V8V boot charging point less efficient?
Discussion
As my V8 Vantage is normally parked on the drive, I trickle-charge it via the jump-start points under the bonnet.
I now sold my Westfield, so the Vantage is now squeezed (just) into the garage. As the charger is at the end of the garage, I plugged the charger into the boot charging port.
However, three times in a row, the charger (CTEK MXS 5.0) has thrown an error at step 5 - "cannot keep charge and may need to be replaced".
Just to check, I extended the charge cable (yes, I know...) and plugged it in under the bonnet again and it's working just fine - sailed straight through step 5.
So - is there a reason the boot charging port is less efficient? Seems a bit weird to me, as the boot port is actually closer to the battery, so involves less cabling.
I now sold my Westfield, so the Vantage is now squeezed (just) into the garage. As the charger is at the end of the garage, I plugged the charger into the boot charging port.
However, three times in a row, the charger (CTEK MXS 5.0) has thrown an error at step 5 - "cannot keep charge and may need to be replaced".
Just to check, I extended the charge cable (yes, I know...) and plugged it in under the bonnet again and it's working just fine - sailed straight through step 5.
So - is there a reason the boot charging port is less efficient? Seems a bit weird to me, as the boot port is actually closer to the battery, so involves less cabling.
I cannot offer any help other than to say have been using the socket in the boot for 6 years or so on my GT8 with no issues.
My V12 whenever it needed a charge was also connected this way without any discernible issues.
Funnily enough on the CTEK's there is a warning somewhere that you shouldn't use more than 1 extension cable and they don't make an extra long one.
My V12 whenever it needed a charge was also connected this way without any discernible issues.
Funnily enough on the CTEK's there is a warning somewhere that you shouldn't use more than 1 extension cable and they don't make an extra long one.
The boot charging point is a pretty flaky piece of kit. It isn't supported very well and moves about when the CTEK is plugged into it. Also the plug wobbles about in the socket and very often loses connection for no apparent reason. I check mine daily, to make sure the line of LEDs is still showing. Seems to be temperature sensitive.
Nigel_O said:
So - is there a reason the boot charging port is less efficient? Seems a bit weird to me, as the boot port is actually closer to the battery, so involves less cabling.
I have been using the boot socket for the last 3 or so years with my Optimate Ampmatic 6 conditioner. The cigar-lighter type plugs can be a little flaky making contact but once they make OK then the car sits there for days without issue. If you're having difficulty with it then it could be an issue with the connections to your boot socket, or the quality of the plug on your charger. It may be worth seeing if you have the full 12V supply to the plug, and checking that the spade terminals to the plug unit are good and tight.
You do have to ensure that the boot charger is fully home, but if it is mine charges fine, and is my preferred option as the wall socket in my garage is conveniently located so no extensions are required.
I did fit one of these to the battery https://www.halfords.com/motoring/tools/garage-equ... so I could connect the charger directly. All that is visible is the connection point with the indicator lights hanging behind the drivers seat.
This necessitated the used of a Ctek extension lead, which I found never made a good connection and threw up warnings on the charger, not just on my Vantage but on one of the other cars, which suggests that I have a duff extension lead.
Gone back to using the boot charging point, but always ensure that it’s seated properly and have had no problems.
I did fit one of these to the battery https://www.halfords.com/motoring/tools/garage-equ... so I could connect the charger directly. All that is visible is the connection point with the indicator lights hanging behind the drivers seat.
This necessitated the used of a Ctek extension lead, which I found never made a good connection and threw up warnings on the charger, not just on my Vantage but on one of the other cars, which suggests that I have a duff extension lead.
Gone back to using the boot charging point, but always ensure that it’s seated properly and have had no problems.
Edited by Emily's dad on Tuesday 26th July 18:19
Emily's dad said:
You do have to ensure that the boot charger is fully home, but if it is mine charges fine, and is my preferred option as the wall socket in my garage is conveniently located so no extensions are required.
<snip>
but always ensure that it’s seated properly and have had no problems.
