Reverse charging feature
The STERLING BB chargers are able to charge in both directions. Provided there is over 13.2V on the leisure battery (13.5V if lithium) and the starter battery is below 13V the BB shall allow approximately half current (~20A) to flow back to the starter battery up to about 13.4V (float voltage). This allows the starter battery to remain topped up when there is surplus energy in the leisure battery. This feature will NOT drain your domestic battery – it simply takes surplus. Once the alternator / engine turns on or you provide the STERLING BB with an ignition signal the STERLING BB reverts to normal charging of the leisure battery. The reverse charge feature can be disabled, but is on as default.
This is ideal for allowing the starter battery to remain topped up when you are charging your leisure battery.
Insulation
STERLING BB battery-to-battery chargers insulate the 12V starter battery from the 12V leisure battery. This protects the starter battery against accidental discharge and ensures that your engine is always ready to start.
Choosing the right STERLING BB charger
The STERLING BB bidirectional battery-to-battery charger should be rated at around 25-50% of the current rating of your DC-DC converter. This allows the converter to provide the power to run your obligatory loads (steering, lights, stereo, air con etc) and surplus to go in to your 12V auxiliary battery. For example, if your converter is 190A rated, use a STERLING BB1270 - it shall provide ~60/70A to charge. If the full use of the converter is being used by all ancillaries the voltage shall drop across the 12V system and the STERLING BB shall naturally reduce performance and eventually turn off during that episode when there is a high power demand. The STERLING BB shall turn on again when the voltage climbs.
Lithium compatible
Charging lithium batteries will likely exceed the charge rating. If your converter is 200A rated but your lithium battery can only handle up to 100A - the converter will try and provide 200A but the battery(s) BMS will trip out. The benefit of the STERLING BB charger is that it limits the current directly.
Always the right charging voltage
You will get the correct charge voltages at the 12V auxiliary battery. Some DC-DC converters deliver a constant charging voltage of 14.7V, which may be too high for some battery types! With the bidirectional STERLING BB battery to battery charger, you always have the right charging voltage, regardless of whether you are using a lead-acid, AGM or lithium battery.
Automatic start of the charging process
Once your alternator / engine turns on or you provide the STERLING BB with an ignition signal , it starts charging. Alternatively, the integrated vibration sensor can also activate the charging function after two consecutive vibration events. The vibration function makes it possible to install the STERLING BB charger without having to install an ignition signal. This is also an operational method if you have a smart alternator/Euro 6 engine (or younger). Please note the instructions regarding vibration mode in the operating instructions.
Further advantages of the STERLING BB charger
- Smart Alternator/Euro 6 compatible
- Ignition feed or Vibration Sense modes
- 6 pre-set battery types
- 6 self recovering protections
- Low temperature trip for Lithium Ion batteries
- Quiet thanks to passive ventilation
Technical Data
| Input voltage: |
9 - 16 V DC |
| Continuous output power: |
24 at 14.41 V (approx. 345 W) |
| Continuous input current: |
26 at 13.68 V (approx. 355 W) |
| Standby power: |
5 mA |
| Efficiency: |
98 % |
| Protection functions: |
Undervoltage protection
Input overvoltage protection
Output overvoltage protection
Overcurrent protection
Charge over temperature |
| Operating temperature: |
-20 °C to +60 °C |
| Cooling method: |
Thermostatically controlled |
| Dimensions: |
120 x 130 x 56 mm |
| Weight: |
0.6 kg |
Notes
- The device comes with a one-page quick start guide. There is a QR code in it and also on the device itself, which takes you to the STERLING website. Detailed instructions and several videos are available there.
- The set includes four 2.9x21 mm self-tapping screws and a temperature sensor with a 3 m long, flat 2-wire connection cable for the battery.
The actual temperature sensor is located in an M10 ring cable lug, which is mounted on the negative pole terminal of the battery on the output.
IMPORTANT: The sensor is not required for an output LIFEPO4 battery.
- Although the device has two NEGATIVE connection terminals, the input and output ends of the device are not electrically isolated from each other, or to put it more clearly: the device has a common earth on the input and output ends.
The two NEG connection terminals can be used to simplify the cabling if required.
(In comparison to VICTRON devices: There, a separate earth on the input and output end is described as ‘isolated’, according to which a common earth would be ‘non-isolated’).
Max. charging current
25 A
Optional remote display/operation
Temperature sensor can be connected