srb1194

Hello everyone,

I'm having a hard time working in driving the car. I've always tried to take it out every two weeks for about an hour but lately it's become a chore. I'm considering buying a battery maintainer so I can not have to worry about it anymore. What is the consensus on the best to use for the 997. I did a search but wanted some current information. Thanks for any advice you can offer.

I'm considering this one.

​​​​​​https://www.pelicanparts.com/More_In...ustomReviewAnc

CAVU

Things to consider:
- what type of battery do you have, and when it is time, what will you replace it with? decent summary on batteries https://www.batterystuff.com/kb/arti...d-agm-gel.html
- do you want strictly a maintainer or a maintainer with "some charging" capability? Yes, 800mA is technically a charger, but I do not use them for that purpose. I use something beefier.
- how weather resistant does it need to be?

The most common battery types that I work with are flooded, sealed maintenance free and AGM. Each have different charging and maintenance requirements. My CTEK's can handle the differences for Flooded, AGM, sealed and GEL.

Deltran's Battery Tender and CTEKs are used in my garage and shed:
- Battery Tender® 12V, 800mA Weather Resistant Battery Charger for my tractor. about $60
- MULTI US 7002 12-Volt Battery Charger about $170, and
- MXS 5.0 Fully Automatic 4.3 amp Battery Charger and Maintainer 12V about $95

Also, some folks have voltage sensors installed on their cars that can report out voltage to their smartphones.



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srb1194

I recently replaced the battery with an Interstate lead acid battery. I basically just want something that will maintain the battery. I just feel like two to 4 weeks between drives is just probably not enough to keep the battery properly charged. I don't want to cause undue stress on the starter by having that first start on a battery that's low on charge. Thanks for your input!

IXLR8

They are all "lead acid batteries". One is the "flooded type" and the other two (AGM and GEL) fall under the VRLA type (Valve Regulated Lead Acid). And due to safety concerns, there is no such thing as a sealed lead acid battery be it flooded or a VRLA type.

If you want a charger that has capability for the odd time you might need it, a SOLAR PRO-LOGIX PL2320 charger-maintainer does it all and for a mere $100 on Amazon. I have a slew of Optimate, CTEK and HF charger-maintainers as well, but I wanted something with more capability.

srb1194

Understood, I have the flooded type and not AGM or GEL. Thanks

TxBob74

I have used a Deltran Battery Tender Plus (1.25A) for almost 15 years with flooded type batteries. Still going strong. Don't know whether this exact model is still available. Just for flexibility in the future, you may want a maintainer with AGM compatibility.

silver_tt

The CTek 7002. The one you are looking at is a CTek that Porsche re-branded with their name on it but it's a lesser model (5 amp vs 7 amp, etc).

cvalue13

Two things from me:

First, you know/understand a lot more than I, to the point it’s hard for me to follow all your guidance/detail.

I have solutions for jumping batteries (cables or jump-boxes), but no ‘trickle charger’ for just maintaining the battery over periods of sitting idle.

below is my current battery:







Second, the phone-alerted voltage monitor sounds like an interesting G.A.S. acquisition - thanks for the tip. Will have to snoop for latest/greatest

CAVU

https://rennlist.com/forums/997-foru...batteries.html

IXLR8

Its been a few years since I worked on my friend's 997, but is the battery in an open area vented to the outside or sealed within the trunk? If the latter, you should have a hose connected to one side of the battery vent exiting the vehicle trunk (the other vent hole and there are two, is plugged with a plug).


Having worked with batteries in a lab, I bought three of those BM2 Battery Voltage Monitors for my cars because I like to monitor battery voltages while parked or stored. The trouble is, those devices are located under a hood and the 10 meter or 33 feet of Bluetooth range is in free-air, so range while it is hooked up to a battery that is under the hood to your phone app is a joke. I have to be standing practically next to my car to get a signal. Even at $30 each on Amazon, a waste of money IMO.

cvalue13

I’ll check when I receive the vehicle - still 2-3 more days on a transport 😣

cvalue13

interesting. The antigravity product seems to get strong reviews

CAVU

I think a Battery Tender like mine will work just fine. https://www.batterytender.com/weather-resistant-800 or https://www.batterytender.com/batter...tery-charger_7 Amazon is worth a check for pricing using "battery tender charger" vice "deltran" as the search.

I think they still sell them with a combo alligator and ring terminals. So a semi-permanent install can be done with an easy disconnect.

IXLR8

Well you know reviews. Bluetooth only has so much range.

When I bought those three BM2 Battery Voltage Monitors, I wanted to monitor all my vehicles from within my home. One daily driver vehicle is in my driveway and the other two are in my garage. No luck getting a strong enough signal. The issue is the BM2 is well shielded by metal. I have to be outside my front door within view of the car in the driveway (12 feet) to pick up a signal. I need stuff to work, not gimmicks.

srb1194

Is there a drawback using the style that uses the 12V Power Port versus alligator clamps? I think I prefer the power port option.