F430 versus 360 Modena lighter power

[leead1]

I know this is not a weighty issue, but I was surprised to find out my 2006 F430 cigerette lighter has no power unless the ignition is on. My 2003 360 Modena was always on.

The issue for me is I do not get a chance to drive all of the cars frequently. I therefore use trickle chargers. My favorite is the type that came with my 2005 Ford GT. It is only a 50 ma hour "C" rate and plugs into the cigerette lighter. This is neat and easy. I have three of these. I use these mostly in my home garages. Very easy to unplug and get going.

I use the automatic 1.25 MA hour Battery Tender for some cars and motorcycles, but for the cars and all of the storage garages both at the house and offsite it find the plug in easier. I have 7 of these chargers and they work great. I use these when the car may sit for 2-4 weeks. Well actually I only have 6 since I have a 2.25 Battery tender for my car with a dry cell battery. The car needs this type of battery because of the engine size and the compression. I drive this car less often and for short runs (427 1965 Shelby Cobra) since it is so rough and brutal. The dry cell battery stays hot longer during periods of inactivity and has very high cranking power. This is a sealed battery but it is different than what one may think at first thought. The chemistry is like the battery used in a flashlight. They also last for about 8 years as opposed to 2-5 years depending on battery selection

Now with the F430 I cannot plug into the lighter. The power is dead untill the car is started. Bummer Now I have to use the quirky Ferrari trickle charger which is really big and a pain in the butt to hook up. I guess the dead when engine off lighter is good if you use a plug in radar detector like a Valantine. But other than my Porsche I use the battery powered Escorts.

Does anyone know if that can be rewired so it is always on or am I stuck? I tried getting my Porsche which is old now but in 1999 when I bought it new they could not redo it so it was always on. I do not mind this becuase I use the Porsche to get milk and it sits outside. I use a solar maintainer to keep the batter up to snuff.

Thoughts, better ideas?

Lee

[GCalo]

You are best to use the charger that came with the car.

The issue of a trickle charger to the lighter on a 430 has been discussed here, and it's a very risky proposition. I believe one said he heard a relay clicking when he pluged in his charger to the lighter. That does not sound good! It could lead to a fire!

The 360 lighter does always have power, and I have verified this. I cannot verify the same for the 430.

Don't ruin your car due to the inconvenience of using the OEM charger. Would not be worth it to me.