New to me DB11 Volante

[andrewdj]

So I bit the bucket list bullet and bought a Magnetic Silver DB11 Volante. It was a tough choice between that and a V12S Vantage Roadster but Mrs J will also want to drive it and prefers some of the new tech given she's a bit of a titch

It will live outside, it won't be daily driver (but also not a once-a-month driver either) and at the moment I have no thoughts of SORNing it over winter but would likely drive it on nice days. I have a couple of questions:

1. Anyone any ideas about using a trickle charger outside? My only thought is to string the AC power lead into the boot where I'll leave the charger unit with the lead passing outside onto the magnetic charge point. That would leave the incoming power cord and the charge lead "trapped" with the boot closed. Is there likely to be any issue with that, heat etc?
2. It's coming with a cover but I didn't check branding so I don't know if it's an AM one, cheap Amazon one, some other quality brand or what. I wasn't intending to use a cover (I know there's a range of views on using them) but it might be useful to protect the soft top with something? My experience with other cars tells me its a nice place for cats to lie when it's sunny and those [expletive] are quite capable of digging in claws for a quick getaway when I go out to shoo them.

Anyway, here's to some future fun and long road trips. Cheers everyone.

[alscar]

Congrats - Magnetic is a lovely colour - Pics ?
As far as the conditioner is concerned it probably only needs to be connected every 3rd week or so for perhaps a couple of days if not driven within that period.
Passing the lead out through the boot near to the lights shouldn’t damage the wire but if you are worried just tape some insulation tape around the bit that the seal closes on.
The conditioners can get warm which is normal but if the battery is very discharged then warm can become really quite hot.
Most of our cars live in garages so not an issue with conditioners but have just bought a Dark Horse Mustang which will also have to live outside.
Enjoy the Aston.

[alscar]

You didn’t say but I find the CTEK MXS 5 model is the conditioner to use - Amazon is usually your friend.

[LTP]

I thought the DB11 has a magnetic charging point inside the boot opening that can be accessed with the boot closed.

Also, I'd be more inclined to extend the 12V cable from the charger to the car and keep the 120V/240V charger itself (depending on your location) safely inside your house/garage

[Westlondondriver]

I ran the cable into the boot of my DB11 for years without problems charging outside. Tried the keep the cable away from the central latch since sometimes the boot wouldn t close properly if it was too close. My DB11 was very good on the battery, longest I left it without charging or driving was about 5 weeks and started first time with no warnings. Only attached the trickle charger occasionally if I hadn t driven it for 2 weeks or more. My DB9 wouldn t last 2 weeks without charging! The DBX isn t as good and starts giving low voltage warnings after a couple of weeks although it has never failed to start first time. DBX has the magnetic connector outside the boot but I don t want the charger out in the rain so I put the CTEK in the boot and run the mains in and the charging cable out before closing the boot which also works fine or put it under the car if the weather is fine. Boot is more likely to be fussy about closing on the cables than I remember the DB11 being. Charger has never been hot.

[Simpo Two]

andrewdj said:

Anyone any ideas about using a trickle charger outside? My only thought is to string the AC power lead into the boot where I'll leave the charger unit with the lead passing outside onto the magnetic charge point. That would leave the incoming power cord and the charge lead "trapped" with the boot closed. Is there likely to be any issue with that, heat etc?

I park my DB9 nose towards the garage so I have the battery conditioner wall-mounted just inside the door, with the cable passing under the roller shutter door and connected to a socket I fitted in the front grille. From there, under the slam panel, wires go to the +ve battery connection point and the chassis.

andrewdj said:

# It's coming with a cover but I didn't check branding so I don't know if it's an AM one, cheap Amazon one, some other quality brand or what. I wasn't intending to use a cover (I know there's a range of views on using them) but it might be useful to protect the soft top with something? My experience with other cars tells me its a nice place for cats to lie when it's sunny and those [expletive] are quite capable of digging in claws for a quick getaway when I go out to shoo them.

I keep mine (coupe) covered most of the time because it keeps off bird poo and leaves and the car stays cleaner for longer. With a convertible it will also stop the fabric going green in our long damp winters. I tried Classic Editions but within a year the water goes through them, so I now use a cheapo one from Amazon and it's very good. Can dig out the link if you're interested.

[craigjm]

In for when the pics arrive

[M1AGM]

LTP said:

I thought the DB11 has a magnetic charging point inside the boot opening that can be accessed with the boot closed.

Also, I'd be more inclined to extend the 12V cable from the charger to the car and keep the 120V/240V charger itself (depending on your location) safely inside your house/garage

Yes the db11 has a magnetic charger as you describe. I believe the op wants to connect to that but keep the charger in the boot whilst connected.

He may not know that the ctek chargers are IP65 rated so as long as the 3 pin plug is protected from the elements there is no need to keep it in the boot whilst connected.

[Wattyboy]

Similar decision to me V12 vantage roadster v DB11 volante v Vanquish Volante(old shape)

Not easy - wish DB11 was a V12 as always had heart set on V12.

