Sterling Alternator-To-Battery Charger

[SlowlyButSurely]

I was considering fitting an alternator controller but the Sterling Alternator-To-Battery Charger looks like a very nice bit of kit and much easier to install.

Anybody tried one? Any pros and cons as opposed to an alternator regulator?

 

[stevebirch2002]

Installed lots in mobile installations similar to a yacht installation.

Does what it says on the tin! Not small. If you are just after an alternator controller then I would go for the standard ALternator Controller they make. Not that difficult to wire but you do need basic soldering skills.

Cheers Steve B

 

[steveallan]

I fitted the battery to battery charger last year. Excellent kit.

 

[Chris_Robb]

Depends what you want to use it for. If it is to charge a remote battery - bow thruster battery sited some way from the others, then its a great piece of kit. If you are just charging another set just by your engine battery, then perhaps a Alternator controller would be better.

If it is for a remote battery, then you will need to make sure the battery from which you are charging, is reaching a proper voltage, otherwise it won't work properly. I take it that your batteries are reaching AT LEAST 14.2V. even this is a little on the low side.

 

[SlowlyButSurely]

Hi Rob,

It's just for charging the batteries. We have one bank of 2 x 125 Ah batteries which have individual switches. The alternator is a Lucas 18 ACR with an output voltage of 13.6V so it would benefit from having an alternator controller of some sort.

It was when I was researching alternator controllers that I came across the Sterling Alternator-To-Battery Charger. Not something I've seen before. It seems a lot easier to fit as you don't need to solder a wire to the brush for the field control.

 

[SlowlyButSurely]

Oops! Sorry, I meant Chris!

 

[pvb]

You're getting confusing replies here - steveallan and Chris_Robb think you're talking about the Battery-to-Battery charger. The Alternator-to-Battery Charger you're interested in is a clever solution and doesn't require any alternator modification. There have been some reports of early failure, but I think this can happen with any electronic stuff on boats. It's more expensive than an alternator controller, but that partly reflects the fact that it's easier to fit. And it does include a diode-isolated output for the starter battery, so it can simplify split-charging. One thing to note is that you must fit it in a coolish, well-ventilated area because it generates a fair bit of heat and its internal cooling fans need access to cool air.