Trickle Charger, Lighter port safe? | FerrariChat
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Trickle Charger, Lighter port safe?

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by 07jag, May 1, 2019.

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  1. 07jag

    07jag Rookie

    Feb 4, 2018
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    Chris Ferrari
    #1 07jag, May 1, 2019
    I went on a 2 month stretch of not starting my 07 F430 this winter and ended up needed a battery charge. I successfully used the charge posts behind the driver seat and started up after an 8 hour trickle charge.

    I must have hit the parking lights exiting the car past night and can not start it. Seems close to turning over but just not there. I would rather use the lighter plug in option on my trickle charger but was a little nervous about frying anything or having an electrical problem.

    Does/has anyone successfully used the cigarette lighter port for trickle charging or have had any issues?

    Thanks in advance.
     
  2. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
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    #2 Qavion, May 1, 2019
    Does your cigar lighter work with the ignition turned off? The power from the trickle charger needs some way of getting to the battery.
     
  3. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

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    #3 Rifledriver, May 1, 2019
    I saw a wiring harness in an otherwise perfect original 275 4cam destroyed that way once.

    Wire a pig tail to the battery cable junction box behind the drivers seat.
     
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  4. 07jag

    07jag Rookie

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    Chris Ferrari
    #4 07jag, May 1, 2019
    That's the answer I was most scared of seeing. For tonight it seems like taking the panel off behind the driver seat is in order. How detailed and what equipment do you need to "pig tail" for future jumps or for winter trickle charging?
     
  5. mello

    mello F1 Veteran
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    #5 mello, May 1, 2019
    With all due respect, if you have to ask such questions, take it to your mechanic and have him do it for you. The last thing you want to happen is blowing up all the electronic modules that's mounted back there.
     
  6. Dbacr

    Dbacr Karting
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    #6 Dbacr, May 1, 2019
    Trickle chargers usually come with the pig tail. Not for jumping, just trickle charge.
     
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  7. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
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    #7 f355spider, May 2, 2019
    It isn't. From the 360 on, the cig lighter is switched with the ignition.
     
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  8. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
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    #8 Qavion, May 2, 2019
    My '98 F355 lighter also gets power from the ignition (via the the mirror control and mirror/window heat fuse)
     
  9. f355spider

    f355spider F1 World Champ
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    #9 f355spider, May 2, 2019
    Must have been a mid production change, my 1997 F355 spider cig lighter was always "on".
     
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  10. JimEakin

    JimEakin Formula Junior
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    #10 JimEakin, May 7, 2019
    If your battery is dead, likely a trickle charger won't charge it. You'll need a full charger - don't use the cigarette lighter for this! Also, always attach a trickle charger directly to the battery. I added an extension cable to bring it out from the battery connection to my front grill (550) so I don't need to open the hood to connect to it.
     
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