Yes, you do need the battery charger..... | FerrariChat
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Yes, you do need the battery charger.....

Discussion in 'California(Portofino)/Roma(Amalfi)' started by TifosiConch, Jun 16, 2025.

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  1. TifosiConch

    TifosiConch Formula Junior
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    Jan 15, 2020
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    El Aleman
    #1 TifosiConch, Jun 16, 2025
    It finally happened, I forgot to connect the trickle charger when I left my Portofino's house in Fort Lauderdale, returned after 2 weeks to a totally dead car. Fortunately I left the doors unlocked, but of course the window detents don't work so doors don't open or close properly. I tried my trusty jump starter, car would only click, tried jumper cables with my truck and still no joy. Finally revved my truck to 2500 RPM and sat 10 minutes with cables connected, that did the trick. Of course dash was lit up with every error message possible, a weekend of driving and an overnight charge has cleared them all except TPMS. Thanks to Naples Motorsports for their simple YouTube video on battery access and connections.
     
    Andynyc likes this.
  2. Redneck Slim

    Redneck Slim Formula 3
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    Walt Kimball
    #2 Redneck Slim, Jun 16, 2025
    Your battery is probably not long for this world. And even if it isn't,let me suggest a Braille I48CS and an Optimate TM661 tender. As an experiment I let my Portofino sit for two weeks without the tender and it had more voltage than the stock battery just after coming off its tender.
     
  3. TifosiConch

    TifosiConch Formula Junior
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    El Aleman
    #3 TifosiConch, Jun 16, 2025
    Thanks for the suggestion, I agree. When I took off the access cover I saw an Interstate battery....and not one of their better ones.
     
  4. dera

    dera Formula Junior

    Oct 7, 2023
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    Charlotte, NC
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    Mikko
    #4 dera, Jun 18, 2025
    Based on actual data from my battery tracker, no, you don't need a charger. Urban legend. Just drive the car enough when you actually start it, it's just like any other car.
     
  5. nycebo

    nycebo Rookie

    Nov 17, 2024
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    nycebo
    #5 nycebo, Jun 19, 2025
    I think that was the point. OP didn't drive it for 2 weeks. Any other car would be fine. I like the battery upgrade suggestion.
     
    Redneck Slim likes this.
  6. Redneck Slim

    Redneck Slim Formula 3
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    #6 Redneck Slim, Jun 19, 2025
    According to many posts on this forum,newer cars besides Ferraris often have this prioblem. Today's cars are loaded with electronics that have some small draws that add up when the car sits.
     
    nycebo likes this.
  7. dera

    dera Formula Junior

    Oct 7, 2023
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    #7 dera, Jun 19, 2025
    My battery voltage dropped from 13.06V to 12.82V during a 6 week sit. No issues there. At that rate, the car would have to sit for close to a year to cause any problems.
     
  8. Cigarzman

    Cigarzman F1 Veteran
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    May 7, 2014
    8,207
    Sarasota , Florida
    #8 Cigarzman, Jun 22, 2025
    FWIW, I was away for 2 weeks and my Porto was not on a tender . Car was deader than a door nail. Had a new battery installed yesterday. Good to go now.
    Side note, my F8 spider battery finally crapped out too after 4 years and always on a tender. Also replaced last month.
     

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