Steve2112

Hello,

I bought my 04 996 40th Anniversary Edition in June of 09. The battery died about a week after ownership. It is CPO, and they replaced it with a new one.

Fast forward to 2 months ago - I had a foot infection and was unable to check on my car for about 2 months. It is inside a storage facility with it's own private locking 10x14 garage. There are NO power outlets for a regular Battery Tender. You can actually see the garages in my avatar.

After finally being able to get to the garage, the car was hard to start - battery sounded dead, but it did start. I drove it around for an hour, and put it away. It still starts, but it sounds like the battery is laboring. I don't know why Porsches are like this - my other beater car did not have this problem - it started right up. I know the alarm system goes into a sleep mode to save power and you need to use the key to open the car and the FOB does not work in this mode.

I asked the management if they have any units with power, and he said no. He recommended some device at Pepboys that maintains your battery with the use of a 2nd battery.

Does anyone know what he is talking about? Is this something that is available?

I don't store the car for the whole Winter - I take it out on days that have no snow to prevent flat spots and keep the battery charged, but appartently I will need some help in keeping the battery up to snuff.

Any suggestions on what I can do besides removing the battery from the car?

Thanks,

Steve

Pac996

The device using another battery to maintain your cars battery would be a regulated square wave at the desired voltage. A capacitor that floats at say 12 volts feeding the square wave generator. That would keep your battery charged.

Might work best to get the biggest battery the car can take.

Ask the guy if you can run 1 or a few solar trickle chargers. The solar plate can attach with velcro or glue. The solar plates are thin, about 4"X5" and two small gauge wires coming off then so the wires can feed through the cracks of a door.

BruceP

Whatever else you do, there are two things I'd start with: Check for parasitic power loss, just in case something's not right electrically. And second, even though your car is in a locked garage, be sure to lock the car. The sleep mode works quite well to preserve the battery... it actually goes flat faster if you leave the car unlocked.

(I went through this when I first got my car. The dealer had installed 7 batteries under warranty rather than diagnose the issue, which turned out to be a parasitic loss related to the Lojack-type system installed by the first owner. I hate flat rate shops...)

Personally, I wouldn't take the battery out. There was an earlier thread on this, and an article in the last issue of Excellence warning against it. I know people get away with this, but I wouldn't try.

Steve2112

Thanks for the info - solar won't work because of the nature of the construction of the garages. I wish a 110 outlet was available in the units.

bd0nalds0n

Why not just get one of those EZ battery disconnects that mount to the ground lug of the battery--a couple turns of the **** when you put it into storage disconnects the battery. Just retighten when you want to drive. Simple.

wwest

"...Beater car did not have this problem.."

Your beater car undoubtedly had the engine starter motor AND the battery in the FRONT, no long + and chassis ground run from the battery to the starter.

Storage....

Over time the battery posts and chassis ground connections will deteriate, oxidize, etc, and might need to be cleaned and burnished, pay special attention to the battery negative to chassis ground connection.

The alternator battery charging connection is generally made at the starter motor solenoid so it would be wise to clean and burnish the connections there also.

wwest

RUBE GOLDBERG.

Spare 12 volt battery connected to a 50-100 watt MSW inverter connected to a 1-2 amp trickle charger.

Mark I

Lots of Battery Disconnect Switches on ebay for under $10, or just pull the ground cable. If you go that way, make sure to leave hood open slightly or have alternate power to jump the hood release at the fuse panel (driver side footwell).

Byprodriver

Perhaps the simplest solution is to buy one of those batteries with the "reserve power" whereby you must physically press something to use reserve cells of the battery for your situation. OR if your unit has a light with screw-in bulb you can buy a adapter with built-in elec. outlet plug for a charger.

redridge

Just buy another battery and keep it on a charger, rotate it with your existing one.

C4CRNA

You need a different storage place.

http://www.rhodeislandcarstorage.net/

smackboy1

The storage unit has a light bulb right? Never tried it, but would one of these work in conjunction with a smart battery tender.

http://www.amazon.com/Leviton-1406-O...874033&sr=8-10