Recommended Battery Charger

I've used different models throughout the years, and if it's just to maintain the battery healthy and fully charged they are all good.
If however you need to revive a large discharged battery then you need one of their more powerful models.

I myself do not turn off the battery switch because the satellite alarm is also connected to it. But if you don't mind resetting your radio when you get back to the car there's nothing wrong with turning it off.

 

I've been using a c-tek charger that I bought off ebay for several years and it has kept my battery properly charged over months of non-use. The model I bought seems to have been superseded by newer designs but the principle is the same. Official Ferrari and Porsche battery tenders are re-badged cteks.

Because the accessory plug (cigar lighter) is always hot in the 456M, even with the ignition off, I can use the Ctek cigar lighter adapter to keep the battery charged. That way, I don't have to open the hood when I want to take the car out. I just turn the ctek to the off position, open the door, pull out the plug, leave it on the garage floor, and go. I don't know if that's true of all 456/550/575 models.

 

I have a CTEK 3300 charger/maintainer, it is perfect. I have the jumper harness connected to the battery, so I just have to unplug, put hood down, drive off. They do come with alligator clips if you don't want to attach the jumper harness.

It is completely worry free. You can leave them on for months and not worry about it.

Scott

 

The 575's lighter is not always hot. I highly recommend the ctek.

 

I had my mechanic run the quick plug lead out the front. It's awesome, I'll post pics in a bit.

 

12 VOLT 50 WATT Vehicle Battery Charger, Maintainer and tester w/Deep Cycle


I have sold, installed, used and thrown away hundreds of battery tenders. This is the best one made. It is made as a sideline by a guy in the electronics industry who has lots of cars and motorcycles and knows not only what we need but also how best to keep our batteries alive.

I buy them by the case.

Look at the site. There are lots of options.


I also feel using the cigar lighter socket is a bad idea.

 

Brian, I really respect your opinion and, since I seem to be the only guy using the cigar lighter and it's worked great for years, I'd like to know what you see the potential hazards are and why. thanks.

 

I use a ctek hard wired on passenger side into fuse panel of my 456 with a quick release. Has worked perfectly for 1.5 years.

Best

AK

 

Load should never but occasionally does exceede the capacity of the socket and wiring for the lighter. I have repaired a couple of cars for this. It only happens when something goes wrong but things do go wrong. Sadly one was a pristine 275 GTB4 and it melted the socket and a piece of the otherwise perfect harness.

I really prefer to use a quick disconnect jumper most of the chargers come with attached to the battery or one of the several battery cable junction blocks in the car.

 

Thanks for the heads up.

 

Brian- Is he sure about that humidity range? That already makes it unusable here and in half the states in the South and Southwest.

 

Looks like Brian's recommendation sold at least 2 Battery Savers.

 

That does seem low. Never saw it. If you're interested call and ask.

 

Like most others it comes with both. I'd put the ones with the ring ends on the car you intend to use it on most and save the clip on lead for other cars.

 

Rick- With a very low battery, you are best off to disconnect the battery with the switch and use a full size charger to see if she will take a charge. Once fully charged, you can reconnect and use the maintainer to keep her charged. Unfortunately, if she has a conventional lead-acid battery, getting too low on charge can do damage to the battery, so consider getting a new one if she shows the slightest hesitation.

No problem with plugging in the maintainer while the battery is connected if you want to try and see if she will charge it. Many will not if the battery is too low, but I am not sure about the one Brian was recommending.

 

My tech set up a plug by the battery.

Problem is don't get much of a chance to use it, always driving my car

cheers

 

Rick- I never use mine unless she will not be driven for over two weeks. Normally she is driven 2-4 times a week, so the battery stays charged pretty well.