Alligator clips on a battery tender | FerrariChat
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Alligator clips on a battery tender

Discussion in '360/430' started by roro, Sep 20, 2013.

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  1. roro

    roro Formula Junior

    Aug 28, 2006
    843
    Houston, TX
    Full Name:
    Ro
    #1 roro, Sep 20, 2013
    So on my F430, it came with an OEM battery tender. There is an extension line coming out of the battery terminals where I would think the unit would simply plug into. I've used battery tenders before. However, the unit does not fit into the socket. It seems as if that extension was made for another tender. I've looked at it many times and it's just not compatible. I'll post a pic of it tomorrow.

    Now the unit does have extensions for alligator clips. I guess I can use that. My question is, can I simply attach the clips to the correct terminals/bolt or is there an easy "shortcut" location I can install the clips to the + and - terminals? I know it is more of a hassle since I need to take the footrest door all the time but until I can find the correct socket, it will have to do.
     
  2. English Rebel

    English Rebel Formula 3

    Aug 13, 2013
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    Alan
    #2 English Rebel, Sep 20, 2013
    Mine came with two pigtails -- one direct to the battery with crocodile clips and one to the terminals behind the drivers seat bolted on. I was not too happy leaving the crocodile clips so I pulled that off. I would only use bolted connections but that's just me.
    Alan
     
  3. wkumari

    wkumari Karting

    Jul 15, 2011
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    Northern Virginia
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    Warren
    #3 wkumari, Sep 20, 2013
    Th eF430 has a special socket in the passenger footwell specifically for a tender -- the nice thing about using this socket is that it illuminates the "Battery Tender Connected" icon on the instrument cluster and prevents the engine from starting while the tender is connected (this avoids the embarrassing "backing down your driveway while trailing a battery tender" game :)) - it also makes plugging and unplugging the tender easy.

    I detail how to build the cable here: https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/141102598-post12.html

    Basically you snip off the alligator clip and crimp on another connector and you are done...

    W
     
  4. English Rebel

    English Rebel Formula 3

    Aug 13, 2013
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    #4 English Rebel, Sep 20, 2013
    I guess that plug in the footwell is exclusive to the 430.
    Alan
     
  5. ttforcefed

    ttforcefed F1 World Champ
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    #5 ttforcefed, Sep 20, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  6. roro

    roro Formula Junior

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    Ro
    #6 roro, Sep 20, 2013
    I have that as well too. However, the end of the battery tender does not have the plug to connect to that. It only has alligator clips.

    [​IMG]
     
  7. roro

    roro Formula Junior

    Aug 28, 2006
    843
    Houston, TX
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    Ro
    #7 roro, Sep 20, 2013
  8. roro

    roro Formula Junior

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    Ro
    #8 roro, Sep 20, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  9. ttforcefed

    ttforcefed F1 World Champ
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    #9 ttforcefed, Sep 20, 2013
    pretty sure that's fine
     
  10. roro

    roro Formula Junior

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    Ro
    #10 roro, Sep 20, 2013
    How long does it usually take for the light on the battery tender to go from the middle "half" charge icon to the "full" charge icon?
     
  11. ttforcefed

    ttforcefed F1 World Champ
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    #11 ttforcefed, Sep 20, 2013
    my cars are on tenders all the time so less than a cple hours....id give it 12 hours and see what happens
     
  12. ttforcefed

    ttforcefed F1 World Champ
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    #12 ttforcefed, Sep 20, 2013
    post a pic of the tender your using
     
  13. Red 27

    Red 27 Formula 3

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    #13 Red 27, Sep 20, 2013
    I think that once the light goes to the full charge position the charger shuts off and after a while it will go back to the half charge status and start charging again. It keeps cycling.
     
  14. roro

    roro Formula Junior

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    #14 roro, Sep 20, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  15. roro

    roro Formula Junior

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    #15 roro, Sep 20, 2013
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 7, 2017
  16. roro

    roro Formula Junior

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    #16 roro, Sep 20, 2013
    Oh really? As you can see the light is on the middle indicator. It's been like that for about 6-8 hours. The unit is warm. I just don't know if it's working or not.

    The battery was never dead to begin with. Just wanted to try out the tender that came with the car.
     
  17. Red 27

    Red 27 Formula 3

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    #17 Red 27, Sep 20, 2013
  18. roro

    roro Formula Junior

    Aug 28, 2006
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    Ro
    #18 roro, Sep 20, 2013
    Great! So hopeful the way I'm doing it with the alligator clip works.

    However, since it seems I do have that plug connected to the battery, I wonder if I can simply find the correct attachment to replace the alligator clips and simply plug/play. Basically, I need the right cable at this attachment below that will plug directly into that socket. I wonder if that is the correct one on the last pic???


    IMG]http://img.tapatalk.com/d/13/09/21/sy8y7ega.jpg[/IMG][​IMG][​IMG]


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free
     
  19. roro

    roro Formula Junior

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    #19 roro, Sep 20, 2013
    [​IMG]


    Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk - now Free
     
  20. roro

    roro Formula Junior

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    #20 roro, Sep 20, 2013
    THANKS FOR THAT! Now I see it. I'm missing two cables on the pic ... the simple connector ones.

    I guess the cable I have hanging out is from a different type of BT.
     
  21. Red 27

    Red 27 Formula 3

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    #21 Red 27, Sep 20, 2013
  22. roro

    roro Formula Junior

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    #22 roro, Sep 20, 2013
  23. Red 27

    Red 27 Formula 3

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    #23 Red 27, Sep 20, 2013
    Glad to help.
    Good luck!!
    Dave
     
  24. ONEOFEW

    ONEOFEW Formula Junior

    Jan 19, 2006
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    Steve
    #24 ONEOFEW, Sep 20, 2013
    Last edited: Sep 20, 2013
    You need this adapter, it will allow you to use a off the shelf CTEK maintainer, SAE to CTEK , they sell it on amazon , eBay. Much cheaper option.
    The BT you're showing is the original Ferrari CTEK which came with the later MY 430s. Your car is not wired for that maintainer.

    [​IMG]
     
  25. roro

    roro Formula Junior

    Aug 28, 2006
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    #25 roro, Sep 20, 2013
    Are you speaking of this:

    Ctek Comfort Indicator w SAE Pigtail US 800 3300 7002 Adapts to Battery Tender | eBay


    So this connects to the current wire from my battery or will this connect to the battery tender? To get rid of the alligator clips, is there another attachment/wire that plugs to the batter tender?
     
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