Ferrari trickle charger

[isee]

A mate got a F430 and couldn't start it last weekend, bcause of the flat battery (or so he claims, he really knows FA about automotive mechanics) but was advised by ferrari that he should not jump start it (I am guessing that's because ferrari doesnt want to have their cars seen being jump started) and that they will take it away on a flat bed.
anyway it's all besides the point, he is asking what trickle charger, battery conditioner does he need to get to avoid this in future?


thanks?

[voicey]

I hard wired an optimate in my 360:

http://www.clubscuderia.co.uk/forum/showthread.php...

[ferrari spider]

voicey said:

I hard wired an optimate in my 360:

http://www.clubscuderia.co.uk/forum/showthread.php...

I have used the Optimate for 10 years on my cars and bikes over winter storage. 100% recommended.
Even though they were originally marketed for motor bikes, many car owners like my self have used em for years.

[neil-f]

ferrari spider said:

voicey said:

I hard wired an optimate in my 360:

http://www.clubscuderia.co.uk/forum/showthread.php...

I have used the Optimate for 10 years on my cars and bikes over winter storage. 100% recommended.
Even though they were originally marketed for motor bikes, many car owners like my self have used em for years.

+1 I use Optimates for bikes & Accumate for car and have done for years with no problems

[andy355]

f430s go flat after a couple of weeks of not being on a trickle charger i was told by 2 service centres, i can vouch for that from my experience. original battery is rubbish and as the footwell area is so small its hard to upgrade it

possible he has the wiring already for the ferrari charger which is a ctek unit, however unless you buy it from ferrari it will have the wrong connectors. nothing that someone handy with a soldering iron couldnt get round though. there may even be a ferrari unit in a yellow box in the boot.

i would suggest buying a battery charger too if its likely this will happen again halfords sell them, the one i have by Ring seems to work well as the cost of him having a battery change at ferrari will be about 300 quid might be a good investment for about £50

[900ssduke]

+1 on Optimate's and Accumates.
I fitted a gell battery this last time, hopefully I'll get more than a couple of years from it.

[andy355]

900ssduke said:

+1 on Optimate's and Accumates.
I fitted a gell battery this last time, hopefully I'll get more than a couple of years from it.

what battery did you fit? was it to a 430? i tried the same with an optima battery but it wouldnt fit

[Iain328]

Optimate or CTek.

Be aware though that a lot of these things need at least some voltage in the battery before they will work so they can not be used to charge a completely flat battery.

Re Jump starting the 430 - there is a minor risk you'd fry the ECU's which is why they advise against it - very 'spensive to replace I would think!

[FerrariV8]

Optimate was designed for bikes and have a small charge time and then test system, the Accumate was designed for car use and can be left on a long term basis and will actually charge the battery from flat (as long as the cells have not failed). Accumate kits come with a perm fitting kit and clips kit with the charger. Our showroom has one behind every car!

[Mattymouse33]

I just bought a CTEK XS7000 for the Diablo, car now starts but i havnt taken it out for 3 weeks, instructions are slightly confusing as to which mode but i think this is a good trickle charger and very easy to connect etc. £90. Oh and it refurbs a drained battery whereas the cheaper version (3200)doesnt apparently

Edited by Mattymouse33 on Wednesday 20th January 23:23

[Two Stallions]

I use a couple of CTEK 3600's. Ferrari rebadge them so they must be pretty good. They also won the best conditioner/charger in a recent Auto Express magazine test IIRC.

[ferrari spider]

FerrariV8 said:

Optimate was designed for bikes and have a small charge time and then test system, the Accumate was designed for car use and can be left on a long term basis and will actually charge the battery from flat (as long as the cells have not failed).

Just for the record, i have used Optimates on both cars and bikes for years and years (i have 5 of them on two cars and 3 bikes). Before the Accumate was popularised/developed for cars, bikers like my self used them on my cars for long periods while laid up. before they knew it many people were using Optimates for there cars, so they developed the Accumates for the cars. The Optimates have been popular around for years.
I keep mine connected to both my cars for long periods (5-6 months), i have done so for years. Connection points are in the front boot of the cars.
So take it from me the optimates do a great job while the cars laid up over the winter. I have never had to change from Optimate to Accumate because there has never been any need.

Edited by ferrari spider on Wednesday 20th January 23:50