Leaving car for 6 weeks - plug in or no?

[Bustergordon]

Thanks, everyone. @pm4s , does that mean you aren’t plugging the car in to the EV charger, you’re just trickle charging the 12v battery? I‘m intrigued by that…

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[pm4s]

Yes just trickle charging the 12v, car will sound the horn as all cars when you lock it with the bonnet half shut, make sure to use an AGM trickle charger (or select the AGM mode if using a “dumb”/manual trickle charger) and use the points provided by the manufacturer, never directly on the battery.
Keeps the 12V topped up in top condition rather than draining it and hoping the car will handle it.
If you read posts from any ICE/EV brand you will find many that have returned from a trip to a dead car for various reasons.
Myself I trust my trickle charger (never failed me) and I’ll spend the 2 minutes putting the clamps on when I leave for longer trips.
For 2 cars I even had a hard wired extension with quick connect so quicker than using the clamps.
Never left the EVSE plugged in.

 

[jwatte]

Doesn't the Macan have a LFP (lithium) battery?

The reason to not connect straight to a battery, is that old-school lead-acid batteries generate hydrogen gas when charging, and the second connection to the battery will complete a circuit and generate a spark, so the spark can explode the hydrogen gas.
(A spark can also be generated when disconnecting, btw.)

But LFP batteries don't generate hydrogen gas. If that's your battery chemistry, you can connect wherever, including straight on the terminals.

 

[W1NGE]

Doesn't the Macan have a LFP (lithium) battery?

The reason to not connect straight to a battery, is that old-school lead-acid batteries generate hydrogen gas when charging, and the second connection to the battery will complete a circuit and generate a spark, so the spark can explode the hydrogen gas.
(A spark can also be generated when disconnecting, btw.)

But LFP batteries don't generate hydrogen gas. If that's your battery chemistry, you can connect wherever, including straight on the terminals.

Please consult the manual - https://manual.porsche.com/#/wpi/XA..._GB/topic/id/181e07a1f0bca79c8d24c0b3575b199c

Your guidance is incorrect

 

[Bustergordon]

What trickle charger are you using? Any tips on connecting it? It looks like you have to remove the whole frunk cover inside?

I think I am going to go this route…

 

[toontoon]

Hi all! My new 4s comes next week…just in time for me to leave on a 6 week trip. I’ve read a bunch of threads and there seems to be a ton of conflicting information. Some suggest just leaving it, others say plug it in and set it to 50%. I’m just wondering if there are any updated views on what I should do…

Thanks!

I'd say it depends on the weather where you will be leaving your car for the 6 weeks. I wouldn't worry too much if the temperature is 15-45 degree celcius range but if it falls below 0 degree then I would leave it plugged in with the target of 50%. Regardless of what Porsche says, the battery will drain. I left mine at 80% for 3 weeks in Chicago (-4C (25F)) Average and it drained from 80 to 60%.

 

[Bustergordon]

We are outside of PDX so temps are likely to be in the 30-50 Fahrenheit range. The garage isn’t entirely insulated, but I have never seen it get below 45, even when it is snowing. I am still unsure as to whether plugging in the high voltage batter also charges the 12v, given that Porsche themselves recommend charging the 12v if the car is going to be sitting for 6 weeks. The car is on 92% charge now, having been mostly fully charged for shipping to me. I think I am more concerned with the 12v running down than the big battery, unless I am crazy in my thinking.

 

[pm4s]

Doesn't the Macan have a LFP (lithium) battery?

The reason to not connect straight to a battery, is that old-school lead-acid batteries generate hydrogen gas when charging, and the second connection to the battery will complete a circuit and generate a spark, so the spark can explode the hydrogen gas.
(A spark can also be generated when disconnecting, btw.)

But LFP batteries don't generate hydrogen gas. If that's your battery chemistry, you can connect wherever, including straight on the terminals.

It’s just an AGM battery you can see it if you remove the small cover. Taycan had lithium 12v battery; rumoured replacement cost: 2k+
Reason not to connect directly to the battery terminals is you’ll be bypassing the cars BMS, the car monitors 12v battery health / any current going in/out / etc.
The correct/safe way is to use the designated jump connections.
This isn’t 1990, I had to code in the replacement battery of my Audi so it knows exactly what type of battery I am installing in, that is a new battery, etc. so it knows how to charge/maintain it.
No wonder they last 9 years opposed to the 2 years I used to get 35+ years ago, and those batteries only had to run the tiniest of fractions of the loads cars today have.

 

[pm4s]

What trickle charger are you using? Any tips on connecting it? It looks like you have to remove the whole frunk cover inside?

I think I am going to go this route…

I’m using a CTEK ONE I believe it’s called, it’s a smart charger does everything from lead acid, AGM, EFB, lithium, etc. no polarity, no buttons, just connect the small clamps and switch the socket, it does the rest, has Bluetooth to connect with phone & various programs for charging, never used any of that.
Obviously had and have other CTEKs from my lead acid only days.
You don’t remove the whole frunk there are 2 small access covers plus a cover on the terminal, W1NGE posted a link in the manual above which explains it.

 

[LinuxLars]

Hi all! My new 4s comes next week…just in time for me to leave on a 6 week trip. I’ve read a bunch of threads and there seems to be a ton of conflicting information. Some suggest just leaving it, others say plug it in and set it to 50%. I’m just wondering if there are any updated views on what I should do…

Thanks!

I had a similar issue. Porsche (customer support) suggested I charge it to 85% and just leave it be (90% would be safer if cold weather is expected).

In my case, after 4 weeks, I had about 65% remaining when I got back, and the car started up just fine.

Talk to your dealer and to Porsche customer support, and find a solution that works for your specific conditions.

PS. I got one of the first Macan 4 EV's off the line, and I absolutely LOVE this vehicle.

 

[Bustergordon]

Thanks everyone! The car came on Sunday and I can’t wait to drive it (still waiting on the title to get to me).

Is it an AGM or lithium battery? I'm seeing conflicting things, and want to make sure I charge it properly…

Also, I opened up the two small covers where the connectors for the 12v are, and the car started beeping and gave me a "Frunk emergency cover" error on the dash. Will that go away?

Thanks for your patience with me!

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