Battery Tender - Stupid Question

Hey guys...when I took my F430 Spider in the other for some routine maintenance, I told my indy that I thought it was time to add a tender to the car(never had any issues, and drive the car weekly),as I wanted to avoid any issues going forward. Anyway, he's a great guy, and after addressing the minor issues, simply left a quality tender in the passenger seat.

Sooo.. the question is, did these cars already come wired for the expectation of the tender (i.e., the wire was already installed in the passenger wheel well by the factory?) thx

scott

 

It has a provision but only for the stock Ferrari charger. You can just connect directly to the battery like I did.

 

There is a connection for the Ferrari tender under the dash next to the glove box on the right

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If you cannot get the special ferrari plug to connect to the installed socket, you can pick up the cables behind the seats- this will give you a cable sticking out you can connect to- a lot easier than connecting to the battery in the foot well

 

This is what I did. Works fine.


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You can check your owners manual as it differs from year to year.

Mine is a 2006 and it has an Amphenol connector in the trunk as battery charging port.
It uses the old super big battery charger.
The advantage to this method is you will see an indicator in your display that the battery is connected to the charger.

On later year models there is a battery charging connector under the dashboard on the passenger side. So check your owners manual.

On mine, the previous owner installed a CTEK Charger but I read stories here that the old CTEK chargers are unreliable so I purchased a new battery charger and it works great. My new NOCO battery charger came with a battery charging leads that hooks up directly to the battery terminals.

The battery charging leads are tucked under the passenger side dashboard.

Another option as others have mentioned is to install the battery charger cable leads right behind the driver seat for easier access / hook up & removal.

Your option.

Dan

 

I used this with my 360 and Ctek tender:
https://smartercharger.com/collections/accessories/products/ctek-comfort-indicator-pigtail

 

These Ctek chargers are ok but if laid up over a long time it is just trickle charging, i have a timer on my charger so it only cuts in every other day and gives it a bit more than a trickle. UK cars are fitted with trackers so the battery has a bit more draw on it.

 

I don't know about that, I use the mus 4.3:
"Once the battery is reconditioned it is ready for charging, and once fully charged can be kept plugged into the MUS 4.3 endlessly. CTEK’s unique “maintenance” will never, ever boil a battery — a distinct difference between CTEK and traditional trickle chargers. Leave a trickle charger on too long and you will destroy your battery; leave a CTEK on for a month and when you return your battery will be 100% charged, ready to go."
https://www.gadgetreview.com/ctek-mus-4-3-test-charge-battery-maintenance-system

 

There are adapters on ebay so you can use a standard CTEK charger with the OEM Ferrari connector under the dash.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Ferrari-Battery-Charger-Custom-Adapter-for-CTEK-360-F430-458-California-599-612/192316637726?hash=item2cc6f7021e:g:KRMAAOSwCLNbMV4F

 

I did it this way as well - very easy

 

I posted parts details a show to make the cable in the 599 section.

 

Or follow the thread on this forum and make your own: https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/yabtp-making-the-battery-conditioner-connected-light.347563/ I made my own to adapt to a Granite "Save a battery" battery tender.
Or cut to the chase and go to Warren's website with all the same info: https://www.kumari.net/index.php/cars/ferrari-battery-charger-cable/diy
Warren will also make and sell you one directly.

 

+1 for the CTEK MUS 4.3. I used one on my F430 for four years and never had any battery issues. Same charger is now doing great job on my 458. Highly recommended.

 

Any negatives to using the plug under the dashboard on the passenger side? One of my buddies doesn't like the fact that it is tied to the ignition?
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Tied to the ignition is a good thing, it prevents you from driving off with the cord connected. Cables are available from Warren, terminated to connect to the battery tender of your choice, or you can make your own, he gives you all the instructions, part numbers and sources. I made my own, very easy.
https://www.kumari.net/index.php/cars/ferrari-battery-charger-cable/diy

 

Bumping an old thread from nearly 5 years ago. It seems these adapters are $60-90 now. I have a NOCO 1100 Genius but it seems there are better options. What are the best options these days and is there any that would plug directly in the plug other than the factory one? Thanks.

 

Make an adapter and save yourself from those prices. Only Ferrari sells chargers with the plug. There are a couple third parties that will sell you a cheapo private label charger/tender and include the appropriate adapter plug/cord, but there are better options.

I use Battery Minder and Save a Battery.
Compatible with all common battery types including lithium.
https://www.batteryminders.com/batteryminder-model-128cec2-12v-2-4-8-amp-charger-maintainer-desulfator-lithium-charger-maintainer/

Or Granite Digital Save a Battery: (works with everything but lithium)
https://www.batterysaver.com/store/p78/2365-lcd.html

If you shop aroud online, you can find them discounted from the list prices on various websites.
Like here:
https://www.batterystuff.com/battery-restoration/12-volt/