Taycan Winter Storage Prep - CTEK Battery tender?

[Chedman13]

I have a 2020 Taycan Turbo that I'm hearing might need to be on a battery tender.

1) Can someone confirm that is true? I hear 2021 models charge the 12V Lithium battery via the wall charger.

2) If I do need a battery tender, I really prefer CTEK as that is what I have for my other cars and CTEK is also the OEM manufacturer for Porsche, Mercedes, etc. https://smartercharger.com/products/ctek-lithium-us

Can someone point me to: 3) what OEM Porsche Lithium charger I can purchase - if not I will get the CTEK one. 4) where do I plug in the CTEK to the Taycan? the 12V Cigarette lighter? https://smartercharger.com/collections/accessories/products/ctek-comfort-indicator-cig-plug

I searched and someone else is using this option:
https://www.batterytender.com/batte...ead-acid-lithium-battery-charger_7?quantity=1
https://www.batterytender.com/Battery-Tender-12-FT-Extension-Cable
https://www.batterytender.com/Battery-Tender-OBDII-Accessory-Cable

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[Chedman13]

Quick bump if I really need to keep the 12 V battery charged via a battery tender if I have the car plugged in.

 

[nycebo]

I have the CTEK charger but haven't used it yet on the Taycan. Generally I top up the car once a month or quarter or so. My suspicion is that charging will not work through the cigarette lighter as in older ICE models. My instinct is that you will need to add the quick connects to the battery terminals in the frunk (under the center panel).

I read a post about it earlier, as well as something from the manual. I'll report back when I track one down.

 

[nycebo]

From GTK:

Charging the 12-volt battery using the charger

12-volt lithium battery terminals

• Observe the instructions provided by the charger manufacturer.
• 12-volt lithium batteries should only be charged in a well ventilated area.

1. Open the hood.Opening and locking the hood and trunk lid
2. Remove the plastic cover.Installing and removing the plastic cover in the front luggage compartment
3. Fold open the cap on the positive terminal for emergency starting +.
4. Connect the red positive cable of the charger to the positive terminal for emergency starting +.
5. Connect the black negative cable of the charger to the – ground point.
6. Switch on the charger.
7. After charging, switch off the charger before disconnecting it.
8. Close the cap on the positive terminal for emergency starting +.
9. Install the plastic cover.Installing and removing the plastic cover in the front luggage compartment

For recommendations for a suitable charger:

• Contact an authorized Porsche dealer.

 

[Mike in CA]

You'll want the CTEK Lithium US charger.

Amazon.com: CTEK (56-926) LITHIUM US 12 Volt Fully Automatic LiFePO4 Battery Charger,Blue : Automotive

Follow the directions in the post above or refer to the manual page 270. Here is a photo of my car hooked up to the CTEK charger using the supplied alligator clips. FWIW, I have the charger mounted above the car and use the CTEK Comfort Connect Extension Cable to reach the terminals under the plastic cover.

 

[whitex]

Hi, I'm new to Porsche EV (but not new to EV's), still waiting for my Taycan allocation, but are you guys saying that the 12V battery does not automatically charge from 800V battery as needed (though a DC-to-DC converter of course)? Did Porsche actually stick an physical ICE alternator onto the drive shaft of the electric motors, so the 12V battery only charges when driving? ?

 

[W1NGE]

Hi, I'm new to Porsche EV (but not new to EV's), still waiting for my Taycan allocation, but are you guys saying that the 12V battery does not automatically charge from 800V battery as needed (though a DC-to-DC converter of course)? Did Porsche actually stick an physical ICE alternator onto the drive shaft of the electric motors, so the 12V battery only charges when driving? ?

No not at all. Charges when in use but not when parked up. So if parking up for weeks on end you might suffer some 12V drain and therefore need a means to charge your 12V.

I think (not sure) the 12V is additionally topped up as needed when charging your 800V but note that you don't leave your EVSE connected for days on end to maintain a charge.

 

[whitex]

No not at all. Charges when in use but not when parked up. So if parking up for weeks on end you might suffer some 12V drain and therefore need a means to charge your 12V.

I think (not sure) the 12V is additionally topped up as needed when charging your 800V but note that you don't leave your EVSE connected for days on end to maintain a charge.

Why charging 12V only when in use? Since the phone app can connect to the car, I assume there are some computers continuously on. Also, battery conditioning (cooling or heating when parked in high heat or freezing cold) should not be running only when in use, so why not wake up the 12V charges as needed to top off the car from the high voltage battery? Did Tesla or Nissan patent this and Porsche couldn't figure out a way around the (rather obvious) patent? If an EV is connected to shore power, it should not be needing additional electricity life support no matter how long it's parked. I don't get the rational here.

PS> During COVID-19 lockdowns we didn't drive much. I had to charge up my kid's ICE car 12 battery every few weeks, but my and my wife's Tesla has absolutely no issue being parked while plugged in. The only time my Tesla ever needed a 12V tender was when I ripped out the main computer from it (to fix it).

