Help needed with Sterling 50A B2B please

[MisterB]

I am in the middle of fitting a sterling 50A B2B and now need to fit the alternator temperature sensor. The instructions say it goes to the B+ connection on the alternator (Fiat Ducato 2008)

my issue is that I don't know whether I have the complete sensor or just the connector/end? if I have the complete sensor how do I connect it to the B+ connector on the alternator ?

any advice or tips gratefully received, thanks

 

[pappajohn]

You have the complete sensor but you need the cradle.
Looks like the cradle fits to the alt terminal.
The complete thing is £12 on the bay of the thieves

Ignore this post see below.

 

[pappajohn]

Ignore that and ring Sterling.
I don't think what you have is the alt sensor.
The ones on Sterling's website are all potted (sealed in resin) and look nothing like yours.

If the bit you have has a plug on it you need the bit which bolts to the alternator.
If it doesn't you need the complete thing.

 

[MisterB]

thanks, I have checked the battery temp sensor and its terminated in a connector that fits to the battery negative terminal as shown in the photos. having looked at it and comparing it to the alternator sensor, it looks as though the sensor for the alternator is there but the connector to clamp it onto the alternator is missing. the reason I think its the alternator sensor is because when it was removed (professionally ive been told) there were two wires cut and left in the connections on the B2B which are labelled alternator sensor. they correspond with the cable that I believe is the alternator sensor.

 

[pappajohn]

Read the label again, it will save blowing you B2B to bits.
The label states CONNECT TO BAT NEG OR ALTERNATOR CASING.

It is the top lead in the link.

https://sterling-power.com/products/temperature-sensor?variant=982038035

The label is on the end with the connector ring indicating it denotes that end.
The two cut wires must go to the b2b

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[DBK]

As suggested, contact Sterling as something is missing in your first photo. I've found them very helpful except for their instructions not covering MH installation and how to use an existing battery monitor with the B2B.

 

[pappajohn]

The alternator cable, the one you have, is a thermal cable.... NOT a power cable, which is why it connects to the alt casing or battery NEG post. Both will get hot if overloaded.
There is NO connection to the alternator Pos terminal.

 

[MisterB]

Read the label again, it will save blowing you B2B to bits.
The label states CONNECT TO BAT NEG OR ALTERNATOR CASING.

It is the top lead in the link.

https://sterling-power.com/products/temperature-sensor?variant=982038035

The label is on the end with the connector ring indicating it denotes that end.
The two cut wires must go to the b2b

I may have confused everyone (and myself) I have two leads, one which is still connected into the b2b panel. it is that lead which has the end properly terminated and is for the battery temp sensor.

it is the other lead (hopefully you can see the two cut wires in the B2B) which is labelled alternator temp sensor that seems to have the connector missing that should be attached to the alternator B+ connection.

 

[MisterB]

The alternator cable, the one you have, is a thermal cable.... NOT a power cable, which is why it connects to the alt casing or battery NEG post. Both will get hot if overloaded.
There is NO connection to the alternator Pos terminal.

the instructions state connect to the b+ connector on the alternator. I didn't suggest it was a power cable !

 

[DBK]

the instructions state connect to the b+ connector on the alternator. I didn't suggest it was a power cable !

If you look at the image PJ showed in his first post I think you will see what is missing. The yellow thing is what I have as a battery temperature sensor. It fits to a battery terminal but there is no electrical connection. It is just a way of fixing it mechanically to the battery. The actual sensor is in the resin and it has two wires coming from it.

My 60A B2B doesn't use an alternator sensor but I would guess an alternator temperature sensor would look a bit like the battery one and it will have two wires coming from it.

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[MisterB]

so far I have only routed the cables through to where they need to be. I haven't made any connections yet and will contact sterling before I do !! I am still hoping its just the clamp that's missing !!

 

[MisterB]

Read the label again, it will save blowing you B2B to bits.
The label states CONNECT TO BAT NEG OR ALTERNATOR CASING.

It is the top lead in the link.

https://sterling-power.com/products/temperature-sensor?variant=982038035

The label is on the end with the connector ring indicating it denotes that end.
The two cut wires must go to the b2b

it looks like the temperature sensor is the same for the alternator AND the battery as the one shown is the same as I have - its the TEMP - black

 

[MisterB]

 

[Bart]

I have a sterling BBW1260 installed in our MH
https://www.sterling-power-usa.com/...probattc-batterytobatterycharger12vto12v.aspx
From memory it has 4 connections
+ in to b2b from cab battery
+ out to habitation battery bank
- pretty sure to had negative
then lastly it has the temperature sensor ( same as linked above by @pappajohn ) which is connected to the negative on my battery bank ( it is a 2 core cable from the b2b to the resin encase sensor )

But as others have said phone sterling , very helpful and easy to contact.

