Adverc or Sterling?

[ColinR]

Smart battery regulators. Does anyone know how they compare?

Colin

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[jerryat]

Hi Colin,

I'm afraid I can't give you a comparison, but I've had an Adverc on board for the last 16 years and over 45000 miles without any problems whatsoever. It has kept my batteries in perfect condition and we've only replaced them (four AC Delco 54-102's) once in that period. As we were also full time cruising from 1996 to 2003, I think that speaks volumes.

A final thought. I dealt with Trevor Scarrat (I think the MD/owner of Adverc) when I first bought the unit, and it's difficult to imagine a more helpful and supportive man. Whilst I am certain this forum will produce those equally convinced about their Sterling units, I would not hesitate to fit Adverc again - should it ever fail!!

regards Jerry

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[Talbot]

I have a mobelec, its cheaper, but the range of voltages that you can put in is smaller whereas IIRC you can use the stirling on 115 as well as 230v.

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[bedouin]

To be honest they both do much the same thing so there probably isn't a lot to choose between them.

After comparing the two I eventually went for the Stirling, because (a) it was cheaper at the time and (b) IIRC it can be set up to charge at a higher voltage (hence faster) when using flooded batteries.

I am very happy with it - but then I've never heard anyone say a bad word about either.

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[wizard]

Have had the Sterling Prodigital 4 step charger on the boat for 6 months now with no problems. Charges and floats the batteries and runs all the lights, heaters, fridge at the same time. Does exactly what it says on the tin.

Geoff

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[jerryat]

Hi Colin,

I assumed you were referring to alternator controllers in your question, but I note other posters are talking about battery chargers. Sorry if I'm wrong. On the rare occasions we go into a marina, we use a French made multi-stage mains battery charger the name of which I can't remember at the moment!!

Cheers Jerry



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[pvb]

There are other choices too...

There's probably not much to choose between Adverc & Sterling alternator regulators. I've fitted Advercs in several boats, with excellent results, but I've no experience of Sterling regulators. As others have said, Adverc people are generally incredibly helpful, whereas Sterling's responses to questions can be (according to some posters) somewhat acerbic.

The Adverc doesn't start boosting the charge until about 5 minutes after the engine starts (provided the battery voltage reaches a certain level) which gives the engine a chance to warm up. Not sure whether the Sterling has this feature.

But there are other choices too, including various regulators by Xantrex and Balmar (including the unfortunately-named ARS-4). Some of these feature a "soft ramp" start, which gradually increases the charge rate so as to be a bit kinder to the drive belt. Might be worthwhile taking a look at these before deciding, although you won't go far wrong if you choose an Adverc.

Remember that, after a smart regulator, the most cost-effective improvement you can make is to add more battery capacity.

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[cliff]

Just fitted a sterling alternator regulator and so far no problems.
A word of caution though, get your alternator checked before fitting any additional regulator either adverk or sterling as these do make the alternator work harder and if the alternator is not in good condition you could have problems.

Do read the instructions and follow them while doing the installation. Helps prevent "acerbic" answers when you phone for help.

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[grimmy]

Hi, I don't know anything about the Adverc but I have had a Sterling regulator on both my current boat and the previous one and have been very pleased with them.

regards

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[boatmike]

I cannot be specific on this general forum for professional reasons but believe Stirling to be a superior product. Others however have criticised Stirling for their telephone manner and there is no smoke without fire. You will need a small amount of practical ability to install the Stirling and some have said their technical instructions for doing so are lacking. Personally I have not found them unhelpful on the telephone and have installed quite a few for people without difficulty. So far none have failed as far as I know. If you want to know more PM me with your details and I will tell you.

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[bobnewbury]

I'd back that. I've had an Adverc for 5 years and it's performed wonderfully. The support from them, by 'phone, fax & e-mail has been second to none.

If there's little to choose between the products (& I have no experience of the others) then their support and helpfulness should be rewarded.

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[jrt]

I've just been in your position. At the London boat show I asked the stand manager of a company that sold only batteries, no electronics in sight, which of the two he would recomend (No witnesses, no identification & no comeback). Without hestation he said "Adverc, it's more reliable." At the Southampton boat show we bought, from Adverc, a bigger alternator, an Adverc controller and a diode splitter. This should get over the problem of an indaequate low output alternator. Only just fitted it, not tried it yet.


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[ColinR]

Thanks for all the feedback. The thing that may decide it for me is my wind generator. The Adverc website says it can conflict with their product and a changeover switch should be fitted. This means more complication and is not really a good idea as Aerogen say not to run the unit with open circuit, so I would need to disable the wind gen every time I start the engine. Or have I got it wrong? Whereas I thought Sterling said somewhere there is no compatibility problem. I cant seem to find it on their website now. Has anyone encountered this?

Colin

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[Gunfleet]

Can't speak abt wind generators but my 32W photovoltaic cell goes through to the batteries with no conflict with my Adverc - both work fine.

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[BlueChip]

You can easily get a good idea of the level and quality of support you will get from Adverc and Sterling by phoning both and asking them both this same question.

IMHO and I use both Adverc and Sterling equipment, Adverc tech support is legendary and second to none, on the other hand I have found Sterling to be rude and unhelpful and when I complained about the spelling mistakes and downright incorrrect information in the instruction sheet that came with my charger they told me that they preferred not to spend money on quality documentation.

You may also like to check where the equipment is manufactured

You pays your money...


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[longjohnsilver]

Fitted a Sterling alternator regulator and can see absolutely no difference in my battery charging. The instructions were badly written, and to someone like me not being electically minded, unclear. When contacting Sterling for some assistance was effectively told to f off and re-read the instructions. So much for customer service.

Needless to say I will never again buy a Sterling product.

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[halcyon]

Do you actually need one ?
What are you trying to achieve? or correct ?


Brian

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[Koeketiene]

Did you look at Dolphin?

Installed one of those, very smart. Installation straightforward. Can not comment on their customer support - never needed it.

<hr width=100% size=1>Experience is a good teacher, but she sends in terrific bills.

 

[Gunfleet]

I had exactly the opposite response from Adverc. Couldn't have been more helpful. I have 2 110 aH domestic batteries and one compact 80 aH engine start. A 32W photo panel keeps them up to snuff when I'm not there using up electricity, so they're always full when I get there. A 80amp alternator running through the adverc keeps them amply supplied when I am there and using the engine. Don't be afraid to use your local auto electrician as a source of parts, advice and good value batteries, too.

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[R32Stbrigid]

I have a wind gen and an Adverc. The windgen (rutland 913) runs through its own regulator, and basically shuts down the output to the batteries when the engine is running.

I can thoroughly recomnmend the Adverc unit and the companies help and support.



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