Battery conditioner

websnake · 12-04-2001, 02:38 PM

My 964 1992 is now parked safely in my garage for the winter. The problem is how to maintain the battery, while still being protected by the car-alarm etc. I know there is some kind of battery conitioner out threre. Where can I buy it? Which one should I buy? What´s the cost?

Best regards

Chris
SWEDEN

pwd72s · 12-04-2001, 03:29 PM

Chris, there are several brands. Popular here in the USA are two that I know of. One, by Schumaker (sp?) is called a "Mity Mite" or something like that. Another popular one is called "battery tender". The key to both is that they add current at a relatively low rate, less than 2 amps. And the really important key is that they can "read" battery voltage so they are able to shut themselves off once the battery is full. Both work off normal 115V household current here. But, I would think a trip to your local auto parts store should find a similar product designed to work off whatever voltage is considered normal household current there.

Oldporsche · 12-04-2001, 05:57 PM

I found one on the local Wal_Mart clearance rack in the auto dept. I believe that it was about $8.00.

These things are advertised a lot. I might look at Harbor Freight Sales.

Good luck,
David Duffield

T Bird · 12-06-2001, 05:41 AM

Chris
I've used the Battery Tender for several years now with my Optima batteries. The Battery Tender is exactly what you are looking for. One is connected to the Optima in my 911 at all times other than when driving the car. I keep another on the Optima in my tractor during the winter months.

http://batterytender.com/index2.html

I don't know where you can buy one in Sweeden, but if mail order to the U.S. is okay, Eastwood sells the various models of the Battery Tender.

http://www.vista1.com/eastwood/

Type in "Battery Tender" in the search window and hit "Go."

The unit comes with a detachable "alligator clip" wire harness and a detachable harness that terminates in loop connectors. On my 911, I used the latter harness and attached the loop connectors to the terminals of the battery. I then ran the harness up to the surface of the trunk carpet. This way, the detachable harness stays connected to my battery at all times and allows me to connect/disconnect the Battery Tender to the harness in about 3 seconds.

Good luck.
John

Jdub · 12-06-2001, 06:25 AM

I use a motorcycle battery charger as I prefer using a 2amp charging rate. If time is not an issue you might consider running your charger at this amperage if you have that option. By the way, this is also the way to "fool" a near-dead battery into coming back to life...charge it at a low amperage and you can coax a bit of life from it. Enough to get you to the store for a new one anyway!

Jw

Planter91C2 · 12-06-2001, 06:41 AM

why bother, just remove the battery and store inside. if you are worried about auto theft, remove your wheels.

pwd72s · 12-06-2001, 10:34 AM

T Bird, the battery tender is a good product. But the original post was made from Sweden. Many European countries use a different voltage than we here in the USA for household current. I don't know that any charger sold for use here would work well in Sweden. BTW, the Schumaker product works well too. I've used both!

T Bird · 12-06-2001, 01:30 PM

pwd72S- excellent observation true of all the above replys (including yours), but why would he ask the question if U.S. appliances were not compatible with his local conditions?

pwd72s · 12-07-2001, 09:04 PM

Good question, T bird. Only answer I have is that I was once stupid enough to pack USA voltage grooming articles for a trip to Europe. Have to admit, once there, I learned quickly about the difference! BTW, I currently (pun intended) use a blade razor...you? Best, Paul

websnake · 12-23-2001, 07:04 AM

Hi everyone!
Thanks for your tips! The reason I asked about a battery-conditioner was to check if anyone had good or bad experiences to share and which one to buy. I'm well aware of the fact that US uses different household current compared to us Europeans. However, since I travel a lot to the US and have found quite a few appliances that works with both 200-230 V and 110-115 v, I thought the question was relevant. Also, this bulletin board is read all over the world, and your English cousins might have a similar one for 230 V. I will check the different links and make my purchase ASAP. Merry Christmas to all of you! We are having a beautiful white Christmas here in Sweden. However, I'm glad my 964 is in the garage - It's quite a challenge to drive it in snow....

Brgds
Chris
SWEDEN

89911 · 12-23-2001, 07:20 AM

I got mine at Sears. $25. I added some disconnects for the summer when I don't need it. The positive and negative lead remain attached to the battery terminals. In the winter I have it velcroed to the gas tank and simply park it and plug it in, whether it sits for a week or a month.