger, even though I have seen that several are using this Ctek 3300.
Is this the correct one to maintain the battery charge?
Does it also charge if I should ever have a dead battery?
Thanks,
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The Ctek 3300 is an excellent choice, unlike the Battery Tender and other cheaper units, every Ctek has a desulfating step in its charge profile, and all models have a specific charge program for the Optima spiral wound AGM batteries as well. Great units and worth every dime.
All maintainers are just that; they are designed to maintain a battery that is already in a generally good state of charge. They are not for charging dead batteries, they simply lack the amperage for that.
__________________
“Anything really new is invented only in one’s youth. Later, one becomes more experienced, more famous – and more stupid.” - Albert Einstein
Last edited by JFP in PA; 11-18-2013 at 04:58 PM.
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11-19-2013, 06:01 AM
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#4
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Sanford NC
Posts: 2,567
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Most maintainers require that the connected battery have a certain charge already before they will even turn on.
I used the little/cheaper Ctec branded by Porsche with the lighter plug in for probably 5 years for maybe 3 months of the year or any time I'd be away for a long time. I'd pull my car out from undercover at the first few days of 40+ weather and it always was eager to start.
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11-19-2013, 06:46 AM
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#5
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Medicated Open-Air Driver
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: NJ
Posts: 46
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I bought mine directly from the company. They were very helpful and I paid about $70. Cig adapter came with it. I believe they came out with a "newer" model when I ordered mine in February '13.
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11-19-2013, 06:49 AM
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#6
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Arlington Heights, IL
Posts: 1,561
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If I ain't driving it, it's plugged into the battery maintainer. Easy peasy.
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11-19-2013, 09:28 AM
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#7
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Maple Grove, MN
Posts: 83
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I bought one but didn't buy the lighter plugin. Will the wire to the battery clips close nicely under the hood if I just go direct to the battery? I assume I would use the winter setting.
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11-19-2013, 09:44 AM
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#8
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: It's a kind of magic.....
Posts: 6,541
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ganseg
I bought one but didn't buy the lighter plugin. Will the wire to the battery clips close nicely under the hood if I just go direct to the battery? I assume I would use the winter setting.
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You can connect it directly to the battery, but it is much easier using the cig lighter plug adaptor. What you call the "winter setting" (LED is marked with a snowflake) is for the AGM style battery (Optima and the like that require a special charge profile), what you want is the LED with the image of a car (conventional flooded cell batteries).
__________________
“Anything really new is invented only in one’s youth. Later, one becomes more experienced, more famous – and more stupid.” - Albert Einstein
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11-19-2013, 05:15 PM
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#10
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: North Carolina
Posts: 164
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Thanks for all the feedback.
I ordered a Ctek from Amazon last night after reading some of the posts. Got the extra cig. adapter also.
It should be here in a few days.
__________________
1999 Boxster - Arctic Silver Metallic
***As You Think, So Shall You Become***
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11-20-2013, 05:08 AM
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#11
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Sanford NC
Posts: 2,567
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The door weatherstripping has a cut in the bottom just perfect for routing the power cable through. I just sat my maintainer on the passenger's floorboard.
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11-20-2013, 10:31 AM
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#12
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Ohio
Posts: 868
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I bought my CTEK 3300 from my local Porsche Stealership. Sure, it cost me twice as much and does the same thing, but mine says "Porsche" on it. (Tongue firmly in cheek.) Whenever the Box will sit for three or more days, especially in the winter, I plug her in.
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11-20-2013, 01:51 PM
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#13
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Registered User
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Arlington Heights, IL
Posts: 1,561
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Make sure your battery is as healthy as it can be. Meaning, it is fully filled with distilled (or deionized) water. Wear eye protection, and rubber gloves when checking. This, combined with a quality batter maintainer, will allow a battery to last well past 5 years.
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11-24-2013, 07:11 AM
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#14
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Registered User
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Maple Grove, MN
Posts: 83
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JFP in PA
...What you call the "winter setting" (LED is marked with a snowflake) is for the AGM style battery (Optima and the like that require a special charge profile), what you want is the LED with the image of a car (conventional flooded cell batteries).
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I re-read the manual today and the paragraph for the snowflake setting says 'for a battery at temps less than 41 degrees F. It is also for a AGM battery.
Since my car will be in an unheated area, i think I will use that.
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