Sterling ProD Alternator Regulator

[DBA Forum (B) - Kevin Wade]

My ProD isn't getting to 14.8v at the batteries best I get is 14.4v, it is at the alternator output. This is after hours or running even after a full mains charge.

Inside the ProD is a small trimmer. What does this adjust? Mr Sterling won't tell me.

Today after a full overnight equalisation charge the batteries were at 14.6v. 4 hours later of running I have only 14.4v showing on the battery voltage.

This can't be right?

[DBA Forum (B) - John Nuttridge]

I am now using my Sterling ProB reg as ballast and haven't had a charging issue since.

[DBA Forum (B) - Tim Hackett]

I scrapped the one on my old narrowboat and had no further issues. River and Canal Rescue call them battery boilers.Adverc have a good rep but I haven't tried one.
Tim

[DBA Forum (B) - Peter Cawson]

Kevin - I'm surprised you want 14.8V from your batteries. Isn't this rather over-cooking them?

I have a similar-to-Stirling Adverc regulator on my main engine alternator dedicated solely to recharging the domestic batteries. I never see as high a voltage as 14.8V, but I'm sure it's doing what it should - to fully and quickly recharge the batteries at the most appropriate 3 stage voltages without over-charging, even at low alternator speeds. As an interesting aside, when the batteries are fully charged, my solar panels (connected directly to the batteries) effectively shut down and offer no supply to the batteries, in fact sometimes discharging the batteries at 0.1 Amp - presumably because their controller considers the batteries slightly over-charged.

Hope this helps, or maybe someone else will comment on my observations.

Peter

[DBA Forum (B) - David Beaumont]

[quote="Kevin Wade" post=56810]My ProD isn't getting to 14.8v at the batteries best I get is 14.4v, it is at the alternator output. This is after hours or running even after a full mains charge.

Inside the ProD is a small trimmer. What does this adjust? Mr Sterling won't tell me.

Today after a full overnight equalisation charge the batteries were at 14.6v. 4 hours later of running I have only 14.4v showing on the battery voltage.

This can't be right?[/quote]

14.8 (or 14.75) is about the most you want to put into a 12V battery. You might find you get that when the batteries are low and taking a bulk charge. When they are nearly full like after hours of running or a full mains charge they should be getting more like 13.5V, a float charge.

David

[DBA Forum (B) - Kevin Wade]

Yes because they are traction cells they can be charged at 2.68v per 2v cell so 16.08v for 6 of them.

All the proper jumper battery selections have been applied.

[quote="David Beaumont" post=56938][quote="Kevin Wade" post=56810]My ProD isn't getting to 14.8v at the batteries best I get is 14.4v, it is at the alternator output. This is after hours or running even after a full mains charge.

Inside the ProD is a small trimmer. What does this adjust? Mr Sterling won't tell me.

Today after a full overnight equalisation charge the batteries were at 14.6v. 4 hours later of running I have only 14.4v showing on the battery voltage.

This can't be right?[/quote]

14.8 (or 14.75) is about the most you want to put into a 12V battery. You might find you get that when the batteries are low and taking a bulk charge. When they are nearly full like after hours of running or a full mains charge they should be getting more like 13.5V, a float charge.

David[/quote]

[DBA Forum (B) - David Beaumont]

Ok traction cells. I do understand they can take a lot of punishment including deep discharges and fast charges but isn't the lead acid chemistry the same? Apparently a traction cell would prefer 2.35V per 2V cell (14.1V for 6 cells) [url=http://www.tractionbattery.co.uk/acatalog/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html#question3]www.tractionbattery.co.uk/acatalog/Frequently_Asked_Questions.html#question3[/url]

David