Why weak starting at times?

[DRACO A5OG]

Hey Karl,

Not for nutin, but consider getting a battery tender with a maintenance cycle like a C-Tek 3300. Your New Battery will last longer and it will insure you have 12.6+ volts prior to start up.

The maintenance cycle is important so it can de-sulfate the battery for you.

Jim

[patz]

Glad it worked out.....BUT a decent volt meter is a must for old Porsches.

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by DRACO A5OG

Hey Karl,

Not for nutin, but consider getting a battery tender with a maintenance cycle like a C-Tek 3300. Your New Battery will last longer and it will insure you have 12.6+ volts prior to start up.

The maintenance cycle is important so it can de-sulfate the battery for you.

Jim

Good suggestion Jim. TY. Great idea for 911's hibernating for winter--but then guys in winterland probably know this gizmo already. Digging for more batt intel, came upon "how to kill a battery"...:

• Batteries sit too long between charges. As little as 24 hours in hot weather and several days in cooler weather.
• Battery is stored without some type of energy input.
• "Deep cycling" an engine starting battery. Remember these batteries can't stand deep discharge.
• Undercharging of a battery to only 90% of capacity will allow sulfation of the battery using the 10% of battery chemistry not reactivated by the incompleted charging cycle.
• Heat of 100 plus F., increases internal discharge. As temperatures increase so does internal discharge. A new fully charged battery left sitting 24 hours a day at 110 degrees F for 30 days would most likely not start an engine.
• Low electrolyte level - battery plates exposed to air will immediately sulfate.
• Incorrect charging levels and settings. Most cheap battery chargers can do more harm than good. See the section on battery charging.
• Cold weather is also hard on the battery. The chemistry does not make the same amount of energy as a warm battery. A deeply discharged battery can freeze solid in sub zero weather.
• Parasitic drain is a load put on a battery with the key off. More info on parasitic drain will follow in this document.

More complete info at:

Battery Basics: A Layman's Guide to Batte | BatteryStuff Articles

[Discseven]

Originally Posted by patz

Glad it worked out.....BUT a decent volt meter is a must for old Porsches.

Thanks PATZ. Got small, non-pro VM. Works fine. How's winter swell off Newport?!