Charging with Extension Cord

So, I'm anticipating the delivery of my 296 sometime this winter (it's at 85) and living in Chicago I'm sure I won't want to be driving the car when it arrives.

Somewhere along the line, I thought I read or heard that you can not use and extension cord with the charger. Is this true? Anyone have experience one way or another?

 

I’ve used a heavy duty extension chord for over a year with no issues. I believe the ‘recommendation’ is to not use one, but my experience has produced no adverse effects. Live in Michigan with the resulting weather conditions.
What does your dealer say?

 

Use a 12 AWG extension and it’ll be just fine. Car will charge at 12A on 120V from what I’ve seen

I’m using a 14 gauge but it’s about a 12 ft distance total.

 

I have question into dealer because I can't remember if they told me or it was someone else. What side of the car has the charging port? Trying to figure out if I need to have an outlet installed in the garage before it gets too cold, as well.

 

Drivers side for the charge port.

 

Dealer has told me that you are not supposed to use an extension cord. I have now asked the length of the included cord and he said he thought 20 feet but will get back to me.

 

Better do what the dealer tells you!

 

I should have been more specific, driver side on US vehicles.

 

Thank you for checking with the dealership on this.

 

It's lowest common denominator advice, if one understands electricity and circuits and you use the proper size wire gauge for an extension (and rated outlet) it should be no problem. But the majority do not, so that's the advice that is given.

 

One thing you should also remember, every few weeks, Id say 3 or so, unplug the charger from both the wall and the car. Wait a few minutes, then replug. This resets the computer in the charger and in the car.

 

I would add that if you're adding an outlet for charging or have one that you will use in mind, be a bit careful about what other device/ outlet shares the same circuit. Most circuits are rated for 15amps. Ferrari charger will draw quite a bit of current when it gets going. You want to avoid another device getting in the way. I have had a few instances where my circuit breaker tripped. So I believe the charger can dance very close or even exceed the 15 amp limit. Next house I'm moving to, I'm putting in a dedicated 20 amp circuit for this.

Be sure to check on the car every few days if you're putting it away for the winter. If circuit is tripped, you're not getting charged obviously.

 

Grab 20a 12gauge cord - use only the length you need to make it work, longer cord more power drop.
Put on dedicated circuit or call electrician install - like a copier at the office same for hybrid Ferrari.
There is a reason Ferrari has a robust heavy power cord. I would start the car as often as possible - breaking in a battery is a lot like breaking in an engine - the more variances the better.

 

So here's the question, without having a charger in my hand. I'm thinking of having a dedicated outlet / dedicated 20 a circuit put in the garage, as this would allow me to charge not only the Ferrari but a future hybrid car (not at the same time, obviously). I have thought about a M5. The BMW chargers come with different wall plugs (one for a regular outlet and one for the washing machine type outlet). Do the kind folks at Ferrari include the same options? So hard to plan for this stuff when you can't even see what the charger looks like.

 

I have had this issue too. I changed my circuit to 20 AMPS.

 

I have my charger on a shared circuit, not dedicated. That circuit has about 6 trickle chargers on it, 7-8 supposed electronic rodent repellants. No problems so far, but I’m not using any extension for it.

 

If you get the right extension cord, it'll have more electrical capacity than the house wiring from the breaker to the plug. Should be ok. Mind the distance though.