Varta AGM Battery for 2017 V8VS
Discussion
A bit of chat about concerning batteries in Astons - mostly seeking to find cheapest possible.
For my part, I can only put the best battery for the job in the Aston – I certainly don’t see it as a price question, rather I see it as a performance requirement - particularly as the V8VS sits unused for weeks on end, on CTEK charger for long periods (atrocious winters here in NZ).
Any replacement battery in the Aston needs to demonstrate stability over time, robust construction, longevity, fits the allotted space, and is not lithium (still dangerous, in my view, won't have it in the house).
Above all, in my view, needs to avoid all those electrical gremlins found in modern auto electronics when battery starts to fade - Astons being particularly prone, as we know.
I was introduced to high-spec AGM batteries in Singapore 15 years ago to solve a major battery problem in my large RIB (2 x start batteries for 2 x Yamaha 300hp V6 engines, plus house battery) - chewed batteries in the tropics continually with <6 months life for standard lead acid. Odyssey batteries are mil-spec, used in military helicopters (dealt well with vibration), can be mounted in any configuration even upside down if necessary, as gel mat construction and therefore no fluid. AGM batteries charge more quickly, and crucially hold charge better, losing approx 1-5% per month when standing without draw or charge. Odyssey sales manager in Singapore (who only supplied Singapore military, with no consumer sales) fitted the three large Odyssey AGMs on the RIB for me for same price as 3 x bog-standard lead-acid batteries. All he asked for was a cold beer and a high speed test run - a 3 hour circumnavigation of Singapore at 40 knots. The beer was welcome. Battery solution was even better - problem solved, never to return.
In today's world, start-stop on big engines kills batteries. Most manufacturers today use AGM to cope with the loads as stop-start demand very similar to marine deep cycle load, and the high level of electronics fit place a constant draw on the battery.
IMHO, best OEM battery manufacturer on the planet is Varta of Germany. Manufactured in Germany (not China) in world's biggest AGM plant, and OEM for Aston.
When my 2 year old Vantage V8S arrived in New Zealand in 2020 I replaced the battery immediately with AGM as a routine preventative maintenance item. Varta web-site has a battery selector for your application, including the full range of Astons. The site showed the Silver Dynamic AGM 595 9012 085 as OEM spec upgrade for 2017 Vantage V8VS - 95Ah.
An hour to fit, now starts like a champ, no gremlins, CTEK charger looks after it particularly well. Price was around NZ$850, or 400 quid. I'll replace on three year anniversary, as a matter of course.
Cheap, at the price.
For my part, I can only put the best battery for the job in the Aston – I certainly don’t see it as a price question, rather I see it as a performance requirement - particularly as the V8VS sits unused for weeks on end, on CTEK charger for long periods (atrocious winters here in NZ).
Any replacement battery in the Aston needs to demonstrate stability over time, robust construction, longevity, fits the allotted space, and is not lithium (still dangerous, in my view, won't have it in the house).
Above all, in my view, needs to avoid all those electrical gremlins found in modern auto electronics when battery starts to fade - Astons being particularly prone, as we know.
I was introduced to high-spec AGM batteries in Singapore 15 years ago to solve a major battery problem in my large RIB (2 x start batteries for 2 x Yamaha 300hp V6 engines, plus house battery) - chewed batteries in the tropics continually with <6 months life for standard lead acid. Odyssey batteries are mil-spec, used in military helicopters (dealt well with vibration), can be mounted in any configuration even upside down if necessary, as gel mat construction and therefore no fluid. AGM batteries charge more quickly, and crucially hold charge better, losing approx 1-5% per month when standing without draw or charge. Odyssey sales manager in Singapore (who only supplied Singapore military, with no consumer sales) fitted the three large Odyssey AGMs on the RIB for me for same price as 3 x bog-standard lead-acid batteries. All he asked for was a cold beer and a high speed test run - a 3 hour circumnavigation of Singapore at 40 knots. The beer was welcome. Battery solution was even better - problem solved, never to return.
In today's world, start-stop on big engines kills batteries. Most manufacturers today use AGM to cope with the loads as stop-start demand very similar to marine deep cycle load, and the high level of electronics fit place a constant draw on the battery.
IMHO, best OEM battery manufacturer on the planet is Varta of Germany. Manufactured in Germany (not China) in world's biggest AGM plant, and OEM for Aston.
When my 2 year old Vantage V8S arrived in New Zealand in 2020 I replaced the battery immediately with AGM as a routine preventative maintenance item. Varta web-site has a battery selector for your application, including the full range of Astons. The site showed the Silver Dynamic AGM 595 9012 085 as OEM spec upgrade for 2017 Vantage V8VS - 95Ah.
An hour to fit, now starts like a champ, no gremlins, CTEK charger looks after it particularly well. Price was around NZ$850, or 400 quid. I'll replace on three year anniversary, as a matter of course.
