355 Battery Tender? What do you use?

O.K, I know, use it and you don’t need one, and trust me I intend on using it very regularly, however for the times where it may sit for a few weeks I would like to put a battery tender on it.

At our local auto store, they have solar panels available that are designed for this purpose, they plug in via the cigar lighter, are these the type that is commonly used? Or am I best to cut the plug for the cigar lighter off and fit some claw type units and attach it directly to the battery terminal? How is the recommended one fitted?

Boy I’m full of questions aren’t I......

 

I bought a $29 unit from Sears and use the cigarette lighter connection. Very convenient and functional.

 

Likewise, minus the Sears. The wifes Mercedes came with one that I use on the 355. Plugs into the cigarette lighter as well.
My boat and my Motorcycle both have "Interstate Battery" maintainers on them. Actually a "Battery Tender" brand name by Deltran just re badged with the Interstate logo. Cost me $95 Canadian for 2 of them at the Interstate dealer.

 

The Sears version works great!!! Sears also sells the Schumacher brand as well !

 

James,
I would forgo the solar version (you car shouldn't be sitting outside for long periods anyway) and get any type of battery tender you like. Just make sure it says "smart, microprocessor controlled or fully automatic" as those are the ones that will not overcharge your battery. Something between 1 and 1.5 amps output is ideal. If it comes standard with a cigarette lighter adapter, better still, as it saves you having to splice one on yourself.

 

Just bought a Schumacher version from Walmart---AFTER I tried to start the car today and it was dead. Tryed to start it and nothing. Hooked up my jump box and nothing. Bought the battery charger and plugged it in. Started to charge then went into trouble mode? Unplugged it---jumped the car from another vehicle and let run for 15 minutes. Shut the car off and plugged the battery charger back in--Seems to be OK---Has been charging for about 4 hours now...Will unhook tomorrow and try to start it..

 

That's an Fchat foul for not driving the car often enough! Sounds like a battery replacement is needed...

 

+1 the alternator should keep the battery up fine IMO.........

 

It has only been sitting for about 2 weeks--My 328 sat for almost 2 months and never had a problem.

 

its either a short somewhere....(doubtful on your super clean example)... or an old battery that won't hold a charge....

 

I'd say it's an old battery that wouldn't hold charge.

Had the same thing happened to me last month.

It turned out to be the battery. It was the original FIAAM battery that finally died. It's pretty good for an Italian battery to last 8 years. Replace with an Optima 34/78. Perfect fit. Life is all good again.

 

I have owned both the Sears, which is lower in cost and works fine and the Battery Tender. I bought the Tender in December of 2004 and have used it to maintain my battery. I works very well and keeps the battery conditioned. The Sears unit I used on my Porsche and no problems there. For my 355, I bought the cigarette lighter plug from Daniel and I adapted it to the Battery Tender connector and it is very easy to plug and unplug that way. I used the Sears unit with the clips onto the battery terminals and since that involved opening the trunk and getting to the battery on the Porsche, I was not always dilligent about connecting it after every drive.
With the cigarette lighter plug, it is very easy to connect.

 

I have a Battery Tender and love it....no problems.

 

Is that what they call that wire running accross my garage into the engine of my car?

Ya, we all need one, trust me
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How long should this thing charge for? Mine has been hooked up nearly 24 hours and it still says Charging?

 

I bought the Ferrari one from Ricambi, and I have never had a problem with it or my battery. I'm sure it was more than the one from Sears though.

 

Robbie, this could be a sign that your battery is in need of replacement. What is the current rating (output) of the charger you are using?

 

Waterproof Battery Tender 800

 

Agreed with above, battery is bad. 2 wks shouldn't kill it, and that's a long time charging without finishing.

 

why not just turn the battery off from the front right fender? Ive heard people say its not good, but have never actually heard of anyone having issues. ive never had any issue and ive had my car for 6 years.

 

I don't turn the battery switch off in the right front fender since I like to keep my clock time and radio presents.

Just hook up to Battery Tender and not to worry about it.
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that is exactly how mine is set up! the last owner ran the wire to the battery-------thanks for the previous info guys----which battery do you guys recommend???

 

I have many cars and motorcycles and a "Mule" and ALL are hooked to Battery Tenders. Never had a problem starting, and the batteries , especially on the cycles last years longer. My F355 Battery Tender is set up exactly like this one. I pull car in garage, pop trunk, hook up, and close trunk. My old Porsche set up same way went 7 years without a battery change. Without the Tender, motorcycle batteries are only good for a year or two. With the Tender, around 4-5 years. That pays for the Tenders over and over. I get them on line for about $39. Look on Motorcycle sites, cheaper than the car sites for some reason. I think at last count I have 14!

BTW I understand turning off the battery switch may have consequences since it resets the ECUs every time. THOSE are costly to replace, I'd rather change batteries!

 

Optima has been good to me on my last two Porsches so I'm sticking to it. 34/78 (or any of the 34 size, I think) fit perfectly for 355.

 

You really shouldn't do this, the ecu(s) need to reprogram themselves for 10 min. at idle each time they are turned off. It really doesn't hurt them you just need let the engine idle for that period of time or your engine may act up on you. Some have reported idle stumbling etc. regards, Vern