Battery protection mode
Discussion
The other day, I switched off the engine in my V8, the heater was on low and the MP3 player was on. After about 7-8 minutes the battery protection mode cut in. The manual says this will happen if the battery drains to a level where it will not start the car.
I thought the time was a bit on the lean side but does anyone have any views on this?
I thought the time was a bit on the lean side but does anyone have any views on this?
Frankly I don't believe that there is any preset time.
Sometimes if I wash the car when it has not been used for a while the stereo would operate (ignition on, stereo on, ignition off but key left in) for maybe 20 minutes prior to the protection coming into play.
On other occasions if the car has recently has a good run the stereo will operate for maybe 1.5 to 2 hours and even then the protection has not cut in.
That leads me to believe that the system is monitoring voltage drop over time and making some assessment as to whether there is a danger of the car not starting if it continues. Either that or on the latter occassion the protection did not work
After either situation the car has started with no problem.
Amazingly I'm still on the original 06 battery, use the car at weekends only and only periodically use the battery conditioner over unused winter periods.
Even without using the conditioner I've never had any issue starting the car after 4 weeks standing.
Sometimes if I wash the car when it has not been used for a while the stereo would operate (ignition on, stereo on, ignition off but key left in) for maybe 20 minutes prior to the protection coming into play.
On other occasions if the car has recently has a good run the stereo will operate for maybe 1.5 to 2 hours and even then the protection has not cut in.
That leads me to believe that the system is monitoring voltage drop over time and making some assessment as to whether there is a danger of the car not starting if it continues. Either that or on the latter occassion the protection did not work
After either situation the car has started with no problem.
Amazingly I'm still on the original 06 battery, use the car at weekends only and only periodically use the battery conditioner over unused winter periods.
Even without using the conditioner I've never had any issue starting the car after 4 weeks standing.
peterr96 said:
Even without using the conditioner I've never had any issue starting the car after 4 weeks standing.
That is an intereasting observation from my point of view. I spend quite a while out of the country working and my car is sometimes left for a few weeks in a place where I can't plug it in to monitor the battery charge (airport carpark etc) so knowing that it coud potentially sit for four weeks and still start afterwards is good to know.Highrisedrifter said:
peterr96 said:
Even without using the conditioner I've never had any issue starting the car after 4 weeks standing.
That is an intereasting observation from my point of view. I spend quite a while out of the country working and my car is sometimes left for a few weeks in a place where I can't plug it in to monitor the battery charge (airport carpark etc) so knowing that it coud potentially sit for four weeks and still start afterwards is good to know.4 weeks standing problems - suggests a quiescent load issue - maybe something isn't going to sleep in the way it should
Highrisedrifter said:
That is an intereasting observation from my point of view. I spend quite a while out of the country working and my car is sometimes left for a few weeks in a place where I can't plug it in to monitor the battery charge (airport carpark etc) so knowing that it coud potentially sit for four weeks and still start afterwards is good to know.
Careful here.....if the Tracker is active then this time is shortened 
mph1977 said:
how big is the battery ... there are some cars whose battery is really rather on the small side due to weight and or packaging issues ( i.e. someone messed up doing the engine bay layout ... )
4 weeks standing problems - suggests a quiescent load issue - maybe something isn't going to sleep in the way it should
In a V12V the battery is bloody huge and a two man job to remove it. 4 weeks standing problems - suggests a quiescent load issue - maybe something isn't going to sleep in the way it should
I looked into replacing with a Li-ion battery to save weight but the technology does not provide enough oomph to fire up the huge starter motor for the V12 (it did not at the time I looked, things may have changed since then).
Thanks to all for responses. I guess that I'll have to keep an eye on it especially over the coming colder months, only had the car a few weeks so if the battery is a bit suspect I really should get it tested as soon as so I can nag the dealer. In the old days the only way of properly testing a battery was using a drop tester which basically drained the battery in a very short time, if the battery held up for 10 seconds (I think) it was deemed to be OK. Not sure how they do it nowdays?
peterr96 said:
We've got a tracker and it works. Still get four weeks with no issues
Pete, without the BDS actioned on a DB9 an active Tracker will reduce battery life, according to the manual, to 22 days.Perhaps it will be longer on a V8V because it is a less high tech car ??
Say, a year or so
Jockman said:
Pete, without the BDS actioned on a DB9 an active Tracker will reduce battery life, according to the manual, to 22 days.
Perhaps it will be longer on a V8V because it is a less high tech car ??
Say, a year or so
Battery drain in the DB9 is generally higher than the V8V but I've heard not due to any "high techness".Perhaps it will be longer on a V8V because it is a less high tech car ??
Say, a year or so
Speaking to a very reliable service guy I was bemused to hear that the average demographic of the DB9 drivers usually ensures high battery drain arising from the quantity of wee sploshing around under the drivers seat. This invariably gets into the wiring loom.
Gassing Station | Aston Martin | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff