Going on deployment, can't use trickle charger. What to do?

[Britcar driver]

Hey everyone,

So I have a question that hopefully some of you fine Aston owners can help me with. I'm in the US Navy and going on a short deployment soon (about two months). My E-Type and my DB7 Vantage are going to be sitting in the garage during this time without being started. Ideally I'd like to hook them up to trickle chargers, but the garages in my apartment complex do not have outlets so that's not an option.

I'm planning on disconnecting the battery in the E-Type, however in the Aston I've heard this causes a lot of electrical problems. Is there any truth to this? Am I better off leaving it connected and cross my fingers it doesn't die during the time I'm away? Any other precautions I should take leaving the cars sitting this long? Should I add a fuel stabilizer to prevent fuel from clogging, or will this cause problems down the road?

Thanks in advance!

[Mansfield]

Hi Britcar Driver,

I use a battery disconnect for approximately this time over the winter on my Vantage V8.

Not sure on a DB7 but on mine the only issues are the clock and window reset.

[Buster73]

Give the keys to someone you trust to take it out for a spin every couple of weeks.

[petop]

Ref fuel, for 2 months don't worry about it. Leave at little in, then when you first start it go straight down to the gas station and fill up with a fresh fuel.

[SS972]

I have the same issue, my DB7 Vantage stays for long periode, up to six months unused.
I fill the tank at it's max and add a fuel stabiliser,remove the battery and leave it at my parent's in law place on conditioner.Never had any issues when re starting the car bare radio and windows reset.

[wafu1983]

I left my for 2 months and just pushed the battery disconnect switch. All was fine when I returned and she started first time. If it doesn't work when you get back then jump starting is fairly straightforward, but have a bit of sandpaper on hand to clean off the positive terminal and a suitable earth - I had to jump mine recently (1 month, no battery disconnect, no trickle charge...) and not doing this held me up a while.

All the best for your deployment.

PS - make sure you park nose out or jumping becomes problematic! It's the little things...

[V8A*ndy]

I there any daylight in the garage?

A couple of solar trickle chargers might be an option but you need a fair bit of light and a charger that only lets the current pass one way (to the battery).

[DB9VolanteDriver]

Use the batt disconnect switch and then buy one of those large rechargeable battery packs and use the integral clamps to attach to you battery terminals. This will greatly increase the time your batt will be able to maintain the needed current to critical onboard systems.

[Britcar driver]

Thanks for all the quick replies! Unfortunately the only people I trust enough in the area to drive the Aston are on my ship, so they'll be underway with me.

I found the window reset procedures, but will need to get the code for the radio reset if I go that route. I am travelling this weekend, but will be back home in a few days and can check the owner's manual for the radio code.

No sunlight to the garage, so solar is out, but I will look into the rechargeable battery pack.

[Trabi601]

petop said:

Ref fuel, for 2 months don't worry about it. Leave at little in, then when you first start it go straight down to the gas station and fill up with a fresh fuel.

Actually, leaving the tank nearly empty is the worst thing you can do, as you'll get condensation in it, which will both contaminate the fuel and may cause corrosion of the tank.

[Dingle Dell]

Yes, you are better off leaving it full to avoid condensation in theory. I wouldn't add any kind of fuel additive, etc. In my experience, they can cause more issues than they solve, and in this case, I don't think you have anything to worry about.

I have had jerry cans full of fuel in the garage after a race season has ended in the past, and gone on to run it in testing at the beginning of the following year, sometimes up to 6 months later. Never been able to tell any signs of degradation, or loss of performance, and that includes the car going on the rolling road where there was no noticeable drop. I'm sure in theory there is some tiny drop, but I don't believe its anything to worry about, certainly not after a couple of months, and certainly not in a road car.