I think a lot of the CTEK cost is in the quality. It is an "elegant solution"...much like the 911 (yes, i know...$100 is pretty expensive). High quality, lots of accessories, storage bag, easy to use, etc.. Install the connector in each car and you have a clean, easy safe way to hook it up and turn it on. Also safety. Once the cable/connector is installed on your car/s, your wife or kid can plug up the quick disconnect, keyed connector without switching terminals. The small box and connectors are somewhat water resistant and the unit is equipped with overheating protection. It also has an "error mode" to protect the unit and alert you to problems. They come with a storage bag for them and accessories and are easy to transport/store. They seem to last for many years. I have several and all are several years old and work perfectly. Mine have long paid for their cost.

I have a fancy one (Xtreme) on the 911 Optima, but have used the Battery Tenders on deep cycle Optimas too....and lots of other cheap ones on other stuff....all seem to work just fine.

I park my car from late October to about May and don't use a trickle charger nor do I put a charger on in the spring. You should be good for 8 weeks. For my lawnmower I use a Battery Tender and have been happy with it since it only charges as needed.

I have used them for year.. I have yet to replace a battery in many-many years in Canada.
CTek is the best one.

The CTEK 3300's came today. Now screwed to the ceiling and straight down to the car, with quick break away fittings (in case I drive out without disconnecting them). For the truck I just ran the cord through the grill and used alligator clips to the battery. For the turbo I used the permanent terminal attachments and ran the cord through the top of the hood at the bottom of the windshield. The hood shuts fine.

The CTEKs were only $54 on Amazon, with free one-day shipping. I like the simplicity of the automatic change from charge to maintenance. A quick glance at the LEDs and you know where you stand.

Good idea, BTDT more than once :rolleyes::D:rolleyes:

Also keep in mind a Tender will mask a problem.

I just had the 5 year old 4 year warrantied battery go on my E30, it would indicate 12.7 volts but had no amperage. I just replaced with with a Red top.

The alternator on my E21 went bad, since I only drive it once every couple of weeks and only for 20 miles or less, I did not know, there was no idiot light on to indicate it was not working. I drove it to meet a good friend for beers one evening 20 miles away. It ran there and back fine.

The next day my wife took it and, of course, the battery went dead while she was driving it leaving her stranded and me having to leave work to come rescue her. I bought a new battery just to get the car home.

As mentioned I only use the Battery Tender Brand but that CTEK sounds like better option.

That permanent lead was included with the Battery Tender units I bought 10 years ago and with the Schumachers I’ve purchased more recently.

Dad got the CTEK one, pretty easy to use.

Get your hair cut short before you do the elbow, trust me.

Ice and compression, ask them about getting some tubigrip, wrapping it will be a PITA

Battery Tenders?
 

I have used many battery tenders over the years on bikes and my last 911. If I wired one to plug in to the cigarette lighter on my Cayman, would it work like the Porsche model in the manual or is there something special about that model?

Nothing special about the Porsche charger. Newer P-cars have a lighter socket that is unswitched. Any charger will work through the plug. I use a BT all the time.

CTEK

Years w/o issue.

I am huge fan of the NOCO products and have several of them currently in use. Their customer service is top notch too, I recently experienced a lightening strike very close to my house that affected several of the NOCO units, and they were all replaced at no charge.

Battery Tenders?
 

Cool. Thanks for the information.

I had about a half dozen of those until one malfunctioned and boiled off most of the battery fluid on my boat. Battery less than one year old exploded and nearly knocked me silly when I turned he key. I was staggering around with no hearing for a few seconds stunned like you see depicted in the movies. I threw away all the cheap ones and bought all ctek models and have had nothing but good results over the last few years. I use the small .8 amp models. It can bring back a battery but takes a few days with the low output.

My opinion and experience only.

Bob

What are you guys using?

Back in 1995 when I bought my 911 I put in a small batter tender - trickle charger in the corner of the trunk. I can just open the trunk, plug in an extension cord, and it is charging. Back then I had a wet cell battery, and a proper drain for the battery. Now I have a glass mat battery. I only plug it in in the winter when it is likely to have nasty roads. My 911 can go a month or more and fire right up without the tender plugged in.

I have an old one from Griot's Garage for the 993 and a Malibu, both of which don't see much use. Old reliable.