Product Characteristics

ALTERNATOR-TO-BATTERY CHARGER

INSTRUCTIONS

Safety Instructions

Before connecting and running your Sterling alternator-to- battery charger, read the complete instructions and all cautionary labels on the unit and on the batteries. Only a correct installation according to these instructions will let you take full advantage of your alternator-to-battery charger.

General Precautions

Always install the unit in a dry, cool and well-ventilated place. Any contact with water and heavy humidity has to be avoided. Do not cover the fans to prevent the unit from overheating.

Make sure all cables have the appropriate size and are in good condition. Do not run the unit with cables that are damaged or otherwise inappropriate.

Precautions against Gas Explosions

The alternator-to-battery charger contains electrical components which may produce sparks. In order to avoid the risk of fire or explosion, do not install the unit in rooms containing batteries or highly inflammable materials or in any place requiring explosion-proof equipment. This includes any room with petrol, gas or diesel driven engines or with tanks or piping used for any such substance.

The output marked “domestic battery” comprises an intelligent, software-controlled boost function which charges the domestic battery bank up to five times faster and much more efficient than a standard alternator could do. In addition, the batteries will take in up to 50% more charge current, allowing you to utilise their full capacity.

While the alternator-to-battery charger greatly improves the charging of the domestic battery bank, the starter battery has always priority, ensuring that the engine can be started at any time. Under no circumstances will the system allow the starter battery to drop below 13V.

Additional functions protect your electrical system and your batteries from possible faults such as overcharging or overtemperature. Any fault on the system will be indicated by a number of LEDs or on the optional remote control unit.

How it works

In order to maximise the alternator output current, the alternator-to- battery charger pulls the alternator output voltage down to about 13V. Then this low voltage is amplified to a higher voltage suitable for effective battery charging, i.e. 14.1V to 14.8V. The unit’s intelligent software automatically calculates the optimum charge cycle and absorption time. When the batteries have been fully charged, the voltage is reduced to float voltage (appr. 13.5V to 13.8V).

Before starting to install the charger please ensure that there is sufficient ventilation. In order to prevent the formation of explosive gases make sure that the batteries have not been charged for at least 4 hours prior to installation.

Precautions when Handling Batteries

Someone should be within earshot, i.e. close enough to come to your aid when working near a lead-acid battery. Have plenty of water and soap nearby in case battery acid comes in contact with skin, clothes or eyes. Wear complete eye protection and protective clothing. Avoid touching the eyes while working with a battery.

If battery acid contacts skin or clothing, wash immediately with soap and water. If acid enters the eye(s), flood eye(s) with running cold water for at least 10 minutes and seek medical attention immediately.

Never smoke or allow a spark or flame in the vicinity of a battery or the engine.

Work with extra caution to reduce the risk of dropping a metal tool onto a battery. It may create sparks or short-circuit the battery or other electrical parts that may cause an explosion.

Remove all personal metal items such as rings, bracelets, necklaces, watches and jewellery when working near a battery. A battery can produce a short-circuit current high enough to weld a ring or any other metal which will lead to serious burns.

Never charge a frozen battery.

Easy installation: It could not be easier. For the basic system only

4 connections are required: one from the alternator(s), one to each battery bank and one to the common negative. Apart from the additional negative connection most of these cables will be on board anyway.

Advanced charging technology: Intelligent, software-controlled, 4step charging of the domestic battery including temperature compensation.

No interference with engine electronics: Because the system does not increase the voltage of the starter battery there is no risk of problems with the electronic engine management system.

No work on the alternator required: Absolutely no changes to the alternator are required. As a result no warranty conflicts can arise.

Suitable for multiple alternators: Unlike other systems the alternator-to-battery charger can be used simultaneously on more than one alternator, saving even more installation work and money.

Starter battery priority: The system ensures that the starter battery is always kept in operational condition.

Intelligent fault protection: The unit comprises multiple safety features and fault indicators. Even in the unlikely event of a complete failure, the unit will still work as a split charge diode.

Enhanced installation options: The unit comes with temperature sensors for the battery and the alternator. It can be enhanced by an optional remote control.

General Overview

The Sterling alternator-to-battery charger is a fully automatic, electronic multi-stage split-charge system which charges two banks of batteries from one or more alternators. It combines an advanced split charge diode system with a powerful voltage amplifier. The unit has one input to connect to one or more alternators and two outputs to charge two different battery banks.

The output marked “starter battery” is a straight channel through a diode; this is the channel that is connected to the boat / vehicle engine system. In order to avoid any conflicts with an electronic engine management system, there is no boost function on this channel.

Basic Installation

Important: These guidelines refer to the connections that have to be made for the correct installation of the Sterling Alternator- to-Battery Charger. On an existing system you may also be required to remove some of the connections that were used to charge the batteries prior to the installation of the unit.

Install the unit in a cool and well-ventilated position close to the alternator(s). Also, the installation point has to be dry and free from heavy condensation since the unit is not waterproof. Do not fit it in a closed box as this might lead to overheating of the unit and reduced performance.

The unit has three temperature-controlled fans. Therefore they will