Need help with my factory battery conditioner. | FerrariChat
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Need help with my factory battery conditioner.

Discussion in '458 Italia/488/F8' started by Lou, Oct 9, 2015.

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  1. Lou

    Lou Rookie

    Jan 17, 2015
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    Lou George
    #1 Lou, Oct 9, 2015
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
    I'm using my battery conditioner for the first time since I'll be traveling and the car not be driven. I referenced my 2014 458 owners manual and the picture of the charger shown in the manual is slightly different than mine. The only difference is the additional 4th LED green light, instead of only 3 lights as shown in the manual. The 4th light appears to be only an indicator for when my charger is plugged into the wall outlet.

    My Question: I followed the instructions and none of the three remaining lights are on. The remaining three lights I'm referring to are the: "!" "half full battery symbol" and "full battery symbol".
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  2. garak

    garak Formula Junior

    Dec 28, 2010
    303
    Florida/Arizona
    #2 garak, Oct 9, 2015
    I'd check the connection to the car and make sure the plug has completely snapped into place.
     
  3. 458trofeo

    458trofeo F1 Rookie

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    #3 458trofeo, Oct 9, 2015
    Nice countertop! :D
     
  4. rockitman

    rockitman F1 Veteran

    May 31, 2015
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    #4 rockitman, Oct 9, 2015
    If you can start the car w/o the starter sounding tired...something is up with the charger or the connection.
     
  5. carcommander

    carcommander Formula 3

    Sep 28, 2006
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    #5 carcommander, Oct 9, 2015
    The charger may be bad. The dealer can test it. They had replace them on my 458 and 599.
     
  6. ZaifaDDS

    ZaifaDDS Karting

    Jun 18, 2013
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    Bloomfield, Michigan
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    Huzefa
    #6 ZaifaDDS, Oct 9, 2015
    Mine had a problem with the electrical receptacle connection inside the car, cost about $1,500. Charger did the same thing, but they said the charger was ok. It was covered under warranty at the time.
     
  7. 458trofeo

    458trofeo F1 Rookie

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    #7 458trofeo, Oct 10, 2015
    +1, if charger is ok, then you can look into the electric receptacle's functionality
    as Huzefa mentioned

    best
     
  8. justthebest

    justthebest Formula Junior

    May 14, 2014
    319
    Denver, CO
    #8 justthebest, Oct 10, 2015
    When I plug in my 2014 458, the power light is always on, and either only the "half full" OR "full" will illuminate.

    When I unplug the car with the charger still plugged into the wall, the power light will remain on, but the "!" light will flicker (and I believe the "half full" remains lit).
     
  9. lamarmotte

    lamarmotte Karting

    Feb 5, 2014
    194
    France
    #9 lamarmotte, Oct 10, 2015
    Wrong

    Always unplug AC power first
     
  10. Lou

    Lou Rookie

    Jan 17, 2015
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    Livermore, CA
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    #10 Lou, Oct 10, 2015
    Thanks everyone. Appears my charger or socket isn't working. I'll make arrangements with my Ferrari Dealer. You would think that this would have been caught before my vehicle left the factory.
     
  11. 720

    720 F1 Rookie

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    #11 720, Oct 10, 2015
    I was curious about "why" CTEK manual says to unplug the AC power first so I emailed their tech support. Here's their response:

    "The procedure is more safe if you do it in the suggested order. The advice is for your own safety, if there would be any gassing from the battery or sparks or so. (CTEK is spark free, but anyway!) There is no rules how to do it, just a recommendation."

     
  12. abstamaria

    abstamaria F1 Rookie

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    #12 abstamaria, Oct 11, 2015
    Lou, why not borrow a charger and see if the lights go on.

    Andy
     
  13. photonut

    photonut F1 Rookie
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    #13 photonut, Oct 11, 2015
    gel cell batteries, like the ones in our f-cars, do not produce any hydrogen gas (unless they are overcharged).
    so a small spark at the charging socket (which is in the vicinity of the battery) is not likely to cause an explosion.
     
  14. Lou

    Lou Rookie

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    #14 Lou, Oct 11, 2015
    I called a friend yesterday and asked to bring my car to his place and try his charger. I'm planning on going over there next weekend.

    I'm leaning on my problem being a defective charger. Why? I had my car trailered to Ferrari of San Francisco for my last service. I recalled them plugging their charger in because they said my battery was low on charge. When I picked up my car, my charge was full.

    I'll let everyone know the end result after I try my friends charger.

    Thanks again for all the help!
     
  15. Lou

    Lou Rookie

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    #15 Lou, Oct 11, 2015
    Thanks, but the background is my epoxy coated garage floors.
     
  16. 458trofeo

    458trofeo F1 Rookie

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    #16 458trofeo, Oct 11, 2015
    Sweet LOL!! I stand corrected :D
    xoxo
     
  17. synchro

    synchro F1 Veteran

    Feb 14, 2005
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    #17 synchro, Nov 14, 2015
    Ouch!

    The Ferrari OEM charger is a 10 year old CTEK with only basic, 2 stage charging. The most modern CTEK are much nicer with 8 stage reconditioning, maintaining and charging profiles to extend your battery life:

    ULTIMATE FERRARI BATTERY MAINTAINER CTEK MUS 4.3 + DONGLE, COMPLETE SYSTEM
     
  18. justthebest

    justthebest Formula Junior

    May 14, 2014
    319
    Denver, CO
    #18 justthebest, Nov 15, 2015
    Have you used this?

    I'm obviously hesitant to plug something from eBay into my 458.
     
  19. 720

    720 F1 Rookie

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    #19 720, Nov 15, 2015
  20. synchro

    synchro F1 Veteran

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    #20 synchro, Nov 15, 2015
    Last edited: Nov 15, 2015
    I thought Warren was charging $125 before Paypal, shipping and insurance costs?
    I noticed people also cannot get him to respond quickly as he really prefers people DIY.

     
  21. 720

    720 F1 Rookie

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    #21 720, Nov 15, 2015
    Hi. I paid $89 back in May I think...but another guy I know bought one a couple months after me and I think he was charged $99.

     
  22. 2fastforu

    2fastforu Formula Junior

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    #22 2fastforu, Nov 16, 2015
  23. synchro

    synchro F1 Veteran

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    #23 synchro, Nov 16, 2015
    Excellent choice, complete with 8 stage charging under $95!
    The OEM only has 2 modes.
    Has anyone thought about how the deal went down for Ferrari to use CTEK's old style chargers? I'll bet CTEK had a huge amount of stale product after moving on to a new design and gave Ferrari a heck of a price. Ferrari started using CTEK in 2007 and the model came out in 2003 I believe.
     

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