Charging/conditioning battery in 2016 Vantage

[Skrambles]

Finally got my V12 Vantage S (total joy!) and I'm already thinking ahead to battery maintenance. There's a socket in the boot - will that allow me to use my ctek (with cig lighter attachment) to charge/condition the battery?

[TheRainMaker]

Yep

[Dewi 2]

Yes.

In my garage, I leave the tailgate slightly ajar resting on a folded towel, so the wire or rubber seals are not damaged.
With the tailgate ajar, you can still lock the car.

The electric socket mounting bracket is fairly weak, so hold the bracket whilst pushing in the socket, to ensure a good electrical connection.

Battery maintenance has continued successfully for years.

[Calinours]

Maybe. Search and you will find that a fair few have had issues, the electrical route to battery from that socket can be slightly high resistance which can confuse these types of chargers and result in them not charging.

It has happened to me, many times, intermittently. I have tried cleaning the connectors on the rear of the socket etc. Eventually I bored of the game of chance and simply took to plugging the CTek into the centre console 12V outlet. No issues since.

[alscar]

Socket in boot works fine but just follow Dewi’s advice to hold the bracket as you insert the cigarette lighter attachment.
If you pass the lead through to the right of the boot panel and the left of the light and hold it when you close you can fully close said boot without any real pressure on the lead itself.
Depending on the position of the car also leave a note by the centre console reminding you it’s plugged in !

[Skrambles]

Thanks very much to you all.

[Skrambles]

How many days (approx.) do you think the car can sit still before needing a charge? Mine is living outside and I'm not sure how often I'll actually be able to give her a run when I'm back at work. I'll be using a cover, so will need to get a routine of sorts in place to make sure I keep the battery tip top!

[CSK1]

Skrambles said:

How many days (approx.) do you think the car can sit still before needing a charge? Mine is living outside and I'm not sure how often I'll actually be able to give her a run when I'm back at work. I'll be using a cover, so will need to get a routine of sorts in place to make sure I keep the battery tip top!

Dealer told me about 15 days, anything more, plug it in so to avoid battery problems.

[Skrambles]

CSK1 said:

Dealer told me about 15 days, anything more, plug it in so to avoid battery problems.

Thanks

[Dream355r]

I keep mine under a cover and it’s plugged into Ctek one all the time. I can check charge on my phone app.

Ps congratulations on the car…

[Skrambles]

Dream355r said:

I keep mine under a cover and it’s plugged into Ctek one all the time. I can check charge on my phone app.

Ps congratulations on the car…

Thanks, I'm loving the car!

How are you able to check charge on your phone? That would be very handy indeed when mine goes 'under cover'.

[Dream355r]

Skrambles said:

Thanks, I'm loving the car!

How are you able to check charge on your phone? That would be very handy indeed when mine goes 'under cover'.

I recently bought Ctek One for a number of reasons eg not polarity specific etc and you can manage the functionality through an App. The app also mimics the charge level from the device itself. It tells you charge voltage and any current being supplied to the battery.

Good thing is that you can easily see if the connection has failed etc down side is it’s not that cheap once you buy interface cable and cigarettes lighter connector for the boot. If this worked Pic of app below - no connection as at work ! When it’s connected all of the segments in the circle light up

[Skrambles]

That looks really good, thanks. Might put it on my Christmas list.

[Craig elam1]

In12 years of db9 ownership I’ve had 3 c-teks, they tend to last about 18 months 2 years tops ( even the AM branded one I got with the car),
The one that’s been on now 5 yrs + without a minutes bother is………………Lidl “ultimate speed” at £13.99!!!!
I just changed the AM plug onto it and off you go

[Buster73]

Craig elam1 said:

In12 years of db9 ownership I’ve had 3 c-teks, they tend to last about 18 months 2 years tops ( even the AM branded one I got with the car),
The one that’s been on now 5 yrs + without a minutes bother is………………Lidl “ultimate speed” at £13.99!!!!
I just changed the AM plug onto it and off you go

Had the same c-ten since 2010 , still working no bother.

[Philipcollins340]

Please note that any time that a lead acid battery is not fully charged will begin to trigger the sulphation process. These batteries hate being less than fully charged and they respond by a reduction in their useable life. Even partial discharge will result in an increase in internal resistance that reduces AH capacity and cranking current.

Treat your battery well(by driving most days or putting on a battery conditioner). I have just changed my Banner battery in my BMW - it is just under 13 years old!!!!

[Skrambles]

My Porsche-branded Ctek lasted a few years; can't remember how many. It was £80. I liked the moulded cig attached, so replaced with another from Porsche. Didn't really look at other options.

I also bought a regular Ctek mxs 5 for my M5 and old X5. It's been fine. I only occasionally charged my M5 and the car could sit for 2-3 weeks without complaint, until the past year or so, when I started to get battery discharge warnings. I thought it was the battery (12 years old), but it turned out to be a tracker with duff battery leaching off the car battery when it was locked.

I'll stick with Ctek because it's worked for me so far. But, I'll try to keep it attached to the V12 whenever it's idle for more than a couple of days.

Are there any special precautions that you've taken for weatherproofing the extension cable to the charger plug, as it's sat in the elements?

Thanks for all comments/advice so far; I'm very grateful to you all.

[bogie]

I have a waterproof extension lead I use outdoors with my CTEK. I have the CTEK "comfort lead" in the 12v socket in the boot so can tell at a glance if it needs charging. If I buy a new CTEK in future I may get the app enabled model, that looks good.

[Dream355r]

Skrambles said:

I'll stick with Ctek because it's worked for me so far. But, I'll try to keep it attached to the V12 whenever it's idle for more than a couple of days.
Are there any special precautions that you've taken for weatherproofing the extension cable to the charger plug, as it's sat in the elements?

Thanks for all comments/advice so far; I'm very grateful to you all.

I’ve always had Ctek and they worked amazingly well with both German and Italian cars with no issues. So that’s why Ctek was my first choice.

Ctek is in the boot and cable comes out to fit into waterproof extension reel. I’ve not taken any special precautions except it’s under the car and turned upside down so no water could get in. No problems in almost a year. I suppose I could put it in a bag of some sort.

Good luck ! Btw pictures would be cool …

[The V12 Way]

if you are close to Tewkesbury get Aston Installations to do the magnet point under the bumper, works well and avoids bending the wire into the boot.