Vantage Battery Question

Vantage Battery Question

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Anubis

Original Poster:

1,029 posts

178 months

Wednesday 2nd September 2015
quotequote all
Hi, I was wondering if those who own / know a lot more about Vantages than me can tell me what the car battery life is like with these amazing machines?

The reason I ask is that I am weighing up options for my next 'special sunny weekend only' car. True exotica like Ferrari, Lambo, etc are out of the question but I may be able to get away with an Aston or something similar.

The problem I have is that I do not have a drive or garage (renting one isn't an option) - I do have access to a quiet residential space in a decent area. During the summer months the car will be used all the time, however during the winter months it will likely have to have a car cover over it and have light use (i.e. only driven on the odd dry crisp wintery day). I'll obviously start it every so often to keep things ticking over in winter months. It'll be where I live in view of my home but I am not able to put a battery trickle charger to it since it's a shared parking area for myself and neighbours. Security isn't an issue - it's not on a main road or anything.

Has anyone else been in a similar situation? Or is a vantage not a good idea for this kind of use.

Note: saying "just drive it; it's a car" I have heard many times before. Taking your pride and joy out when the roads are full of salt, slush, rain, pot holes and mud isn't my idea of fun - I'll being sitting at home staying warm and chilling out. smile



Edited by Anubis on Wednesday 2nd September 11:46

Jon39

12,782 posts

142 months

Wednesday 2nd September 2015
quotequote all

My car is used in the manner that you describe, little use in the winter, but it is then indoors with the trickle charger and dehumidifier running.

Trying to use it this way, without operating a trickle charger, would probably invite trouble.

If you drove 30 miles every two weeks during the winter, that might be sufficient to keep everything working, but I doubt that length of drive would fully charge the battery, following a start. I am sure that you know, but beware of all types of plastic car cover. Cotton fabric tarpaulins will protect a car stored outside.


davek_964

8,796 posts

174 months

Wednesday 2nd September 2015
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The previous owner of my car told me that the longest he'd left it unused was 3 months, and it still started straight away - and that was without using the battery disconnect switch. I was a bit surprised though.

But, there is the battery disconnect switch which shuts down a lot of the systems, and that should prolong battery life. If you're starting it up every few weeks I would expect it to be OK.

It's a shame the price of some cars has gone a bit silly in the last year or so. I've had my 360 for almost 2 years, and didn't pay a huge amount more than the Vantage I bought in May. But if I was buying it now, it would be a completely different story.

Neil1300r

5,487 posts

177 months

Wednesday 2nd September 2015
quotequote all
Wouldn't leave it more than 3 weeks without charging.
Early cars have a battery dis-connect switch - later ones don't. Will then be OK ~ 6weeks.

All of the above assume you have a new battery, not one on its last legs.

Of course you could just drive the bloody thing! smile

Anubis

Original Poster:

1,029 posts

178 months

Wednesday 2nd September 2015
quotequote all
Thanks guys

gibbon

2,182 posts

206 months

Wednesday 2nd September 2015
quotequote all
Where is this battery switch you speak of?

I trying to drive mine once a fortnight as a minimum but have left it for three weeks in the past without problem, much better than the 911 i had previously that would die after anything over two weeks, though i suspect this is mainly due to the battery age/condition.

Neil1300r

5,487 posts

177 months

Wednesday 2nd September 2015
quotequote all
gibbon said:
Where is this battery switch you speak of?
Behind the drivers seat, right hand side, right down low, feels like a hole in the carpet.

davek_964

8,796 posts

174 months

Wednesday 2nd September 2015
quotequote all
Neil1300r said:
gibbon said:
Where is this battery switch you speak of?
Behind the drivers seat, right hand side, right down low, feels like a hole in the carpet.
Don't think that's right.

The battery disconnect switch is in the boot, behind the flap on the RHS next to the fuse box (it's below the fuse box, in a bracket level with the edge of the fuse box which is nearest the front of the car).

The battery reset switch - which you need to use to re-enable everything after using the battery disconnect switch - is where you've described.

DB9VolanteDriver

2,612 posts

175 months

Wednesday 2nd September 2015
quotequote all
Neil1300r said:
Wouldn't leave it more than 3 weeks without charging.
Early cars have a battery dis-connect switch - later ones don't. Will then be OK ~ 6weeks.

All of the above assume you have a new battery, not one on its last legs.

Of course you could just drive the bloody thing! smile
They all have disconnect switches, but only earlier ones have reconnect switches.

cayman-black

12,625 posts

215 months

Wednesday 2nd September 2015
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Run a extention lead to it(is this possible) and put a Ctek on it, It will have to be on charge.

bogie

16,342 posts

271 months

Wednesday 2nd September 2015
quotequote all
Mine seems to go OK through winter. Generally it only gets used on the odd dry day from November to March. I think the longest without a drive is probably 6 weeks and its started fine. It lives under a cover on the drive. Battery is OE from 2006, ive probably cursed it now and it will want a new one this winter wink

bunnyburnett

72 posts

147 months

Wednesday 2nd September 2015
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Hi you could try a solar charger

Hillbilly75

34 posts

114 months

Wednesday 2nd September 2015
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I had exactly the same considerations as you, was thinking of all sorts of idea. The advice I had was forget outdoor car covers, they are prone to blowing off in strong weather and I was advised to find garaging. Also, unless the car is squeaky clean when the cover goes on, the movement from wind etc just rubs tiny bits of grit etc into your paint causing scratches. Another consideration, unless you buy a compete no hoper, which let's be honest don't really exist in this kind of car, you are going to want to take care of the paint. A respray is expensive!

In the end, car storage was for me. I found a local place and to be honest I am so glad I did, yes it is an extra dollop of dosh a month, but the car is safe, secure, on charge and they have a detailer on site who can do as much or as little as I like.

steveatesh

4,893 posts

163 months

Wednesday 2nd September 2015
quotequote all
Mine has lived outside since new and only gets infrequent use over winter. I don't cover it for the reasons described above, any unseen bit of grit, dust, etc WILL scratch the paint which is quite soft, if covered. My approach is to keep it well polished before winter, leave any snow that falls on it (don't wipe it off as it has the same effect as a small glacier on your paint) and it is fine. Nearly six years old and the paint is still superb.

Re the battery. I have only had to pop mine on a charger a couple times, but there will be variation in this so maybe a power station will be a necessity for you to make sure you can jump it if necessary.

Best of luck with it.