Battery Conditioner for V8V

[PeteB62]

Was trying to find an old thread I’ve read on here regards Battery conditioner for V8V, so sorry for asking old questions.

My car is coming up for second winter, and although I try to run it as often as I can, last year we had a few weeks of heavy snow in Scotland.

So just want to confirm recommend brand is CTek? Best place to buy this from (reliable distributer)? Uses socket in boot only or can it use either?

Thanks,
Pete

[huntsen]

The best one to go for is the Ctek MXS5, from any online retailer at around £64.
You'll also need and adaptor lead from the Ctek's to male cigar lighter plug.
It plugs into the charger lead in the boot, which is permanently live. The male connector supplied doesn't engage firmly with the flimsy socket in the boot. You'll need to check that all the Ctek lights are on at regular intervals and reconnect if necessary.
Don't shut the bootlid on the lead - it may damage the lead or the boot seal. Instead, use the car key to 'shut' the boot lock, then gently lower the lid onto the lock, leaving a ½" gap for the lead.
My charger goes on as soon as I get the car into the garage and stays on until I drive it again, Don't forget to disconnect it first - 'open' the boot lock then shut the boot.

[raceboy]

Another option is the 'factory' OEM version available via eBay for a considerable saving over the Aston branded item.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Aston-Martin-Battery-Ch...

http://www.astonmartin.com/en/accessories/v12-vant...

I would disagree with the previous poster about shutting the boot lid, I've been shutting my boot onto the cable/seal for a year and neither show any signs of damage, but the owners manual recommends just gently closing the boot and not latching it.

[Big Ry]

CTEK MXS5.0 & Cigarette Lighter adaptor plug.

That's what I use, kept the V12 nicely topped up over winter.

[dwell]

raceboy said:

I would disagree with the previous poster about shutting the boot lid, I've been shutting my boot onto the cable/seal for a year and neither show any signs of damage, but the owners manual recommends just gently closing the boot and not latching it.

I use the CTEK all of the time and also 'gently' shut the hatch onto the lead so it latches and I can lock the car - just then check it will move slightly (i.e. not pinched) as the seal is quite thick. No problems and been doing it this way for 5 years.

[sundayjumper]

And for an alternative point of view, I've been using a charger from Aldi (or maybe it was Lidl) for years. I connect it to the jump start terminals under the bonnet because that's closer to the power socket in my garage. Works fine.

[CSK1]

raceboy said:

I would disagree with the previous poster about shutting the boot lid, I've been shutting my boot onto the cable/seal for a year and neither show any signs of damage, but the owners manual recommends just gently closing the boot and not latching it.

+1. I've been closing the boot and locked the car with the cable sticking out for three years. No damage whatsoever.
I have the AML branded battery conditioner which was supplied free of charge by my friendly dealer when I bought the car.

[rovcallum]

I've been using the Ctek XS 0.8 charger for 2 years now, with cig lighter adapter. Cost just over £40 and works perfectly. I even close and lock the bootlid on the cable, no damage to anything yet.
Available from Amazon.

[J12KJR]

I've been using a basic C-Tek charger on my TVRs and then the Vantages for over 15 years. I replaced the crocodile clips with a cigarette lighter plug and have always plugged it into the lighter socket in the centre console with the lead going out of the drivers door. The thick rubber seal means the cable isn't kinked or damaged and with it going through the door I'm not going to drive off and forget that it is still plugged in.

[PeteB62]

Thanks chaps for the help, hopefully not much snow this year and can keep enjoying the miles

[Monkeylegend]

sundayjumper said:

And for an alternative point of view, I've been using a charger from Aldi (or maybe it was Lidl) for years. I connect it to the jump start terminals under the bonnet because that's closer to the power socket in my garage. Works fine.

My Accumate packed up last year so I bought a £25 Halfords 6/12v charger suitable for bike and car batteries up to 70amps and it works fine as well connected to the battery terminals in the boot. Car is a 350SL.

[Ian350]

My 07 V8VR bought secondhand last year came with a damaged boot seal right by the charging socket. So I might as well close the boot - nothing to lose!