A good point. I always plug mine in two-handed - plug in the left hand and fingers of the right hand behind the little aluminium bracket that holds the socket in the boot so I can support it as I push the plug home - and I tend to twist the plug slightly as I insert it.<snip>
but always ensure that it’s seated properly and have had no problems.
I then turn on the Optimate, which then immediately runs through its battery "health check" routine and thus confirms that contact with the battery has been established.
Thanks for the feedback chaps, although I fear I didn't make myself clear in my post.
The boot charging point works fine (with a bit of a wiggle of the CTEK connector). I was amazed at how flimsy it is though - seems the "rigid bonded aluminium structure" doesn't extend everywhere....
However, as you probably know, the CTEK chargers have stages. Stage 5 is a check to see if the battery will hold 12v when the charging voltage is stopped. When charging through the boot, it errors at this stage (ie the charger is detecting that the battery cannot hold 12v). When charging via the engine bay, it doesn't throw an error.
I'm assuming therefore that there's a voltage drop at the boot charging point, so even though the battery voltage is above 12v, it's showing as below 12v at the charge point and the CTEK is interpreting this as a problem.
The boot charging point works fine (with a bit of a wiggle of the CTEK connector). I was amazed at how flimsy it is though - seems the "rigid bonded aluminium structure" doesn't extend everywhere....
However, as you probably know, the CTEK chargers have stages. Stage 5 is a check to see if the battery will hold 12v when the charging voltage is stopped. When charging through the boot, it errors at this stage (ie the charger is detecting that the battery cannot hold 12v). When charging via the engine bay, it doesn't throw an error.
I'm assuming therefore that there's a voltage drop at the boot charging point, so even though the battery voltage is above 12v, it's showing as below 12v at the charge point and the CTEK is interpreting this as a problem.
Am I reading right the CTEK connection is not such a good fit in the boot charging port? I used to use a CTEK on my Cobra but I gave it to my colleague for his Bentley when I sold the car.
Since getting the Aston, I have always used the boot charger port, I will admit that I always support the port with one hand while inserting and removing the cable of the CC Charger I bought. The boot charge port is mounted to a metal bracket but it isn't as secure as perhaps it ought to be however, the connection from the CC Charger is very snug and does not wobble etc. So far in two years of ownership I have never had any issues charging.
https://www.cccharger.co.uk/product-page/smart-cha...
Since getting the Aston, I have always used the boot charger port, I will admit that I always support the port with one hand while inserting and removing the cable of the CC Charger I bought. The boot charge port is mounted to a metal bracket but it isn't as secure as perhaps it ought to be however, the connection from the CC Charger is very snug and does not wobble etc. So far in two years of ownership I have never had any issues charging.
https://www.cccharger.co.uk/product-page/smart-cha...
BiggaJ said:
Am I reading right the CTEK connection is not such a good fit in the boot charging port? I used to use a CTEK on my Cobra but I gave it to my colleague for his Bentley when I sold the car.
I only recently learned that there are at least two "standard" sizes of fag-lighter sockets (can't remember the size, but they are about 1mm difference). The CTEK plug caters for both sizes by using a removable collar. With the collar fitted, it's way too tight and contact can't be made. With the collar removed, the plug is a bit loose in the socket and can lose contact if the plug is nudged or the cable pulled.Tbh I’ve never had an issue on any socket on any car using either a CTEK or Optimate lighter but as others have said on the Aston you do have to hold the bracket from behind.
Appreciate doesn’t answer the original question so perhaps consider just fitting the battery with a CTEK adapter and then plug straight in.
Saves faffing with croc clips.
Appreciate doesn’t answer the original question so perhaps consider just fitting the battery with a CTEK adapter and then plug straight in.
Saves faffing with croc clips.
TheRainMaker said:
I’m guessing they have changed them at some point as mine fits just fine with the red end on the plug.
Mine fits with the red end fitted, with the red end removed the plug is a DIN standard. I know because its what fits in my bike to charge that. A clever design by CTEK to fit both standards with one plugI use the indicator plug and just leave it in the boot of my Vantage, so a quick glance lets me know when it needs charging. Useful as during winter months I may go some weeks without driving the car.
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