Why not use a battery maintainer and keep it fresh?

Correct, a much better solution particularly w/ such easy access via always on cigarette lighter ports in the 9x6 and 9x7 platforms.

FWIW, newer Porsches automatically provide a lovely CEL / 'Visit Workshop' message whenever the battery is disconnected. Also FWIW, power ports go inactive after ~ 10 days or so on the newer cars UNLESS vehicle is locked. Yes, a bit counterintuitive to not wanting to be locked out theory if battery goes flat. But obviously countless German engineers studied this endlessly and found their solution much preferred ;)

Would be awesome if Porsche adopted a magnetic charge port a la Ferrari 488 or a Mac.

Good luck :)

I can (well, sort of) understand the logic behind this. From an engineering perspective, if the vehicle has been setting for a period of time, deactivating the ports would prevent an ancillary item from draining the battery; additionally any action (ie opening door) would then "reset" timer restoring power to the port...I suppose the thought process went like "well, you can't get to the port without opening the door...so why keep it active?" Keeping the port active when the vehicle is locked takes a bit more of a stretch to explain though...perhaps the thought was "if the vehicle is locked, the item is less likely to be stolen, so it can remain active". I'm sure there was a flow chart and multiple PowerPoints at a design meeting expaining all of the reasons.... :)

Replacement Battery Porsche v. Competition?
 

Dealer wants $500.00 to install new battery. Tells me if not the proper battery you'll get warning lights and check engine light coming on. Is this true?

Not True! 4 years so far with a Canadian Tire Eliminator- works like a charm.

Possibly true. Depends on what year you have.

battery maintainer Fun Fact
 

I've been using a Porsche battery maintainer on my 2004 Boxster since I got it 5 years ago.
I plug the car in Whenever it's in the garage.
The car Always starts right up with no hesitation, even away from home.
It's a generic lead-acid battery (forgot the name) dated 2009!
Maybe I'll get a new one this Spring, just for the heck of it.
Maybe not.

I replaced my battery a couple years ago.
These batteries will lull you into false security.
They work with no warning they are going bad, then out of no where, any time, even after a long drive , "Click Click Click Click...."
This is a common story I have heard from other forum members
Mine was a Walmart parking lot after a 2 hour drive and several years of faithful service.
Now maybe if I had been monitoring the voltage I would have seen it coming

kk2002-

You're right.
I was being somewhat facetious about not wanting to replace my battery.
I'm ASTOUNDED that it has lasted so long after it's '09 manufacture date!
Typically, I'll need to replace them after 4 years maximum.
This is the first car that I've used a battery maintainer on and
the results are clearly amazing.
What is your favorite/most reliable voltage check procedure?
Battery disconnected? Car running? etc.

A friend is the recycling engineer for Deka Battery, which manufactures lead acid batteries for many re-labelers. I'll donate the battery to him for research when I buy a new one this Spring!

Attachment 21713

eBay. <$8 Lots of choices.

Nice, can you tell us how you wired it?

I've only replaced the battery in my 2003 S once, since buying it new and went with an Interstate. I always keep it on a CTEK maintainer when it's parked in my garage. Since my car's been sitting in the shop since July waiting for my engine to be rebuilt, I expect it may be time for a new battery when the engine is back together.