installing a Sterling charger,question on compatibility

[davil]

Hi
want to install a new Sterling alternator to battery charger,my engine is a Westerbeke 3 cyl with a solid state built in voltage regulator,according with instructions just go ahead connect the BAT terminal from the alternator to the Sterling and run the output cables to batteries.
Nothing is that simple on a boat!!!!!
The correct form is uninstalling the generator regulator BUT been a solid state built in is behind my skills.
Will there be any member that has installed one of this units?
thanks
just trying to make sure do not blow any diode
take care

[smac999]

you shouldn't be touching the regulator. leave the alt alone.

your step 1 is all you need.

[coopec43]

I have no idea what you are talking about but there are a couple of clips that may be useful?


https://www.australiandirect.com.au/...compressed.pdf


Help Installing My Sterling Alternator To Battery Charger ...
www.ybw.com › Forum › Forum › Practical Boat Owner's Reader to Reader
Mar 15, 2011 - Hello, I have the task of installing my Sterling Pro Alt C 80amp alternator to battery charger (the link takes you to the instruction manual).
Wiring in a Sterling Alternator to Battery Charger 5 Sep. 2016
Sterling Alternator to battery charger 9 Sep. 2013
Sterling International Battery Charger - Wiring Question ... 4 Apr. 2009
Installing shore power and battery charger


Clive

[davil]

thanks
the link did not work but google gave me the right link and very very helpful,here is a quote,"
3. The Sterling AB charger does not replace the alternator's own regulator. Your alternator and existing regulator must be fully functioning before fitting it.
It is not a regulator. It is in effect a split charging device that uses advanced electronic jiggery pokery to produce enhanced charging of the domestic battery at the same time as normal charging of the starter battery."

correct link
Help Installing My Sterling Alternator To Battery Charger

with this info am going to wire the charger to the output of the alternator and directly to battery,leaving alone the current wiring from alternator to starter motor to batteries switch.
I was concern of the current setup with the original voltage regulator and adding another however they are quite clear,this unit IS NOT AN EXTERNAL REGULATOR and in fact relies on the engine regulator to do its deed.
nice info,
thanks again
will have the fire dept truck standing by
David

[01kiwijohn]

Are you talking about their ProReg-D regulator? If so, you must leave the internal regulator in place and follow the instructions for determining alternator polarity and wiring into the brush wiring.

[davil]

this is the Sterling alternator to batteries,
I connected the leads as marked,seems to work well,the only remaining issue is the initial set up was alternator to starter motor,and from it to batteries,common sense will call to disconnect the alternator to starter motoras the new charger is wired to the batteries directly,however,need to investigate this,because all wires from alternator are wrapped and need to follow them on the clear because there is only one positive red wire from alternator to starter motor but on the terminal starter motor can see two red wires?
one am sure comes from the alternator so the second must be feeding something?
An no,is not the smaller wires going to different alarms,lift pump etc,

[powsmias]

Originally Posted by davil

Hi
want to install a new Sterling alternator to battery charger,my engine is a Westerbeke 3 cyl with a solid state built in voltage regulator,according with instructions just go ahead connect the BAT terminal from the alternator to the Sterling and run the output cables to batteries.
Nothing is that simple on a boat!!!!!
The correct form is uninstalling the generator regulator BUT been a solid state built in is behind my skills.
Will there be any member that has installed one of this units?
thanks
just trying to make sure do not blow any diode
take care

i believe Alan from bay marine in san diego can answer any questions.. guy's the nuts with all that knowledge

[sailinglegend]

Originally Posted by davil

3. The Sterling AB charger does not replace the alternator's own regulator. Your alternator and existing regulator must be fully functioning before fitting it.
It is not a regulator. It is in effect a split charging device that uses advanced electronic jiggery pokery to produce enhanced charging of the domestic battery at the same time as normal charging of the starter battery."...
David

This alternator to battery charger is an expensive alternative to a standard external regulator and was designed so that you don’t have to modify the standard alternator to be able to use an external regulator, but - and this is a big but - to do this it is about 30% less efficient than a normal external regulator. It would be much better - and probably cheaper - to remove the alternator and have it modified to accept a proper external regulator. Sterling also make these.

[john61ct]

Originally Posted by powsmias

i believe Alan from bay marine in san diego can answer any questions.. guy's the nuts with all that knowledge

Yes, and he is also competitive with his prices, highly recommend buying direct rather than through his eBay or Amazon stores to give him more margin.

[john61ct]

A Battery to Battery unit gives portability and lots more flexibility.

[01kiwijohn]

Initially, I found the Sterling instructions confusing however their later instructions are much better.
Modifying the alternator is relatively straightforward if you can handle a multimeter and have reasonably good soldering skills. Takes less than an hour. Just be sure to follow their instructions for determining the original regulator type.

[davil]

thank you 01kiwijohn
agree their instructions are not that clear,however just called tech support in UK (they provide a USA number) and found them to be very nice and helpful,problem solved.