 

[W1NGE]

Why charging 12V only when in use? Since the phone app can connect to the car, I assume there are some computers continuously on. Also, battery conditioning (heating or cooling when parked in high heat or freezing cold) should not be running only when in use, so why not wake up the 12V charges as needed to top off the car from the high voltage battery? Did Tesla or Nissan patent this and Porsche couldn't figure out a way around the (rather obvious) patent? If an EV is connected to shore power, it should not be needing additional electricity life support no matter how long it's parked. I don't get the rational here.

PS> During COVID lockdowns we didn't drive much. I had to charge up my kid's 12 battery every few weeks, but my and my wife's Tesla has absolutely no issue being parked while plugged in.

Taycan has suffered various 12V issues since launch (most, we believe have been addressed). One of the early issues was not maintaining 12V charge due to various circumstances (one attached).

Like I mentioned, most of these have been addressed but I'm a bit paranoid about leaving things powered on / connected and in particular the Taycan given its history as I don't want to wake up to a car I can't unlock (for example) or start.

12V is used for various ancillary features (car alarm, locking / unlocking, Porsche Connect LTE) but when you wish to remotely heat / cool then the 800V serves these requirements but receives its instructions via the 12V powered LTE connect instruction (or timer).

I didn't design this but some logic appears to have escaped those that did to function as you might reasonably expect. A Taycan is not a Tesla.

 

[whitex]

Taycan has suffered various 12V issues since launch (most, we believe have been addressed). One of the early issues was not maintaining 12V charge due to various circumstances (one attached).

Like I mentioned, most of these have been addressed but I'm a bit paranoid about leaving things powered on / connected and in particular the Taycan given its history as I don't want to wake up to a car I can't unlock (for example) or start.

12V is used for various ancillary features (car alarm, locking / unlocking, Porsche Connect LTE) but when you wish to remotely heat / cool then the 800V serves these requirements but receives its instructions via the 12V powered LTE connect instruction (or timer).

I didn't design this but some logic appears to have escaped those that did to function as you might reasonably expect. A Taycan is not a Tesla.

I usually install 12V dual channel dashcams in all my cars (including Tesla's with built in dashcam function, but I don't find it reliable at all, so don't use it, as every OTA update, which can come as often as every week, you never know if dashcam may or may not be working right - time gaps, corrupt files, etc). On the Teslas the 12V dashcam runs just fine 24/7, since Tesla will just top off the 12V batter as needed. I hope I can do the same on the Taycan. ?

 

[W1NGE]

I usually install 12V dual channel dashcams in all my cars (including Tesla's with built in dashcam function, but I don't find it reliable at all, so don't use it, as every OTA update, which can come as often as every week, you never know if dashcam may or may not be working right - time gaps, corrupt files, etc). On the Teslas the 12V dashcam runs just fine 24/7, since Tesla will just top off the 12V batter as needed. I hope I can do the same on the Taycan. ?

I'd be wary - Tesla thought this through and Porsche (apparently) didn't. There is a Porsche Webcam - not sure if you've seen it - but apparently it isn't all singing and dancing. Check with your dealer in terms of maintaining 12V charge - I think this was addressed during the spate of patches Porsche issued but I'm not 100% certain of this.

 

[Chedman13]

@Mike in CA thanks so much! If it isn't too much of a hassle, can you show a picture of where you routed your CTEK Comfort Connect Extension Cable for easy access?

This is exactly what I'll do and keep the 12V topped off every once in a while. What's great about the CTEK chargers, it shows exactly the level of charge in the battery.

You'll want the CTEK Lithium US charger.

Amazon.com: CTEK (56-926) LITHIUM US 12 Volt Fully Automatic LiFePO4 Battery Charger,Blue : Automotive

Follow the directions in the post above or refer to the manual page 270. Here is a photo of my car hooked up to the CTEK charger using the supplied alligator clips. FWIW, I have the charger mounted above the car and use the CTEK Comfort Connect Extension Cable to reach the terminals under the plastic cover.

 

[nycebo]

This is exactly what I'll do and keep the 12V topped off every once in a while. What's great about the CTEK chargers, it shows exactly the level of charge in the battery.

That's what I do as well on all my cars. Of course, do remember to use the correct charger!

 

[Mike in CA]

@Mike in CA thanks so much! If it isn't too much of a hassle, can you show a picture of where you routed your CTEK Comfort Connect Extension Cable for easy access?
This is exactly what I'll do and keep the 12V topped off every once in a while. What's great about the CTEK chargers, it shows exactly the level of charge in the battery.

My garage ceiling is open to the roof and there is an existing outlet for the garage door opener so it was easy for me to find a place above the car to mount the CTEK charger, using it's 4 mounting tabs, and plug it in. Your situation my be different and require more work arounds. The extension cable attaches to the plug in the photo and I just lift the cover and leave the hood ajar. Good luck!

.

 

[Chedman13]

@Mike in CA awesome! Sorry, I was asking where you store the comfort quick connect piece under the hood.

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