Battery Conditioner
Discussion
My '06 DB9 came without a battery conditioner. While the information is out there if you look hard enough, I thought I'd post my solution for any others who might need a replacement:
1) I chose the CTEK 7002 as the replacement. It's more than just a simple float charger, but it's far less expensive than the Aston Martin-branded replacement and includes the best and most-modern battery maintenance and charging options, along with a 12-v power supply which can be handy when disconnecting the battery.
2) My car has the 3-pin XLR-type connector in the boot rather than the cigar-lighter socket. Rather than changing the socket in the car, I bought a Neutrik XLR plug from an electronics supply shop and soldered it to a set of auxiliary leads that came with the CTEK.
3) In the boot, the charging socket has the three pin receptacles in an inverted "v" configuration like this: ^ . Looking at the socket from the boot side (outside the car), the LEFT LOWER pin socket gets the red wire, the CENTER (apex) pin socket is unused, and the RIGHT LOWER pin socket takes the black wire.
Everything works great. The charger took the battery through its testing and maintenance cycle, and it's now relaxing in a pulse-charge state waiting for me to return from an out-of-town trip.
1) I chose the CTEK 7002 as the replacement. It's more than just a simple float charger, but it's far less expensive than the Aston Martin-branded replacement and includes the best and most-modern battery maintenance and charging options, along with a 12-v power supply which can be handy when disconnecting the battery.
2) My car has the 3-pin XLR-type connector in the boot rather than the cigar-lighter socket. Rather than changing the socket in the car, I bought a Neutrik XLR plug from an electronics supply shop and soldered it to a set of auxiliary leads that came with the CTEK.
3) In the boot, the charging socket has the three pin receptacles in an inverted "v" configuration like this: ^ . Looking at the socket from the boot side (outside the car), the LEFT LOWER pin socket gets the red wire, the CENTER (apex) pin socket is unused, and the RIGHT LOWER pin socket takes the black wire.
Everything works great. The charger took the battery through its testing and maintenance cycle, and it's now relaxing in a pulse-charge state waiting for me to return from an out-of-town trip.
I have a CTEK 3300 which looked almost identical to the AM one ($65 off Ebay) works fine (3 years old)
Just after I bought it, I had to get another tender on the hurry up for my XJR, couldn't wait for ebay (shipping from the US takes nearly a month at times with customs) so I bought a Motormaster Intelegent Charger from Canadian Tire (on sale for $25) which I now use on the Aston.
It seems to be even simpler to use and just as good as the CTEK.
Just after I bought it, I had to get another tender on the hurry up for my XJR, couldn't wait for ebay (shipping from the US takes nearly a month at times with customs) so I bought a Motormaster Intelegent Charger from Canadian Tire (on sale for $25) which I now use on the Aston.
It seems to be even simpler to use and just as good as the CTEK.
Astoncompton said:
Hi
I bought a CTEK MSX 3.6 18 months ago for about £60 rather than about £160 from AM. Tests and conditions etc. Works fine. I attach to the red terminal in the engine bay and earth to the alternator housing.
This is what you need. Nice V12V .I bought a CTEK MSX 3.6 18 months ago for about £60 rather than about £160 from AM. Tests and conditions etc. Works fine. I attach to the red terminal in the engine bay and earth to the alternator housing.
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/121229733845?_trksid=p20...
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