DB9 - Flat battery

[andyxxx]

I know there have been a number of threads regarding the battery on the DB9 but can’t find them.

I have just returned from a 10 day holiday to find the car has a flat battery.

I don’t want to sound naïve – but what is the best way to get the battery recharged?
I understand the battery is behind the driver seat but have just read there is a positive terminal under the bonnet (then negative to alternator?)

I have also read there are chargers to plug into the cigarette lighter – which if correct sounds a lot less hassle?

Any advice appreciated, thanks

Andy

[hartley]

In the Volante and probably the coupe there is a plug in the boot that the trickle charger plugs in to.It's pretty obvious in the boot.Good luck

[clorenzen]

It is relatively unlikely that you can recharge the battery sufficiently with the trickle charger. I would call AM assist and have them jump start it and after resetting the seats and the windows go for an extended drive.

[clorenzen]

It is relatively unlikely that you can recharge the battery sufficiently with the trickle charger. I would call AM assist and have them jump start it and after resetting the seats and the windows go for an extended drive.

[Mattt]

For the future, buy yourself an Accumate, only.30 quid or so

[DB9VolanteDriver]

Doesn't your DB9 come with a trickle charger?

[andyxxx]

Thanks all.

I never even thought of Aston Assist. Called them at 8am and arrived within 30 mins to jump start it.

I can't find a charger in any little compartments so assume if it did come with one, it has not been passed on by the previuos owner, so I will go for a spin to charge it and call at Halfords on the way back to purchase one.

Cheers

Andy

[DB9VolanteDriver]

The AM trickle charger that comes with the car is made by CTEK. I use three of their generic units (much cheaper than the AM branded unit as you would expect) to keep my 2 Jags and the DB9 fully charged. The moment I pull any of the cars into the garage, on goes the trickle charger, even if I'm planning to take the car out later. Never have to worry about a flat battery.

[andyxxx]

DB9 Volantedriver - Is it the xs 3600 you use?

[DB9VolanteDriver]

Nope, I use the US equivalent of the XC800 (US800). I use these strictly as maintainers and not as chargers (in which case you'd need the bigger one you mentioned). Since I needed 3 of them, I went with the smaller/cheaper model. I already had a regular battery charger if needed. I guess if you only need one, then the bigger unit might be the better choice.

FYI, the one that AM supplies is the XC800, since it is meant only to perform a maintenance function.

[michaelniwot]

I keep all the cars on the 3300s which you can pick up for about $70 on ebay. The conversion to fit the three pin socket is easy, provided you have the right female end. Alternatively, the cars can be charged and maintained using the CTEK provided clamps, by connecting to the positive pole in the engine compartment and clamping the negative to a nearby bracket.

Edited by michaelniwot on Saturday 31st July 00:10

Edited by michaelniwot on Saturday 31st July 00:20

[Zod]

I always put the car on the trickle charger if I go away for more than a week. My M5 never runs out of charge, but does complain if I don't drive it for a couple of weeks.

[andyxxx]

Now the windows don’t work. Have done the reset on the drivers side – which has corrected it, but the passenger window wont move up or down on either switch – any suggestions please??

[RNorth]

My DB9's factory supplied trickle charger has yet to bring the battery up to a fully charged (green light) state, in the 3 weeks I've owned the car. Sooner or later - likely sooner - I may need to replace the battery. Has anyone had experience with adapting aftermarket sealed batteries, which should perform better and last longer than the factory unit?

As to the use of trickle chargers in general, I'm a great believer - My first Ferrari, several years back, came with a Battery Tender, and I now have them on several cars, a tractor, an emergency generator, etc. Always ready to go; batteries should last twice as long.

I've even had the experience of bringing a dying battery back to life - my seldom used '03 Audi S8 seemingly needed one in '07 or thereabouts, but after a month on a Battery Tender the light turned green, and all was well for the next 2-3 years, until I sold the car. My DB9 battery may come around, too. Here's hoping. Just in case, though, does anyone have pointers about aftermarket replacements?

[andyxxx]

Aston Stratstone 'mobile engineer' called and replaced the battery - which suprised me - I never thought it would be covered under the Aston extended warranty. The engineer reset the electrics on his computer which fixed the passenger window.

I still have a couple of minor electrical problems and it is booked in today to have them sorted. Hope to get it back for Saturday to go to the Oulton Park AM GT4 race meeting.