DIY Battery Tender Installation - F430/360 - CTEK 4.3 | FerrariChat

DIY Battery Tender Installation - F430/360 - CTEK 4.3

Discussion in '360/430' started by Trent, Jan 19, 2013.

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  1. Trent

    Trent Formula 3

    Dec 10, 2003
    2,013
    Indialantic, FL
    Full Name:
    Trent
    #1 Trent, Jan 19, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    DIY Battery Tender Installation - CTEK 4.3 - On F430 (same procedure for 360)

    Problem:
    Ferraris and all other vehicles using lead acid batteries really hate to sit unused. It will lead to premature battery failure and sometimes an unusable car, usually when you want to use it.

    Solution:
    Install a trickle charger to both maintain proper charge and periodically run the lead acid battery through charging cycles. I have selected the CTEK 4.3, but better chargers are released periodically. My previous favorite was the CTEK 3300.

    Cost:
    CTEK 4.3: (*The CTEK 4.3 is also known as CTEK 56-864 I believe)
    $59 amazon prime : http://www.amazon.com/CTEK-56-864-Ba...words=ctek+4.3
    $55 at http://www.techbatterysolutions.com/...c7827_a_7cC002

    Total Time:
    12 minutes (while filming video, taking pictures, and drinking Old Engine Oil)

    Difficulty Level:
    2 (scale 1-10)

    Tools:
    10mm wrench. Preferably an insulated handle wrench so you don't short out the battery accidentally.

    Steps:
    1. Remove passenger footwell (2x philips head screws)
    2. Remove negative 10mm terminal post. I did not remove the entire terminal because then I would need my radio code and the cars ECUs would need to re-learn.
    3. Install negative (black) CTEK lead to negative battery terminal.
    4. Install positive (red) CTEK lead to positive 12v battery terminal.
    5. Zip tie pigtail leads to something solid to stress relieve terminals
    6. Replace passenger footwell.
    7. Test charger.

    I took images and made a video.

    Video:
    DIY Battery Tender Installation - CTEK 4.3 - On Ferrari F430 - YouTube

    For fellow FChat user: MVDESQ
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  2. KatMan

    KatMan Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 2, 2006
    490
    Silicon Valley
    Full Name:
    Stan K
    Trent

    Let me be the first to thank you for this detailed and extremely helpful thread.
     
    neil e dale likes this.
  3. flat-12

    flat-12 Formula Junior

    Mar 18, 2011
    351
    Germany
    I would not place the Ctek on the seat - I have 4 Ctek Battery Charger / Tender and the small Ctek is getting hot.

    Did the same installation on our 430, very easy to do and the best way to charge the battery.
     
  4. Trent

    Trent Formula 3

    Dec 10, 2003
    2,013
    Indialantic, FL
    Full Name:
    Trent
    Good advice. It was on the seat just fot the picture.

    I do not keep the CTEK on the seat for many reasons. It is a switching unit and does not really get hot, maybe warm to the touch. But it could burn up, have thermal runaway, etc. so mine is kept either;

    A. Suspended in air from my drop cord
    B. Beside seat on carpet
    C. On passenger visor. Good visibility to the status indicators.
     
  5. vantage78

    vantage78 Karting

    Apr 1, 2007
    144
    Great post! Very informative.

    Fortunately for me, my F430 coupe was already wired for the battery tender. Silly question, but for those with a coupe, do you just keep the door slighty ajar for the power cord, or do you open the window an inch for the power cord to come out that way?
     
  6. Iced Coffee

    Iced Coffee Karting

    Dec 27, 2012
    64
    Willow Park, Texas
    Full Name:
    Mike N.
    The battery is behind the passenger footwell???? Holy smokes do I have a lot to learn about these cars!!! *LMAO*

    Great post BTW Trent. Question: Are you "stuck" with this type of battery, or can you change to an Optima? (assuming they make one that fits)
     
  7. KatMan

    KatMan Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 2, 2006
    490
    Silicon Valley
    Full Name:
    Stan K
    If you go to page 122 of the owner's manual, it shows that you run the tender cord under the passenger door on the front side. You can then close the door all the way. Sounded weird to me but I tried it and it works. I kind of wiggle the cord when the door is shut to make sure that it is not being pinched.
     
