Challenge Stradale battery charging advice

[PaulDav]

Unfortunately I have not had chance to use my CS for the last month and when I came to start it this morning the battery was dead. I've manage to recharge it directly from the passenger footwell and the car starts now, but it has made me release I need a battery conditioner on the vehicle. I know there is a charging point in the front boot and I have the original Ferrari Electronic Battery Charger that connects to this that came with the vehicle. This charger is now 13 years old and I imagine technology has moved along quite a way in that time. Is there a trickle charger I can buy that can attach to the connector in the front boot? Or am I just better off using a standard battery conditioner and plug it directly into the battery in the footwell? When charging do I need to switch the battery off via the switch in the front boot or can I leave that on?

Thanks!

P

[AmoCS]

Ctek charges are good and believe they make the OEM chargers for Ferrari. You don't need to switch off the isolation switch when charging. Just use the cables that come with a Ctek and connect direct to battery via the footwell.

[PaulDav]

It's there any way to use the connectors in the front boot so I don't have to leave the window slightly down when I'm charging?

[allister]

PaulDav said:

It's there any way to use the connectors in the front boot so I don't have to leave the window slightly down when I'm charging?

On my F430 I use the cables in the footwell with a CTEK charger and the power cable fits between the gap in the bottom corner / front of door quite easily, so no need to leave window down.

The cable is almost flat and very thin, so it won't be crushed or damaged by the door if you put it through at this point - Well not on the F430 at least.

[johnnyreggae]

If you mean the plug on the funny red large charger then no - normal recommendation is something like a ctek connected in the cockpit whose power lead I think goes under the door not over the window http://aldousvoice.com/2012/08/12/ferrari-360-fitt...

[PaulDav]

Thanks

[Cerberaherts]

Definately DONT use the original red charger. They have issues and can overheat. Go for the CTek, a company called morethanpolish.com do the one you require (MXS 3.8 is the model) for just over sixty quid.

Normal fitting point is to hard wire the plug to the battery post and earth tag found by removing the panel behind the passenger seat...