Free Sterling B2B charger 12v 60A :D

[Stu0k]

I'm brand new to this, been camping for years but recently bought a 58 plate Renault Trafic high top conversion of a guy who had just got a bigger van. It has a leisure battery charged/fed by a PMS3H power management system (with a complete snakes wedding behind - see pics) & has a split charge relay wired from the starter battery.

Now the fun bit; a friend at a local dealership was shutting up shop & as such I have acquired x3 twin channel reversing mirror monitors, a nice LED interior light, a reversing brake light camera and the part that makes me most curious; a Sterling battery to battery charger. 12v60A input. No battery temperature sensor, but I think I've found one of those for sale.

However; I am now at a quandary as to whether to install the Sterling or just leave the relay in place. I've a 1000Wpure sine wave inverter that will be going in the van soon to supply 240 (although 240v sockets are already wired for when the van is plugged in).
Does anyone have any pointers regarding this system & the best way to make use of it???

Any help would be appreciated

Stu

 

[eddie]

Install the Sterling remove the VSR

 

[Pausim]

What size (Ah) and type (Lead Acid, Gel, AGM, LiFePO4) of leisure battery do you have?

 

[MisterB]

Sterling sell the temp sensors separately. Mine came with a battery temp sensor and an alternator sensor. i was informed by sterling that i dont really need the alternator sensor, they are mainly used on boats.

 

[autorouter]

The only reason a B2B isn't fitted as standard on motorhomes is the cost. So if you have one for free, go ahead and fit it.

The power output of 60A is a bit high. Recommended maximum charge rate for lead-acid batteries (inc. AGM and Gel) is C/5, where C is the capacity. For example a 100Ah max battery charge rate is 100/5 = 20A.

This could be your excuse to get another leisure battery or two. Ideally 60 x 5 = 300Ah total. Even better, go for a LiFePO4 which can happily charge at C/2, so a 100Ah or 120Ah would be fine. If you've only got one lead-acid battery you need more for running the 1000watt inverter anyway.

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[Stu0k]

Thanks for the replies everyone,
The battery is a Yuasa L35-115 ( https://www.yuasa.co.uk/batteries/leisure-marine-garden-view-all/l35-115.html ) - see pic below (dont panic, i've moved it to a location where I can strap it down & will be buying a proper fitting kit to wire in the B2B!!)
This B2B unit came with no wiring diagram or instructions so any heads up that any one can give me would be gratefully received!

 

[autorouter]

This B2B unit came with no wiring diagram or instructions so any heads up that any one can give me would be gratefully received!

Installation instructions are on the Sterling website. There is more than one type of 60A B2B so I don't know exactly which one you have, but here's an example:

Basically the VSR is between the starter battery and the leisure battery. The wires to the two positive terminals of the VSR go instead to the main terminals of the B2B. You also need a thin wire to the battery negative, for the B2B internal electronics. You'll probably need thicker wires, if the charging current is being increased from 20A to 60A.