Another flat battery thread!

One for the electrical collective. Bought my car in March last year. Shortly afterwards went away on a long haul trip, and by the time I got back and got over jet lag, the car had been standing for 5 weeks. Went to take it out and found it had a flat battery. Bvgger! Jump started it and off I went. I had starting problems a couple more times over the course of the summer, so I replaced the battery in August. No problems after that. Then another break in use since mid December, due to grotty weather, Christmas run up and being away over the New Year. Went to take it out for the first run of 2005 yesterday, and battery flat again. Bvgger! Now as far as I can see, nothing is on when the ignition is off i.e boot light etc, so the only drain on the battery should be the alarm/immobiliser. The battery was new and from a reputable source, so for it to go flat over a 4 week period seems odd. The car is due for a service soon so I will get it looked at then, but I wonder if anyone has any ideas? Richard 97 arctic silver c2 Migration info. Legacy thread was 22814

I think 4 weeks is a bit too long - Also the temperature seems to make a big difference to the starting performance. The Porker has a massive battery, but when it is cold and the 11 litres of oil gets sticky it seems you need a full battery to turn it over.... (err - just realised I was thinking 993 - does the 996 also have a dry sump? - otherwise my comments don't necessarily apply) LJ Migration info. Legacy thread was 22819

THe only time I had mine standing for over 2-3 wks was last winter befoer changing the battery. Since then 2-3wks in the cold has caused no problem. You can always get the AA to come out when the battery's flat and they'll tell you if the battery's ok. Migration info. Legacy thread was 22823

I was told that 993's have a high battery drain and that if left for a long period of time without starting (2-3 weeks) then the battery will drain flat. I purchased a battery maintainer that plugs into the cigarette lighter and keeps the battery "topped up" during the week when the car is not being used. Might be worth investing in one of these. Cheers Mark Migration info. Legacy thread was 22826

if its a bosch battery they are prone to this they dont last if the car is stood but the alarm and clock will drain the battery some ferrari's have a battery on off switch but i never lock or arm the alarm anyway in the garage Migration info. Legacy thread was 22835

This is a bit poor to my mind. I've got an old Peugeot 205 which is worth zilch but I am keeping it for when my eldest starts to drive in a couple of years time. It lives outside all year round, if it's lucky it gets started once very 6 weeks or so, but it will start on the first turn of the key every time. The pampered pride and joy which probaby cost 10 times as much as the Pug when it was new on the other hand rolls over and plays dead. Migration info. Legacy thread was 22844

The newer cars have been known to die when left at the Airport for a couple of weeks. Alarm, Tracker etc have a huge toll on battery power. If you are leaving in the garage at home for any more than a week or so I would buy a battery conditioner (NOT trickle charger!) and connect up to that. I have been doing this with the Boxster and previously 944 for about 5 years now. No problems. Migration info. Legacy thread was 22899

Slightly difficult this one as my car lives in a lock up which doesn't have any power. If I am going to have to leave the car for any length of time, perhaps locking it, but not activating the alarm is a possible answer, although that is not ideal from an insurance point of view. Richard Migration info. Legacy thread was 22909

i believe you can get solar powered conditioners - does the lock up hav a window or you could fit top the roof and extend the cable? Migration info. Legacy thread was 22916

Revisiting this, there was a write up in the Sunday Times motoring section of a gzimo called Pro Starter 2; seems you can plug it into the lighter socket and it will give the battery sufficient boost to start the car. Anyone got one and is it any good? Richard 97 arctic silver c2 Migration info. Legacy thread was 23111

Surely if you can't start the car, you can't run accessories off the lighter socket? Or, if you've got another car to plug the gizmo into you could just jump it from that? :? Migration info. Legacy thread was 23113

No, this thing is supposedly like a booster pack that is pre-charged, and sends power to the car battery via being plugged into the lighter socket. Migration info. Legacy thread was 23114

You can buy a booster pack for about £60 but that isn't really a long term solution. If the battery is repeatedly drained flat it will knacker it and it won't recharge fully through driving, it will need to be charged via a mains charger. Migration info. Legacy thread was 23116

I have seen these Jump-starter-via-cigarette-lighter thingys before and I have to say that when you consider the amperage going through the big old clamps and how they smoke and shower sparks if you get it (slightly) wrong and how they heat up and start smouldering if you use the charge for more than a few seconds, it makes me very dubious about putting all that power through the old cigarette lighter and also through your electrical harness etc. I would prefer the trickle charger - that solar one sounds good... LJ Migration info. Legacy thread was 23118

Hi Guys, new to the forum, and have had plenty battery problems since getting my '00 996 C2. All my accumulated knowledge is towards the end of this other thread: http://www.911uk.com/forum/display_topic_threads.asp?ForumID=12&TopicID=6065 Migration info. Legacy thread was 52320