Alligator clips on a battery tender | FerrariChat

Alligator clips on a battery tender

Discussion in '360/430' started by roro, Sep 20, 2013.

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  1. roro

    roro Formula Junior

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    So on my F430, it came with an OEM battery tender. There is an extension line coming out of the battery terminals where I would think the unit would simply plug into. I've used battery tenders before. However, the unit does not fit into the socket. It seems as if that extension was made for another tender. I've looked at it many times and it's just not compatible. I'll post a pic of it tomorrow.

    Now the unit does have extensions for alligator clips. I guess I can use that. My question is, can I simply attach the clips to the correct terminals/bolt or is there an easy "shortcut" location I can install the clips to the + and - terminals? I know it is more of a hassle since I need to take the footrest door all the time but until I can find the correct socket, it will have to do.
     
  2. English Rebel

    English Rebel Formula 3

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    Mine came with two pigtails -- one direct to the battery with crocodile clips and one to the terminals behind the drivers seat bolted on. I was not too happy leaving the crocodile clips so I pulled that off. I would only use bolted connections but that's just me.
    Alan
     
  3. wkumari

    wkumari Karting

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    Th eF430 has a special socket in the passenger footwell specifically for a tender -- the nice thing about using this socket is that it illuminates the "Battery Tender Connected" icon on the instrument cluster and prevents the engine from starting while the tender is connected (this avoids the embarrassing "backing down your driveway while trailing a battery tender" game :)) - it also makes plugging and unplugging the tender easy.

    I detail how to build the cable here: https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/141102598-post12.html

    Basically you snip off the alligator clip and crimp on another connector and you are done...

    W
     
  4. English Rebel

    English Rebel Formula 3

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    I guess that plug in the footwell is exclusive to the 430.
    Alan
     
  5. ttforcefed

    ttforcefed F1 World Champ Rossa Subscribed

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    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  6. roro

    roro Formula Junior

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    I have that as well too. However, the end of the battery tender does not have the plug to connect to that. It only has alligator clips.

    [​IMG]
     
  7. roro

    roro Formula Junior

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  8. roro

    roro Formula Junior

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  9. ttforcefed

    ttforcefed F1 World Champ Rossa Subscribed

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    pretty sure that's fine
     
  10. roro

    roro Formula Junior

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    How long does it usually take for the light on the battery tender to go from the middle "half" charge icon to the "full" charge icon?
     
  11. ttforcefed

    ttforcefed F1 World Champ Rossa Subscribed

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    my cars are on tenders all the time so less than a cple hours....id give it 12 hours and see what happens
     
  12. ttforcefed

    ttforcefed F1 World Champ Rossa Subscribed

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    post a pic of the tender your using
     
  13. Red 27

    Red 27 Formula 3

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    I think that once the light goes to the full charge position the charger shuts off and after a while it will go back to the half charge status and start charging again. It keeps cycling.
     
  14. roro

    roro Formula Junior

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  15. roro

    roro Formula Junior

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  16. roro

    roro Formula Junior

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    Oh really? As you can see the light is on the middle indicator. It's been like that for about 6-8 hours. The unit is warm. I just don't know if it's working or not.

    The battery was never dead to begin with. Just wanted to try out the tender that came with the car.
     
  17. Red 27

    Red 27 Formula 3

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  18. roro

    roro Formula Junior

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    Great! So hopeful the way I'm doing it with the alligator clip works.

    However, since it seems I do have that plug connected to the battery, I wonder if I can simply find the correct attachment to replace the alligator clips and simply plug/play. Basically, I need the right cable at this attachment below that will plug directly into that socket. I wonder if that is the correct one on the last pic???


    IMG]http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/21/sy8y7ega.jpg[/IMG][​IMG][​IMG]


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free
     
  19. roro

    roro Formula Junior

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    [​IMG]


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free
     
  20. roro

    roro Formula Junior

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    THANKS FOR THAT! Now I see it. I'm missing two cables on the pic ... the simple connector ones.

    I guess the cable I have hanging out is from a different type of BT.
     
  21. Red 27

    Red 27 Formula 3

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  22. roro

    roro Formula Junior

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  23. Red 27

    Red 27 Formula 3

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    Glad to help.
    Good luck!!
    Dave
     
  24. ONEOFEW

    ONEOFEW Formula Junior

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    You need this adapter, it will allow you to use a off the shelf CTEK maintainer, SAE to CTEK , they sell it on amazon , eBay. Much cheaper option.
    The BT you're showing is the original Ferrari CTEK which came with the later MY 430s. Your car is not wired for that maintainer.

    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Sep 20, 2013
  25. roro

    roro Formula Junior

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    Are you speaking of this:

    Ctek Comfort Indicator w SAE Pigtail US 800 3300 7002 Adapts to Battery Tender | eBay


    So this connects to the current wire from my battery or will this connect to the battery tender? To get rid of the alligator clips, is there another attachment/wire that plugs to the batter tender?
     

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