Smart regs.

[uforea]

Plan to fit one of these devices but need a little clarification first. What is the difference between the Adverc and the Stirling, apart from price. I have the standard multi choice battery switch 1, 2, 1/2, off. When I run the engine I have the switch in the 1/2 position so that both batteries get a charge. How then does a smart reg. handle the situation where one of these two batteries is flat but the other is charged? Help please.

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[johnsomerhausen]

The "smart" regulator senses the voltage of the battery to which the starter key switch is connected. If you put the switch to 1/2 for charging, the battery that is more charged will pass current into the one that is less charged, thus equalizing the charge between them. The alternator will send its current to one of the batteries, which will become more charged than the other and then tend again to eaqualize charge. You might run into problems if your starter key switch is wired to battery 1 whilst you have the main switch on battery 2; this might cause overcharge of battery 2 if battery 1 is low. Hope I made this clear....
john

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[bryantee]

the adverc has a sensing wire from the battery. you should have a look at their web site and download a circuit diagram,of the recomended system. fitting of a schottkty split diode system will take care of the uneqal charge.

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[Juggler7823]

If you have the 1, 1+2, 2 switch and charge on 1+2 the chrge will be shared between the batteries. You need to add a split diode or similar to prevent this. There is not alot between the Adverc and Sterling (except perhaps £80) in their operation. Both compensate for the split diode and have multi stage cycled charging and sensing from one battery. As far as I know only the Drifgate has individual sensing for multiple batteries.

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[snowleopard]

diff between adverc & sterling

they operate on quite different principles though both seem to work:

sterling operate exactly like a step-mode mains charger, ie. stage 1, adjust the voltage so that it delivers a constant charge, step 2 boost the last bit in at 14.8v, step 3 cut back the voltage to maintain charge.

adverc run at 14.5 v for 20 mins then 14.0v for 5 mins, then back to 14.5 continuing this cycle indefinitely with longer pauses at 14v every so often. they say it doesn't damage the batteries with long periods of engine running and who am i to argue.

i have the adverc and can confirm that after a year in a hot climate i didn't need to top up the batteries. with the sterling the 14.8v will cause gassing/loss of water though you can reduce the max voltage to 14.4 which will prevent it.

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[bedouin]

Re: diff between adverc & sterling

The Sterling is configurable to operate either at 14.8V or 14.4V so can be used for sealled or conventional flooded batteries. It can also adjust the time spent on full charge before dropping down to "float".

I've been told that the main difference between the two is that the Sterling does not try to take into account the current state of charge of the batteries - and so always gives them the full whack at 14.4/14.8 irrespective of whether they need it. The Adverc is supposed to be more intelligent about it - but I have doubts as to how intelligent it can be with a 2 bank installation

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