| Author | Message | ||
| Mark Pautz (Malfark)
Member Username: Malfark Post Number: 282 Registered: 10-2002 |
Phew!! I keep on offering her that opportunity, but she declines! Perhaps she's having flashbacks of scraping my Alfa Spider back in 1989! MAlfaRK | ||
| Wolfgang Eistert (53345)
Member Username: 53345 Post Number: 286 Registered: 3-2003 |
Mark, I know, you are a hard working man, sorry didn`t wanted to tread you. Mmmmmh, whats up with the following idea: Lets drive your wife the F.-car? Wolfgang | ||
| Mark Pautz (Malfark)
Member Username: Malfark Post Number: 279 Registered: 10-2002 |
Wolfgang, with my travel schedule, I'm often not around to PUSH my car once a week!!! So I use an electric pusher instead!  MARK | ||
| Wolfgang Eistert (53345)
Member Username: 53345 Post Number: 284 Registered: 3-2003 |
Mark, push your  once a week; and you will see - there is no need for an AccuGuard!  Wolfgang | ||
| Mark Pautz (Malfark)
Member Username: Malfark Post Number: 278 Registered: 10-2002 |
Guys, Just to let you know that the AccuGard works perfectly. I have one connected to the 328 and the other to my motorcycle and both batteries are healthier than they've ever been. Regards, MARK | ||
| Mark Pautz (Malfark)
Junior Member Username: Malfark Post Number: 191 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hi John, The great thing is that I got two for the price of one! OK, one's a little damaged, but it's nothing a little epoxy won't fix!  So, I have one for my motorcycle as well. Oh...and it works - I had no battery problems yesterday. Cheers, MARK | ||
| John (Johno)
New member Username: Johno Post Number: 25 Registered: 2-2002 |
Nice one Mark, My pleasure. Really happy to hear that the AccuMate vs. AccuGard confusion worked out well. What stupid names! Happy charging :-) John | ||
| Mark Pautz (Malfark)
Junior Member Username: Malfark Post Number: 177 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hey John, I installed the terminal adaptor last night and so my battery is now wired! I left it happily charging last night and trust that I will be ready for the weekend. The extension cable will make life a little easier but, as it is, this certainly beats removing the spare wheel and hatch in order to get to the battery! Thanks again for the lead. Regards, MARK | ||
| Mark Pautz (Malfark)
Junior Member Username: Malfark Post Number: 156 Registered: 10-2002 |
John - I am definitely going to order the 2.5 metre extension cable as well. MARK | ||
| Mark Pautz (Malfark)
Junior Member Username: Malfark Post Number: 155 Registered: 10-2002 |
Ton, Once I get it wired-up and fired-up I'll post my impressions here. It looks and feels like a quality product. MARK | ||
| Ton Visser (Lion315)
Member Username: Lion315 Post Number: 390 Registered: 12-2002 |
Mark, Tell me what you think of the accugard. Ton | ||
| Mark Pautz (Malfark)
Junior Member Username: Malfark Post Number: 150 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hi John, Roger sent me a 2nd AccuGard that I received today...this time in one piece! So I now have two - one needing some repairs! No problem with the unit as the AccuGard also comes with "plugable" cables. I how have two sets of crocodile clips (one needing some repair), two sets of battery terminal adaptors (to wire into my car and motorbike) and one cigarette lighter adaptor (want to see if it works with the 328). I'll shoot some picture and let you know how it goes once I get back from New York (I leave on Friday). Another weekend without driving  Regards, MARK | ||
| John (Johno)
New member Username: Johno Post Number: 21 Registered: 2-2002 |
Hi Mark, Yes, I met Roger at the Classic & Sportscar show in Birmingham last year. I agree, he is a very good person to do business with. I'm still a little worried about whether the Accugard, as opposed to Accumate, has the feature that makes it so convenient to use i.e. the way you can just "plug" the car in. From what I remember of my Accugard, it had a "captive" lead coming out of the charger with crocodile clips at the other end - i.e. no facility to simply plug in extension cables etc. Still, fingers crossed. Roger is a good guy, and I'm sure he will be giving you the best advice. Best wishes, John | ||
| Mark Pautz (Malfark)
Junior Member Username: Malfark Post Number: 145 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hi John, My AccuGard arrived yesterday...and had been seriously damaged by the courier company that delivered it! I am pleased to say that Roger at "Dry-It-Out" will be replacing the charger, and I should receive a new one on Tuesday morning. So far it's been good doing business with the guy. Regards, MARK | ||
| Mark Pautz (Malfark)
Junior Member Username: Malfark Post Number: 135 Registered: 10-2002 |
By the way John, Roger at "Dry-It-Out" pointed out something to me: "if you dont need the 6V option then the Accugard would be the better buy as it is slightly higher charge current in bulk mode"...whatever that means Let's just hope it's reliable. Cheers, MARK | ||
