Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 01-31-2020, 08:35 AM   #1
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Mt Vernon, WA
Posts: 523
Year: 1996
Coachwork: Bluebird, Collins
Chassis: G30 Bluebird Microbird, E350 Shuttle Bus
Engine: 1995 Chevrolet 350, 1992 Ford 460
Sterling Power Energy Equipment? Sizing question?

Well I bought a Sterling Combi inverter charger on eBay. The auction included a Sterling smart battery combiner. I知 considering adding a Sterling battery to battery charger for some extra batteries I have. Has anyone tried them out? The Sterling USA website is:
https://www.sterling-power-usa.com/
Ive done inverters and solar before but not a battery combiner. I was hoping to simply replace the old battery isolator with the combiner and use the same wires but the previous owner used small wires. I think they are only 6 guage. If I have a 70 amp alternator is that big enough wire? The system will be drawing more power when I知 done adding batteries and loads. Maybe I should install bigger cable. But how big?
Thanks

Doktari is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-31-2020, 10:56 AM   #2
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Mt Vernon, WA
Posts: 523
Year: 1996
Coachwork: Bluebird, Collins
Chassis: G30 Bluebird Microbird, E350 Shuttle Bus
Engine: 1995 Chevrolet 350, 1992 Ford 460
They call the Combiner a “zero voltage drop isolator”. Here’s the page they have for it:
https://www.sterling-power-usa.com/P...solator-9.aspx
Doktari is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-31-2020, 07:19 PM   #3
Bus Geek
 
ol trunt's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: So Cal
Posts: 3,231
Year: 1935
Coachwork: Superior
Chassis: Chevy
Engine: 317 ci/tid / Isuzu
I have the Sterling power BB 1230 model battery charger on my bus and I couldn't be happier with the device. It is a 3 stage charger so does all the right stuff with my la battery setup. The installation manual requires several reads but doesn't miss a complete explanation of each step. I chose to wire mine through an on/off switch (provided for in the unit) with a LED guide light to remind me when the unit is turned on. I did this because I prefer to let the start batteries come back to full charge before I start charging the house batteries--a little less load on the alternator.
Jack
.
ol trunt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 01-31-2020, 11:14 PM   #4
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Mt Vernon, WA
Posts: 523
Year: 1996
Coachwork: Bluebird, Collins
Chassis: G30 Bluebird Microbird, E350 Shuttle Bus
Engine: 1995 Chevrolet 350, 1992 Ford 460
I知 considering the same 30 amp battery to battery charger model, the BB1230, rather than the 60 amp model, BB1260. I知 also concerned about my alternator overloading or overheating with the bigger unit. And I知 not planning on changing my 70 amp alternator anytime soon as it has a vacuum pump attached to the back. I suppose I could install a 12 volt vacuum pump and more powerful alternator. Decisions decisions. These are the fun decisions I like.
Doktari is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:37 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.