355 battery trickle charger query

[BrendonJ]

Search function has been done for days..

I've finally managed to get the building mgt company to install a powerpoint in the basement next to my carpark so would be grateful if anyone reccomend a trickle charger they've used on a 355 (or 36). Ideally one that plugs into the cigarette lighter so I dont have to try and get wires coming up from the battery.

Many thanks

[Craig]

CTEK 3600 are very good

[Mroad]

As above or I have an Accumate (came with the car).
Mine is wired into the jump start points in the engine bay (under the black side panel drivers side, it's in the manual).
It means you don't have to leave the window open or pinch the lead in the door to access the cigar socket.

[4sure]

i use an optimate and it can be left on permanently when stored,used it on various cars and bikes over the years wth no problems, available on e bay for 30 quid or so.

[theRossatron]

I use an Optimate 4, I have it wired into my battery though and the lead comes up behind the pop-up headlamp. Works nicely.

I've heard bad things about the cigarette lighter ones. Does the 355 manual not recommend against using these?

[voicey]

Optimate 4 here - had it for 3 years and it's been great. Leave it on all the time the car is in the garage and never had an electrical problem.

[Redwing]

Walk into your local Porsche dealer and ask for one at the parts dept. Had mine for 15 years! I even drove over it once and it still works!

[ChrisFitz]

Craig said:

CTEK 3600 are very good

I have both CTEK and Optimate.
For the money, the CTEK is much better value than the equiv optimate.
Optimate's bg are from bikes and as such they didn't really have anything capable of fully charging the battery in my Gallardo at the time, so that's why I went for the CTEK. It came with a battery mounting terminal so I just plug mine in through the boot.

[davek_964]

Redwing said:

Walk into your local Porsche dealer and ask for one at the parts dept. Had mine for 15 years! I even drove over it once and it still works!

Er - don't. My understanding was that Porsche chargers are simply CTEKs sold at vastly inflated prices.

[Martian O]

davek_964 said:

Redwing said:

Walk into your local Porsche dealer and ask for one at the parts dept. Had mine for 15 years! I even drove over it once and it still works!

Er - don't. My understanding was that Porsche chargers are simply CTEKs sold at vastly inflated prices.

I've used a CTEK 3600 via the cigarette lighter for years with no problems on a 360 and 911.

[Redwing]

Martian O said:

davek_964 said:

Redwing said:

Walk into your local Porsche dealer and ask for one at the parts dept. Had mine for 15 years! I even drove over it once and it still works!

Er - don't. My understanding was that Porsche chargers are simply CTEKs sold at vastly inflated prices.

I've used a CTEK 3600 via the cigarette lighter for years with no problems on a 360 and 911.

If that's the case then it's a top shout!

[Mroad]

davek_964 said:

Er - don't. My understanding was that Porsche chargers are simply CTEKs sold at vastly inflated prices.

The same as Ferrari badged chargers, they used to be Accumate then went over to Ctek.

[chowiekid]

i sell ctek chargers, and currently have some amazing deals on them, better than any ebay prices.

and can even sell the new 3.6 5.0 and 7.0 range very cheaply due to over stock

[mattdaniels]

I have an Optimate 3 and it kept my Elise online perfectly. Nice bit of kit. Comes with the wall mounts and Anderson connectors if you want something a bit less fussy than croc clips. Will be using it on the 360 unless / until someone tells me otherwise.

[BrendonJ]

Excellent, many thanks guys, seems like the the CTEK 3600 via the cigarette lighter will be the easiest.

Chowiekid, could you please pm me your prices for these.

PS Whats the difference between the 5.0 and 7.0?

Many thanks

Edited by BrendonJ on Saturday 27th August 07:54

[TSS]

chowiekid said:

i sell ctek chargers, and currently have some amazing deals on them, better than any ebay prices.

and can even sell the new 3.6 5.0 and 7.0 range very cheaply due to over stock

Please can you PM me with prices. Thanks, TSS

[ChrisFitz]

Redwing said:

If that's the case then it's a top shout!

The Lambo chargers are also rebadged CTEK's too.
CTEK around £40 or so.
Lambo badge on same equipment around £160.

[Martian O]

ChrisFitz said:

The Lambo chargers are also rebadged CTEK's too.
CTEK around £40 or so.
Lambo badge on same equipment around £160.

Porsche and Ferrari steal about the same!

[MalcQV]

Used and Accumate/Optimate (one is generally for bikes, mine is the one for cars). I now have mine in a Carcoon so I still use Accumate. Never had any problems with either