| Mark Pautz (Malfark)
Junior Member Username: Malfark Post Number: 133 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hi John, Uh-oh...I've ordered the AccuGard!  However, I am getting the standard crocodile clips as well as the spade terminal adaptors (Roger at "Dry-It-Out" has included a set for me). I have also bought the cigarette lighter adaptor. I hope this all works out! Cheers, MARK | ||
| John (Johno)
New member Username: Johno Post Number: 18 Registered: 2-2002 |
Hi Mark. Whoops. I've just realised that the link in your post points to the "AccuGard", and not the "AccuMate" that you want (http://www.dry-it-out.com/accumate.htm). I had an AccuGard before and it broke. The Accumate seems much better quality, has the interchangable wires/clips, and only costs �2 more! I really hope that you've ordered the AccuGard, or I'm going to feel really bad about not being clearer in my post :-( :-(. Yes, the extension is a very good idea otherwise, as you say, you end up having to balance the unit on the windscreen, which I'm sure isn't good. Unfortunately, Dry-It-Out doesn't seem to have all the accessories, so I ended up buying it here: http://www.net-biker.co.uk/acatalog/net_biker_on_line_Battery_Maintenance_4.html Fingers crossed that I've got this post out in time!! John | ||
| Mark Pautz (Malfark)
Junior Member Username: Malfark Post Number: 124 Registered: 10-2002 |
Greetings John, Brilliant! I think I'll e-mail them the picture just to make sure that I get that included. The unit in the picture looks a little different to the one on their website. Old vs. New model?? I guess I'll also do the extension thing, just to make sure that I get the charger box away from my paint-job!! How does their dehumidifier work? All the best, MARK | ||
| John (Johno)
New member Username: Johno Post Number: 16 Registered: 2-2002 |
Hi Mark. The "mini-loom" (not sure of it's proper name) I refer to is best illustrated in the picture below. It is the Y-shape arrangement on the right with a single white plug at one end, and positive and negative eyelets at the other.  You permanently attach the eyelets to the battery terminals and there is *just* enough wire to thread out of the battery compartment so the plug is above the spare wheel. The cable from the charger then plugs directly into that instead of the crocodile-clips attachment and you never have to get to the battery compartment again - Happy days! I later got an extension cable that costs a few pounds so I can keep the charger hidden away at the side of the garage for extra convenience (the cable from the charger is a bit short). Best wishes, John | ||
| Mark Pautz (Malfark)
Junior Member Username: Malfark Post Number: 117 Registered: 10-2002 |
Hi John, Thanks for the great lead! I have already sent "Dry-It-Out" an e-mail and hope to get one by the weekend. You mentioned a "mini-loom" in your message. I assume that this is not the same as the cigarette lighter adaptor that they mention at the foot of the page: http://www.dry-it-out.com/accugard.htm It says that in order to use the cigarette lighter adaptor, the lighter socket needs to be powered without the ignition switched on. Hmmm - I wonder if this is the case with the 328?? Thank God I have not had to lift the battery out of the car! Struggling with the spare is what set me on this quest in the first place...and I can only imagine what a back-breaker battery removal must be! Another VERY good reason to get the AccuGard! Thanks again - I'll keep you posted on developments, MARK | ||
| John (Johno)
New member Username: Johno Post Number: 15 Registered: 2-2002 |
Hi Mark. I use the Accumate battery charger/tender for my 328. As you know, the battery terminals are a real pain to get to, but the nice thing about the Accumate is that it comes with a little "mini-loom" which you can fix permanently and then thread it though to somewhere more accessible. I had all sorts of trouble this winter when I foolishly let the battery drain to the point where it couldn't be charged. (Have you tried lifting the battery out?!?! - It's (almost) impossible!). Bought the Accumate from here: http://www.dry-it-out.com/ Very good service from a family business. I've met them at the NEC classic car shows and also bought my dehumidifier off them. | ||
| Ton Visser (Lion315)
Member Username: Lion315 Post Number: 349 Registered: 12-2002 |
Jens (don't watch the time), That's great! It means that we can safely park our cars when we are going to have dinner. Great job! Ton | ||
| Jens Haller (Jh280774)
Member Username: Jh280774 Post Number: 412 Registered: 9-2001 |
Ton, It�s not quite sure whether we can park behind the restaurant. Depends on the number of cars. It�s possible for sure to park all Ferraris in their closed garage, though. Con saluti cordialissimi, Jens Haller | ||
