BATTERY POWER
Even when parked, your Porsche will drain its battery. It might sound obvious, but the car still has to carry out essential work when the engine is switched off. Security systems (perhaps juice-hungry aftermarket alarms) and other sensors will need to be kept operational, and the rate at which your car’s battery loses power will depend on the overall condition and age of the battery itself, as well as the efficiency of the electrical systems running on your Porsche.
A good, healthy car battery should be able to maintain charge for a couple of weeks before it needs to be recharged, but an older battery may need to be replenished much sooner. Taking your car for regular drives will ensure the battery remains topped up and electrical systems can operate uninterrupted, but with lockdown restrictions varying in frequency and severity from region to region, plus a lesser need for many of us to hit the road as often as we used to, we appreciate even getting out to drive a short distance might prove difficult. With this in mind, a battery trickle charger is an excellent idea.
Many of you will know Porsche offers its own battery trickle charger (the catchily named Charge-o-mat) for twelve-volt lead acid and lithium iron phosphate (LIFEPO4) batteries. It retails at around £140, but save your money and buy direct from CTEK, the unit’s manufacturer, an OEM supplier to many German car brands and the global leader in battery management solutions. In fact, when we checked, the Ctek-branded version of the same unit retails for £50 less than you’ll pay through Porsche.
CTEK’S product range offers plenty of battery charging solutions to suit different needs and budgets. You can visit the company’s website for the full line-up, but here are a couple of recent CTEK offerings we think will hold appeal for owners of classic Porsches. We’ve also highlighted a budget-friendly solution for those having to tighten their belts.
CT5 GULF BATTERY CHARGER
This Gulf-decorated CTEK CT5 battery charger features three key charging and maintenance stages to maximise the power and the lifetime of your Porsche’s battery. Not only will this charger ensure your Porsche’s battery is always in good condition through traditional trickle charge functionality, you can also use the CT5 Gulf to repair a discharged battery. Fully automatic, the unit can be left connected to your Porsche’s battery for long periods of time and it won’t overcharge or undercharge when left to work its magic. No specialist knowledge is needed for operation and the product is supplied with crocodile clips and eyelet connectors for maximum convenience. A unique countdown timer tells you when your car’s battery will be ready for use. Tough, durable and expertly built, this attractive charger also comes supplied with a five-year warranty and is designed to cope with a range of different environmental factors, including temperature fluctuation. Retailing for a smidge under £100 at the More Than Polish online store, it’s also competitively priced. Additional accessories, such as a wall mount, extension cable and bumper pack are available to purchase separately. Price: £100 morethanpolish.com
CS FREE PORTABLE BATTERY CHARGER/MAINTAINER
This is the world’s first multi-functional, fully portable charger and smart battery maintainer with Adaptive Boost technology. You can charge and maintain any twelve-volt lead acid or lithium battery anywhere in the world using mains, solar or leisure battery power. And if your car battery is completely flat, the awardwinning CS FREE will work out the safest and quickest way to power up and get you going within fifteen minutes. This really is an amazing bit of kit requiring no connection to the mains and affording you charging freedom by serving not only as a useful portable battery pack for your electronic items (USB-C and USB-A ports make charging laptops, smartphones and tablets a breeze) when you’re on the move, but also as an automotive trickle charger and jump pack. Indeed, you can connect the CS FREE to your Porsche’s dud battery while it’s connected in situ and use the CS FREE’S stored power — free of any mains connection — to immediately start the car. With no modes to select, simply connect the CS FREE to your battery and let the product do the rest. Ideal if you’re stranded with a flat battery at the side of the road, in a car park or out in the wild. We’re seriously impressed. Price: £218 Search Amazon
DISCARNECT BATTERY IMMOBILISER
A simple alternative to a battery trickle charger is the Discarnect battery immobiliser from automotive accessories giant, Richbrook, allowing you to efficiently disconnect your classic Porsche’s battery with the minimum of fuss. Simply unscrew the product’s black control knob! Discarnect comes supplied with a fuse link, allowing low level current to pass to alarms, radios and clocks, but not enough current required for ignition. If the fuse isn’t fitted, then all power can be connected or disconnected each time you hop in or out of your car — ideal for those who want to avoid the battery going flat on their laid-up Porsche. Suitable for all battery types with either square or round post terminals, Discarnect can be installed in minutes and is offered at a pleasing price point. Price: £9.95 richbrook.co.uk or call 01328 862387