Turn battery off to install tender? | FerrariChat

Turn battery off to install tender?

Discussion in '360/430' started by Vol34, Jan 5, 2022.

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  1. Vol34

    Vol34 Karting

    Jul 6, 2021
    99
    I bought a CTEK 5.0 tender to install to my 2000 360 Modena F1. I searched and don't see an answer to my question. I want to connect the rings directly to the battery so I can hide the connector behind the passenger footwell.

    Do I need to turn the power switch off in the trunk before I connect the rings to the terminals? I would think no but I have seen one recommendation of yes.

    Should you turn that power switch off when you replace the battery?

    Since these cars are so sensitive to surges I don't want to risk it.

    Thanks
     
  2. clean512

    clean512 Formula 3

    Feb 4, 2010
    2,119
    Full Name:
    Josh @jtcarprojects
    You will be fine.
     
  3. Sj_engr

    Sj_engr Formula 3

    Sep 15, 2020
    1,624
    San Jose
    Full Name:
    dc
    Why not? Do you also service outlets live? Sure can be done but why risk it....
     
    THINKFAST and Ray Smith like this.
  4. dreichman

    dreichman Formula Junior

    Sep 9, 2011
    425
    Denver, CO
    No worries, don’t bother.
     
  5. MiBe

    MiBe Rookie

    Jun 7, 2021
    33
    Sweden
    Full Name:
    Mikael Berg
    Just did mine changing from old version to the new version Ctek with the battery switch off!
    I would not risk doing this with the battery switch on.
    Area is crowded and it’s very easy to short circuit the the positive terminal with a catastrophic outcome. Why would anybody risk something like that????


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
     
  6. eric355

    eric355 Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 30, 2005
    1,228
    Toulouse (France)
    Full Name:
    Eric DECOUX
    Off topic but, as a general rule when connecting directly to the battery, I would recommend that you insert a fuse (10-15A) not too far from it.
    Small precaution which could prevent big issues if the cabling or the tender go bad.
     
    Qavion and Penzinger like this.
  7. Fcar tech

    Fcar tech Karting

    Oct 22, 2021
    108
    Always nearby
    Full Name:
    XXXX
    The above is sound advice. Although, Ctek does come fused for protection.
    Switch off would be best.
     
    THINKFAST likes this.
  8. Doctor Mark

    Doctor Mark Formula Junior

    Dec 15, 2005
    919
    Georgia
    Full Name:
    Mark Gronsbell
    No need to turn the battery off. The tender should be used during any significant period of inactivity. If you turn off the battery, you will have to go through the relearn drill each time you use the car and will never get it ready to take an emission test without a lot of hassle.
     
  9. Fcar tech

    Fcar tech Karting

    Oct 22, 2021
    108
    Always nearby
    Full Name:
    XXXX
    We use OBD memory saver. Cheap to own good to have..
    You will love this with battery changes. No relearning necessary.
     
  10. ItalGerBrit

    ItalGerBrit Formula Junior

    Mar 15, 2016
    908
    S La
    Rifle Driver would be cutting flips over this one if he was still around. Maybe questions like this one are why he just gave up? Disconnecting the battery to hook up a battery tender. Amazing.
     
    dreichman and clean512 like this.
  11. clean512

    clean512 Formula 3

    Feb 4, 2010
    2,119
    Full Name:
    Josh @jtcarprojects
    Each battery terminal will have enough stud left over to put the new ring terminal on with the 2nd nut that comes with any charger. This can't be that big of a deal. I can see there is not alot of room but the whole thing working live is kinda silly if you understand what you are doing. I guess some no what there doing
     
  12. Danedingerson

    Danedingerson Karting

    Dec 26, 2011
    236
    Maui
    Full Name:
    Dane
    Turning that switch cuts the power to the car electronics. If you touch terminal and car body you will get the same spark whether the trunk switch is on or off. I have no switch in my 430 trunk but had no problem installing a new battery and later a Ctec. Most brands of cars have no switch. Millions of cars have changed batteries or installed chargers with no switch.
     
  13. MiBe

    MiBe Rookie

    Jun 7, 2021
    33
    Sweden
    Full Name:
    Mikael Berg
    Well maybe my post could be interpreted wrong, my idea was to cut the power when installing the wires to the battery. When putting the charger on line there is no need to cut the power from the battery by the switch.
    Maybe this is a language issue since I’m a Swede[emoji41]


    Sent from my iPhone using FerrariChat.com mobile app
     
    Qavion likes this.
  14. Sj_engr

    Sj_engr Formula 3

    Sep 15, 2020
    1,624
    San Jose
    Full Name:
    dc
    He is talking about adding the wiring pigtail on the battery to enable the use of a tender and not just plugging in the tender.
     
