360 360 battery and tender combo?

I’ve read a bunch of posts on this forum regarding 360 batteries and tenders/trickles chargers, but still have some questions.

Background: long-time 308 QV owner that just bought an ‘02 360 spider which is due to arrive in a week. It does NOT come with a battery tender. I have yet to see the car, so not sure what type of battery it has, or if it has factory tender connections (although it was purchased and just serviced at Ferrari Fort Lauderdale).

So...it seems obvious that I need a tender on a 360. I have read that CTEK is a popular choice, but also read that there are “better” wall-mountable tenders. Further, it seems that the better tenders with more “options” (temperature sensors, etc.) can also be hooked-up in a neater way that eliminates running wires through the door molding or wherever. And finally, I have read a little about the new lithium batteries.

My strong preference would be to have the “best” battery (that needs little or no mods to car) along with a tender that can be plugged-in to inconspicuous exterior connector.

1a.) Are there any experienced 360 owners that have a battery/tender combination that they’re happy with? and 1b.) Have you performed any of the suggested hook-ups for easy access?

2a.) Anybody have a lithium battery? 2b.) Does it change anything about the tender usage? 2c.) Is it worth the extra cost?

Thanks in advance. Hoping to make a decision soon so I won’t be without a tender too long.




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Use this on a family members 430 .. I think same adapter as the 360 ..you will be happy

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.ebay.com%2Fulk%2Fitm%2F192344911253

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360 doesn't use the same plug

 

Congratulations on the 360!

If you are uninterested in reviewing the dozens of threads (can't blame you), here it is in a nutshell.
1) Use a Group 48 battery in AGM, not flooded type. Many like the Interstate, and it is also well reviewed by Consumer Reports. Group 34R may or may not fit, depending on the manufacturer, and why many are now using the Group 48.
2) Put the pig tail for the battery tender either directly on the battery and thread the cord into the passenger footwell, or connect it behind the drivers seat and have the cord come out there. Whichever works more conveniently for you. There are tons of tutorials to make the connection, but once you have the covers off, it is pretty self explanatory where to connect up.
3) As far as which brand tender, pick your poison. The most popular I hear mentioned are one of three: Ctek, Nocco, or Granite Battery Saver. Personally I have not found much difference between all the various brands. I have used over a dozen types, and as long as it is microprocessor controlled, it does the job, regardless of how many charging modes it has, and if it has a special setting for AGM, cold weather, desulfation (sulfation is not an issue with AGM, and one of many reasons to use AGM technology), etc. BTW, AGM batteries will work fine with most any battery tender, and one with an AGM specific setting is not required. I actually find that the battery tenders with lots of modes and selections are more troublesome to use, and can act up, and fail to charge and have to be unplugged then plugged back in (reset). For me simpler the better...currently my favorite is the Granite Battery Saver.
4) Lithium Ion batteries are pretty cool, but very expensive, and require special chargers. Most are smaller, and light weight so they also require customized brackets and hold downs to fit. To me, spending $1k or $2k or more on a battery is craziness. But to each their own. I have a lithium ion on my motorcycle, but it only cost $115 and the charger another $50. It so far has more than paid for itself in longer life over a flooded battery and never needs water, which is a hassle to check and fill due to the location on my bike. It also has about twice the CCA of the factory battery.

 

Everywhere I look says the same plug under the passager dash

Please tell me which plug the 360 uses .. I have a scud and always thought the charger was the same for the 360 ,.. did it change during the life cycle ?


Maybe OP can show his original charger

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Looks like we are both right

The plug changed at assembly 43440

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Well now you got me I could very well be mistaken, but I was under the impression only the 599, 612, early California and late 430s (2008 to 2009) used this particular plug. 2005 to 2007 F430s have a circular charging plug in the front trunk. Unsure what the 360 used, but not the one you linked to, which is what the late model 430s used. BTW, OP says he does not have the factory battery tender, and is why he is asking what he should purchase.

It is also possible the 360 uses the early style 430 charging plug in the trunk, but it is so inconvenient to access, I would install the pigtail directly on the battery or behind the seat, either is way easier to connect up.

 

I use the CTEK 5.0 for my 360 since i start my ferrari adventure 5 years ago. No Problems at all.

Regards
Joerg

 

Thanks for the summary. Yes, I read many of the posts here, but 1.) there was contradicting info, and 2.) some of the posts were several years old...not sure if there is newer stuff available now.


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Just purchased one of these (BatteryMinder Model 2012). Company is located in Long Island NY and seemed to have a good understanding of my 360's needs. The unit has all the bells and whistles. An interesting comment made the tech support guy was that a temperature sensor on a battery tender is very important because it will regulate the trickle voltage based on ambient temperature (which I thought would be more important in the winter here in Connecticut, but he said summer is most damaging since you could "cook" the battery with too much juice).

I will send some updates once installed and operating.

 

One nice thing about your selected battery tender is that it has no buttons to push to activate or turn on. The advantage I have learned to this feature (used on the Granite Battery Saver as well), is that you will not inadvertently forget to push the button, after connecting it. Also, if you lose power to your garage, it will automatically resume when power is restored. Again, not a fan of all the various charging modes and "temperature compensation", I have never found any of those features to appreciably improve battery life. But hey "why not"?

 

FYI ...received the item in 1 day. Company is SUPER easy to deal with and very responsive. Now I just need my car to arrive............




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