Alternatives to Sterlings battery to battery charger??

For anybody interested, I am having a dialogue with Driftgate and they are in the process of developing a battery to battery charger, but dont know when it will be released. Hopefully they are giving some attention to surpression, (I've mentioned it as an issue with the Sterling).
 
Balmar seems to be a system of choice by those who know, but I emailed Balmar for some info and advice on their systems and got no response, so wasnt that impressed that their support would help me intimes of trouble.

By contrast, Driftgate provide comprehensive replies by return, (next day), so I am tending to lean that way if possible.

The Xantrex, like the Merlin, only charges at up to 15 Amps so, whilst interesting, doesnt seem to make max use of the alternator output.

Definitely havent discounted anything yet.
 
Richard - a larger alternator is probably a must. But it does not get away fromn the problem of charging the battery in the bows. I had the same problem, and fitted the Stirling Battery to Battery charger, which in my mind is a simple and ideal solution. As for interference, if your engine is not running, the charger will not be running - so no intereference.

If you do fit one, make sure the cable sizes are well up to spec, otherwise you will loose vital volts. I used 25mm square - cables the thickness of a standard biro.

One other thing - unrelated. To reduce consumption of electricty, is you fridge really well insulated. Mine is not, and I have to replace it. it has one inch only of insulation, and should have at least 3 inches. Apparently makes one hell of a difference.

By the way - did you meet up with Bob Newbury - on a Victory 40 wintering in Malta - he is a physics teacher - so could have useful ideas...
 
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