Trickle charge location

I had the trickle charger wire installed directly on the battery, and fished the wire into the power shutoff compartment on right side..
nice, clean and discrete.

ive seen cases of non-Ctek type trickle chargers bolted on to the lateral panels in engine bay, which is ridiculous..

 

I agree. All my cars are wired directly to the battery, and I have never had a problem.

 

Either gets the job done.

 

I have never had a problem with either 1) mounting the charger on the panel over the terminals - charger hardwired to the terminals underneath or 2) mounting just a 'pigtail' on said panel - again hardwired to the terminals underneath. The advantage to mounting the charger is, when traveling, your charger is hooked up and ready to plug in - quick, easy. The advantage to the pigtail is - well, it just looks cleaner but of course necessitates packing a charger. Something to consider when mounting either the charger or pigtail on the panel: If you ever need emergency access to the terminals underneath (jumpstart) anything permanently screwed to, or mounted on, the panel may make panel removal, hence terminal access, difficult to impossible. Whichever you choose, charger or pigtail, consider mounting and locating all panel wiring with 'quick release' clips so you can remove the charger or pigtail with your fingers and get that panel off. Additionally you may consider replacing the screws that secure the panel to the car with 'finger knob screws' to facilitate 'no tools needed' removal. If you need access (jumpstart) to the terminals underneath the panel, you are probably having problems (jumpstart) - and need that panel OFF NOW.

 

Just discovered a Ctek unit in my 355's power shutoff compartment – it's wired directly to the battery – and it works a charm. Thanks, whichever previous owner put that there.

 

Just want to add to what everyone says. You can trickle charge the battery anywhere along the main power line as long as there’s no electronic devices in between. A pair of heavy gauge wires (+ -) run from the battery to the engine bay where they connect the starter and alternator. All electronic devices including coil wires connect parallel to the “main” line or at the battery. Keep in mind a disconnect switch near the battery disconnects the battery negative terminal (euro obsession) so charging from the engine bay requires the switch to be closed. For this reason, I prefer the charging setup before the switch in the front. Also, these cars are more than 20 years old. Most in the hands of second even third owners. Between new and now, who knows when, why, how or what was done to the car electrical wiring. For the most part, the intention makes what good better like adding a control circuit to run both fans at half speed as suppose to one, both or nothing. Nevertheless, knowledge is power. Knowing everything about nothing is better than knowing nothing about anything.

Just an idea, I have a CTek trickle charger. The automatic self off model wired to the battery terminals inside the compartment where the car disconnect switch locates. The power cord comes out the lower front grill of the car. It’s a plug and play setup. When time allows, I’m going to add an LED somewhere near the ashtray which is now a cup holder. If a live power cord is plugged into the car, the LED will light up. And thinking ahead, I will add a relay to the starter solenoid at the key switch. The engine will not start if a live cord is plugged in.

Sometimes I wonder why Ferrari doesn’t have this setup already installed. Happy Motoring


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I’ll take a few pics of the in the front when I get a chance.


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They do on the newer cars. Some special plug from the charger to the car. Sometimes you see these chargers for sale in the classifieds.

What do people think about the ones that plug into the cigarette lighter? I’ve always been skeptical about those, but I’ve also seen people use them before with seemingly no issues.

 

Just as a tip.

Keep the charger itself out of the car. Chargers, very rare luckily, can burst into fire !!
Make the wiring also "bullet proof"; with good awg and solid professional connectors.

This is my personal opinion.

 

I recommend a ctek quick release connected to the engine compartment - with the unit on the floor outside obviously.

Robb

 

Does anyone turn there isolater OFF when they connect there battery maintainer to there car? Or just plug in and turn CTEK !ON!?
I have always turned my car isolater point to OFF before connection but then you have to let ECU relearn again. I was and still are concerned about Spiking the ecu? Is this an issue.?

 

In some cars, cigaret lighter wiring goes through the key switch so it’s not practical. I suppose the ones in the 335’s go straight to the battery. If so, it’s perfectly fine to charge it from there. I believe the fuse on that run is at least 20 amps. Is it doable, yes but unsightly.


I see the concern about about a small charger inside the car. Completely agree but for conversation sake, these charger units consume very little power so the eliminate of exploding is very low in my opinion. Furthermore, how often do we see, hear or read about a car trigger charger exploding! But then again the 355’s is a self propelled moving sculpture. All options should be exercised to eliminate any potential danger.


A perfect trickle charger is one that charges a car battery without any physical connection. A wireless charger. A sender pad on the garage floor and a receiver pad underneath the car. When a car with a charging receiver pulls i to the garage and parks over the sender pad, the battery gets a trickle charge automatically. OK, I need to stop thinking. All the ideas but no time or capital to move it forward. I’ll park it for the time being.

 

I have had a Battery Tender Jr. trickle charger plugged into my cigarette lighter for the past 2 winters. Works great - no issues.

 

I have pics in the archive somewhere where the CTEK is connected to the battery & the wire is near the outside fender flare so it tucks away nicely until needed. No need to pop the hood. The CTEK itself is mounted on the garage wall. Worked out so well, I did the same mounting on the 308.