Adverc, Sterling or Merlin, what do you think?

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hairbox

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Hi all

I would like to hear your opinions on the above mentioned suppliers of electrical gadgets

1. Alternator charging enhancing management gizmos which profess to charge your batteries faster and more effectivly.

2. Battery monitoring gismos which can let you know when it,s time to charge your batts up ie amp hours in/out and per cent left in the domestic bank and maybe volts on 3 other banks.
 
Adverc have a superb reputation for pre- and after sales support. You can call and always get to talk to someone who is knowledgable and enthusiastic. I have had an Adverc charging regulator for many years and its worked faultlessly - they are at the boat shows and publish some useful technical documents

Sterling have a poor reputation for support, in my experience they are rude and unhelpful and the instructions that came with my 50A smart charger contained significant errors, when i called them about it they were completely uninterested. Having said that, the charger was cheaper than any other and works fine.
When it goes wrong I don't think I will be able to look to them for any help.

You pays your money....
 
When I looked at re-engine and rewiring, I asked for information and advice from both Adverc and Sterling. From Sterling advice was skimpy, (kind of just do it, don't ask, it works), from Adverc it was very comprehensive by e-mail and telephone. Went for Adverc, smart charger, split diode, monitor and am very pleased with it. Easy to fit and understand. No problems after one year, and that includes no running for 3 months during last winter. Just get on, start and go.
 
I have had sterling Advanced alternator regulator for just over a year. It has worked well until recently when it went dolally, possibly due to a loose earth on rear of engine. I phones twice and got superb advice on possible fix's, unfortunately with no success. Sent it to sterling on a thursday with letter got it back on the following tuesday, no charge and all working fine, what more could you ask.
 
I have a Sterling and all I can say is it works perfectly, however I have spoken to Adverc on seveal occassions and I will in future be doing bussiness with them purly on the quality of service provided.
In short, if you put a premium on service Adverc, if you want cost effective Sterling.
" You pays your money and takes a chance"

Tom
 
Adverk - highly overpriced for what it is
Sterling somewhat over priced but still better value than Adverk
Merlin - no experience

After sales service from Sterling has been great on the few occasions I have called them even when speaking with the owner himself. Perhaps those who claim bad service should look at how they themselves spoke to Sterling in the first instance.

I have always found them civil, polite and very knowledgeable.

I have no connection with Sterling Power Products save as a satisfied customer.
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
 
See the comments, including mine, on the next page (page 2) in this Forum. Several other opinions there, but definitely Adverc. Simply no contest.
 
So what exactly do you have against Sterling Power Products?
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
 
I am suprised to hear the negative reports re Sterling, I agree that the instructions are a bit eccentric but when I was changing all the charging/ switching I got some excellent advice from a knowledgeable man. I don't know his name but i only rang to ask recommended charge rate and got 20 minutes of advice and explanations covering the whole setup. I put the phone down thinking I was glad I'd called them.

The products have so far given trouble free service.

I haven't dealt with the others so can't comment.
 
Hear, hear. Glad to know I am not the only one that has had good service from Sterling.
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
 
Oh dear, Cliff. Have a look at my post above - no comments either way on Sterling!

Also, have a look at my post on the other current Adverc v All thread!
 
My vote goes to Adverc.

Fitted one to the last two boats (I mean I have fitted two to the last two boats!) Advice excellent, reliability total - so far.


Crianza
 
No you are not. I have always found their products good and their attitude fine. I think the original folk lore regarding their telephone manner was generated by a very competent guy who had a whole load of nitwits phoning him up asking really stupid questions all day. He still works for them but does not answer the phone anymore I have been told!
Adverc have more competent sales people and deal with daft questions politely. I don't personally see how their products are better though
 
Glad to hear it.

I agree with you about the nitwits phoning up over something already explained in the instructions - must be really frustrating for the guy on the help line - some folk are so thick they should not be allowed to own a wheel barrow never mind a boat. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
 
I mentioned them in the previous thread about 30 threads below.
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"Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity"
 
My £200 Sterling battery charger packed in in less than a year.
Apparently the damp atmosphere on a boat whilst ashore for the winter was too much for this marine charger !
Any damage caused by damp invalidates Sterlings warranty.
Sterling were delighted to tell me!
 
I had an Adverc on my previous boat that was fine until I changed to AGM batteries. They began to overcharge sometimes upto 16V. It was not the fault of the alternator, ascertained by borrowing batteries from a friend. The chap at Adverc was not conversant with AGM batteries and their special charging requirements, and Barden had assured me they would be fine with an Adverc. They both passed the buck, but I kept the Adverc and with a little gentle persuasion got a full refund on the AGMs and reverted to flooded cell batteries.
 
I fitted a Sterling smart regulator on my previous boat. Did exactly what it says on the box, and, several years on, still does so, according to the new owner.
Just for a change I fitted a Merlin AMS this year to present boat. Did exactly what it says on the box and continues to do so.
The wiring-in for both units is virtually identical, presumably both work in the same way.
Presumably Adverc achieves the same end; I understand the reputation of Adverc for service but in my experience so far I can't see it's worth all that extra money.
I also have a Sterling mains charger on my present boat, it is now five years old, and still absolutely fine.
 
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