Alternator management

[BobE]

Battery Management etc.
I have a battery capacity or more probably charging problem.
The batteries have been checked out by Barden’s at Fareham (very helpful people) and are OK.
So now I’m investigating some form of Alternator regulation control.
I’ve spoken to both Advec and Sterling, but without much real sense from either.
Comments like “Our’s is the Rolls Royce and his is the Fiesta” or “Mine is made in a factory not a back yard” didn’t help much..
Has anyone out there got practical experience of either?? ( Good or Bad )
I’m on a swinging mooring in the summer so rely on the Bukh 24’s alternator for my jaunts ( Mainly overnight, ‘cause I like night sailing ) and I tend to run out of lights around 2-3 am!!
And I need the fridge and cool box and Radar and GPS to retain my revolting crew.
Apologies if I've offended anyone but I need to have some real idea as to what makes the diff between the Sterling at around £100 and the Adverc at £170
Cheers Bob E…..
Sadler 32

 

[bedouin]

I started a discussion about this just after the Southampton boatshow - a Search for 'adverc' or 'sterling' in the archives should find it.

Everyone speaks very highly of the Adverc, the Sterling is somewhat cheaper but I would certainly not be happy with it sending 14.8V to my starter battery - so I would say that configuring it for gel batteries (14.4) or some other way of protecting the starter battery is essential.

I have still to make up my mind which to go for.

 

[ParaHandy]

Would imagine you're trying to get the Bukh to charge faster (as swinging mooring etc and whingeing crew)? Check the voltage from the Bukh into the batteries as if it is not high enough (near battery's rated max) then fitting additional regulation might not help? That is, problem might be alternator which you're stuck with.

 

[boatone]

Too little info in your post to make solid suggestions Bob. Need to know what battery capacity, what type of battery (deep cycle or starter) how long do you run the Bukh for, whats the alternator rating, is it machine or battery sensed, how far from alternator to battery...that'll do to start with!
Surprised at your experience of contact with Adverc, I've found them absloutely splendidly helpful.
Been through this whole scenario on my river cruiser and eventually cracked it but needed combination of things to get it right.

TonyR
boatone@boatsontheweb.com

 

[Chris_Robb]

Re: adverc - reference

I have used an adverc for 5 years now, Perfect operation, and wonderfully helpful people to deal with. I don't know about Sterling.

Sounds like boatone is going to give you a good run through: My advice is to start with a decent digital multimeter, without which you will be going no-where. You should expect battery voltages in excess of 14 but not more really han 14.3 - hence the reason for a digital multimeter as the scale on the analogue types is too small to measure such small votlage differences.

Alternator output of say 50 amps is bottom end. 100 amps is more what you need given the requirements of the amber nectar. Adverc do a really good value 'Prestolite alternator which I have run for about 3 years now.

Cannot praise the people at Adverc more highly.

 

[colin_jones]

I have had an Adverc on the boat for about 10 years without problems and much efficiency.

My battery capacity is about 500 amps and all 3 are left ganged up all the time, because we start the engine most days over a 6 month summer liveaboard period. We have never had a problem, even though I recognise that a split relay charging system might be more belt and braces. We do, however, have the Adverc battery monitor, so are able to keep a good eye on charge rate and level. A problem would soon show.

We also break the ratio rules in having only a 65 amp alternator for this set up ( OK a motor sailer motors more than a pure sailing yacht) so we get plenty of recharge time. But you can only speak as you find rather than be 100% hooked on theories. It works!

I have also found Adverc to be very helpful.

 

[drawp]

I've got everything that should be a disaster fo batteries. Relatively big batteries, 50 amp alternator, river trot mooring, prefer to sail - often at night and do not carry a battery charger. I fitted an Advec 4 or 5 years ago after helpful advice from Advec. And I cannot remember the last time the battery was flat. I have often described the Advec as the most useful piece of kit I have on the boat.

 

[pvb]

Adverc...

I too would recommend Adverc. I've fitted Advercs on my last 3 boats, with excellent results. And, like others, I can vouch for the fact that the Adverc people are very helpful and customer-focussed. I think one of the main differences between Adverc and Sterling is that the Adverc incorporates a temperature sensor in the battery sensing lead, and automatically adjusts the charge voltage according to ambient temperature (batteries need a higher charge voltage in colder weather). Both the Adverc and the Sterling measure the charge voltage at the battery terminal, so they both compensate for voltage drops across blocking diodes. And they both work in parallel with the alternator's internal regulator, so you get failsafe charging if the Adverc/Sterling breaks.

After fitting an Adverc, your next most cost-efficient upgrade is to increase the domestic battery bank capacity. With a bigger bank, you'll get quicker recharging, more reliable performance, and a much longer battery life. 500 to 600Ah in total wouldn't be out of place bearing in mind the way you use your boat.

