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Trickle charger

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by wgarber42, Mar 9, 2012.

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  1. wgarber42

    wgarber42 Rookie

    Dec 9, 2011
    18
    North Carolina
    Full Name:
    Bill Garber
    #1 wgarber42, Mar 9, 2012
    I have a 230V Ferrari trickle charger designed for the UK. Can it be modified to operate here in the US on 110V, beyond the obvious need to change the wall plug?
     
  2. FerrariDublin

    FerrariDublin F1 Rookie

    Jun 14, 2009
    3,454
    Dublin, Ireland
    Full Name:
    Greg
    #2 FerrariDublin, Mar 9, 2012
    Hi Wg and welcome to F-Chat.

    Many electrical components are rated for use anywhere from 110v to 240v and many others have a little switch somewhere on them to convert from one to the other. Check yours and see?

    If no joy maybe list it on ebay and pick up a replacement. There's bound to be someone that wants your's and equally someone that want's rid of theirs.

    For what it's worth many people have posted that the Ferrari trickle charger is rubbish and prefer to use another brand so maybe just get yourself a cheaper alternative.

    Best of luck.
     
  3. netman

    netman Formula 3

    Jun 17, 2008
    1,905
    OC SoCal
    #3 netman, Mar 9, 2012
    I have a Deltran battery maintainer. I believe it to be far superior to the Ctek ferrari branded unit that comes with the vehicle.
     
  4. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
    12,671
    South East
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    Jimmie
    #4 greyboxer, Mar 10, 2012
    The one in my hand now says 220-240 so implies that it will not do 110 (unlike for example many phone chargers which say 110-240)
     
  5. Wade

    Wade Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner

    Mar 31, 2006
    32,793
    East Central, FL
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    Wade O.
    #5 Wade, Mar 10, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Like this one? If so, it appears to be a sealed unit. Although mine works very well and looks nice it's quite pricey when you consider the country of manufacture.

    I purchased mine thinking that it was actually made by CTEK of Sweden. Upon arrival the "Country of Origin - China" sticker was a real shock.

    http://www.ctekchargers.co.uk/
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  6. wgarber42

    wgarber42 Rookie

    Dec 9, 2011
    18
    North Carolina
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    Bill Garber
    #6 wgarber42, Mar 10, 2012
    Mine is made by Zivan -- made in Italy. And, unfortunately, no switch.
     
  7. porphy

    porphy Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Dec 9, 2009
    1,209
    LouisvilleKY/Switzld
    Full Name:
    Randall Gatz
    #7 porphy, Mar 10, 2012
    You can go to Radio shack or look online for travel electric converters and get a travel kit transformer which converts 110 to 220 so you can can use it.
     
  8. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
    12,671
    South East
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    Jimmie
    #8 greyboxer, Mar 10, 2012
    Doesn't the Zivan have the removable mains lead in which case just swop it for a computer power lead & see if it works in the US
     
  9. wgarber42

    wgarber42 Rookie

    Dec 9, 2011
    18
    North Carolina
    Full Name:
    Bill Garber
    #9 wgarber42, Mar 10, 2012
    Thanks for both suggestions -- I'll see what works.
     
  10. Ferocity

    Ferocity Rookie

    Jan 14, 2012
    33
    #10 Ferocity, Mar 11, 2012
    I would not try swapping just the power cable. That just changes the physical connector. The voltage from the mains would be the same.
     
  11. FasterIsBetter

    FasterIsBetter F1 Veteran

    Jul 22, 2004
    5,855
    NoNJ/Jupiter FL
    Full Name:
    Steve W.
    #11 FasterIsBetter, Mar 12, 2012
    Time to install a 220 outlet in the garage.

    Or, probably much cheaper, run over to Sears and buy a Craftsman trickle charger. I have two of them. I think I paid around $25 for them, each. They are fully automatic and work perfectly well, regardless of which car I have them hooked up to.

    There is no magic to trickle chargers. Unless you want it for display purposes or to impress your neighbors and thus need the Ferrari name and logo, any decent automatic trickle charger will keep you battery topped up.
     

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