Sterling Power Split Charge Diodes

[Chris_d]

I've had 2 of these fail on me now in 2 years, anybody else had problems?
Mine is the smallest 70A version, the alternator is a 60A unit so there is 10A headroom as Sterling recommend. I have a starter battery and 2 domestics of about 50Ah's each. On the first unit the diode to the domestics failed, the latest one it was the starter side diode. I'm fairly electronicaly minded /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif but I can't figure this one out, unless the diodes are just crap or running too hot /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[oldestgit]

Yes, I have had the same a couple of weeks ago.

Mine was a 90A Sterling unit on a 70A Alternator and the house side diode went, thus switching off my Sterling advanced alternator regulator. I phoned and they assured me it wasn't a known problem and sugested my unit might have been too hot???
Funny it has been on the boat over a year and too hot in Early May with outside temp of less than 20 deg, I dont think so.

I replaced it with a 130A unit, lets see how long that lasts.

........Peter

 

[dean1973]

fitted a 120 amp split diode i have a 90amp altenator feeding a stater set 24volt 2 x200amp bats and a 2x200amp serivce set serivce side never worked inless i touch the two post together which then started it charing fitting new one tommorow night dont now why it does this so sending it back

 

[Chris_d]

They don't actualy quote a maximum temperature, but I guess it can easily be 30degC in an engine room even on a cool day. However the failure rate does seem to suggest they need derating a lot more than Sterling reccomend.

 

[halcyon]

In an engine room, you need to work on a minimum of 50 degC for parts designed to run in there. For a cabin located units, i.e. circuit breaker rating, we work on 25 degC .

Brian

 

[markdj]

Try mounting the diodes outside the engineroom - we have had the same problem and are changing the diodes to a split charge Smartbank system this weekend as it happens !