Sterling Power Products AB2460 Manual De Usuario

The output marked “domestic battery” comprises an intelligent, 
software-controlled boost function which charges the domestic 

battery bank up to five times faster and much more efficient than a 

standard alternator could do. In addition, the batteries will take in up 

to 50% more charge current, allowing you to utilise their full capacity.

While the alternator-to-battery charger greatly improves the charging 

of the domestic battery bank, the starter battery has always priority, 

ensuring that the engine can be started at any time. Under no 
circumstances will the system allow the starter battery to drop below 
13V.

Always install the unit in a dry, cool and well-ventilated place. 

Additional functions protect your electrical system and your batteries 

Any contact with water and heavy humidity has to be avoided. 

from possible faults such as overcharging or overtemperature. Any 

Do not cover the fans to prevent the unit from overheating.

fault on the system will be indicated by a number of LEDs or on the 
optional remote control unit.

Make sure all cables have the appropriate size and are in good 
condition. Do not run the unit with cables that are damaged or 

otherwise inappropriate.

In order to maximise the alternator output current, the alternator-to-
battery charger pulls the alternator output voltage down to about 
13V. Then this low voltage is amplified to a higher voltage suitable 

The alternator-to-battery charger contains electrical 

for effective battery charging, i.e. 14.1V to 14.8V. The unit’s 

components which may produce sparks. In order to avoid the 

intelligent software automatically calculates the optimum charge 

risk of fire or explosion, do not install the unit in rooms 

cycle and absorption time. When the batteries have been fully 

containing batteries or highly inflammable materials or in any 

charged, the voltage is reduced to float voltage (appr. 13.5V to 

place requiring explosion-proof equipment. This includes any 

13.8V).

room with petrol, gas or diesel driven engines or with tanks or 
piping used for any such substance.

Before starting to install the charger please ensure that there is 

sufficient ventilation. In order to prevent the formation of 
explosive gases make sure that the batteries have not been 

Easy installation: It could not be easier. For the basic system only 

charged for at least 4 hours prior to installation.

4 connections are required: one from the alternator(s), one to each 
battery bank and one to the common negative. Apart from the 
additional negative connection most of these cables will be on board 
anyway.

Someone should be within earshot, i.e. close enough to come 
to your aid when working near a lead-acid battery. Have plenty 

Advanced charging technology: Intelligent, software-controlled, 

of water and soap nearby in case battery acid comes in 

4step charging of the domestic battery including temperature 

contact with skin, clothes or eyes. Wear complete eye 

compensation.

protection and protective clothing. Avoid touching the eyes 

No interference with engine electronics: Because the system 

while working with a battery.

does not increase the voltage of the starter battery there is no risk of 

If battery acid contacts skin or clothing, wash immediately with 

problems with the electronic engine management system.

soap and water. If acid enters the eye(s), flood eye(s) with 

No work on the alternator required: Absolutely no changes to the 

running cold water for at least 10 minutes and seek medical 

alternator are required. As a result no warranty conflicts can arise.

attention immediately.

Never smoke or allow a spark or flame in the vicinity of a 

Suitable for multiple alternators: Unlike other systems the 

battery or the engine.

alternator-to-battery charger can be used simultaneously on more 
than one alternator, saving even more installation work and money.

Work with extra caution to reduce the risk of dropping a metal 
tool onto a battery. It may create sparks or short-circuit the 

Starter battery priority: The system ensures that the starter battery 

battery or other electrical parts that may cause an explosion.

is always kept in operational condition.

Remove all personal metal items such as rings, bracelets, 

Intelligent fault protection: The unit comprises multiple safety 

necklaces, watches and jewellery when working near a battery. 

features and fault indicators. Even in the unlikely event of a 

A battery can produce a short-circuit current high enough to 

complete failure, the unit will still work as a split charge diode.

weld a ring or any other metal which will lead to serious burns.

Enhanced installation options: The unit comes with temperature 

Never charge a frozen battery.

sensors for the battery and the alternator. It can be enhanced by an 
optional remote control.

The Sterling alternator-to-battery charger is a fully automatic, 
electronic multi-stage split-charge system which charges two 
banks of batteries from one or more alternators. It combines an 
advanced split charge diode system with a powerful voltage 
amplifier. The unit has one input to connect to one or more 
alternators and two outputs to charge two different battery 
banks.

Install the unit in a cool and well-ventilated position close to the 

The output marked “starter battery” is a straight channel 

alternator(s). Also, the installation point has to be dry and free from 

through a diode; this is the channel that is connected to the 

heavy condensation since the unit is not waterproof. Do not fit it in a 

boat / vehicle engine system. In order to avoid any conflicts 

closed box as this might lead to overheating of the unit and reduced 

with an electronic engine management system, there is no 

performance.

boost function on this channel.

first two seconds of having the ignition key fully turned. During 

these two seconds, a 12 volt feed is sent to the alternator B+ 
terminal which is enough to let the alternator fire up. Thereafter, 

Before connecting the unit to your alternator(s) make sure that 

the alternator looks after itself. Use a 0.5mm² wire for this 

your alternator-to-battery charger ist rated for the maximum 

connection.

output of the alternator(s).

