328 and Battery Tenders | FerrariChat

328 and Battery Tenders

Discussion in '308/328' started by ckrueger328, Aug 20, 2012.

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  1. ckrueger328

    ckrueger328 Rookie

    Aug 20, 2012
    6
    Omaha, NE
    Full Name:
    Curtis
    Just purchased my first Ferrari, an 88 328 GTS!!

    I'm wondering if I can put it on a battery tender over the winter months and if so what kind you would recommend.

    Thanks
    Curt
     
  2. lostbowl

    lostbowl Formula 3

    Apr 30, 2009
    1,246
    Michigan
    Full Name:
    Tom
    #2 lostbowl, Aug 20, 2012
    Last edited: Aug 20, 2012
    Just my 2cents but I live in the north and keep our 82 in a heated space. I run it up to temp once every week or two and go throught the gears at the same time. I haven't looked at the battery in a couple of years without any tender. FWIW, Tom

    PS just to be clear I do break the grd. connection when not running her
     
  3. Crowndog

    Crowndog F1 Veteran

    Jul 16, 2011
    7,042
    Fairfield,Pa
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    Robert
  4. greyboxer

    greyboxer F1 World Champ

    Dec 8, 2004
    12,665
    South East
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    Jimmie
    You'll find most questions have been asked before and so there's a wealth of knowledge already here so its always worth a look
     
  5. Jeff328

    Jeff328 Formula 3

    Sep 5, 2006
    2,293
    WI
    I store 3 cars over the winter and use a Deltran Battery Tender Plus with each car.

    For the one I use with my 88 328 GTS I use a cigarette lighter adapter to connect it to the car. Been doing that for 6 years, so far so good.
     
  6. GrigioGuy

    GrigioGuy Splenda Daddy
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Nov 26, 2001
    33,120
    E ' ' '/ F
    Full Name:
    Snike Fingersmith
    Why bother with a trickle charger? There's a quick disconnect by the driver side headlight that will kill the connection to the battery. No ECU, no problem.
     
  7. Crowndog

    Crowndog F1 Veteran

    Jul 16, 2011
    7,042
    Fairfield,Pa
    Full Name:
    Robert
    Valid argument. However, for long term storage say over a winter the battery will lose charge and begin the self destruction pathway without battery tending. There are plenty of charts that show the relationship to temperature and time on the discharge rate of a lead/acid battery. Damn physics if you want but it's so.
     
  8. Euro Quattro

    Euro Quattro Formula Junior

    Apr 20, 2005
    344
    Vancouver
    Full Name:
    Kent
    I also use a Deltran battery tender, my battery is nearly 10 years old and still cranks like new...im sold on them. I have had it for over 20 years without a single issue.
     
  9. NW328GTS

    NW328GTS Formula 3

    Nov 16, 2009
    2,191
    Washington
    Full Name:
    Hal
    typical 12V battery will lose about 5-10% of its charge every month not connected to anything. They also will be prone to sulfation when self-discharging.

    You have a couple choices. One is to recharge a disconnected (open circuit) battery every 2 weeks or so.

    The other is to use a trickle charger with a equilization timer or a temperature compensated automatic float charger.

    If you drive your car every couple weeks or so.... You are doing the first choice.

    If you are leaving your car to sit for most of the winter.. you should buy and use a quality float charger like the Battery Tender Plus mentioned earlier.
     
  10. Alex Rogo

    Alex Rogo Formula Junior

    Jan 2, 2004
    273
    California
    What is the best way to connect a Deltran?
     
  11. Dr Tommy Cosgrove

    Dr Tommy Cosgrove Three Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Rossa Subscribed

    May 4, 2001
    36,431
    Birmingham, AL
    Full Name:
    Tommy
    I have a Schumacher (no relation) battery tender mounted in the car in front of the battery. I went to Wal-Mart and bought a heavy duty black extension cord and cut it to the perfect length so it just peeks out of the left side front grill. You would never see it unless you were really looking for it. Soldered it to the cord on the tender and wrapped it up tight.

    I don't normally keep it plugged in. All I do is plug it up the day before I need the car and I am always good to go. I have an Optima Yellow Top. Say what you want but it can handle the charge cycles as advertised. I installed it in 2006 with zero problems since. No complaints there from me at all.

    Don't laugh but another thing I bought that is never really mentioned here when discussing battery tenders is a great surge protector. I have no idea if lightening can fry my ignition boxes but I am not taking any chances. I bought the best surger protector I could find and that's that.
     
  12. Ron328

    Ron328 F1 Rookie
    Silver Subscribed

    Mar 10, 2003
    2,627
    Willamette Valley, Oregon
    Full Name:
    Ron
    #12 Ron328, Aug 20, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    This is what I've been using for the last 8 years. If I recall it right, $29.99 at Sears. Whatever brand you choose, make sure it has a float mode.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  13. red3555gtb

    red3555gtb Formula 3
    BANNED

    Nov 15, 2006
    1,356
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    Rocco
    CTEK 3300 is the way to go. You will need to buy extra wire and wire couplings from Radio Shack, to extend the wire leads from the battery location under the spare tire to the hood area for connecting to the CTEK unit. Because at the wires(cables) they provide are NOT long enough.
    BTW, CTEK make the charger for Ferrari.
     
  14. miketuason

    miketuason F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Feb 24, 2006
    15,810
    Cerritos, CA.
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    Mike
    #14 miketuason, Aug 20, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    That's what I do everytime I park my car in the garage then, I plug my tender. Had the battery and tender for 6 years and my battery is still going strong.
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  15. vaccarella

    vaccarella Formula 3

    Apr 16, 2011
    2,291
    Full Name:
    Paul
    I use solar chargers on my cars. Never had a problem, even through deep winters and even charging through windscreen glass / garage door glass. They have kept all my batteries in perfect condition over many years now. And only $15-$30 depending on size/output.
     
  16. andyww

    andyww F1 Rookie

    Feb 7, 2011
    2,775
    London
    #16 andyww, Aug 21, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I 3D printed a little mounting plate for my Ctek cable for mounting in the wheelarch so I dont have to open the front each time.
    I know some people use the lighter or inspection light sockets but I was wary of doing this since these route through the fusebox and the last thing I want to do is burn that very delicate item (328 printed cuircit version).
    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
  17. Sigmacars

    Sigmacars Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Jul 19, 2006
    1,218
    do you hook them up right to the batterie terminals?
     
  18. jimpo1

    jimpo1 Two Time F1 World Champ
    Owner Silver Subscribed

    Jul 30, 2001
    24,904
    Dallas, TX
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    Jim E
    I bought a cheapie trickle charger at Wal Mart and also use the cigarette lighter adapter. It works great! Just be sure you get one that has the microprocessor controls so it knows to turn on/shut off.
     
  19. howl

    howl Formula Junior

    Apr 10, 2011
    505
    Chicago/Boca
    Full Name:
    Tom
    In use CTEK. All research I have done said it is best. Many exotics including Ferrari rebadge and sell.
     

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