Consensus on battery life between charging?

[nickv8]

Is there a general consensus on how long it’s safe to leave a Vantage (and probably every 2016 MY Aston) without having to drive it or plug in a battery conditioner?

I’ve heard 2 and 3 weeks being quoted.

Thanks!

[V8V Pete]

Mine have never had a problem when left for up to 2.5 weeks.

Don't own a charger - oh yes I do, it's called an engine/alternator combination

[PotentiallyaHorse]

I've left mine for 5 weeks and it started no problem

[RobDown]

I had a DB9 that needed starting every two weeks or it got dicey and a Vantage that starts on the button 6 weeks later. Just seems so variable depending on weather, condition of the battery, the tracker system etc

I would work on they basis that if you’re going to leave the car longer longer than 3 weeks you really need to think about putting it on a charger

[Big Ry]

My view is that £70 for a CTEK charger and adaptors is far less than it's going to cost you if the battery dies and all sorts of weird things need resetting.

When I bought my V12V, I was warned that the biggest issues with these cars happen when people let the battery go flat. Might seem like a simple battery charge, then you find the window doesn't drop properly on open/shut, or the mirrors won't work, or a window motor packs up......then you're into stripping the door etc and wonder why the hell you didn't buy a trickle charger.

Not something I ever intend to find out about...........

[alscar]

As Ry said ,100%.
I use my V12 pretty much daily but wouldn’t ever leave it unconnected if not driven for a max of 2 weeks.

[nickv8]

Thanks everybody! I'm OK with 2 weeks in my own head, but intending to not drive it for 3 weeks which is a bit on the cusp.

I have an AM charger but never had to use it so far. It's the hassle of giving instructions to the boss on how to take the cover off, open the boot, plug in the charger, etc.

Obviously I have spent the 10 mins on instructions wisely by posting on this forum instead. But my logic is mine and mine only

[JohnG1]

I have left a V12V for seven weeks and, after cranking with WOT to get oil pressure up, it has started first time.

[Westlondondriver]

I had a 2005 DB9 and it wouldn’t quite go 2 weeks without charging. You could press the battety isolator switch in which case it would go longer without a problem - I never found out how long exactly. It’s definitely worth charging as often as you can because I know from experience that once a battery has gone flat a coupe of times it’s ability to hold a charge falls off a cliff and you need a new one.

[Champs]

JohnG1 said:

I have left a V12V for seven weeks and, after cranking with WOT to get oil pressure up, it has started first time.

Hi John,

Please explain what you mean by WOT to get the oil pressure up ?
I've read that is you press hard on the accelerator and push in the ECU, the engine will crank over and not start ?
i am not comfortable trying this unless I have first hand advice that it really works this way .
thanks for your time !

[bogie]

I have left my Vantage up to 6 weeks and it starts up fine. Saying that during winter I do plug it in and give it a full charge every 3-4 weeks. It will be sods law the morning mid winter I need to use it and it didnt start.

[CSK1]

Champs said:

Hi John,

Please explain what you mean by WOT to get the oil pressure up ?
I've read that is you press hard on the accelerator and push in the ECU, the engine will crank over and not start ?
i am not comfortable trying this unless I have first hand advice that it really works this way .
thanks for your time !

Hi Champs,
Don't try it as it doesn't work on the V12VS (Bosch electronics). The engine will start at full revs, not something you'd want to inflict on a cold engine.
To get back on the topic, I would connect the battery conditioner if the car sits idle for two weeks or longer.

[JohnG1]

Champs said:

JohnG1 said:

I have left a V12V for seven weeks and, after cranking with WOT to get oil pressure up, it has started first time.

Hi John,

Please explain what you mean by WOT to get the oil pressure up ?
I've read that is you press hard on the accelerator and push in the ECU, the engine will crank over and not start ?
i am not comfortable trying this unless I have first hand advice that it really works this way .
thanks for your time !

WOT is "Wide Open Throttle" .

For a V12V you put your left foot on the brake, right foot on the throttle and press the throttle all the way down. Then insert the ECU. Engine cranks but Ignition is not fired. Wait until engine oil light is gone and then remove right foot from throttle. Engine will now start up.

I don't know what other engines this works on, I do know it works on a 2009 V12V.

[CSK1]

Works on V12 Vantage but not on V12 Vantage S!

[nickv8]

CSK1 said:

Works on V12 Vantage but not on V12 Vantage S!

Found out the hard way? Hopefully not

Thanks again to everyone for your response. Appreciated!

[CSK1]

I had asked the question on this forum a couple of years ago.

[Shnozz]

Like others on here, I regularly leave mine 5 - 6 weeks at a time and its never been an issue. 2 - 3 weeks will be fine unless your battery is fooked.