Connect the main alternator output(s) (B+) to the centre stud 

Multiple Alternators: The alternator-to-battery charger can be 

marked “ALTERNATOR INPUT. Then simply connect the other 

used on more than one alternator at the same time. Simply 

studs to the engine battery and to the domestic battery, 

connect all alternator outputs (B+) to the alternator input terminal 

respectively. Make sure that the cables used can carry the full 

on the unit. Make sure that your alternator-to-battery charger is 

current of the alternator(s). Choose a cable size that can carry at 

rated for the combined maximum output of the alternators.

least twice as much current than required. For example, if you 
have a 70A alternator, then use a 140A cable.

 The remote control kit is an optional extra 

including a remote display and two 200A shunts. The two shunts 

measure the current coming from the alternator 

 and the 

current going into the starter battery 

. From these values the 

electronics will calculate the current going into the domestic 
battery.

The unit has a short negative wire which has to be extended and 
connected directly to the alternator negative (or case) using a 60A 

The remote control will keep you informed about voltages, 

cable.

currents, temperatures and other operating figures. In the event 

If you currently have a split charge diode, then the three positive 

of a problem, it indicates what the problem is.

wires are already there. Simply replace the split charge diode with 
the alternator-to-battery charger and connect the negative wire to 
the alternator.

Important: If your alternator has got its own battery voltage sense 

Programme the type of your domestic battery into the unit by 

wire, then this has to be removed from the battery terminal and 

using the dip switches 

. The unit has four different battery type 

should be connected to the alternator’s own B+ output instead. 

settings:

This will prevent contradictory regulation between the alternator 

Non-sealed lead-acid batteries (where you can unscrew the lid 

and the alternator-to-battery charger.

of the battery and top it up with water): The absorption voltage is 
14.8V.

For additional functions and improved performance some extra 
features can be installed. Note that this extended installation is 

Gel batteries (Exide specification): This is the new 

optional and is not required for the unit to work.

specification for gel batteries as laid down by Exide. The 
absorption voltage is 14.4V.

 Using its ring terminal end, connect 

one of the enclosed temperature sensors to your domestic 

Gel batteries (U.S. specification): This is the standard U.S. 

battery’s negative post. 

specification for gel batteries. The absorption voltage is 14.1V.

 Connect the two small wires on the other end 

to the small terminals marked “battery temp”. Be careful not to 

Sealed lead-acid batteries and AGM batteries: These batteries 

damage or alter the temperature sensor in any way! The system 

are also charged at an absorption voltage of 14.4V, however with 

will then sense the battery temperature and change the output 

a shorter absorption time.

voltage in accordance with the recommended temperature 
compensation for the selected battery type.

The ideal absorption time for each battery type is recalculated 
automatically for each new charging cycle.

As soon as the unit is connected, it senses the output voltage 

 Using its ring terminal end, 

from the alternator. When the alternator is producing voltage, the 

connect one of the enclosed temperature sensors to your 

alternator-to-battery charger will start up, indicated by a slow 

alternator case or negative stud. 

flashing of the top green LED. The start-up phase will be about 2 

 Connect the two small wires on the other 

to 3 minutes during which the unit is only working as a passive 

end to the small terminals marked “alt temp”. Be careful not to 

split charge device.

damage or alter the temperature sensor in any way! The system 

When the start-up phase is completed, the top green LED (1) will 

will then sense the alternator temperature and will disengage the 

come on constantly, indicating that the unit is now in the constant 

voltage amplifier if the alternator temperature exceeds 100°C.

current phase and is boosting the current into the domestic 
battery bank. At the same time, the load on the alternator will 

 The alternator-to-battery charger in its 

increase.

standard configuration senses all voltages directly at the unit. 
However, in order to compensate a possible voltage drop 

The voltage on the domestic battery output will then rise until it 

between the unit and your domestic battery, you can run a simple 

reaches the absorption voltage for the selected battery type. 

0.5mm² wire from the positive stud of your domestic battery to the 

After that the output will be kept constant on absorption voltage 

terminal marked “dom sense”.

(14.1V to 14.8V) and the yellow timer LED (2) will come on. The 
unit’s intelligent software automatically calculates the optimum 

 Some alternators will not fire up without a 

absorption time (between 1 and 24 hours.)

voltage on their B+ terminal. Because the alternator-to-battery 

When the batteries are fully charged, the voltage will be reduced 

charger contains a split charge diode there will be no voltage feed 

to a constant float voltage (13.6V to 13.8V).

on the B+ terminal which means that the engine will start but the 

During the boost and the absorption phase the entire charging 

alternator may not work. If this is the case, then you need to use 

cycle is suspended for 3 minutes every 20 minutes to provide 

the starter solenoid feed terminal on the alternator-to-battery 

additional charge capacity for the starter battery.

charger. It connects to the starter motor terminal which only 
becomes live when the starter motor bendix is engaged, i.e. the 

If, thereafter, the voltage of the domestic battery drops below 

Important: Fast charging costs water! Check the water level in 
your batteries regularly and top-up if necessary. Do not overfill!

Do not use any positive battery terminal 

for this connection!

Do not use any positive terminal 

(B+) for this connection!