Memory savers

[Brian Sullivan]

Anybody used one of those memory saver devices designed to keep power on for ECU devices when the battery is disconnected. I presume they will work for my 987? I see three types out there:

1) ones that plug into a power outlet and have a 9 volt battery power source

2) ones that connect to the battery terminals and have a 9 volt battery power source

3) ones that connect to the OBD plug and require a separate 12 volt source (either via battery terminal connects or power plug source)

I presume all would work with the Boxster. Any advantage/disadvantage to any of them?

 

[Ahsai]

I've never used one but I seriously doubt a tiny 9v battery is enough to power the interior lights and funk light, which may be ON. I would prefer to rig up one using a 12v lead acid security backup battery (http://www.amazon.com/Alarm-Battery-12-Volt-4-0ah/dp/B002RLQXBU) and connect it to a male cigarette lighter adapter. Then just plug that into the cigarette lighter socket, which is always hot.

 

The cigarette lighter socket is already protected by a 15A fuse so in case you accidentally short out the positive and negative battery cables when the battery is disconnected, you will only blow that 15A fuse.

Edited January 9, 2015 by Ahsai

[JFP in PA]

 

Anybody used one of those memory saver devices designed to keep power on for ECU devices when the battery is disconnected. I presume they will work for my 987? I see three types out there:

1) ones that plug into a power outlet and have a 9 volt battery power source

2) ones that connect to the battery terminals and have a 9 volt battery power source

3) ones that connect to the OBD plug and require a separate 12 volt source (either via battery terminal connects or power plug source)

I presume all would work with the Boxster. Any advantage/disadvantage to any of them?

 

 

The little 9V memory savers will work during a very brief (a few min.) main battery replacement, but are not designed to be for a longer term use. 

 

Several quality battery maintainers (Ctek comes to mind) have settings to hold the car's retained data for longer periods, but you have to work very carefully as many circuits will remain "hot" while this is hooked up.  They also recommend against very long term connections.