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328 Battery Conditioning

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by F328, Apr 15, 2005.

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  1. F328

    F328 Karting

    Jul 7, 2004
    65
    Midlands UK
    Full Name:
    Graham
    #1 F328, Apr 15, 2005
    I have been told by a friend to buy a battery conditioner not charger for my 328GTS. The company I intend to buy from has advised me to use the cigarette lighter point to charge through. Is this safe or should I connect direct to the battery.

    Thanks
     
  2. Verell

    Verell F1 Veteran
    Consultant Owner

    May 5, 2001
    7,022
    Groton, MA
    Full Name:
    Verell Boaen
    #2 Verell, Apr 15, 2005
    A lot of us use the cigarette lighter. Search text of messages for 'battery' & 'maintainer'. Lots of stuf in old fchat archives on it.

    Another trick is to put either a marine cig. lighter connector (has sealing cover), or trailer connector behind the license plate & wired to the battery.
     
  3. F328 BobD

    F328 BobD Formula 3

    Mar 17, 2001
    2,327
    Southlake, TX
    Full Name:
    BobD
    #3 F328 BobD, Apr 15, 2005
  4. jimpo1

    jimpo1 Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jul 30, 2001
    25,022
    Dallas, TX
    Full Name:
    Jim E
    #4 jimpo1, Apr 15, 2005
    I bought a battery tender at Wal Mart for about $20. It came with three different attachments for the battery, clips, o-rings for permanent installation, and a cigarette lighter adapter. I use the cigarette lighter option and it works great.
     
  5. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 29, 2001
    18,055
    USA
    #5 f355spider, Apr 15, 2005
    What your friend really means is to buy a "smart" charger, one that is "microprocessor controlled" and will not continually charge and eventually boil the electrolyte. Battery "tenders", "conditioners", "smart chargers" or "microprocessor controlled" all basically mean the same thing, they charge the battery at some rate (from very small to sometimes 15 amps, though the little 1 to 2 amp versions are most popular) until it reaches full charge. Once reached, it shuts off or goes into a "float" mode. It will begin charging, if it senses the battery voltage has dropped below a predetermined point.

    Charging through the cig lighter is fine...I have done it on several Ferraris, my previous 308, 328 and currently my 355. I also do it with my BMW 540. No ill effects. But I would not attempt to charge at a rate greater than 6 amps or so through the cig lighter socket.

    The price for the tender listed above is a good deal...similar deal here:
    http://snipurl.com/7cod and if you spend $50 you get free shipping.

    Here's the cig lighter from Radio Shack:
    http://snipurl.com/5rl7


    Dave
     

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