ghostlymoron
Well-Known Member
Is it worth fitting an electronic regulator such as Merlin or Sterling. I have 1 engine start battery (75aH) and 2 domestic batteries (110aH each). Also fitted are diodes on charging circuit.
Alternator regulator
- Thread starter ghostlymoron
- Start date
pampas
Well-Known Member
Yes /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
halcyon
Well-Known Member
Do you have a problem with your current set-up ?
If you do not have a problem, fitting one will make no differance.
If you have a problem, fitting one may help you.
Brian
If you do not have a problem, fitting one will make no differance.
If you have a problem, fitting one may help you.
Brian
rudolph_hart
Well-Known Member
Agree with michael_w. Fitted and Adverc to the last boat, and a Merlin to the current boat (1x 75Ah + 2x 130Ah). They both made a noticeable difference.
Adverc is the most expensive, but you get decent instructions and helpful telephone support.
Merlin is less expensive, but instructions are in Fortran, translated from Inuit, translated from Japanese.
Although comparable to Merlin in cost, I avoided Sterling because of bad press on these forums about telephone support ("Mr Angry").
Adverc is the most expensive, but you get decent instructions and helpful telephone support.
Merlin is less expensive, but instructions are in Fortran, translated from Inuit, translated from Japanese.
Although comparable to Merlin in cost, I avoided Sterling because of bad press on these forums about telephone support ("Mr Angry").
stevebirch2002
Well-Known Member
Looks like I'm the only one to like Sterling Support!!!
Always found them helpful, if a little sharp! Certainly know what they are on about. Usually get to talk to the Organ Grinder and not the monkey!
Works well but I must admit the instructions are written a little poorly...!
Always found them helpful, if a little sharp! Certainly know what they are on about. Usually get to talk to the Organ Grinder and not the monkey!
Works well but I must admit the instructions are written a little poorly...!
Goldie
Well-Known Member
Another vote for Aderc and the highest praise for their aftersales service.
vyv_cox
Well-Known Member
Not the only one! I fitted a Sterling a couple of years ago, perfectly happy with it except for an annoying intermittent fault. I rang the company from Italy and was given a fair hearing and useful advice. Still haven't fixed the problem but not finished with it yet.
I agree, the instructions are quirky, but complete.
I agree, the instructions are quirky, but complete.
Clyde_Wanderer
Well-Known Member
When I was looking for info on a charge splitter, I phoned sterling 4 times and was told each time that mr Sterling was with someone, and would phone back, which he never did.
Went for driftgate instead.
You would be well adviced to go for the Adverc unit as that is the type all the ambulsnce services use, now that they have moved away from Sterling.
I thing mr Sterling was at an anger management meeting
Went for driftgate instead.
You would be well adviced to go for the Adverc unit as that is the type all the ambulsnce services use, now that they have moved away from Sterling.
I thing mr Sterling was at an anger management meeting
ghostlymoron
Well-Known Member
Thanks chaps for your advice - Adverc it is then!
jerryat
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Thanks chaps for your advice - Adverc it is then!
[/ QUOTE ]
A wise decision. I highly recommend Adverc too. Great product and superb after sales back-up too! No connection etc.
Thanks chaps for your advice - Adverc it is then!
[/ QUOTE ]
A wise decision. I highly recommend Adverc too. Great product and superb after sales back-up too! No connection etc.
Chris_Robb
Well-Known Member
[ QUOTE ]
Looks like I'm the only one to like Sterling Support!!!
Always found them helpful, if a little sharp! Certainly know what they are on about. Usually get to talk to the Organ Grinder and not the monkey!
Works well but I must admit the instructions are written a little poorly...!
[/ QUOTE ]
I have had both Stirling and Adverc. Yes Adverc are loveley people to deal with, and actually I have not found a problem at stirling at all - I has some problems with the Altemnator booster installation, and they were VERY helpful. I also installed a battery to battery charges for the bow thruster battery and they were great with that too.
Looks like I'm the only one to like Sterling Support!!!
Always found them helpful, if a little sharp! Certainly know what they are on about. Usually get to talk to the Organ Grinder and not the monkey!
Works well but I must admit the instructions are written a little poorly...!
[/ QUOTE ]
I have had both Stirling and Adverc. Yes Adverc are loveley people to deal with, and actually I have not found a problem at stirling at all - I has some problems with the Altemnator booster installation, and they were VERY helpful. I also installed a battery to battery charges for the bow thruster battery and they were great with that too.