Ignore suggestions to fit a bigger alternator. Assuming you have a 50 or 60amp alternator now, that is sufficient. Even with a 500Ah battery bank, you'll rarely be able to push in much more than 60amps, no matter how powerful your alternator.

If you really want to rid yourself of battery problems, get a Link 10 battery meter. This little device tells you everything you need to know about the state of your batteries. Most usefully, it counts the Ah in and out, so you can see how your recharging is progressing. There's a good feature on the Link 10, with lots of pics, on the Power-Store website (www.power-store.com) - look for "battery monitoring - products - advanced".

 

[Barnacle]

Get a stirling, great piece of kit, bangs em up to full charge in no time! Good instructions with it too, and cheaper

 

[philip_stevens]

Everyone is talking about Adverc and Sterling (or is it Stirling) charge controllers.

I have had a Driftgate 2000 charge controller fitted for five years now, and last year I was informed that they had improved the software and offered to update it for me for a very small fee. And I mean very small.

In all that time, I have had no problems with the charge controller or the batteries capacity/charging.

So there's another alternative for you.

regards,
Philip

 

[rex]

The boat had an Adverc fitted when I bought it three years ago. The previous owner had replaced a Sterling with it and reckoned it charged better. I have never used a Sterling and don't know if there are different models but the Adverc was great. Disconnecting it and reverting to the alternator's internal regulator cut charge rate by 15 amps. Belt slip was the main problem, not really enough wrap on the alternator pulley and I was worried about over tensioning and doing the water pump bearings. Can't blame Adverc for that but if you can use a twin belt or multi-vee drive I would. I fitted a new engine and didn't get round to fitting the Adverc, a must for this winter! I found the Adverc people really helpful too, even at the boat show when they knew i wasn't going to buy another unit. They gave wiring diagrams and info on fitting a second alternator and said they would upgrade the unit to control two alternators for a few quid. The only downside I can see is the alternator runs a lot hotter because it is giving near maximum output for a lot longer. It doesn't seem to have hurt mine on the last engine so I am fitting the old alternator as a second alternator with twin belts on my new engine. That will give me more output and a backup if one does overheat and croak. I also hope to fit a couple more domestic batteries but would always keep a dedicated starter battery just in case. You have got to have cold beer, it even makes revolting crew look better (are the crew revolting or are they revolting crew?)

 

[Guest]

Never tried Sterling,

Adverc people a pleasure to deal with.

Adverc was first new item added to last boat aquired.

It will also be the first new item added to the next boat, if there is ever a next boat.

Good luck,

 

[charles_reed]

I've had an Adverc for 11 years (since they came out), before it I was having to replace one of 3 batteries every year - this year I replaced the 9 year-old domestic battery, because it was dropping to 9.5v on drop-test after conditioning ie 2 cells were going - that other batteries are all over 6 years old and going to 108% of rated charge.

The Adverc has had two FOC software upgrades and is charging 1 lead/calcium and two industrial lead/acid batteries, totalling 380ah, with a drain of about 65 ah/day which means a 1 hour charge is needed (if not on shorepower) every 72 hours (1 battery always in reserve), I've fitted a Lucas/Magnetti Marelli marine 90 amp alternator.

Can't speak too highly of the Adverc or the support I've had from Trevor and the others.

Belt slip is a problem - minimised by using a HD serrated belt and ensuring all pulleys are solid (not pressings).

 

[stevebirch2002]

I have found the Sterling Booster to be really good. I have installed quite a few and found the help line very knowledgeable. They certainly work but like all boosters an eye must be kept on your batteries. Easy to install and works well.

 

[Guest]

I've only just picked this up, for what it's worth.

Sorry we didn't make sense to you, old son. Where I come from, in the frozen wastes of Hartlepool, we believe that, if you ask the right questions, you generally receive cogent answers. Did you know you shouldn't put manufacturers/suppliers on the spot by asking them to justify differences in price between their product(s) and somebody elses. It's like BMW being asked to justify why the cost of their 1.8 litre saloon costs more than the Vauxhall equivalent.

Their view is, "You pays your money and takes your choice", based on an assumption, perhaps, that the perceived value for money of their model is self-evident. Their sales figures will provide the true test.

With respect, what I feel you should do is to ask the respective suppliers precisely what their product does, ask how much it costs, read their literature or equivalent, take guidance from another purchaser, if possible, and then make a judgement. If the product fails to meet the claims made for it, return it and get your money back. Simple, really.

You can do that with us , anytime.

You still haven't received an answer to your original question, but you have received some excellent, unbiased views, across the board, from some knowledgable people, on the subject of battery management, sufficient for you to make an informed choice.

Best of luck with your choice, whatever it is.

Trevor Scarratt.
Adverc BM Ltd.