I know most of you probably use trickle chargers. Which ones do you like the best and why?
Battery Tender. don't remember the model #. It'll fully charge a battery while showing various stages (actively charging, 80% Full & Trickle/Maintenance charge) of charging by flashing different led lights. I have them on all my non-daily-drivers at all times and never have low battery charge problem ever again (edit: that is after getting rid of OEM FIAMM batteries first..haha).
I think I own six or seven now. As long as it is microprocessor controlled, they all work the same, and perform the same function. Some claim to offer "cold weather" settings, and "desulfation" cycles, but in the end, I have found little benefit to any of that (more important to us it religously). Best to get the one that suits your budget, and comes with the accessories that work for you car. If the cigarette lighter is active when the ignition is off (355/348 yes), then it is nice to get one that comes with the cigarette lighter adapter standard. Black and Decker and Duracell both come with them and sell for less than $25. Or, you can make one up by purchasing an adapter with 8 foot cord from Radio Shack and splice on the plug.
I am home 5-10 days a month. Thus, I leave my 355 on the battery tender from Sears. I think it was only like $30. 355 starts right up every time. Before I got the tender, 17 days was the cut-off point for the battery holding a charge--and my battery is brand new.
I have the one with the Ferrari logo (not sure what is called), but because of that logo I believe I paid at least double and closer to triple than one without that Prancing Horse that will do the same thing.
Bought mine recently - Die Hard brand about $20-$30 from K-Mart. Comes with a cigarette lighter option plug in and of course you can plug it into a regular wall outlet. Think all cars, but especially Ferraris love to have their batteries fully charged, so glad I bought the maintainer. Good luck!
I use the Griot's Garage charger. I think I have the older, round version which they are no longer selling. It is microprocessor-controlled and during the normal trickle charge it cycles so as to prevent the build-up of sulphates on the plates/mats. You can use the alligator clips, a cigarette lighter plug or (like I did) use the quick connect/disconnect plug.
I have a Griots tender I've used on a couple of cars, but when I put it on the 355, the charging light comes on and stays on. It won't go on to trickle mode. It was on for a couple of days so I took it off. Any ideas why it would do that? I was afraid letting it stay in charge mode all the time might be harmful. Any thoughts? Thanks, Geno
Geno: If you have the same model as I do, a solid light indicates that the battery is fully charged. It will blink during the charging cycle, then become solid. I have the small round model with the handle. Where are you attaching you leads?
I'll check it later, but I think their are 3 lights. Red for power on, yellow for charging, then green for trickle. It stays on yellow. I have the older model that is a black metal box about 5 inches square. Thanks, Geno
Thanks for the reminder. Just went out to the garage to hook mine up. Cost <$100, works great. Persevere, y'all.
I have two CTEK's plugged into my Porsche's and they work great. I was told that they're the best for use with Optima batteries. Anyway, I've had then for a good 3 or so years and have never had any battery issues.
Sorry, I have a different model. It may mean that you have a "dead" battery that won't take a charge.
Geno, It could be defective (rare), but the great thing about Griot's, is you call them, and confirm the issue, then simply return it and they will send you their new, latest and greatest Battery Manager IV at no charge! Though I have rarely had to take them up on their warranty, it is one reason I shop with them.
