Yes, it's rather funny to change from DC to AC, and then back to DC. Years ago when I had to park on the street and I lived so close that I commuted with my bike, I just pulled the battery out and connect the battery to the tender inside the house. Of course, that also made the car somewhat theft-proof. Obviously, hauling the battery in and out can be a PITA.
Hmm. Wonder if that could work. Just not sure I could rig that via the tender plug due to the current that could go between the batteries. Not my area of expertise but I do like the idea! Haha. Great way to theft-proof a bit! I thought of just "cutting" the main power but the FF doesn't have a "kill switch" (that I could find) like my F430 so I'd have to remove the cable to the battery -- and the manual also suggests not disconnecting the battery due to "all the electrical systems" in the car. Probably doesn't matter and I might do this next time I have to let it sit for 15+ days. Thanks guys.
I'd be very hesitant to kill the power to these modern cars. I don't *know* this, but I can just imagine their computers and other associated electronics wouldn't like it very much. Thats the problem- these things are constantly working/ thinking...
Indeed, make sure to double check with your favorite dealership's service dept about cutting power for so long.
quick reply, thanks to all the input I bought a European version of the 7002 (ie the XS 7000 with 2.5m confort connect extension) - it works like a treat and my car does not suffer even after a series of short journeys.
Yesterday I put my third battery in my '14 FF with not quite 20,000 miles. It would not hold a charge more than one day and start the engine, just like the first two batteries. Here is what I'm gonna try. If left in the garage more than two days I will plug in the charger. It seems like this summer I let it set for three weeks on two separate occasions without the charger and it was after the second occasion that it started to not hold a charge. We had a great summer so I was driving the Cali T most of the time. We will see what happens this winter as I drive both all year, all weather. I bought the battery from Interstate and it is a AGM battery part number MT5-49/H8 for those interested.
Thanks for the part number on the Interstate battery. Did you have to special order it? If not, which store did you use? Was your second battery oem like the the first one that came with the FF?
I have trouble with batteries in all my Ferraris since F430. First time i change battery with a new Ferrari but after several expensive battery changes and no real improvement on battery life i switch to aftermarket (Bosch, Varta, Odyssey, etc.) and all is fine. But i still try to use the battery tender as much as i can. Btw location from the FF battery sucks... Image Unavailable, Please Login
pretty sure i have an interstate battery in my ff after the original died. the car can sin up to 2 weeks without use and be fine
I did it by myself! I do all works i can handle by myself if it's no issue for guarantee without dealer/workshop.
I used an Interstate store on the west side of Toledo, Ohio. They had it in stock. The second battery was an Interstate too. Lifting it out and putting it back in is VERY difficult. The battery is quite big and fairly long. There is a small stud to the right of the battery (looking at the battery from the front of the car), along with a sheet metal cable guide device also to the right. Both complicate battery movement. It is very difficult to lift, but it does come out and go back in. If you do it yourself, write down everything you do taking it out, step by step so you get it all back in correctly. 2 weeks without charging is probably correct. I will from now on make it a maximum of one week and see if this battery lasts longer. The FF is an amazing car, worth all of this effort! Yesterday I put the snow tires on it and my California T, looking forward to driving it in the snow again, and this minute it is actually snowing like mad.
Usually 10 days, however it depends on outside temperature and if you have or not sat anti theft systems active or not...
Did you have to connect the terminals to another battery while changing it? Or is it okay to completely disconnect the terminals? I have heard some mentioned it might be a good idea to leave a door or window open just in case the computer goes crazy.
There is no requirement to reset computers in a modern Ferrari. I'd roll windows down only because without a battery they won't lower themselves down a little as required to open the door. All you will need to do when done is reset the date and time plus turn on cruise control (pit), Putting the FF battery back in, connect the tray terminal quick disconnect before dropping the battery back in
Has anyone bought a replacement battery in Europe that was not OEM (we do not have Interstate here)? thanks!
It weighs 58.8 lbs according to the Interstate page Interstate Batteries Results Page - MT5 AGM 30-months Free
