Need help choosing the correct charger for 2010 California

Thats not a standard tail so you need to either find its partner on a charger (not the Ebay link) or start from scratch - I'm sure there are several alternate charger threads in the California (or 458 section)

Note tail here for instance https://www.ebay.com/itm/DieHard-71239-Platinum-Smart-Battery-Charger-Maintainer-6-12-Volt-3-Amp/192677474511?epid=4016377860&hash=item2cdc78f0cf:g:9aUAAOSw~ZFbtAmJ

 

I think any of these would work.

https://www.batterysaver.com/store/c37/MAINTAINERS

 

That is a pretty universal type battery tender connector. Used by Deltran, Battery Saver, Griots Garage, and many others. Take your pick. I own half a dozen or more battery tenders. In spite of claim of 4, 8 or 12 charging modes or cycles, they all pretty much do the same thing. I personally have become a fan of the Battery Saver brand after Brian Crall (Rifledriver) recommendation. The 12 watt version with the LCD screen is all one needs. It is compatible with all chemistry and battery types with the exception of lithium ion.

The DieHard tender posted above should work just fine as well. The factory Ferrari one in the OPs first post (ebay listing) will NOT work with the connector in the engine compartment. It has a Ferrari specific connector that may or may not exist in your car. I am not familiar with your model...my 2009 430 Scuderia has the correct connector for that though.

 

Your 2010 Cali doesn't have a little panel in the trunk behind which is the socket to connect the standard battery conditioner?
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Mily Cali is a 2011 and the socket is in the back of the trunk, to the right (passenger side). There's a little cover, which you can remove to access the battery conditioner socket.

I use a CTEK 7002 and am very happy with it. It does not come from Amazon with the adapter for the Cali, but the folks at Boardwalk Ferrari were nice enough to let me have an extra one they had.

T

 

I believe that is the Deltran brand charger as I recognized the pigtail. I have one on my car. Just be aware when you're shopping for one as I recall they make one for lead acid and then they make one that is good for lead acid and gel/AGM as well....or vice versa. It is an excellent charger. They are sold in Walmarts in Florida.

 

The deltran comes with a myriad of connection options including a cigarette lighter plug. If your cigarette lighter is live when the key is off you can just simply plug it in there and it will backfeed and trickle charger battery that's what I did on my 328.

 

From the 360 forward the cig lighter is wired to the ignition, so that won't work. I did it the way you did on my 308, 328 and 355....now with the 430 Scud I use the factory socket under the passenger dash

 

^Not sure if there is a benefit of one versus the other. It'd depend on which battery conditioner you have and which adapters came with it. I'd rather pop open the boot than have to open the front bonnet, but that's just me and what I'm used to.

I got a bunch of odd TFT messages on my Cali when I first got it. New battery, new conditioner and, knock on wood, no issues in about 2 years.

By the way, do you have HELE in your Cali? If so, I think that requires a special, bigger battery.

T

 

Usually when using the factory connection in the trunk with the factory charger, you get an indication on the dash if you attempt to start and it is still plugged in, and it will not let you start (starter interrupt). But some prefer the front, as it might be easier to access and with the hood up, you won't drive off with it connected anyway. The extra connection was probably added at the request of the previous owner. On my 430 Scuderia, the previous owner apparently didn't like the factory connection under the passenger dash, and had a exact type cord connection in your first picture, installed behind the drivers seat. I promptly removed it, and stick with the factory connection, since my only electrical outlets are on the right side of my garage anyway.

 

Any of them will work fine, entirely up to you. Obviously the factory one (3.3 amp) is what belongs with the car, but actually has few features and charging stages. BUT, none of these really make any practical difference in use. The two Cteks on Ebay, I would chose the lower amperage one (3.3 amp, versus 5 amp). In general, it is better for the battery to charge (low and slow) rather than fast and high amp (although all of these would be considered low amp chargers). Also I have found you can get a higher state of charge in a battery, by using a lower amperage charger.

 

You also have the option of making your own adapter or buying one, then you can buy whatever battery tender brand you like. And plug it into the front or the rear. There is a thread on this forum with instructions for making them, or ordering one from the thread starter. I made my own, it was very easy. And now I can use my preferred Battery Saver brand charger.

Longish thread, you can go to the last page or two, where the thread starter has a link to a page he built that has all the instructions posted for how to build your own adapter or order one directly from him.

https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/yabtp-making-the-battery-conditioner-connected-light.347563/

Or simply go to this direct link to his page with instructions to make your own, or order from him
https://www.kumari.net/index.php/projects/random-projects/93-making-a-ctek-to-ferrari-battery-tender-adaptor-cable

 

Yeah, HELE is Ferrari-speak for stop and start.
T

 

Note when ordering or making an adapter, you can have it make to adapt to the proprietary Ctek plug, or to the more universal type plug you have in your front engine compartment. I made mine to work with the more universal type plug, as I am not a huge fan of Ctek, and the 6 different battery tenders I have (various brands) all use the more standard type plug you have in your front engine compartment

 

Than is assuming the battery is otherwise healthy and can accept a full charge. Often times after multiple deep discharges, the battery cannot recover and will permanently lose capacity. In that case, you will need a new battery...then use the battery tender religiously. In other words, you can start using your new battery tender, and get full charge indications...but "full" is relative, and it is actually only 60% due to a loss of capacity. It simply won't accept anymore charge

 

For what it's worth I have a dozen of these in my garage. https://www.batterysaver.com/store/p78/2365-lcd.html
I have used them on my Ferrarris, hot rods, and motorcycles. They have the correct connector to match up with what you have in the engine compartment. Buy an extension cable when you buy the charger and mount the charger on your garage wall.

Be sure to check the polarity of the connector in your car first though.