Cheap, at the price.
Seakingsam said:
No downsides at all. AGM is best spec. and will give most reliable and resilient performance. Cheaper AGMs are out there, so shop around if you don't want to pay the Varta premium.
Thanks for the confirmation, I will probably then go for a AGM. I would love to go lithium for weight savings and ease of installation, but they are stil pretty expensive and since longevity between uses is my priority, I think they are not ideal yet.I'm fortunate that I have an interstate dealer that sells me batteries on a trade account for $30. It's a lead acid battery in the correct size, he calls them blems (blemished) and they're batteries that they can't sell as new because they have slight damage like a scratch or dent in the corner or were purchased and returned within a few days. They only come with a 3 month warranty but i've never had to take one back for years.
It works out for me because I have a bunch of old cars that sit for extended periods. The Aston for that matter is probably done 1500 miles in about 5 years.
It works out for me because I have a bunch of old cars that sit for extended periods. The Aston for that matter is probably done 1500 miles in about 5 years.
AGM are great but heavy. I’ve used them on my boat for over twenty years but have recently switched to Lithium. The electrolyte is a paste rather than a liquid so they don’t spill but you can destroy them, like all batteries, by improper charging or letting them sit in an undercharged state for too long. They sulfate like a regular lead acid battery. They have been pretty much standard on better cars for close to twenty years. I think even my 05 Porsche Boxster had an AGM as OEM. Hell, even my lawn mower came with an AGM. It’s old tech.
What was the OEM battery being fitted to V8Vs in 2009 ?
My car tends to have rest periods and also winter layups, always with CTEK connected.
After 8 years having no battery problems at all, I thought I might be pushing my luck, so then had it replaced at service.
Seems quite a good recommendation for whatever battery it was.
Original Aston OEM supplied battery was a standard lead-acid battery, manufactured for AM by Varta of Germany (Varta marking on OEM battery case). In 2020 (when I came looking to replace my OEM battery) replacement OEM battery supplied and fitted by Aston Martin was still the original lead acid. However, AM pricing was silly high (higher than Varta AGM pricing, for example).
Varta has a global factory configurator on their web-site for every model for every manufacturer, giving dimensions and weight, as well as capacity. They also offer upgrade AGM specification for their OEM original supply
Biggest battery issue in the V8VS/V12V is accessing the battery compartment, and fitting and securing any non-OEM battery in the space, and avoiding rattles behind your head (!). Therefore, achieving a very high quality AGM upgrade for the car with same (non-rattle, fit in OEM cradle) dimensions as original, offering higher hassle-free performance at a price point less than OEM supply, achieved all my objectives.
Lithium battery replacement was also considered on weight grounds - a personal choice, ultimately. To me, AGM provides best all round solution - battery security in the cabin (no liquid acid, totally secure in any accident), stability over time (3-5 years life easily with minimal maintenance requirement), easy and faster charging, more robust, withstands standing idle for long periods - fit and forget.
As I said, a personal choice.
Varta has a global factory configurator on their web-site for every model for every manufacturer, giving dimensions and weight, as well as capacity. They also offer upgrade AGM specification for their OEM original supply
Biggest battery issue in the V8VS/V12V is accessing the battery compartment, and fitting and securing any non-OEM battery in the space, and avoiding rattles behind your head (!). Therefore, achieving a very high quality AGM upgrade for the car with same (non-rattle, fit in OEM cradle) dimensions as original, offering higher hassle-free performance at a price point less than OEM supply, achieved all my objectives.
Lithium battery replacement was also considered on weight grounds - a personal choice, ultimately. To me, AGM provides best all round solution - battery security in the cabin (no liquid acid, totally secure in any accident), stability over time (3-5 years life easily with minimal maintenance requirement), easy and faster charging, more robust, withstands standing idle for long periods - fit and forget.
As I said, a personal choice.
The battery size of the standard battery is Group 49 or H8 and should be readily available. It's the same size that's used in many Mercedes Benz and is what goes into my 1969 Mercedes Benz 300SEL.
The important thing to understand AGM batteries are lead acid batteries but with fiberglass matting. They do have different charging characteristics however and on some cars like my Mercedes, you have to go into the computer with a scan tool to let it know that you've switched from a flooded cell to an AGM in order for it to charge the battery correctly, otherwise it won't last as long.
The important thing to understand AGM batteries are lead acid batteries but with fiberglass matting. They do have different charging characteristics however and on some cars like my Mercedes, you have to go into the computer with a scan tool to let it know that you've switched from a flooded cell to an AGM in order for it to charge the battery correctly, otherwise it won't last as long.
I used AGM Odyssey batteries 3 times in my MGs and lasted 10-12 years each if car used weekly or on trickle charger. I put a Lithium 60amp battery in my 2 007 Vantage and after one and half years ,still working great. Hope to have another 8 years use from it. It weight 8kgs , OEM was 23Kgs.
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