 

[pappajohn]

the instructions state connect to the b+ connector on the alternator. I didn't suggest it was a power cable !

If it connects to the B+ terminal it's definately a power cable.... B+ is the alternator 12v output directly to the battery Pos.
I would clarify it with Sterling before connecting anything to the B+

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[Techno]

Without reading the whole thread
The BtoB does not have a connection to the alternator

Are you sure it is not the AtoB alternator to battery unit ?

 

[Abacist]

I have a Sterling 25 amp B2B and I remember having 2 temperature sensors, one for the battery and one for the alternator but no means to fit the one to the alternator apart from miles of cable and a sensor on the end but no way to fix it or any clear instructions as to what to fix it to so I never bothered with it in the end!

 

[Techno]

Me too I’m certain it can be ignored

 

[bobandjanie]

We had a 50amp Stirling b2b charger, the only sensor cable went on the battery, ours was fitted by vanbitz. Bob.

Ps. This is a photo taken when we removed it to sell, you can see the small black sensor cable with the label.

 

[MisterB]

We had a 50amp Stirling b2b charger, the only sensor cable went on the battery, ours was fitted by vanbitz. Bob.

Ps. This is a photo taken when we removed it to sell, you can see the small black sensor cable with the label.
View attachment 301561

Thanks. I think mine is pretty much identical to yours. But the alternator temp sensor has definitely been connected at some stage to the B2B. Whether it was actually connected to the alternator is a 'mystery' lol. Ps why did you remove it? Why did you not keep it?

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[MisterB]

I have a Sterling 25 amp B2B and I remember having 2 temperature sensors, one for the battery and one for the alternator but no means to fit the one to the alternator apart from miles of cable and a sensor on the end but no way to fix it or any clear instructions as to what to fix it to so I never bothered with it in the end!

My instructions def say fix to alternator b+ connection !! I will speak to sterling to see if its needed or not and confirm where to fix it if it is needed. Thanks

 

[MisterB]

Without reading the whole thread
The BtoB does not have a connection to the alternator

Are you sure it is not the AtoB alternator to battery unit ?

Def detailed in my instructions and it has been connected at some stage to the B2B but whether it was connected to the alternator ....?? I will contact sterling tomorrow. Thanks

 

[MisterB]

If it connects to the B+ terminal it's definately a power cable.... B+ is the alternator 12v output directly to the battery Pos.
I would clarify it with Sterling before connecting anything to the B+

Thanks. I will definitely speak to them to clarify. A few contributors have suggested its not actually needed, which would make it simpler! Its def a temp sensor. Perhaps the insulation around the sensor protects it from current flow and any excess heat build up on the output of the alternator is transferred from the connection through the insulation and picked up by the sensor? So it wouldnt make an electric connection, its just a mechanical connection to hold the temp sensor in place? That seems to make more sense. Also as these are designed for marine use in an enclosed space, it might be needed it that environment but not in a road vehicle engine compartment that is cooled by air flow when driving in 'normal' temperatures?

 

[Techno]

From memory the alternator connection is only needed on boats or where the alternator is located where it is not cooled.
Not required on ours

 

[bobandjanie]

Thanks. I think mine is pretty much identical to yours. But the alternator temp sensor has definitely been connected at some stage to the B2B. Whether it was actually connected to the alternator is a 'mystery' lol. Ps why did you remove it? Why did you not keep it?

Hi, we removed it when we sold the van, we had 3 x 85amp lead acid batteries 200w solar and the b2b, but we used the van more, with the new van and the way its used we decided it's not needed.

Living in Spain 200w of solar and 2 x 90amp gel batteries, and we only use it in the summer months. Bob.

The black sensor cable came out of the Stirling and onto the battery.

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[MisterB]

From memory the alternator connection is only needed on boats or where the alternator is located where it is not cooled.
Not required on ours

Thats where my thought process ended up aswell. One of the benefits of forums like this is that it gives the opportunity to discuss issues and work out solutions !

 

[MisterB]

update is that sterling have said its ok not to connect the alternator sensor, if it was in one piece they said connect it, but as it isn't 'complete' they say it doesn't matter. they said if its broken off then don't worry about reattaching it, however I will try to attach a connector to the probe and fit it to the alternator but I wont be spending a lot of time sorting it out.

I also confo=irmed with them the best types of battery to fit and they recommended lithium ….. so I ordered two 'NOT' !!!! there next recommendation was open lead acid, they advised that they performed better than AGM or Gel, so I am arranging with alpha batteries to exchange the AGM battery they sent, with a lead acid (Banner), which they have already agreed to do (thanks Alpha Batteries !!)

 

[Bart]

Nice one, especially on from Alpha Batteries