batteries

[mtomison]

I have two new heavy duty varta batteries in parallel as ships power. Charging is by 80 amp alternator (which is working) and controlled by a sterling digital regulator. I have a separate merlin 25 amp charger and both of these charging systems drop to float well before the specific gravity reaches 50% charge. The sensor wire for the regulator is on the battery side of the splitter and connected to ships battery. I have removed the batteries and had them discharged and fully recharged by the distributors but still cannot bring them up in the boat. All the equipment is new.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[tony_brighton]

Is your charger set correctly for the batteries? Some (not sure about the Merlin) are adjustable for battery type (lead/acid vs gel) and capacity (Ah) before dropping to float charge. What is your battery capacity?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[bedouin]

I have a sterling regulator (but not the "digital" one). IIRC that drops to float entirely based on the time it has been running, not on the state of the batteries.

Mine has jumpers internally that control this setting (which relates the output of the alternator to the size of the battery bank)

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[tome]

My Sterling regulator has a switch for gel/wet cell batteries. If this is in the gel position it will not fully charge a wet cell battery (such as yours). Worth checking.

Tom

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[pampas]

disconnect Merlin and try again might be interfering with the sterling, I have a Sreling set to sealed on max. capacity not unsealed, seems to work ok but takes a little longer to charge and does not use distilled water.

<hr width=100% size=1>