Gentlemen, Question for you please. I'm moving to a condo with car port only. The is no power outlet for me to plugin my Battery tender. Any recommendations on how to maintain battery besides maybe start it once a week. Is there such thing as a portable charger to plug in my battery tender? Thank you!!!
Tough scenario. I have no idea if it would work well enough or not, but it's the only thing I can think of off the top of my head. - A solar battery maintainer https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07TC3GJS4/ref=dp_cerb_3 I would wire it directly to battery (instead of cigarette lighter), and I would probably mount it to the top of the car port, and run a wire down, in order to maximize sun exposure.
Unless you drive it for at least 30 minutes, starting it once a week will net drain the battery. Sent from my iPad using FerrariChat
Solar battery tender is by a mile the best option. Otherwise, hit the manual cut off switch everytime. They will drain the battery out within a week in most cases (with some variation here of course). But it's really harsh on the alternator to allow it to charge up a depleted battery constantly. Solar tender will be the only viable option.
I agree that solar charger is his best option. BUT, if your battery only lasts a week you have bigger problems. 2-3 weeks easy but 4 is pushing it a bit (it sags but will still start).
long shot... but ask building management if they can hardwire an electrical line to your parking space (at your expense I'm sure). ya don't ask ya don't get.
If it gets sun during the day then try this. I have one on my pick up truck that stays outside and with a good battery it works great. https://www.amazon.com/Battery-Tender-021-1164-Maintainer-Microprocessor/dp/B004Q86JJ8
The problem I see with a solar battery charger, is you must have the charger in the sun. I presume most are not going to leave their Ferrari outside, baking the leather dash in the sun (as well as the rest of the car), so that entails running a longish cord (and resistance the cable adds) from the solar panel to the car. (also risking theft of the panel). Just more to think about.
Is the car port illuminated with overhead lighting at night? If so, there is a way to tap into that for a battery tender. Either McGuyver it, or hire an electrician. Just make sure if it is only powered at night, that your battery tender does not require an "activation" step like pressing an "on" button or selecting modes. Those type of tenders do not automatically restart when power is restored.
A solar charger won't put out enough current for the longer cable to be any issue. The idea about the light is good. If it is a edison socket you can get a screw in plug and you are off and running.
just shut the battery off with the oem switch. i do it all the time. no issues. it will fry the ecu yada yada....it doesnt.
It depends on the car how long it will last, I find even the same car but different years drain at different rates, my 2014 458 spider was terrible even if on tender did2like to start in the cold, this 2015 even after months parked up starts right up straight off the button although this winter has been particularly mild in London Sent from my CLT-L09 using FerrariChat.com mobile app
The Priority Start device installs between your positive post and your positive cable. If your battery discharges to a certain level it shuts it down so you have energy left to start your car. prioritystart.com
Poor choice since you have a start sequence when you turn the power on, at least if you want it to run right. It would clear all codes so you could never diagnose any issues, and may never see them until it is too late. And, you could never pass a smog since no monitors would be set.
I also live in a condo, and my solution is this mega capacity li-ion portable power station: https://www.polaroidenergystorage.com/en/polaroid-ps600/ I plug this in to the tender and gives about 2 days of power to tender. I switch it out and make sure it's hooked up to power up once a week. In the long winter months when I know the car won't be driven I disconnect the battery for convenience's sake
Thanks pretty brilliant solution. Someone else was doing that as well using a starting power pack they bought online. I forgot about that.
Cool idea. I wonder if there is one that provides a trickle charge - but for longer than 2 days. ? Battery tech has improved quite a bit - so perhaps there's an option now ?
You can buy bigger Li-on batteries, but they get larger and more expensive. The PS600 gave me good balance between price, capacity and size. I think they are discontinued, but you can find similar size/capacity li-on batteries on amazon. Never had any problems and my cars can sit for 2-3 weeks sometimes
