Battery life

I'm just back from a 10 day non-Ferrari vacation, and the 456 was just locked, and now battery is flat. Is it normal it eats so much juice standing still, or time for battery? Do you guys use the cut out every time it's stationary for a few days?

 

I do not keep mine on a tender or cut it out but I do drive it every other day or so. I recently let it sit for 11 days whilst on vacation and it started right up upon return. Just one datapoint.

I had all sorts of screwy and related things happen when my alternator(s) were on the way out.

 

It got 4 green lights on a CTEK in 1½ hours. Started it, had a good 1 hour drive. Coming home, idling, voltmeter shows 14.1, so I think alternator is fine. Engine off, voltmeter showed 12.9. I'll keep an eye on it for a few days...

 

I used to have the same issue with my 550. If you can't keep it connected to a battery tender, then keep one of these (or similar) in the boot and top it up every 3 months.

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I can go about 2 months without starting my 550 before the battery says no go. I put a battery tender on it every few weeks to keep it topped off so it is always ready to go. My first reaction is that if your battery is a no go after 2 weeks, then I suspect it is time to replace it. How old is the battery?

 

Never give a battery a second chance is a good rule. Still might be worthwhile doing a test to see if she is leaking over about 40 ma. Procedure is in the WSMs. Mine typically last about 7 years and are never on a tender.

 

Battery age unknown, doesn't look new. Today 12.6V, so I bought a new one.
That chrome thing, what's your view, not for looks I assume, heat protection? It was discontinued?
And this socket in front of left door, is that for charging, if so where do I find a CTEK that has that connector?
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That is a heat shield to keep engine heat away from the battery. Not sure what the plug is.

 

The plug that I thought was OEM is for CTEK with Ctek 56-263

 

None of the early 65° V12s (456-575 and some early 612s) came from the factory with a CTEK charger. There was an optional Zivan charger with connector.

 

Has anyone ever fitted a LiOn battery, something like the below? It partitions capacity so there is always some juice left to crank. I'm seeing more battery threads for current gen supercars that are way more sensitive to batteries that are not in perfect health. Expensive though and a new charger is needed as well.

https://www.antigravitybatteries-uk.co.uk/automotive-and-supercars/antigravity-h6group-48-car-battery.html

 

456 is a pain to deactivate the battery because of the doors. If I know it will sit, I put both windows down slightly before disconnecting battery. Otherwise, the window seals get damaged. What radio do you have? If aftermarket check it's drain. Very easy to check car electrical drain if you put an amp meter between battery terminal and post.

 

Just open both doors before you turn off the battery then good to go

 

12.6V is a normal "float" voltage for a conventional lead-acid battery...