jonandshell
Free Member
Hi all,
We have just upgraded to a Sterling 160amp Alternator to Battery Charger on our RWD Chausson/Transit.
Installation is a bit more involved than a Battery to Battery unit, but the results are well worth it!
Measured at the alternator, charging a 50% discharged 345Ah battery bank, I am getting 120 Amps at tickover and 155 Amps at 1200 RPM.
The Transit alternator is specced at 150 Amps.
Obviously, some of this is running the diesel injectors and engine management.
The unit has all the benefits of the Battery to Battery charger in that it charges at a higher voltage and increases the useable capacity of the batteries, plus avoids gradual suphation of the plates by incomplete charging.
If my maths are correct, when skiing it should be possible for the hab batteries to last four days (at a 80% discharge) and be recharged with a 2 1/2 hour run. For those who don't know us, we have a traction battery bank.
Alternatively, a 1 1/2 hour run every 2 days will keep the batteries topped up.
The low running times should avoid bore glazing issues for the infrequent times we will use the van engine as a genny.
Fast charging also uses water, so battery maintenance will be a bit more regular than with our old 50 Amp B2B.:Sad:
The charger was £309 to buy and out-performs a genny in every way!:thumb:
If any Funster needs any tips on fitting one of these, I am willing to share my fitting experience.
We have just upgraded to a Sterling 160amp Alternator to Battery Charger on our RWD Chausson/Transit.
Installation is a bit more involved than a Battery to Battery unit, but the results are well worth it!
Measured at the alternator, charging a 50% discharged 345Ah battery bank, I am getting 120 Amps at tickover and 155 Amps at 1200 RPM.
The Transit alternator is specced at 150 Amps.
Obviously, some of this is running the diesel injectors and engine management.
The unit has all the benefits of the Battery to Battery charger in that it charges at a higher voltage and increases the useable capacity of the batteries, plus avoids gradual suphation of the plates by incomplete charging.
If my maths are correct, when skiing it should be possible for the hab batteries to last four days (at a 80% discharge) and be recharged with a 2 1/2 hour run. For those who don't know us, we have a traction battery bank.
Alternatively, a 1 1/2 hour run every 2 days will keep the batteries topped up.
The low running times should avoid bore glazing issues for the infrequent times we will use the van engine as a genny.
Fast charging also uses water, so battery maintenance will be a bit more regular than with our old 50 Amp B2B.:Sad:
The charger was £309 to buy and out-performs a genny in every way!:thumb:
If any Funster needs any tips on fitting one of these, I am willing to share my fitting experience.