Yep OK.....I have several of the old style but need another.

....golly, what a coincidence.....last nite on Dream Car Garage (after Tom Hnatiw went nuts reviewing his drive in a black CGT) he talked about batt maintainers and pretty much said that the CTEK unit was the best he'd ever run across.

 

I could be wrong but it looks like Porsche puts the cigarette lighter plug on theirs........I am not seeing that on the units carying the CTEK name.

 

if you go to the ctek website, there is an attachment that you can buy for the unit. you have to buy it separately, but it looks just like the cigarette lighter plug that comes with the porsche unit.

 

I bought the Black and Decker trickle charger from Amazon.com for $28
( incl. shipping)
It has 1 and 2 Amp charging settings, auto shut off etc.
It comes with cigarette lighter plug-in and with direct to battery connectors.

Works just as well as the "factory" unit at a fraction of the cost.

 

Yep...see it.........unfortunately I've called around and nobody seems to have a clue about this 'accessory'.

 

Apex has em
http://www.apexperformance.net/cartg...FQpgSgodHzRz7Q

The accessory is $9.95.

 

For what it's worth & as a follow-up, if a peron could find & buy more of the last Pcar maintainers I would recomend it....because I really I don't care much for the new (CTEK produced) maintainers.
Unfortunately these new(er) ones have a much heavier cable to go through the door seal or through an open window. More importanly, the older model had the 'works' all at the 120 outlet, then just a thin line (maybe 25 or 30' long) to the car.........The new or current ones have a heavy power cord down from the outlet, then the 'box unit' lays on the floor I guess......then the short heavy cable that goes through the door to cig lighter.
Maybe the new is a better unit (in some way?) but sure isn't as convienient.

 

I just bought my Porsche unit from ebay and plugged it into my p-car two nights ago. My battery is back up to full charge and sitting pretty. The unit is a great unit for $120.

 

JCS - Thanks for the advice on the Black & Decker unit. I too purchased it from Amazon.com. It works great at a fraction of the cost of the Porsche unit.

 

I order mine last week......
Does it really work? its necesary?
I use my car 2 o 3 days a week.......

 

Yes, it does work. I only use it when my car is not going to be driven for more than a week.

 

Hey all, just want to say thanks for the advice on the Black & Decker unit. Arrived from Amazon.com sooner than promised (bonus), and the thing is working great. Saved over $100 thanks to 6speed!

 

Is this the black&Decker you guys are using? (VEC080BD)

http://www.amazon.com/Decker-VEC080B...8&s=automotive

 

On the "is it necessary" topic, I usually just fire it up and let it warm to normal temps when I'm not going to drive it. Shouldn't that keep the battery charged?

I only used trickle chargers in the past when the car was being stored for longer terms... I went on a trip for work for 3 1/2 weeks and it was fine when I got back.

 

That's the one.