Battery conditioner

[Alan Mackew]

So after buying a special battery charger/conditioner so I can maintain the battery via the cigarette lighter socket I find that, despite what it says in the owners manual, the connection to the lighter socket does not work unless the ignition key is in the accessories or on position.

Anyone thinking of buying the genuine Porsche charger should check first if it will work on their car.

Just had my car two weeks (2003 2.7 Tiptronic) checked over buy local independent specialist and no problems apart from the need for a wheel alignment.

Keep Boxing on

Alan

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Alan Mackew

So after buying a special battery charger/conditioner so I can maintain the battery via the cigarette lighter socket I find that, despite what it says in the owners manual, the connection to the lighter socket does not work unless the ignition key is in the accessories or on position.

Anyone thinking of buying the genuine Porsche charger should check first if it will work on their car.

Just had my car two weeks (2003 2.7 Tiptronic) checked over buy local independent specialist and no problems apart from the need for a wheel alignment.

Keep Boxing on

Alan

All water cooled Porsches were delivered from the factory with always hot cigarette lighter sockets to facilitate the use of battery maintainers. If yours is not always hot, it is because someone altered it, it did not come that way.

[Gilles]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

All water cooled Porsches were delivered from the factory with always hot cigarette lighter sockets to facilitate the use of battery maintainers. If yours is not always hot, it is because someone altered it, it did not come that way.

JFP,
Is there a possibility, that a blown fuse is impeding to charge the battery throw the lighter..?

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by Gilles

JFP,
Is there a possibility, that a blown fuse is impeding to charge the battery throw the lighter..?

If the fuse was blown, it would not be hot when the car is running; it has been rewired.

[rick3000]

Restoring the correct function to the cigarette lighter would be the best solution, but if you are hesitant to disassemble the dash an easier solution would be to add a second hidden cigarette outlet under the dash by tapping into the telephone connector always on 12V and ground. Just pop off the carpet trim forward of the shifter (pull from the front), grab the plug with four wires, splice in an outlet in with two wire taps, then wrap it with electrical tape. You can get a cigarette plug for about $5 at any auto parts store.

The Always On 12V is Red/Green
The Ground is Brown

[boxster]

Simplest way to still use your battery maintainer is to connect it directly to the battery terminals using crocodile clips adopters

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by boxster

Simplest way to still use your battery maintainer is to connect it directly to the battery terminals using crocodile clips adopters

The simplest way is to use the lighter socket Porsche intended.

[Alan Mackew]

Thanks to all for your input.

I have attached the conditioner via two clips , there are two reasons I wanted to use the cigarette lighter socket, one I didn't want to be caught with a flat battery that I can't access because the battery is flat ( would you believe such a design feature from a nation that claims to have invented the Automobile?) the other one is that one of my sons generously bought me a tailored cover with the Porsche logo on it which I can't use because the trunk needs to be fully open to avoid the clips.

I think I will take the car to an auto elec specialist, he should be able to sort it out,

Thanks again.

Alan

[Steve Tinker]

My ROW Australian spec car is also the same as Alan's - ignition must be in the accessory position to work....

[jdraupp]

Alan, I use a battery tender junior and I route the wires through the Frunk lid and am able to close the lid and use my car cover in the winter.

[paulofto]

Originally Posted by jdraupp

Alan, I use a battery tender junior and I route the wires through the Frunk lid and am able to close the lid and use my car cover in the winter.

+1 I have the battery tender wired to the battery and the leads have a quick connect that is easily routed at the windshield.

And Alan, search 'frunk release' and you will find discussions on rerouting the manual release to the front tow hook access.

[Joe B]

Originally Posted by paulofto

+1 I have the battery tender wired to the battery and the leads have a quick connect that is easily routed at the windshield.

+2. I have a CTEK battery charger and I use the provided wires directly to the battery and the quick release plug to hook up right at the windshield wipers. More convenient than the cigarette lighter because you don't have to open and close the car door to connect and disconnect the charger.

[boxster]

Originally Posted by JFP in PA

The simplest way is to use the lighter socket Porsche intended.

Yes of course, but in his case he will have to have an electrician see to it first to make it possible to charge via the cigarette lighter.

[JFP in PA]

Originally Posted by boxster

Yes of course, but in his case he will have to have an electrician see to it first to make it possible to charge via the cigarette lighter.

Porsche designed to work that way.

[mikefocke]

We have to be careful in assuming that the things that work in US cars will work in overseas cars.

I've seen the UK/AU lighter socket differences cited several times in posts on overseas forums.

OP may have to connect direct to battery via a line into the frunk (see, they even use different terms).

No idea why the difference in specs between the cars destined for different countries.

[Alan Mackew]

The charger kit came with connectors designed to be attached directly to the battery via the terminal bolts with a snap connector which mates to the main charger cables, so I think the best way is to do what a couple have suggested and feed the cable through the channel provided near the windscreen wipers, then I can keep the bonnet on its catch allowing me to use the cover.

I am impressed with the amount of interest taken in my small problem, it augers well in the event of something serious happening,

Cheers and thanks again,
Alan

[jdraupp]

Originally Posted by Alan Mackew

I am impressed with the amount of interest taken in my small problem, it augers well in the event of something serious happening,

Cheers and thanks again,
Alan

Thats why this forum is great. Let us know if you should need anything else and we'll do our best to help resolve it.

[Tweedboru]

Hi, My lighter socket requires the the key to be turned on to work as standard.
Perhaps OZ and NON USA cars are wired this way (safety requirement ?)
Regards Brian