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Registered
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: Indy,IN
Posts: 489
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The use of trickle chargers
This post will mean very little to the fortunate (or unfortunate) ones who live in relatively warm climates and get to drive their 911s all year long.
Who here is using a trickle charger on their hibernating 911 right now? Has anyone run into problems charging their batteries over these long, cold months? Since my 911 is on jack stands until late Feb., I thought I would try to keep the battery in somewhat usable condition. I purchased a Schumacher 1.5v charger, so atleast it is of good quaility. So is this a good idea? Thanks for your time. Weaver
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Weaver '88 911 Targa '03 911 Turbo, X73 Susp. '13 Panamera GTS PCA member Central Indiana |
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Registered
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Southern California
Posts: 5,067
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I live in sunny So. Cal., and sometimes don't drive my car for extended periods of time. I have the Schumacher charger, and it works great.
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1984 Targa |
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Registered
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Peoples Republic of Long Beach, NY
Posts: 21,140
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I use a marine style battery lug that has a wing nut to quickly remove/replace the battery ground strap.. the new strap has a hole at the end to fit over the new lug pin..
otherwise I'd disconnect the battery and give it a quick recharge every month or two or six
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Ronin LB '77 911s 2.7 PMO E 8.5 SSI Monty MSD JPI w x6 |
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Go Speedracer, go!
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Indianapolis
Posts: 1,951
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I have been trying to store my car for the winter. Unfortunately, I can't stand to look at it sitting in the garage under it's cover. Since we've had a few days of sun here in Indy, I have gotten it out and tried to steer clear of the salt. I will be stopping in one of those do-it-yourself carwashes to rinse out the wheelwells and underbody at the end of the weekend.
Anyway, my dad lets his sit for up to three months at a time and doesn't use a trickle charger. We have never had a problem with it starting right up. I have heard of units called battery minders that are supposed to do a great job of keeping the battery topped up but not over charging it.
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1981 SC ROW Coupe |
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Original Owner
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: San Antonio, Texas
Posts: 1,907
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I drive mine year round at least twice per month all winter and its ALWAYS plugged into the battery minder when in the garage - even in the summer.
My last battery was a Delco Freedom 60 installed April 2, 1994!
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tsuter 78 911SC Turbo Targa Thaaaats Right!! |
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Registered
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I've heard that older straight trickle chargers can overdo a battery, although I have not met anyone who complained of this happening to them. I use a "Battery Tender" which monitors the battery and applies a trickle charge only when necessary. Like tsuter above I've gotten above average life from bike and car batteries. I think it's more important on the tiny motorcycle batteries, which do not tolerate very under/over conditions well.
It's also good not to ask your alternater to bring a battery back from the brink.
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Ken 1986 930 2016 R1200RS |
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Registered
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Peoples Republic of Long Beach, NY
Posts: 21,140
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Quote:
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Ronin LB '77 911s 2.7 PMO E 8.5 SSI Monty MSD JPI w x6 |
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Registered
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Die Hard Battery Tender Plus User
I have used many brands of trickle chargers and about 8 yrs ago comitted to one brand. I use the Battery Tender Plus on 2 jetski, 1 boat and the Porsche. I have gone 6 months at a time without using the water toys and the batteries are always ready to go. All three watercraft batteries are over 5 years old and other than topping off the water once a year they require no maintenance. My buddies at the lake replace their batteries almost annually due to over cooking on trickle chargers or from not charging at all.
Here is a site that explains some of the differences in trickle chargers. They are not all created equal http://batterytender.com
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Matthew D. '87 Carrera Coupe Guards Red/Cold A/C PCA Member |
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