Battery Tender

Suggestions for a battery tender for my 1989 Mondial t cab? Do you connect them directly to the battery? I currently have one, but it does not fit the cigarette lighter receptacle.

 

I like the Battery Minder, but Battery Tender is also good. Put a set of ring terminals on the battery, and then just plug in when you want to connect.

Regards,
Jerry

 

search CTEK in the classifieds they are about $60

they are the same as F OEM

harbor freight has cheapies for 9.99

mine is from Sears and actually is double sided taped to the battery just plug my cord into the bay

 

Is it constantly attached to the battery terminals and you simply plug it in to an outlet?

 

So I'm guessing no one plugs into the lighter receptacle?

 

Yes. There is a pretty standard connector with a cover on the connector with the ring terminals. When not in use, cover the connector.

To connect, I open the hood, plug in the connector and then plug in the BT to the extension cord. I purposely leave my hood unlatched so I don't forget to unhook before I pull out (just ask my significiant other about doing that!!! )

I do not use the cig lighter console, not sure anyone does ( I think it is key powered).

Regards,
Jerry

 

For Mondials 3.2 the cig lighter is not key powered. For the T I don't know, but you can do an easy check. See if your phone is charging when you plug it in

Ps. if you charge directly on the battery, take of the power using the power off switch that is next to the battery. You would not be the first to fry the Mondial's ECU. The battery has been tucked away deep and the chance in touching any of the metal around it is high. Also use the switch when taking out the battery.

 

My 3.2 came with a factory installed plug near the battery for the emergency light. It is wired directly to the battery, I plug my charger in there.

I did have to run new wire from the plug to the battery, the original wiring was bad.

The plug looks like a lighter plug, but is not, it is a little different, found on BMW motorcycles too.

Plug can be found here:
DC 12V 24V 1 5A Motor Car Power Adapter Cigarette Lighter Plug for BMW Motorbike | eBay

Pics of my female plug location next to the right headlight below.
Alden
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Oh wow! I don't have that one! But then I also do not have the one in the engine bay near the oil cooler

 

+1 for the CTEK tenders mentioned above that are for sale in the classified forum. I couldn't be happier with mine.

 

CTEK, same as what others mentioned above. works great.

 

Any particular CTEK model that you recommend?

 

Up in Canada perhaps the Polar model. Battery Chargers - CTEK Battery Chargers

 

I think the 4.3 Model is what is supplied by Ferrari with their cars these days. You can find one for about $60. Or get one from Ferrari with the horsey on it for $400.

Ctek Multi US Mus 4 3 56 864 Newest Generation Battery Charger | eBay
Alden

 

BATTERYMINDER 1500 12V 1.5A MAINTENANCE CHARGER / DESULFATOR from Aircraft Spruce Canada

I have liked this one from Aircraft Spruce (it's in Canada, lots of other items for car maintenance, sound deadening, etc. although directed at the small aircraft owner)...Very compact, whole units plugs into the wall, and I hard wired the disconnect wiring permanently on the battery, very simple to do. Also desuphanates which extends the battery life.

 

Lots of good ones noted here; use whichever one you want. The one I use costs only $25.

BatteryMINDer Plus Charger/Maintainer/Desulfator — 1.3 Amp, 12 Volt, Model# 12117 | Battery Maintainers| Northern Tool + Equipment

Not sure why you would want to pay more just because the battery being charged is on a Ferrari...

Regards,
Jerry

 

This is what I've used for years. Where "Battery Tender" has failed in the past to recycle after normal voltage drain, this $30.00 or so, Schumacher tender has yet to be fooled.

Schumacher SEM-1562A-CA 1.5 Amp Speed Charge Battery Maintainer

Cheers,

Hank

 

The Battery Minder 1500 replaces the older 12117 version noted at Northern Tool, and has different microprocessor control, will apparently start to desulfonate at a lower voltage threshold than the older model. But I agree, the old discontinued model works just fine, if you can get old stock at a good price than that makes sense.

Also, the Aircraft Spruce price is Canadian dollars, which is unfortunately at present is at a 30% discount to the USD, and the ship cost is higher too, so the to the door price difference is not much in the end. We also pay 13% total sales tax on everything. So if you think maintaining a Ferrari is pricey in the States...

Mondial's are scarce in Canada. I would take a guess that there are maybe 10 to 20 cars actually on the road? There seem to be a few more T's than other variants, I have seen a beautiful blue one once.

The few QV's that surface seem to be very well maintained. 3.2's rarely come up. Only seen one hardtop T years ago, a white one, it was quite striking, otherwise all cabs. All just anecdotal observation of course, from a Toronto vantage point.

 

.

For some reasons unknown,
it seems most of the Canadian Mondial went to Quebec.

 

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Interesting video on a battery tender/charger


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bczwt1Ug2zU

 

Great vid, very funny! Worth a watch!
Alden

 

My 87 Mondial came with a Schumacher tender mounted in front and connected to the battery. I plug the electrical cord into a timer and run for two, two hour periods a day. Have used it for two years without any problems. The one time I did not use it and let the car sit for almost three weeks the car did not start. Always used from then on.