Hi When my 2005 612 is parked up in the garage and not used for a few weeks I connect the official trickle charger and just leave it alone. But is this safe, ie does it have the intelligence of a modern charger that can sense whats going on and regulate output or does it just keep pumping out 14 volts +/-? Also I shut the boot/trunk lid as I presume the light would stay on forever if not, but this does trap/pinch the cable, whats the correct thing to do here?! Hope these aren't dumb questions, any advice greatly received... Cheers Neil.
Definitely not dumb questions. The stock is a Ctek so it is good quality and shouldn't be a problem. I have a stock and several other trickle chargers. I use the other chargers most often but for no special reason. The cord should be ok. There is a rubber gasket so the cord does not pinch. I don't latch the trunk, I just put it down but don't latch. Even if the light stays on I have it on the charger so it doesn't matter much.
Hi Neal, Those aren't stupid questions at all. Many of us had the same doubts in the past. When in the garage, my 612 is connected at all times to the OEM Ferrari trickle charger. Currently the battery is an BOSCH S5, purchased in 2016. It is still in great condition, having no signs of weakness. I always leave the truck lid open, the light goes off after 10min or so. Like this, the cable doesn't damage the rubber seals.
I also believe this isn't a stupid question. In the last several years trickle charger / battery maintainer technology has improved greatly. I have a 2005 612 that had the original OEM charger in the expensive leather case and 3 point connector. I purchased the car this summer from a Ferrari dealer and they installed the latest Ferrari OEM charger (CTEK, privately labeled) and a new plug to the battery to match it and disconnected the original. I went a step further and bought the top CTEK as it has several more functions in terms of battery maintenance cycles. Porsche also privately labels the CTEK and I also use the Noco with great success on a couple other cars.
Hmm, OK thats all good info. So it looks like I should leave the boot open first off, plus maybe upgrade the original 3 pin twist connector style charger to a modern version with a bit more intelligence then? Thanks guys, much appreciated.
My favorite response when someone asks if this is a stupid question, I always say there is no such thing as a stupid question, however, there are stupid people who ask questions! No offense to you Neil, those are good questions. As others have already responded, the trickle charger that came with your car is fine. However, I have a 2008 OTO and I replaced mine with a CTEK 7002. It is a substantial upgrade to the CTEK that Ferrari gives you. Also, as Makuono stated, the trunk light goes out after a few minutes, so I always leave my trunk lid resting on the cord.
The Zivan chargers that came optionally on Ferraris from the late 90s through 2007 have been pretty unreliable. Best thing they do is look really pretty in your trunk with their Schedoni leather case. Replacing it with a newer CTEK is probably a good idea. My CTEK is in an OEM Zivan leather case, so it looks original.
You might also change the light bulb in the boot to an LED. I believe that light bulb is not in the bulb check string and I did change mine in the 456M without issue. I do close my boot but move the cord so it's not always at the exact same location. I also make sure to keep the seals soft with a rubber conditioner. I've heard that replacement seals are like unicorns .... Everybody knows about them but they never saw one!
I have trouble with the OEM charger for my ‘08 612 OTO and also upgraded to a CTEK 7002 and zero problems since the upgrade.
