Sterling 1600 pure sine inverter issues STERLING POWER PRO SIB121600 (2 Viewers)

[haganap]

Well the whole point of my post was to find out if it was more than mine and if it is a design flaw. It seems now mine is not unique. I will email Sterling and point them to this Topic!

I do hope they respond positively, I love their products and have several of them in my van. Im always buying new toys and would hate to think Ive been stitched up, if they told me how to turn the bloody alarm off it would be a help

 

[timdownieuk]

It is half the size it needs to be for the 250amp recommended fuse. 21mm is good for 135amps

But is that taking into account load factor? As I understand it if peak use is for short periods and there is time for cable cooling, a cable thinner than required for peak current is allowable (but not necessarily good for peace of mind).

I'm just trying to understand why Sterling might specify a thinner cable than you think is necessary.

 

[Techno]

But is that taking into account load factor? As I understand it if peak use is for short periods and there is time for cable cooling, a cable thinner than required for peak current is allowable (but not necessarily good for peace of mind).

I'm just trying to understand why Sterling might specify a thinner cable than you think is necessary.

They got it wrong! Is it any surprise that their new range come without cables? and their cable chart recommends a much larger size.
Cable size in DC circuits is to over come volt drop. High resistance causes lots of HEAT

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[Techno]

Try this
http://www.sp-shop.co.uk/What-Cable-to-use.html

Then ask why their own product has 21mm cable on it at 1800watt continuous output oh:

 

[Techno]

For Paul
The under voltage alarm on the 1600 should not kick in until 10.5 volts so clearly it is badly designed that it reads the true voltage 1.8 volts lower than it is and causes such a din! Supposed to be a quiet inverter

 

[Techno]

I have emailed a link to this thread FAO Will in tech support.

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[Techno]

Paul are you using a remote switch and is it the one from your 1800watt unit or did you buy another?
I have used the old one but I have been asked this question by Charles.
Presumably if the remote is the issue? then it should work ok without it.

 

[funflair]

Just out of interest, it that "half the size it should be" for continuous operation or for the typical use in a campervan? Nobody is going to draw 1.6 kW for long from batteries so I would guess that a degree of "under-speccing" would be okay. (In the same way that house wiring could never cope with 13 amps drawn from every socket).

I would think that cable spec should be rated against how long it takes your partner to dry her hair.

Tim

Hi Tim

It's not just the load rating on the cables but also the excessive voltage drop on undersized cables, this could trigger the low voltage alarm like Techno100 and Haganap are experiencing, Techno100 has checked this by measuring the volts at the inverter DC terminals.

Martin

 

[Techno]

My cable is so big that the supplied covers don't fit

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[funflair]

My cable is so big that the supplied covers don't fit

Oh YES I know that ANDY, I have read the thread from start to finish, just info for others reading.

Martin

 

[haganap]

Andy. I brought a new remote control aswell. Keep me informed.

 

[Techno]

I doubt there is a difference Paul especially as yours has the same issue regardless

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[Techno]

Paul did you order the specific remote for the 1600 or just a sterling remote.
Charles says the old one is not compatible.
I can't try mine until Friday now but if you have chance try yours without the remote plugged in and let me know

 

[Techno]

Apparently the correct remote comes as two parts there is an extra bit that fits at the inverter

 

[haganap]

I tried mine without the remote and it does not work any different. I have checked the part no and it is the correct one.

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[Techno]

So what's the little extra bit he speaks of?

 

[Techno]

You need to measure the voltage at the inverter terminals too to prove whether the inverter meter is correct. It may be that your battery voltage is actually being pulled below the alarm trigger point
I had a difference of 1.8 volts yours should read the same voltage or quite close to each other

 

[haganap]

There is an extra little bit but I don't know what it's for but it's irrelevant.

Even without the remote it does the same, my batteries are brand new and 3x 110 banners

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[Techno]

Yes I agree with you but you need to remove any doubt by comparing the voltage at the terminals with the voltage it says on the front.
Personally I think it's a design flaw but evidence is required

 

[Techno]

Did you measure the voltage at the terminals?
I have disconnected my remote and as Charles said it now works fine with only 0.2 difference maximum in fact showing 11.8 volts. Kettle quickly boiled and batteries showing 12.6 within seconds.
I think you must have a different problem and the best way to eliminate the main one is to independently check the voltage with a meter as said.
I now know that the only difference with the new remote is the extra bit but cannot acquire it by itself Oh Please!

 

[Techno]

Meanwhile the new 2kw inverter charger has arrived from Germany so I might be changing anyway as I'm not forking out for yet another Sterling remote or I'll have blummin three!!

Nice kit

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[Tootles]

Sterling electronic products are DUMP! Many with boats have been bitten with really bad stuff from Sterling.

 

[Techno]

Why not design the damn thing so it uses the standard remote? seems ridiculous to me.
Also When I bought it the spec said and still says it is 300mm long but when it arrived I found it is 350 long and had to do major remodelling to accommodate it.

SEE
Broken Link Removed

 

[jonandshell]

Sterling electronic products are DUMP! Many with boats have been bitten with really bad stuff from Sterling.

I dunno, my stuff works brilliantly!

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[andy63]

hi jon, likewise no complaints with my sterling products.
I take it you have not had any alternator issues, and what about your battery levels... have they needed topping up any due to the high charge rate you get. (its andy by the way, we met at fix it meet )

 

[Tootles]

(Memory here).....I think that Sterling were one of the first companies to start making 240 volt alternators for boats, to be driven by the engine pulley. The idea was to be able to discard inverters, and yet still be able to run a washer. At the time, it was a really cheap alternative to say buying a water cooled genny. They were a dismal failure, and Sterling did themselves no favours by 'coming tough' with owners.

 

[Techno]

The Sterling unit is performing as good as I'd expect I'm just miffed that you have to buy yet another remote just to get hold of the elusive extra little bit that there is no information about or even any pictures. It seems to me that it is a cockup! surely the RJ12 socket could have incorporated this extra bit internally so any Sterling remote could be used. Money making scam?

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[Techno]

I'd be even more miffed if it is just a crossover device as I could just fit a new plug the other way around.

 

[Techno]

Fortunately as I rearranged everything to accommodate the Sterling initially, I now have room for the much bigger UPS inverter.
Here showing 11.8 volts and working as it should

Size comparrison

Test fit and I'll need to alter the battery leads

Solar set a new record high! 21.6 amps with inverter powering the kettle

 

[Techno]

No going back now barring an emergency as the charging function makes it a steal at £216 delivered, that really was a good buy! I wouldn't have even been looking for another had I not suspected (wrongly) that the Sterling was faulty.
I've raised the shelf over the battery bank so the cables are OK now but I can swap back just by removing two loose fit battens.

So just the mains charger lead left to connect in the CBE 230 distribution box

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