| Mark Pautz (Malfark)
Junior Member Username: Malfark Post Number: 98 Registered: 10-2002 |
I was last at the Ferrari Shop in Maranello before I owned my 328. I can't wait to get back!! MARK | ||
| Mark Pautz (Malfark)
Junior Member Username: Malfark Post Number: 97 Registered: 10-2002 |
Guys - I had a fitted car cover made for me by "Covercraft of Europe" based in the UK. Price was GBP 291. But I asked them to ship it to me at an address outside the EU...and that was a BIG mistake! After 2 months of fighting with customs officers I managed to get the cover out of the Bonded Warehouse, avoiding 22% VAT, but paying an additional GBP 90 in import duties! Nice cover - pity about the cost. Lesson: avoid cross-border transactions as far as possible (especially if they are outside the EU). Regards, MARK | ||
| Ton Visser (Lion315)
Member Username: Lion315 Post Number: 345 Registered: 12-2002 |
Jens, Did you manage to book "Il Punto"? Can we all park our cars behind the restaurant? Ton | ||
| Jens Haller (Jh280774)
Member Username: Jh280774 Post Number: 411 Registered: 9-2001 |
Amar, How right you are! Really looking forward to june to meet again and have some fun with the cars. The italian restaurant I booked here in Bonn is quite good with Pasta, too, but lacking the simple but special atmosphere of Montana (Very hard to beat with all the history and the nice owner couple) Con saluti cordialissimi, Jens Haller P.S. Will keep you updated about the june meeting via mail. | ||
| Amar Inam (Amar360)
Junior Member Username: Amar360 Post Number: 148 Registered: 10-2002 |
Jens, time to head down to Maranello and Montana in springtime for some more servings of the gorgeous pasta and Sangiovese, eh??!! It's almost two months since February 7th, I miss it too... | ||
| Ton Visser (Lion315)
Member Username: Lion315 Post Number: 343 Registered: 12-2002 |
Jens, Exactly! I think that it is absolute madness to ask � 50 for shipping of a carcover. Ton | ||
| Jens Haller (Jh280774)
Member Username: Jh280774 Post Number: 409 Registered: 9-2001 |
Ton, As always the Owners Site is much too expensive! The prices alone would be acceptable but the shipping is pure ripoff, IMO. Quite sad since some things are really nice. Next time I will buy the stuff directly in Maranello at the Ferrari store opposite the factory. By doing so you can at least save the money for shipping and spend it at a nice dinner at Montana Restaurant Con saluti cordialissimi, Jens Haller | ||
| Ton Visser (Lion315)
Member Username: Lion315 Post Number: 340 Registered: 12-2002 |
Hi Jens, You are almost right! The battery charger on the owners website costs � 390. On top of that they charge � 82 VAT and � 36 shippingcosts. Ton PS I wonder why the shippingcosts for this device are lower then the shippingcosts for a carcover. | ||
| Uwe Ricken (Uricken)
New member Username: Uricken Post Number: 15 Registered: 3-2003 |
Hi Mark, I did run exactly in the same problems as Ton did. In the wintertime I didn't drive my car very offen and so I had to recharge the battery time by time. The tip with the battery switch is simple but perfect. That will be one more good reason to read the manual ;-). So thank you very much for that helpful tip. Best regards and red wishes Uwe Ricken | ||
| Jens Haller (Jh280774)
Member Username: Jh280774 Post Number: 385 Registered: 9-2001 |
Ton, If you think of buying a battery charger: There is one at the Ferrari Owners Site. They say it is especially well suited to Ferrari cars (Don�t know why though!) and it seems to come in a nice Schedoni-like leather case. Somewere around 100 and 200 Euro as far as I remember. Con saluti cordialissimi, Jens Haller | ||
| Mark Pautz (Malfark)
Junior Member Username: Malfark Post Number: 77 Registered: 10-2002 |
Yes - I found out about the cut-off switch from the thread below! So tonight I looked in my Owner's Manual...and there it is!!  Ooops - I guess I should have read the manual!!  MARK | ||
| Ton Visser (Lion315)
Member Username: Lion315 Post Number: 315 Registered: 12-2002 |
Hi Mark, No I never knew that it is on the car. But actually I am thinking about buying a battery maintainer. If you switch the power off the clock also stops! That means that you have to readjust the clock every time you want to drive. On the other hand I think that it is an awesome theftprotection. Ton | ||
| Mark Pautz (Malfark)
Junior Member Username: Malfark Post Number: 74 Registered: 10-2002 |
I was just readig an interesting archived thread: http://www.ferrarichat.com/discus/messages/112/180689.html?1041222062 I agree that getting to the battery to charge it is a pain! Have any of the European members set up systems for their cars similar to those described in the archived thread? If so, could you please share with us what equopment you used and where you got it. Hey Ton - did you know that our cars have cut-off switches? I will go and check mine out tomorrow! MARK |