  15. ItalGerBrit

    ItalGerBrit Formula Junior

    Mar 15, 2016
    908
    S La
    Right. Why disconnect the battery? Makes no sense.
     
  16. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
    Silver Subscribed

    Feb 20, 2015
    14,337
    Sydney
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    Ian Riddell
    Normally if you can introduce any element of safety, you should do it. Ask yourself what tools are you going to use when attaching the CTEK pigtail. Metal tools can always short to the car frame, especially when working in a confined space. Do you need to remove the main terminals from the battery to install the pigtail. If yes, then precautions should be taken, just as you would do when changing a battery.

    It makes sense to people who have shorted the metal straps of their watches on battery terminals.
     
  17. Sj_engr

    Sj_engr Formula 3

    Sep 15, 2020
    1,624
    San Jose
    Full Name:
    dc
    I've tried my best not to but still been shocked two times by ignition coils during my lifetime. Seems lowering chances of bad things happening is a good idea.
     
  18. Vol34

    Vol34 Karting

    Jul 6, 2021
    99
    Well, I wasn't notified of all these responses so I did it without turning the battery off. I've connected plenty of tenders in the past but this is the first to a Ferrari. After reading all the concerns about surges and the option to turn off the battery, I asked the question. I don't think there were any issues but I haven't started the car since it was connected as we got snow.

    My $30 Schumacher maintainer probably would have worked fine too but didn't want to take any chances on over charging.
     
    Qavion likes this.
  19. Vol34

    Vol34 Karting

    Jul 6, 2021
    99
    I don't know who Rifle Driver is but I've worked on plenty of cars and understand the dynamics of changing a battery. With the switch in the frunk I asked the question to make sure since I read about $10k mistakes. Maybe you should skip threads that are "amazing" instead of making comments like that. Just a thought.
     
  20. Qavion

    Qavion F1 World Champ
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    Feb 20, 2015
    14,337
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    Ian Riddell
    Rifledriver is one of our resident gurus with over 27,500 forum posts under his name. He gave us some excellent advice yesterday on the 456/550/575 subforum.

    Whether he would have said this or that, however, is putting words in his mouth. And what he said yesterday he may not say today (with more information on a problem/subject). The same should apply to all of us.
     
    Fcar tech likes this.
  21. Vol34

    Vol34 Karting

    Jul 6, 2021
    99
    I think we are on the same page? I didn't suggest what another poster would think or say....just that comments like ItalGerBrit's aren't constructive. I'm just a car enthusiast who's thrilled with my first F car and had a question. I think we can agree Ferrari's have quirks unlike my Porsche or many other cars.
     
    Qavion likes this.
  22. Fcar tech

    Fcar tech Karting

    Oct 22, 2021
    108
    Always nearby
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    XXXX
    Not sure why someone would actually take the time to insult someone's question, simple as it was . You know, one doesn't have to answer any questions, that's ones own decision. Then to add how Brian would have reacted. Trying to poke the sleeping bear I guess.
    And people actually "liked" his comments.. WOW, A bit disappointed in these few members. I joined to help and contribute..
    Perhaps they're having a bad day..Vol34 keep asking questions, my Grandfather always told me. It shows that you are willing to learn. I have been answering Ferrari owners questions for over 30 years... ( recently retired) I learned most of them don't know much, but I would answer them none the less. There's my rant.
     
    Vol34 likes this.
  23. THINKFAST

    THINKFAST Karting

    Jan 13, 2011
    195
    Earth, mostly ...
    I've been following this thread. I had nothing positive to contribute to help so I didn't. Fcar tech, you've given us somthing to think about.Thanks for that. Sometimes we need to stop and think what we say.
    See, I'm learning somthing from you. Cool.
     
  24. Vol34

    Vol34 Karting

    Jul 6, 2021
    99
    Appreciate it. No big deal. I've been a part many car groups over the years and there's always one or two difficult ones. The Ferrari group in general has been very welcoming and I look forward to getting involved.
     
  25. ItalGerBrit

    ItalGerBrit Formula Junior

    Mar 15, 2016
    908
    S La
    Just rattling the tree.
     

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