Sterling Pro Combi S Inverter Charger Smoking:(

[andyp]

I think you are right with the loose connection causing large voltage drop theory.

When I looked more closely at the charging cables they were clearly too large for the size of crimp terminal which would fit the charger.

In the replacement installation I have used 6 sq mm cables and heatshrink sleeved yellow crimp terminals which look like a more professional fit.

 

[Richard10002]

I bought it as a refurbished unit on ebay, where it clearly stated no warranty or guarantee. I have the protection of the Sale of Goods Act but the automatic assumption of fault expires after 6 months.

I might be tempted to write the letter and see what happens, but I'm more inclined to spend my time on something fun.

Cheers

Richard

Written the letter quoting Sale of Goods Act 1979....... We'll see what happens.

 

[Richard10002]

Written the letter quoting Sale of Goods Act 1979....... We'll see what happens.

RESULT!! I think

Got a call at 9am Tues after emailing the letter at about 11pm Mon. Sterling offered to sell me the "module" for £159.60 inc. VAT and postage. I agreed, even though I could have pushed things further, and it arrived today. Pretty sure I've got a 2 year guarantee on the module.

Fitted it to the unit this evening, and will fit the unit to the boat tomorrow.... Fingers crossed.

A few differences between the original unit and the new one - I wonder if these are improvements?

A difference i can describe is: The capacitors on the original were Jamicon 15000uf 50v. The capacitors on the replacement are RIFA 22000uF 25v

Another difference is a yellow box type thing replaced by a Song Chuan 30A relay.

 

[Richard10002]

If that was me, I'd be checking I'd fitted the caps the right way around. They have a plus and a - like a battery, but sometimes marked in odd ways..

I have neither removed the old caps, nor fitted new caps, so nothing for me to check. Sorry if I confused the issue.

 

[cimo]

RESULT!! I think

Got a call at 9am Tues after emailing the letter at about 11pm Mon. Sterling offered to sell me the "module" for £159.60 inc. VAT and postage. I agreed, even though I could have pushed things further, and it arrived today. Pretty sure I've got a 2 year guarantee on the module.

Fitted it to the unit this evening, and will fit the unit to the boat tomorrow.... Fingers crossed.

A few differences between the original unit and the new one - I wonder if these are improvements?

A difference i can describe is: The capacitors on the original were Jamicon 15000uf 50v. The capacitors on the replacement are RIFA 22000uF 25v

Another difference is a yellow box type thing replaced by a Song Chuan 30A relay.

nice result Richard.
so what you planning to do with the old unit?
rgds
c

 

[Richard10002]

nice result Richard.
so what you planning to do with the old unit?
rgds
c

Not sure. It's only the internal electrical module, so not really saleable or useable as it is. I could replace the capacitors, but I don't know if something else has caused the breakdown. It would also be a real gaff to put the repaired module back in the unit to test it.

Also not surer how receptive Sterling would be to repairing it?

The repaired unit seems to be working OK but it's only charged at up to about 40A for a fe seconds so far. Ill see if I can test it at full power next week. The batteries need to be discharged to about 50% to make it work at full power for any length of time.

Cheers,

Richard