Battery life | FerrariChat

Battery life

Discussion in '456/550/575' started by No Quarter, Jul 9, 2025.

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  1. No Quarter

    No Quarter Karting

    Dec 29, 2016
    100
    Denmark
    Full Name:
    Michael
    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?
     
  2. Mirek

    Mirek Formula 3
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 20, 2019
    1,493
    Los Angeles, CA
    Full Name:
    Mirek
    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.
     
    No Quarter likes this.
  3. No Quarter

    No Quarter Karting

    Dec 29, 2016
    100
    Denmark
    Full Name:
    Michael
    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...
     
    Mirek likes this.
  4. Bluebottle

    Bluebottle F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Oct 15, 2012
    8,530
    Newbury, Berkshire, England
    Full Name:
    John
    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.

    Image Unavailable, Please Login
     
    No Quarter likes this.
  5. ixlr8

    ixlr8 Formula Junior

    Aug 24, 2015
    354
    Eastern Shore- Virginia
    Full Name:
    Jim
    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?
     
  6. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,166
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    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.
     
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  7. No Quarter

    No Quarter Karting

    Dec 29, 2016
    100
    Denmark
    Full Name:
    Michael
  8. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,166
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    That is a heat shield to keep engine heat away from the battery. Not sure what the plug is.
     
  9. No Quarter

    No Quarter Karting

    Dec 29, 2016
    100
    Denmark
    Full Name:
    Michael
    The plug that I thought was OEM is for CTEK with Ctek 56-263
     
  10. tazandjan

    tazandjan Three Time F1 World Champ
    Lifetime Rossa Owner

    Jul 19, 2008
    39,166
    Clarksville, Tennessee
    Full Name:
    Terry H Phillips
    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.
     
  11. TwoMinds

    TwoMinds Karting
    Silver Subscribed

    Jan 3, 2022
    95
    London
    Full Name:
    Colin C

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