What persuaded you away from the V12 Vantage if you do not mind me asking.

TBH - the DB11 pricing is amazing now when compared to Vanquish and Vantage

[andrewdj]

Hi all,

sorry for the late reply, but forum rules...

It looks like I may not need a charger if it can last > 3weeks. We often go away for that length of time but otherwise it would get driven pretty regularly. Following on from comments about the CTEK charger, I did check them out and saw it was IP65 rated (the one I saw at the dealer was only IP54) so it's not such an issue to keep in the boot. Does anyone know if the 2.5m extension lead is also IP65, specifically at the joint? My inclination is to assume so seeing as the magnetic connector is an adapter.

I'm not sure about using the car cover as I've read about "paint sweat" and other problems it might cause. Problem is, ironically, that asking about it gives as many "wouldn't live without it" answers as "would never use one ever again"!

I don't actually have the car in my possession yet so pictures will have to wait I'm afraid.

[andrewdj]

@wattyboy. The Vantage I was considering looked amazing with a light interior and had been well looked after but (a) it had black paint which is always a bit of a nightmare, and (b) the pricing was a bit fresh (£6K > DB11 and about the same difference to a similarly specced model at another dealer.) Also, my wife wants to be able to drive it and felt a lot more comfortable with the aids in the DB11. Ultimately, I have to draw a line - I could have afforded either but I'm not so well off I can say money's no object: that £6k will go a long way towards servicing etc, the DB11 is a great looking convertible and probably more comfortable for longer European touring. So really, I just preferred the looks of DB11 (but wish it had a V12!)

[M1AGM]

andrewdj said:

Hi all,

sorry for the late reply, but forum rules...

It looks like I may not need a charger if it can last > 3weeks. We often go away for that length of time but otherwise it would get driven pretty regularly. Following on from comments about the CTEK charger, I did check them out and saw it was IP65 rated (the one I saw at the dealer was only IP54) so it's not such an issue to keep in the boot. Does anyone know if the 2.5m extension lead is also IP65, specifically at the joint? My inclination is to assume so seeing as the magnetic connector is an adapter.

I'm not sure about using the car cover as I've read about "paint sweat" and other problems it might cause. Problem is, ironically, that asking about it gives as many "wouldn't live without it" answers as "would never use one ever again"!

I don't actually have the car in my possession yet so pictures will have to wait I'm afraid.

Yes the extension lead is also rated for outdoor use. It uses rubber seals at the connectors the same as the adapter.

[Simpo Two]

andrewdj said:

I'm not sure about using the car cover as I've read about "paint sweat" and other problems it might cause. Problem is, ironically, that asking about it gives as many "wouldn't live without it" answers as "would never use one ever again"!

I think with a soft top kept outdoors you have little choice unless you want a green roof. I discovered that with an XK convertible. At least use a cover in those long damp winters we get.

[andrewdj]

Simpo Two said:

I think with a soft top kept outdoors you have little choice unless you want a green roof. I discovered that with an XK convertible. At least use a cover in those long damp winters we get.

You could be right and I'll check out how good the cover is when I pick up the car.

[LTP]

andrewdj said:

You could be right and I'll check out how good the cover is when I pick up the car.

I believe you can get covers that just cover the convertible top and don't touch the majority of the paint

[Grant3]

I’m late to the party but wanted to congratulate you on your new steed, they are excellent value now.

As others have said use a CTEK (or A.M.) charger with the magnetic fitting for the boot connection. An outdoor cover also seems wise.

The DB11 Volante is a superb choice, don’t feel short changed by the V8, the V12 is awesome but the pre AMR DB11 coupe is no where near as good to drive as the V8.

The lighter front end and suspension mods make for a more connected engaging drive, pop the suspension in Sport and the drivetrain in Sports+ (roof down for extra V8 soundtrack) and it shrinks around you feeling more like a Vantage, or pop it into GT mode and use the huge torque output to make effortless progress.

I hope you enjoy the car, it is special beastie (inside and out) and like all Astons a real beauty to look back at and think….. that’s mine

[andrewdj]

Grant3 said:

I m late to the party but wanted to congratulate you on your new steed, they are excellent value now.

As others have said use a CTEK (or A.M.) charger with the magnetic fitting for the boot connection. An outdoor cover also seems wise.

The DB11 Volante is a superb choice, don t feel short changed by the V8, the V12 is awesome but the pre AMR DB11 coupe is no where near as good to drive as the V8.

The lighter front end and suspension mods make for a more connected engaging drive, pop the suspension in Sport and the drivetrain in Sports+ (roof down for extra V8 soundtrack) and it shrinks around you feeling more like a Vantage, or pop it into GT mode and use the huge torque output to make effortless progress.

I hope you enjoy the car, it is special beastie (inside and out) and like all Astons a real beauty to look back at and think .. that s mine

Thanks, really looking forward to picking it up now. I used to have a M5 F10 generation - a twin turbo 4L V8 - and that was an awesome car. I expect the DB11 will be just as good albeit it with a different characteristic. I’ll be off to CAT Performance Driving for some fun time as well.