    TheDiffuser likes this.
  8. E60 M5

    E60 M5 Moderator
    Moderator Owner

    Jan 2, 2006
    8,061
    Wash DC area
    Full Name:
    Robert
    I have always keep the window down and run the cord out the window with a cloth under it for protection.
     
  9. euro_king

    euro_king Formula Junior

    Mar 18, 2009
    758
    San Jose, Jakarta
    Full Name:
    Jastien Weiss
    thanks for the diy
     
  10. vantage78

    vantage78 Karting

    Apr 1, 2007
    144
    Thanks! Will check this out. I've been doing what E60 M5 does; running out the window with a towel, lol.
     
  11. Starfish

    Starfish Rookie

    Feb 28, 2012
    40
    So Cal
    My vent tube from the battery to the firewall is missing. Is the vent tube section from the battery "specific" to model of the battery (mine's the same Interstate in the pics with the oblong vent connection), a Ferrari part, or both (meaning a tube from the battery connects to a Ferrari tube that goes to the firewall . Ricambi displays the tube in 2 sections connected via the Cable Bushing at the firewall. In other words, if I buy the Vent Tube from Ricambi...will it connect to the battery and is it long enough (vent connection at front of battery).
     
  12. timba

    timba Formula Junior

    Aug 20, 2012
    257
    Nor Cal
    Full Name:
    Tim
    #12 timba, Feb 9, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    You need the special oval vent from Interstate in addition to the Ferrari vent tube. Call up your local Interstate battery distributor and ask them for one of these:
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  13. Starfish

    Starfish Rookie

    Feb 28, 2012
    40
    So Cal
    Thank you timba...nice pic.
     
  14. drjohngober

    drjohngober Formula 3

    Jul 23, 2006
    2,040
    Cville and Gbury Tex
    Full Name:
    Dr.John Gober
    I have the same Interstate battery but I dont see a place to attach the vent tube to it.
    Suggestions?
     
  15. Starfish

    Starfish Rookie

    Feb 28, 2012
    40
    So Cal
    #15 Starfish, Feb 10, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  16. vantage78

    vantage78 Karting

    Apr 1, 2007
    144
    Hi KatMan....I couldn't find this procedure in the owner's manual; page 122 talks about the Service network. Do you have a quick picture of this? Thanks!
     
  17. Skidkid

    Skidkid F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 25, 2005
    8,682
    Campbell, CA
    Full Name:
    John Zornes
    There is also a good connection point behind the driver's seat. Remove the panel and there is a lug with a big + on it.
     
  18. KatMan

    KatMan Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 2, 2006
    490
    Silicon Valley
    Full Name:
    Stan K
  19. Fatty

    Fatty Karting

    Jun 5, 2010
    235
    Australia
    #19 Fatty, Feb 15, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    Here's how I did mine behind the Left seat (Right-hand-drive vehicle). So if your car is Left- hand-drive, it's behind you.

    Just remove the 4 screws of the covering panel, and just slide it off.

    Good luck.
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    cavlino likes this.
  20. vantage78

    vantage78 Karting

    Apr 1, 2007
    144
  21. Skidkid

    Skidkid F1 Veteran
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    Aug 25, 2005
    8,682
    Campbell, CA
    Full Name:
    John Zornes
    Yes, worked fine
     
  22. tr328

    tr328 Formula Junior

    Jun 19, 2003
    905
    Pacifica, California
    Full Name:
    Darryl
    +1

    Mine done the same way.
     
  23. KatMan

    KatMan Formula Junior
    Silver Subscribed

    Apr 2, 2006
    490
    Silicon Valley
    Full Name:
    Stan K
    To those of you who get access by removing a panel behind the driver's seat. Is that for a 360 AND a 430? Unless I am missing something, I see no removable panel in a 430.
     
    neil e dale likes this.
  24. DanS*

    DanS* Karting

    May 29, 2012
    218
    Manhattan Beach, CA
    Full Name:
    Dan
    I wired my Scud using the access panel behind the driver's seat. I then lead the CTEK 3300 wire out the bottom, forward part of the driver's door. Easy since I'm getting in and out via that door anyway. In my garage the passenger door is against the wall and inconvenient.
     
    neil e dale likes this.
  25. no8080

    no8080 Karting

    May 5, 2011
    83
    Uk
    The 430 has the same removable panels as the 360. Behind each seat you will see 5 screws or bolts to remove. Then the whole L shaped carpeted section will lift out.

    Neil
     
    neil e dale likes this.

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