Can I Use Jumper Cables To Start My 550?

there was a thread about using jumper cables on modern Ferrari a little while back. I can't recall if it was a general rule for all of them or just few models. The model discussed, I believe it was a 360, could not be jumped off. I believe it fried a few things in the line of electrical components. I wouldn't do it. When in doubt... don't. Use a battery charger.

 

360 and such had, IIRC, the problem of dash electronics going south on a jump, which I believ the 550 hasn't such an issue. A modest jump IMO should be ok...but sure I'll be jumped on giving out faulty advice, if so, please let me know.

I use a simple deep charger for that voltage, and it has been doing its job quite well for over two years now. FBB had a harborfreight modified charger doing the constant charge....but, thinking if you just spring for a quality trickle charger that can not overcharge, you should be fine.

as for the 'quick start' not sure if you mean 'can I quick/jump start my 550' or 'leave the charger in quickstart mode over night'. IF THE latter = NO, don't ever do that for longer than 30 seconds....for any battery in its range of jumping....bad idea.

 

Personally I agree. Using correct jumping techniques shouldn't hurt the 456, 550 or older model series.

Will wait for better mechs to slam me, but thinking it's ok.

on the newer electronic models, in Ferraris only, I believe this has proven very costly to jump a car: take battery out in those cases and/or trickle charge the battery before use.

 

I've used a jumper pack on many 550s with no problems at all.

 

Anybody know the scoop on push starting a 550? I don't know electronics at all, so dunno if one can even do that with modern cars. Have done that many times on old stuff, including my 328...

 

+1 me too. Just use quality gauge cables.

 

Hi there

Ive been advised the problem is causing a a power surge in the computers on board, so jumping on the newer stuff is not really a good idea. Most technicians will use a boost box (a battery/cables combo), which gives a warm up charge into the battery initially, for say 10-15 mins, and then turn the car over on the key/button while the boost box is still attached. Make sure you switch off nav/tv/dvd/phones etc to relax the load on the car.

I as a matter of practice have the battery conditioner put on the car at purchase, and plug it in at all times, then you have no flats ever, and the car is always kept at the peak of efficiency battery wise!

 

Sid,

I've been told the same by my technicians at Classic Coach.

Barry

 

I am no electrical genious, but I cannot understand how adding a 12 volt battery to a system that is missing its 12 volt battery can cause any harm. Where is the power surge coming from? The other car generating 14 volts or the battery charger set at 12 volts? The danger in jump starting any car is reversing the poles.

 

I agree. The 456/550 series do not seem to have quite that computer problem. Perhaps the 575/612 as they are newer.

also

I like the power pack idea, and have one which I've used with success...however, there was a time, about a month ago---july 4th weekend, where I lost charge due to being at a camp site [yes it goes camping] and needed a boost.....perhaps lucky, but felt it was a normal deal

 

I agree. I have given jumps to a 575 and a 360 in the past 6 months. As long as you don't cross the wires, and give the drained battery a few minutes to suck some juice off the running car before trying to turn the engine over, you should have zero problems.

 

Jumped properly there should be zero issues with ANY vehicle.

Just make sure you attach the negative cable to the engine block on the vehicle being jumped.

There is no replacement however for a good deep cycle charge such as a trickle charger.

All damage to modern ECU's comes from reversed polarity.

 

MY .02 as a non-owner - Does the owners manual have a section on jump starting the car?
From other posts, in general that I have read, I would charge the battery with cables disconnected (or replace the battery) to ensure no issues.

 

I think the surge idea comes from the fact that the system would draw a massive boost of power initially on starting, which can fry the circuits, but by allowing the systems to be prepared by a 10/15 minute trickle, and switching them all off at the first ignition, reduces the cars need to grab power on such a great scale, reduciing the CHANCES of a surge and frying circuits!!

 

I may be way off base here but what I think might be going on is that when the car is actually running and the jumper cables are disconnected the alternator sees an zero voltage at the battery (if the battery was in fact totally dead) and goes to unlimited charging because the voltage regulator is not telling the alternator to regulate the voltage therefore it creates an overvoltage situation. I do know that if the battery is disconnected with the engine running the alternator will blow its diodes for the same reason.

If I do have occasion to jump I always leave the jump battery connected for a few minutes after the car is started to get some voltage into the car battery.

I would caution to never disconnect the car battery while jumping for the above reasons, and always connect the negative cable to an engine ground like the block if possible.

 

I have jumped multiple times in past with no adverse effect, from a variety of sources. Trickle chargers are great but you need a full night if it's in your garage sitting.

The only annoyance is that one of the battery leads is situated in a manner against the back so that clamping the jumper lead is kind of difficult (not enough hood clearance).

That and the battery terminals are made of a very soft metal, so they gouge easily.

 

Dan, your mail box is full

 

Kenny,

The owners manual has no instructions for jump starting the 550. The workshop manual states some general notes regarding battery management when servicing the vehicle. It appears that "starting with the aid of an additional battery" is permissible. I think this means jump starting.

Barry
Image Unavailable, Please Login

 

THe F430 user manual page 94 & 95 says that you can simply use an external 12v battery or a battery charger of adequate power. Hook + to + and - to - and start the engine. No special warnings at all. Manual suggests NOT push starting a 430. I realize this is not the 430 thread, just saying that Ferrari says it is OK to jump a newer car.

This comes from the manual itself:
Starting with the auxiliary battery
Use an external 12V battery with the same
power or slightly higher than the one
provided. A lead acid battery charger of
adequate power may be used by qualifi ed
persons only.
Use cables with suitable characteristics.
• First connect the terminals of one cable
to the positive poles (+) and then the
terminals of the other cable to the
negative poles (–) of the two batteries.
• Start the engine.
• When the engine has started, first remove then from the positive ones.
If the engine does not start after a few
attempts, contact the Ferrari Service
Network.
Take care not to let the positive cable
come into contact with the vehicle or
the negative cable. Improper manoeuvres
may cause damage to the electrical system.
Push start This is to be avoided as far as
possible, since it may cause fuel
to flow into the catalytic converters and
damage them beyond repair.

 

Interesting, because it is exactly the F430 that I have heard the opposite about. And the 360 as well.


Onno

 

My 2c as a EE:
The boost cables have inductance and if the 550 battery is dead it has a relatively high impedence. Hundreds of amps flow in the cables to the starter motor and when the starter relay disengages, the current continues to flow for a short time due to the energy stored in the cable. This causes a transient in the 550 wiring which can overvolt the electronics if they have not been designed to survive this condition. Military vehicle electronics, for example, are designed to survive a 600V spike. This transient can be reduced by charging the 550 battery for a bit to reduce its impedence, and use short heavy cables running as a close pair which reduces their inductance.
Ian