Chris_Robb
Well-Known Member
Vyv - what problem do you get?
I have an annoying problem. It is when the voltages on the batteries gets up to 14.8, a red light comes on - meaning battery overvoltage - which it isn't. The charging then reverts the the alternators own controller at a dribble.
I have an annoying problem. It is when the voltages on the batteries gets up to 14.8, a red light comes on - meaning battery overvoltage - which it isn't. The charging then reverts the the alternators own controller at a dribble.
scarlett
Well-Known Member
I own a Sterling but would not again. Bad instructions and no customer care. I offered to rewrite his instructions for nothing but did not get a reply.
Buying a gadget should be a happy experence and not so frought you get so peed off want to toss it and get someone else's.
Buying a gadget should be a happy experence and not so frought you get so peed off want to toss it and get someone else's.
alldownwind
Well-Known Member
I've had a Sterling - it worked. Instructions a bit odd but understandable.
I have a Merlin on current boat. It works. Instructions not exemplary, but better than those for the Sterling. Had no problems whatsoever getting either to work.
Not at all sure what an Adverc does that makes it so much better and worth spending so much more money.
I have a Merlin on current boat. It works. Instructions not exemplary, but better than those for the Sterling. Had no problems whatsoever getting either to work.
Not at all sure what an Adverc does that makes it so much better and worth spending so much more money.
damo
Well-Known Member
I own a Sterling charger, splitter and alternator regulator. Never any problems fitting them (instructions are indeed quirky but plenty adequate) or using them /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
A
Anonymous
Guest
Hang on a sec! Halcyon made the most important point earlier on. Do you have a problem with your existing system - what is the problem you are experiencing? What is your typical usage and intended usage?
These regulator boosters are quite expensive and need to be fitted with care or they will be very unreliable. They are great in some circumstances but there are many battery issues that won't be helped much if at all by them.
An example - suppose your normal practice in summer is to go from a marina berth (with shore power) to spend one night at anchor, then go back to the marina the next day. Suppose your problem is lack of battery power for the telly, lights, fridge and laptop overnight..... unless you are prepared to run your engine overnight (not very popular in an anchorage) then the answer to your problem would be bigger batteries, not a regulator booster.
These regulator boosters are quite expensive and need to be fitted with care or they will be very unreliable. They are great in some circumstances but there are many battery issues that won't be helped much if at all by them.
An example - suppose your normal practice in summer is to go from a marina berth (with shore power) to spend one night at anchor, then go back to the marina the next day. Suppose your problem is lack of battery power for the telly, lights, fridge and laptop overnight..... unless you are prepared to run your engine overnight (not very popular in an anchorage) then the answer to your problem would be bigger batteries, not a regulator booster.
ghostlymoron
Well-Known Member
I rarely use marinas and use engine only to get out of harbour say 1/2hr per day. I've only just acquired the boat and it has much more electrical gear than my old one (water pump, shower etc) so I am concerned that I may drain the batteries. My understanding of alternator regulators leads me to think that I will stand a much better chance of keeping the batteries fully charged with one.
I could see how it goes for a while I suppose.
I could see how it goes for a while I suppose.
halcyon
Well-Known Member
The first job is to find out what voltage the alternator regulates at.
The next is to find the size of the alternator, and your power uasage.
If the alternator regulates at 14.4 /14.6 volt you will not gain a lot, if it regulates at 13.6 volt you will gain a lot by a new regulator
.
If you have a 35 amp alternator, you need a larger alternator first.
No matter what you fit, 1/2 hour running may well be not adequate to recharge the battery.
Start by sorting out your problem, then the solution.
Brian
The next is to find the size of the alternator, and your power uasage.
If the alternator regulates at 14.4 /14.6 volt you will not gain a lot, if it regulates at 13.6 volt you will gain a lot by a new regulator
.
If you have a 35 amp alternator, you need a larger alternator first.
No matter what you fit, 1/2 hour running may well be not adequate to recharge the battery.
Start by sorting out your problem, then the solution.
Brian
A
Anonymous
Guest
[ QUOTE ]
I could see how it goes for a while I suppose.
[/ QUOTE ]Definitely, try everything out in service before spending money. You might find that there are some other issues that will compete for your funds.
I could see how it goes for a while I suppose.
[/ QUOTE ]Definitely, try everything out in service before spending money. You might find that there are some other issues that will compete for your funds.