Battery charging questions

[westhinder]

I have recently upgraded my service batteries from 2x120 Ah to 2x157 Ah and now I notice that with the engine running the batteries do not charge as they used to. The charge voltage does not go above 13V, not even after the engine has run for over an hour. The charging system as installed by the yard includes a four-stage Sterling booster, which does not seem to have any effect, despite the led for the boost stage being on.
When on mains, charging works normally.
Any ideas what may be happening?

 

[halcyon]

I have recently upgraded my service batteries from 2x120 Ah to 2x157 Ah and now I notice that with the engine running the batteries do not charge as they used to. The charge voltage does not go above 13V, not even after the engine has run for over an hour. The charging system as installed by the yard includes a four-stage Sterling booster, which does not seem to have any effect, despite the led for the boost stage being on.
When on mains, charging works normally.
Any ideas what may be happening?

Sounds like an alternator problem, try disconnecting the sterling unit, it should default to alternator regulator, if voltage stays at 13.0, you need to get the alternator checked, could be a failed rectifier diode.

Brian

 

[VicS]

I have recently upgraded my service batteries from 2x120 Ah to 2x157 Ah and now I notice that with the engine running the batteries do not charge as they used to. The charge voltage does not go above 13V, not even after the engine has run for over an hour. The charging system as installed by the yard includes a four-stage Sterling booster, which does not seem to have any effect, despite the led for the boost stage being on.
When on mains, charging works normally.
Any ideas what may be happening?

Presumably you are referring to a Sterling "Advanced alternator regulator"

Check that it has been wired according to the instructions....... in particular that the sensing connection is correct if you are using a diode splitter

 

[westhinder]

Sounds like an alternator problem, try disconnecting the sterling unit, it should default to alternator regulator, if voltage stays at 13.0, you need to get the alternator checked, could be a failed rectifier diode.

Brian

Thanks, I had the alternator checked last year, before the batteries were changed, and then it was fine. Not sure how to disconnect the Sterling. Could the extra capacity of the batteries be a factor? They are semi- traction.

 

[westhinder]

Presumably you are referring to a Sterling "Advanced alternator regulator"

Check that it has been wired according to the instructions....... in particular that the sensing connection is correct if you are using a diode splitter

Thanks, it senses the service batteries after the diode splitter.

 

[VicS]

Thanks, it senses the service batteries after the diode splitter.

Thats OK then.. just wondered if it had been connected so that it sensed to input to the diode splitter

 

[westhinder]

Presumably you are referring to a Sterling "Advanced alternator regulator"

Check that it has been wired according to the instructions....... in particular that the sensing connection is correct if you are using a diode splitter

Quick update: alternator works ok, I had been misled by the voltage drop across the diode splitter.

 

[VicS]

Quick update: alternator works ok, I had been misled by the voltage drop across the diode splitter.

But are you still saying that the volts, measured at the batteries never gets above 13.0 volts ?